Honestly, Sterling's strategy was the "safe" path. It was a low-risk, high-margin model that would net us a decent sum of profit.
But It just does not sit right with me. I believed that Movies, Songs, Games and other culture things like these should be shared with all people and The matter of chess being monopolized by Noble is something, I just can not accept.
Its a waste of the game's soul.
"A different opinion, you say?" the Marquis asked, leaning forward with genuine curiosity. "Let's hear it then, Your Highness."
"First," I began, steepling my fingers, "you assume that the chess game will not be popular among commoners, is that right ?"
"Yes"
"Well, why do you think that ?"
"No particular reason," Andras admitted with a shrug. "Commoners don't have the luxury of leisure like we do. They spend their days working. To them, a complex game is just another chore. It's mostly just a gut feeling."
"Trusting your gut and all is fine for a merchant, but on this, I dare say, your intuition is failing you, Marquis." I countered. "i have a different opinion. Marquis, Chess is not just a game to pass time. Its a tool to sharpen your mind and strategizing skills."
"and ?"
"we live in the Regulus kingdom. A kingdom that respects meritocracy. Although commoners can never reach the level of Nobility, they can, as a matter of fact, still climb the ladder in professions like government official or civil service or a wealthy guild leader. and they can aim for a better life. The drive to polish yourself and becoming better is far stronger in commoners than it is in the Nobles who were born and handed with everything."
"And you think that drive will attract them to this." He said pointing to the board "this mind sharpening tool called 'chess' ?"
"I believe so."
"Hmm... your logic is not wrong but we need more research data to confirm if your plan is truly plausible. A merchant doesn't gamble on 'logic' alone, Highness."
"Of course, aren't you here for that ?" I asked with a sharp grin.
He looked at me with an unexplainable expression.
"Haha, leaving the heavy lifting to me huh.. well, I will look into it. ...But what about the other flaw ? The snobbery? How will you cover for that ?"
"The matter of nobles looking down on commoners ?" I said, my voice dripping with mock seriousness.
"Yes"
"Well.... I don't have a certain plan but I do have a thought." I stood up and paced a small circle around the table.
"lets hear it" He said, following my position with his eyes.
"If we sell it to just nobles, the nobles would think 'Haha, You commoners will never be able get or play what's in my hand. look at it. you can't even dream of buying it' Something along those lines, right ?" I tried my best to mimic the tone of an arrogant Noble.
"....Right" Marquis answered, seemingly amused with my exaggerated acting.
"So what if we sell one common version for commoners and one luxury gold and ivory plated version for nobles ?"
"...and what will happen with that ?"
"That way the nobles will feel something else, something different. 'You commoners, even if you can play chess, can you ever be able to afford this Golden chess ? This is the difference of our status. We might play the same game but our board and pieces are miles apart.' Something like that. It transforms the game from a shared hobby into a visible metric of their wealth."
"That is... surprisingly astute," Andras admitted.
"oh! and also..."
"there's more ?"
"if we sell it first to the nobles and then start selling it to the commoners after a few months when we've already achieved a good number of sales among the nobles, Then the nobles will feel even more superior, thinking that the commoners are trying to imitate them with cheap copy of their game"
"hmm.. Using Noble's ego and superiority complex against them to bypass that very Ego. That's an unexpected move, Your highness. so much so that, i can't help but be bold enough to say something offensive."
I crossed my arms over my chest, a small, amused smirk playing on my lips. "You're already being bold by announcing your intent to be offensive, Marquis. I shall grant you a one-time pardon. Speak your mind."
"You," Andras said, his voice dropping to a low, respectful whisper, "are a Devil."
"A Devil, huh?" I let out a dry chuckle. "In this palace, Marquis, That sounds like a praise in my ears, to be honest."
"Does it ? That's good then. Is there any other strategy, you wish to implement ?"
"Just one," I said, my gaze turning toward the distant horizon of the capital city. "A strategy to ensure the 'Commoner Edition' doesn't just sit on shelves, but becomes a cultural phenomenon."
"A marketing strategy? Please, I am all ears."
"a championship"
"a what ?"
"championship. You can arrange a chess competition in different cities every once in a while and offer some rewards for the winners. that way it won't just be another hobby but a sports"
Andras went quiet, his eyes glazed as he ran the logistics through his Mind. "A Championship... we would need to calculate the venue costs and the prize pools, but the return on visibility... it's plausible. Highly plausible."
"I have high expectations," I said.
"As do I. Is there anything else?"
"Not for today."
"Then.." He stood up "I shall take my leave. I will soon send someone to report you with the plan"
"Very well. oh and also, before you go..." I looked at Mary
Mary stepped forward and handed him a card
"Indeed. I will be needing this to give your share"
The card was a bank card with my account details that he would need to deposit the money to my account.
And with that he started walking towards the garden exit.
****
I started walking towards the exit "Then, Your Highness, I shall see you at the New Year Grand Celebration"
"....yes" The prince gave a dry reply.
Does he not like New year celebration ? Come to think about, His Highness did not attend any of the new year balls of the past years. But, since this one is a grand ball, He can not avoid it. Its mandatory for a royal member.
Before I reached the exit I turned my head back towards the prince "Your highness, Can i ask you one last thing ?"
"sure, Go ahead"
"Why are you So insistent for the commoner to play chess ?"
He stayed silent for a bit and said "Marquis, in my opinion Music, stories and games should belong to everyone, Regardless of status, nation, gender or race. Why should the joy of a checkmate be reserved for those with a title?"
I was stunned by his Reply "...I see"
Merchants are people who mostly care about their profits and themselves...
"I am glad," Andras whispered. "I am glad you chose Royalties over Shares."
....there are times when they even ignore their own consumers who make them rich. Its a quality, that one needs to be a merchant...
"Is that so ?"
"Yes, You are not fit to be a merchant"
...But It takes a King to care for all his Subjects, All of his people.
"I know that, marquis" He said with a smile. This maybe the most genuine and child-like smile that I've seen on his face since i stepped into this garden.
It is said that to know a person you just have to see how his surrounding people treat him and look at him. and looking at the way all his surrounding people including my nephew is looking at him, I think i have an idea.
"um.. Marquis ?" The prince called out me.
"Yes ?"
"Didn't you come here specifically to catch up with your nephew? Where are you going without saying a word to him?"
I blinked, then looked at Harry, who had an awkward, sheepish smile plastered on his face. "Oh, right! I nearly forgot!"
Then i hurried back, dragging a red-faced Harry into a corner for a 'family chat'. Before dragging him, i took a final look at Our Prince.
Never change that, Your Highness. Never Change.