The Regret Novel Female Lead with Unbreakable Mentality Chapter 45

“Later on, it might be nice to capture some happy moments on a date or something… It’s all about making memories, after all.”

 

Looking into the clear and innocent eyes of my ailing father-in-law, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse or act out. He’s my natural enemy, for real.

 

And so, with a heavy heart, I found myself stepping outside for a date in name only with Duke Kalinos. As we walked past the mansion in the capital and through the country houses where lower nobles resided, I noticed pamphlets stuck in front of every shop. With a puzzled expression, I passed by, only to see a pile of magical recording artifacts under a sign that read ‘Magenta Merchant Guild.’

 

[<Video Recording Artifact>: Free rental for two months and fifteen days! Includes high-quality sapphire at no extra charge!]

 

“Count Ronus has made his move.”

 

“It seems he’s targeting a different customer segment.”

 

It seemed he acted faster than expected. And judging by the recording artifacts flying off the shelves, it was quite effective.

 

I crumpled the flyer and stuffed it into my pocket, muttering softly. “Smart, isn’t he? Even copying like this.”

 

Duke Kalinos glared at the words ‘two months and fifteen days’ with a stern expression. He seemed furious at the realization that our marketing had been copied. Well, it was understandable to be angry that the Kalinos family’s artifacts, especially those his father had poured his heart into, were being overshadowed…

 

“Why did they choose a rental period of two months and fifteen days? That’s not a common duration. It would have been better to go for one or two months.”

 

Is that really what’s important right now?

 

Duke Kalinos turned away with a chilly look.

 

The real issue was that our magic artifacts’ market position was under threat. In any market, alternatives always sell alongside the best-quality product. Sometimes, those alternatives could even threaten the best.

 

As I strolled through the streets, glancing at the flyers that looked similar to each other, I overheard people talking.

 

“They say they’re working hard on screen research? They’re planning to release a full-color screen soon. Well, it’ll take some time.”

 

“And did you hear? They’ll replace it for free if there’s even a minor defect.”

 

As expected, they were talking about Count Ronus’s invention. Listening to the chatter, I gently fanned myself with a feather fan.

 

“There’s no point in listening any longer. Let’s go. This date is over.”

 

I almost linked arms with him, but I hesitated. There was no one watching, but I was caught up in the idea of us as a couple and nearly did it. And then, just at that moment—

 

“Yes, let’s go.”

 

A warm hand gently grasped my shoulder. He had come to escort me quite naturally. Even though he’d suddenly come so close, there was still no scent coming from him. Strangely, I found the absence of fragrance comforting. Perhaps that was why.

 

“Um, don’t worry too much.”

 

“Worry?”

 

Well, he certainly didn’t look worried at all.

 

“There’s no need to worry about things like that. We have more intriguing tools at our disposal.”

 

…I let slip a trade secret. Just a little.

 

* * *

“Offering a two-and-a-half-month free rental of magical artifacts along with jewels has really boosted our sales graph, hasn’t it? Our market share is quite impressive!”

 

At the same time, inside the Magenta Merchant Guild, which Count Ronus operated under an alias, the atmosphere was more excited than expected.

 

Compared to the Kalinos’s full-color video magical artifacts, their competitiveness was clearly lacking. But thanks to the frugal types who loved freebies, their marketing had gained the upper hand with waived rental fees and bonus gemstones.

 

The man, known as the figurehead of the Magenta Merchant Guild, responded while fiddling with the ledger. “This is definitely a game of chicken. It’s a battle to see who comes out on top.”

 

“No matter how much money the Kalinos family has invested, they probably don’t have much budget left after the monster war.” He remembered Caitlyn saying that before.

 

As Count Ronus stroked his mustache with a satisfied smile, the figurehead of the Magenta Merchant Guild spoke cautiously. “But honestly, I don’t have a good feeling about this. It might be better to abandon this invention cleanly and wait for Marquis Berto to return.”

 

“Hah, what are you talking about? With the amount of investment that’s gone into this, I can’t just back down now!”

 

“Understood. I’ll give it a try for now.”

 

In truth, while the full-color magical artifacts were fascinating, there were quite a few people who were reluctant to get involved with the Kalinos family. Moreover, having partnered with a new merchant guild called ‘Kimar Merchant Guild,’ they likely lacked expertise in sales or marketing.

 

And as for connections, no one can match Count Ronus!

 

Feeling excited at the prospect of a comeback, Count Ronus was on his way to pitch his family’s invention to a friend from the academy. As he entered the coffee house, he spotted Viscount Sesicella, who was fixated on a small box in front of him. Count Ronus widened his eyes.

