CHAPTER 496: RIGHTS FOR SELLING SEEDS

After Octavia started her training under Rakkunzansa’s guidance, Elaina headed to the market to meet with Princess Tabatha. Elaina already told Princess Tabatha that she would be meeting her later.

Since this is the final step for their business to begin while also eliminating the "competitors", Elaina has to ensure that Princess Tabatha would not be offended.

Heading to the office of the market, Elaina told the guards guarding the building about her appointment with Princess Tabatha. Since she had already visited once during the Monster Egg inquiry in the past, the guard knew her already.

Using the intercom, he asked if Elaina had permission, and after receiving the approval, Elaina was let inside.

The office has remained the same, but the people working there seems to have increased compared to last time. Maybe due to the protocols and amendments of various rules, the company hired people to accommodate the increasing labor. It seems that some of her advice back then is being followed.

But since Elaina is not there for sightseeing, she hurried to the office of Princess Tabatha and got it done with. Upon her arrival, a few stacks of papers are currently on the table, with a few still being carried out by Princess Tabatha, increasing the stacks. She is sorting those papers, and it is clear on her face that she is not enjoying her time sorting out the stack of papers. Even Elaina remembered her time when she was still the empress, and she had to deal with tons of paperwork as well. The number of stacks here in Princess Tabatha’s office is considered inferior compared to the stacks of papers she handled back in the day.

When Princess Tabatha turned to look in Elaina’s direction, she quickly wiped off the sweat on her face, tried to fix her unkempt hair, and smiled awkwardly.

"Master Elaina, you have arrived. I’m sorry that this is the state you are seeing my office right now. It is clear that it is not ready to receive any visitors right now, but since it was you who requested it, I think it is right for me to show the state of my office right now, since you are not a stranger to me. I hope you understand. Been so busy lately."

Elaina smiled and shook her head. "Don’t worry, when running a business and you are the head of the operation, this is pretty normal, to be honest. There is no shame in doing work like this."

Princess Tabatha led Elaina to her sofa in the office, where the clutter on the office table was absent. "We should talk here instead of my office table. With all the paperwork still not done, I don’t think we can talk properly there. So, you want tea or any drinks?" Princess Tabatha offered.

"Thanks for the offer, Princess, but it’s alright. Don’t trouble yourself. And I just ate before I came here, you don’t need to worry."

"I see. Well then, you said earlier when we were training that you had some things to discuss with me. Is it related to the crops you are selling or the goods being shipped from your farm?" Princess Tabatha pours tea into her teacup.

"Although it’s not about those, it is certainly connected to my crops. But first, let me ask, how are the sales going with the seeds being sold in the market?" Elaina asked, trying to gauge how she could persuade her to halt the sales of the seeds more easily.

"To be honest, not looking good. Considering the last plague that destroyed the goods of the crops being grown by the farmers in Darcero Kingdom, many farmers have less money to even recover their capital they used to spend on the seeds. Sure, seeds still sell, but it was not in a good state, and I don’t even think it will immediately recover, considering we are still suffering from the aftermath of that event. If only the seeds were not important, we would have immediately switched it to another seller who isn’t afraid of this kind of setback."

"Isn’t the setback pretty minor? And besides, seeds would last for quite some time, I don’t think it will rot or anything if not planted right?" Elaina tilted her head.

"Indeed, that should have been the case, but there is also an annoying thing happening with our seed supplier, as they have delivered bad and rotten seeds mixed with healthy seeds and put them on the so-called "bundle" for them to scam farmers. We always get complaints about them, and if not for the fact that we are the only reliable seed suppliers due to how some peddlers and merchants that drop by sell seeds, they would have already moved out and left us behind."

"Why not sever ties with that merchant who supplies you with seeds? If all you get are major complaints due to the supply they give, isn’t that a bad trade for you and your company?"

"We do plan to do that, but since we could not just abandon the other farmers who still buy seeds from us, it is not easy to just remove our seeds that are for sale. We don’t even mind if there is a competitor who can take the market for the seeds, as we can easily move on to a more profitable business than the seeds, and it seems that the plague brought out the problem with the economy for the seeds. With the sales tanking, we really have a big incentive to just cut that part of the sale and replace it with something else."

"Princess, looks like you are actually in luck this time around," Elaina smiled. Hearing the problems, she is now confident.

"What do you mean, Master?" Princess Tabatha looks confused.

"Remember that I inherited the business my parents left behind after they died, right? Considering that it was a business related to exporting goods to other kingdoms and places, we only handle exported goods since most of our customers are travelling merchants and suppliers that come from other places. While we are content with our current business, we wanted to expand our business, and this time around, we wanted to sell seedlings and saplings for the farmers of Darcero Kingdom, as well as the other kingdoms. However, considering that the market holds the monopoly on the seeds, I wanted to ask if it is right to open the business while rivaling yours."

Upon hearing Elaina’s explanation, Princess Tabatha’s eyes went wide and her smile got bigger if she had found something very good, "Are you sure about that, Master? Are you going to take the seed business?"

"I was only planning to ask for us to open this business and get a proper permit since the market holds the authority. But if you are planning to just get rid of it, why not give us the opportunity to salvage it for ourselves?"

"Wonderful idea, Master. If you wanted, we could even transfer the remaining seeds we haven’t sold yet as a way to not let them rot. Don’t worry, we have already gotten rid of those seeds that are mixed with rotten seeds. But you can look at them and see for yourself if you are not convinced. Might as well make sure, right?"

"Are you sure? Then we can discuss the price."

"Don’t worry, Master, it should be free."

Elaina shook her head. "No. I will pay for this. At least make it a bargain price if you really want to get rid of those seeds as soon as possible, just don’t give them to me for free. I don’t want to have that kind of relationship with Princess like this, which seemed like I was taking advantage of you."

"...True. I forgot about that, considering there are other people who would try to find fault with many things, and just wanted to watch the world burn for some unknown reason. So, when are you planning to begin the business? We will soon plan out our next replacement for the seeds and make an announcement to farmers to redirect their attention to your market and have them purchase there instead."

"It won’t be too long, as I am still training my new hire who will be handling the business in my stead. Once she is ready, we are ready to take on the market and make sure the seeds sell and ensure the farmers are not going to lose it on the price."

"Who are you going to have the seed supply though? I hope it isn’t my supplier, as that one was not worth your money at all."

"Don’t worry, seeds are my supply, and I keep them supplied. So even if there are suppliers asking if they can supply their seeds to my business, they cannot do anything since I hold the authority and decision-making."

Hearing that, Princess Tabatha sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. I wanted the good things to happen to the farmers in Darcero Kingdom and if they are still scammed by that kind of person who sells rotten seeds, I would lose it entirely. So, I hope this business succeeds, Master."

Elaina is happy inside after receiving the full support of Princess Tabatha. All things are going well for her. Now, all that’s left is for Octavia to finish her training, and they can begin the grand opening of this new venture.