[3rd Person POV]

A few months have passed since the photoshoot took place, and the newest product line from Eden, the "Spring of Love" has become one of the most successful product lines not just in Eden's, but in the entire kingdom.

The use of stylistic photos in advertisements was not particularly new. It has been used quite frequently, especially by large merchant companies who could afford the advance photography machine which is quite a new piece of technology. However, these photos were only used to show the customers what the product looks like.

But the "Spring of Love" used photos not only to show their customers the product, but also introduced and innovated the use of models for advertisements. And with their models being the kingdom's most beautiful noble ladies and most sought after gentlemen, they've captured the heart of their customers as well as that of new customers throughout the entire kingdom.

While the products themed around the Crown Prince and the heir of the Ducal household Lorya were the most popular, given Eden's mainly female customer demographic, other products themed around the different noble ladies were also extremely popular. And the reason for this was because Alterisa had successfully utilized all three extremely persuasive techniques to attract her customers.

Pathos referred to the appeal to the emotion of the customers, which Alterisa did by matching the theme of each photo with the theme of her product. The beautiful, fantastical, and thematic photos lent her product its beautiful atmosphere, making it seemed fantastical and even more attractive.

Logos, which referred to the appeal to logic, was easy enough to accomplish given the popularity and trek records of Eden's products. Their products are well known enough for being very natural, safe, and effective, which only serve to increase their customer's trust and attract new customers.

But the reason why the use of models and these photoshoots were extremely effective was because she also used Ethos, which referred to the appeal to prestige and credibility.

Many other companies had also used it but not to the extent of Alterisa's Eden. Eden already used its own popularity, trek record, and backing from the royal family and many other noble families to expand more and more over the years. But other companies had also been using their own popularity, trek record, and connections with various noble families to continue to expand as well.

The one that sets apart Eden's "Spring of Love" with other product line launches from different companies was not only the thematic photoshoots and the use of models, but the models themselves as well.

Alterisa might've simply wanted to take pictures with her friends, but what she did was a truly genius marketing strategy.

The popularity of the products with the Crown Prince and heir of the ducal household Lorya were obvious. After all, they were both extremely handsome and popular gentlemen amongst noble and even commoner ladies, who were Eden's main demographic.

But it wasn't only them. Alterisa, Evelyn, Celine, Illya, Noir, Valerie, Kiara, and Lily, the Crown Princess herself, were also a big part of the success of the product line because they were all extremely beautiful.

And if such beautiful individuals were in a photo related to a certain beauty product, most people would think this way.

I'll be as beautiful as them if I use it!

For Alterisa, this might be a normal advertisement. After all, having models, talents, or celebrities promote their product to achieve this effect was common in her world. But in this world, it was a truly genius marketing strategy.

Ever since it happened, Alterisa's reputation of being an extremely skilled and young businesswoman had elevated even further. Many merchant companies had tried replicating her success by imitating her strategy by using models to promote their products, and while they did find success, the wave that "Eden" had created was too overwhelming.

And with this success, many now regard her as one of the few legendary geniuses in the business world who will definitely go down in books and history.

But of course, the person herself was completely unaware of any of this.

She knew about other companies using the same marketing strategy as her, and it was fine. After all, there's nothing she can do to stop them. But, she's not aware that she had been regarded as one of the few true geniuses in the business world.

That is because the noble lady herself was currently suffering from embarrassment about her picture... Her shameful picture that captured her embarrassing moment of being in Alexus's arms was spread far and wide throughout the entire kingdom.

To make it worse, the flagship product "Spring of Love" is the best selling product in the entire product line, and she had received letters from her friends' parents and her business partner commenting on how close she was with the crown prince.

It was clear how in love they are with each other, and everyone, even her customers, were now cheering on her and supporting the future royal couple even more!

Right now, she couldn't even go to her office in "Eden" without hearing at least a dozen comments about her shameful display and momentary lack of focus that had caused her to slip and fall into his embrace from her staff!!!!!

"I... I-I still can't believe it... My shame... My shameful face... has been spread all across the nation... M-My image of being an elegant and graceful noble lady is ruined... Kuh... How could I stay in this kingdom anymore now that my shameful side is eternally known..."

