The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne

Chapter 611: Three Surprising News From Shion (2)

”The third one is about the development of our new product. Do you remember the plan to start producing bottled drinks?”

”Bottled drinks? Oh, I remember that. Wait a second...” Nolan narrowed his eyes. ”Don’t tell me you actually pulled it off?”

”As expected of the master—you’re so perceptive,” Shion said admiringly. ”Yes, we did manage to launch it. And do you want to hear the results?”

Nolan stayed silent, clearly wanting to hear it directly.

Shion’s smile widened as she continued happily, ”It was a huge success! People in Solvaria and several other cities loved it! In just two days, we sold two hundred thousand bottles. We ended up having no choice but to build our own bottle factory.”

A helpless sigh escaped her lips, but her happiness didn’t fade at all.

Nolan took a deep breath, his expression full of amazement.

Bottled drinks had been one of the ideas he had mentioned to her. In his previous world, they had been extremely popular.

Even in the modern era, the concept remained popular worldwide.

Environmental experts warned that excessive plastic use could harm the planet, but it didn’t slow down the trend of using plastic bottles.

At first, he had casually mentioned the idea to Shion, hoping she might try it someday. But Nolan hadn’t intended for her to launch it so soon.

Perhaps the best time to introduce bottled drinks would have been after the battle for the throne was over.

After all, the battle for the throne had negatively affected society, causing many people to hold back from shopping.

Yet this woman had done it without his knowledge—and succeeded.

”Hehehe... Am I great?” Shion tossed her hair with a smug grin. ”I bet you didn’t see that coming, did you? Neither did I. But when I looked into it, I found something interesting: the sudden popularity of our bottled drinks was largely thanks to your sister, Master.”

”Eliza?” Nolan blinked in surprise. ”She handled the promotion?”

”M-mm! Eliza did it. Coincidentally, our first product was child-friendly: a low-sugar fruit juice. Children loved it, and adults enjoyed it too because the taste suited their preferences.”

She got up, walked to her desk, and picked up a document. Returning to her seat, she handed it to Nolan.

Nolan took the document and read. Two minutes later, he was stunned. The gross revenue from just two days of sales had reached one million Sharn, with an average price of five Sharn per bottle.

For residents of the capital and other cities, five Sharn was very affordable, so it was no wonder two hundred thousand bottles sold so quickly.

And this was only the beginning. Sales trends were still rising sharply. Within a month, earning tens—or even hundreds—of millions of Sharn wouldn’t be out of the question.

Even more surprising were the production costs: just two Sharn per bottle, leaving a net profit of three Sharn.

More than fifty percent of the gross profit came from that net income alone.

”You’re amazing, Shion. The progress is so fast, it feels like a dream.”

Nolan placed the document on the table and sighed softly.

Bringing Shion from the slums had truly been the right choice. She had exceeded every expectation he had.

Even Nolan himself wasn’t sure he could have achieved what Shion had accomplished.

”I’m glad to hear your praise, Master. But it’s not enough. I want more,” Shion said, her eyes shining with enthusiasm and determination.

Nolan was silent for a moment before speaking. ”I’ll give you ten percent ownership of this trading house. If I remember correctly, you already have thirty percent, right? That would bring your total to forty percent.”

Ownership of the Blue Moon Trading House was split only between Nolan and Shion. Originally, Nolan had been the sole owner.

But he saw no point in holding everything himself. After all, Shion was his most loyal subordinate.

So he had given her thirty percent, keeping seventy percent for himself.

Now, with this additional ten percent, Nolan would retain sixty percent.

With anyone else, Nolan could never have given up his ownership. But with Shion, he trusted her completely.

Strangely, instead of smiling, Shion pursed her lips in dissatisfaction.

”Master, you’re always sensitive to so many things, but why can’t you see what I want?”

Nolan was taken aback. Before he could respond, Shion leaned close and whispered into his ear, ”This is what I want. Understand?”

Her breath brushed against him, sending a shiver down his spine.

”Don’t joke around, Shion.”

Nolan gently pushed her away.

”Ask for something else you want, and I’ll grant it.”

Shion looked into Nolan’s purple eyes and chuckled softly.

”I’m just kidding, Master. Don’t take it seriously.”

She giggled, but no one could see the sadness she was trying to hide.

”How about we go on a date? I’m really stressed from working all the time,” Shion suggested.

This time, Nolan didn’t refuse. He smiled and nodded.

”All right. In two days, let’s go on a date. I’ll prepare a nice place for you.”

Shion’s sadness vanished, replaced by pure happiness.

”M-mm! I’m looking forward to it.”

...

”Nolan returned to the palace? What is he doing?”

Cedric frowned, closing his book, and looked at the man in the black cloak before him.

The man bowed respectfully. ”I’m not sure, Your Highness. But it seems he returned only to meet with Consort Isabella.”

Cedric was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.

”I see. By the way, how are things progressing? Has Margaretta handled it?”

”Young Lady Margaretta has completed the task, Your Highness,” the man reported cautiously. ”She successfully persuaded three count-level noble families, ten viscount-level families, thirty baron families, and even one marquis family—the Marquis of Valren.”

Cedric smiled in satisfaction. Margaretta had done an outstanding job; she had not disappointed him. Entrusting everything to her had not been in vain.

”Very well. Any other news?”

”No, Your Highness. But there is one matter you should probably be informed of.”

Cedric waited calmly, eyes fixed on the man.

”Your Highness, rumors suggest that the Holy Empire of Valtanir is planning a major attack on the eastern region.”

Cedric froze, his eyes widening in shock.

”Are you certain? How likely is this?”

The man lowered his head and replied in a trembling voice, ”Fifty... fifty percent chance.”