 

“Viscount Sesicella? What is that?”

 

“Oh, you’ve arrived, Count Ronus.” Viscount Sesicella, one of Count Ronus’s academy friends, hurriedly hid the magical artifact in his pocket.

 

Count Ronus questioned him with a look of disbelief. “Wait, do you also have a magical artifact from the Kalinos family?”

 

“W-Well, you see…”

 

“Enough of that, just use our magical artifact. We’re offering a two-and-a-half-month free rental, plus you get jewels.”

 

Viscount Sesicella muttered with a dissatisfied expression. “It’s not about the money.”

 

“The screen? We’re working on making it in color too.”

 

“That’s not the issue.” Viscount Sesicella showed him the artifact and said, “This magical artifact, when you turn it on and off to record, something fascinating appears on the screen. Aren’t you curious? That’s why I rented it.”

 

“What? What exactly are you curious about?”

 

Viscount Sesicella clicked the recording artifact, and soon, a vibrant, colorful image appeared prominently on the screen. “They call this a ‘loading screen.’”

 

“Loading screen?”

 

“This ‘loading screen’ is so unique that noblewomen are going wild over it, and thanks to that, the businesses appearing on the screen are constantly becoming new topics of interest.”

 

“What?”

 

Viscount Sesicella spoke to Count Ronus as if he were looking at someone pitiable. “If you want to keep up with social circles, you just have to have this magical artifact.”

 

* * *

[The Voice of the Beautiful Opera House, Once Again!]

 

Lady November, who was active as a singer at the Opera House, found herself captivated by the ‘loading screen’ video within the magical artifact. As she turned the recording artifact on and off countless times, the screen displayed a video of her singing. The clear, pure tone emanates from the screen.

 

It was the main character, ‘Aria of the Night,’ from <The Emperor’s Flower>, the opera house where she starred in. She had heard that to prevent unauthorized use of the artifact, they had designed what they called a ‘loading screen’ that emits a sound as a deterrent.

 

“Lady November, your voice is truly beautiful!”

 

“And the dazzling tiara you wore as the character looks even more stunning inside the recording artifact!”

 

“They say there’s a world you can only see in color, one that doesn’t exist in the world of black-and-white magical artifacts.”

 

After the tagline ‘Experience the Beautiful Opera House at Home’ flashed by, the scene shifted to the vibrant landscape of a coffee house.

 

[The Joy of a Refreshing Voice and a Burst of Flavor in Your Mouth]

 

The combination of the words ‘refreshing’ and ‘bursting’ in the tagline made her mouth water involuntarily.

 

The scene alternated between a shot of pale yellow rum being poured into a crystal glass and a tray piled high with vibrant green lime-flavored desserts. The vivid colors made the presentation even more immersive and realistic.

 

Every time the magical recording artifact was turned on and off to capture a desired scene, the ‘loading screen’ naturally showcased the opera and the coffee house, effectively doubling their promotion.

 

“Did you hear? The opera house tickets are selling out every day.”

 

“This coffee house too. I heard you have to line up to get in.”

 

Traditionally, the opera house and the coffee house were known as an inseparable pair in high society, but perhaps due to the impact of the ‘loading screen,’ it became common for madams and ladies to visit the coffee house after attending the opera to chat.

 

“Quite delicious, isn’t it?”

 

“The dessert here is quite good.”

 

Without realizing it, November had devoured the entire tangy apple-flavored crumble.

 

Through the advertisement on the magical artifact’s loading screen, stories about the coffee house began to slowly spread.

 

By the way, I wonder who really owns this coffee house? Beautiful and fragrant food, reasonable prices, and above all, a prime location right next to the opera house. She suddenly wondered who possessed such refined taste. But it was merely a personal curiosity. For now, at least.

 

* * *

“My goodness, we’ve hit the jackpot!”

 

“Guess what? The opera house has increased its advertising budget for the magical recording artifacts! All the other households’ servants are in an uproar, wondering if they can get their hands on one of those artifacts!”

 

The servants of Duke Kalinos spoke excitedly, as if releasing all the pent-up frustration they had felt.

 

“Everyone’s asking to have their ads placed on the magical recording artifacts. But how do they even insert those ads?”

 

“Who knows? Lord Kimar probably took care of that. Isn’t he just amazing?”

 

One of the servants lowered their voice to a whisper. “But I heard Lord Kimar has a true master elsewhere?”