It was an hour past her normal waking time, and normally, she would've already been working. But right now, she was still in her pajamas with her face down onto her pillow, kicking her legs and kept on mumbling those things...

She had been this way for days, and even Anne, who was used to Alterisa's shenanigans, was quite tired of it.

"Alterisa-sama... It has been days since you've been like this. Please get over it..."

"Y-You don't understand, Anne! I-It's super embarrassing!!!"

She rose up and hit her pillows with both hands like an immature child.

"Is it? I could only see it as the epitome romance. It certainly captures the very essence of the "Spring of Love"."

"W-Well, I-I do agree with that..."

"His highness and the royal family have been extremely happy with the results as well and even helped "Eden" in promoting it, have they not?"

"Well yes... But it's still embarrassing as I expected!!!!"

She dove back into her pillows, eliciting a sigh from her beloved personal maid.

"...Please recover quickly, Alterisa-sama. Won't you be meeting Lady Roberta for a meeting?"

"Ah... That's right... We've promised to meet and discuss the contract for the glassware of Eden's Autumn product line..."

Alterisa slowly got back up and crawled towards Anne before sitting on the edge of her bed.

Lady Amelia von Roberta was a Marchioness and the owner of "Prism Light", the largest glassware industry in Fenestra, the large city and land owned by her husband, Marquis Carlos von Roberta.

Despite having been married, she still continued the business she had built for so long and did it amazingly while also completing her duties and responsibilities as Marchioness.

She's someone Alterisa admires greatly and respected. In fact, the first reason why Alterisa chose "Prism Light" to be her supplier of glasswares for her products wasn't because of its prestige and products, but because of her. She's someone Alterisa aspires to be, a really cool, elegant, graceful, intelligent, and hardworking lady who didn't let anything go in the way of her dreams.

And when they first met, Alterisa found out that she wasn't the only one who admires her, but Lady Amelia also admires her for her hardwork and genius to successfully create such an amazing company at such a young age.

They've become really good friends since then and would even come to each other's private tea parties to chat.

"Yes. The preparations have been done, so please prepare yourself as well, my lady."

"...Alright. Help me change, Anne..."

She raised her arms up lazing and closed her eyes, causing Anne to sigh. But, even when her lady acted like this, she couldn't help but smile softly. In the end, she still has a soft spot for her amazing, yet sometimes lazy and spoiled, lady after all.

"Yes, Alterisa-sama."

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

[Alterisa's POV]

I sit before the beautiful orange-blonde haired lady, Amelia-sama, in my office for our meeting.

On the coffee table are a bunch of documents and writing utensils that we use to write out the things we wanted for our collaboration for Eden's autumn product line. And not only that, we also brainstorm some other ideas regarding the theme that I will definitely bring up to Laura and Vincent. She's a lady full of amazing ideas.

In less than an hour, we were able to finalize the points we wanted from this collaboration and essentially completed the agenda of the day.

"Well then, I believe that should serve as a nice base for our contract regarding the supply of glasswares for our Eden's Autumn product line. Is there any concern on your part, Amelia-sama?"

"None whatsoever, Alterisa-sama."

"Very well. Then, I shall discuss this with my assistants and expand on the details and send a copy of it to you this coming week."

"I understand. I shall look forward to it."

Mmm~ Nice and quick~ This is great~! Amelia-sama is such a great business partner~!!!

"Well then, since we have finished our business, would you like to try our newest pastry, Amelia-sama?"

"Oh my~ Is it one you came up with?"

"The idea came from the princess and she asked me to make it, and she found it very delicious. Would you like to try it?"

"Why of course~ I would love to!"

Fufufu~ She seems very excited.

I was very happy when I found out that Amelia-sama has a sweet tooth. We bonded over it and since then, we've always had tea time together after our meetings where we would share new or unique kinds of sweets we bring. It's always such a fun time.

"Anne, please serve Amelia-sama a slice of the Flan Parisien."

"Yes, my lady."

Anne stepped to the side and approached the trolley that is placed on the side of the room. It was the one delivered to us not too long ago on my request because I know we'll be having a sweets party after our meeting.

On top of it are several small plates and small forks, and a large plate with a glass plate cover that is covered by a beautiful pure white cloth meant to not only keep the insides warm, but to hide it as well.

Amelia-sama's already glancing at it as Anne pushed the trolley to the side of our table. Then, when she opened the lid, Amelia-sama couldn't help but look at it in surprise and wonder.

"Alterisa-sama... Is this a cake?"

Amelia-sama stares at the "cake" curiously as she admires the beautiful cake-y edges and the beautiful golden brown top. The smell that fills the room immediately the moment Anne opens the plate cover is also super amazing!

"It is more of a dessert, Amelia-sama. Please, try it~"

Anne cut a slice and serves it to Amelia-sama and she is surprised to see that the center of it wasn't a cake, but a beautiful bright golden custard that jiggled at a touch.

Then when she took a bite, her usual look of coolness was immediately replaced by a look of happiness and blissfulness.

"This is amazing, Alterisa-sama... You truly are a genius!"

"Ufufufu~ I'm glad you like it, Amelia-sama~ Our chefs are currently preparing another one for you to bring home~"

"Thank you very much. I'm sure my daughter would love it as well!"

Aaaahh~~~ This is one of the reasons why I love sweets so much~ It brings so much joy to a person and bring such a bright smile to girls~

Oh, that's right. Come to think of it...

"Oh, speaking of which, Amelia-sama. I heard that two children from your fief have received scholarships to enter the royal academy~! And one of them is your daughter! Congratulations~!"

"Oh my. How do you know, Alterisa-sama?"

"Ufufufu~ Some of your subordinates who came here was quite excited that their young lady had been accepted as a scholarship student to the royal academy, so they told one of Laura's assistants, which eventually reaches my ears~"

"Ah, I see. That seems plausible. Everyone in our household has been very excited since we received news of it. My daughter has been really excited as well that she could attend the royal academy. In truth, one of the biggest reasons why she wanted to attend it was to meet you, Alterisa-sama."

"Oh?"

Eh? Me? But why? I've only seen her once during my birthday party and she seemed like a very nice girl. But unfortunately, she seemed to be a bit unwell before judging by how red her face was, so I left after I took her to take a seat and told some of our household's maids to bring her sweets so she could recover. We didn't really have the chance to converse a lot.

"She has always admired and respected you, Alterisa-sama. And after what you did for her during your birthday, her admiration for you just increased so much that she did her best in her studies and magic training so she could be with you."

Oh my God~ What a sweet girl~

"I'm so happy, Amelia-sama~! Please tell her how much I look forward to seeing her again in the academy~! I sincerely wish we could be in the same class~"

"She would definitely forget her etiquette lessons and jump around our estate if I told her that, but I will definitely relay your message to her."

Amelia-sama smiled softly. Her daughter is the complete opposite of her, which I think she got from Carlos-sama. Carlos-sama is more energetic, cheerful, and spirited, while Amelia-sama is cool, composed, poised, and graceful. Her daughter could act primly and poised in front of everybody, but from the stories Amelia-sama told me, she acts the complete opposite at home.

It kind of reminds me of somebody...

Oh well.

"Oh, then may I know who the other person who got a scholarship to the royal academy? Could they be your relative, Amelia-sama?

I asked as I took another bite of the Flan Parisien. But I immediately noticed Amelia-sama's smile quickly turning into a frown as her eyebrows furrowed.

E-Eh?! Did I ask something wrong?

"Ah, please forgive me if I unintentionally asked an insensitive question!"

"No, Alterisa-sama... I was just... reminded of a bit of an unpleasant memory."

"Ah, is that so... If you do not wish to talk about it, then please simply forget about it."

"No. It is not a secret, but simply... a bit unpleasant."

Amelia-sama placed down her plate with half of a slice left and let out a sigh.

"The second person who received a scholarship from my fief is a commoner girl. Normally, I would've been elated to see such talent in my fief, and I did a background investigation on her to make sure she will not bring shame to my fief. And unfortunately, my pessimistic guess had been correct."

Eh...? W-What? Is she that much of a problem that even Amelia-sama reacts this way???

"Her name is Aria. She possesses an affinity to Light magic as well as several other elements, and when the academy found out about this, they immediately invited her by giving her a scholarship to the royal academy to further nurture that rare and unique talent of hers."

Aria... Aria... Aria...

Where have I heard that name...

...........

Wait... Light element... I-I-Isn't that the heroine?!?!?!?!









AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!