"As a princess, I've attended many noble gatherings and have also met some successful merchants. While I might not be familiar with the way a merchant negotiates it shouldn't be too far off."
I could feel Aurelia relax, the sharpness in her eyes dissipated, and her breathing resumed. Had the princess tried to use her position alone to get this position things could have become messy. But I had observed her at the banquet and didn't think of her as someone who would do that.
Princess Nora also felt that her answer had been satisfactory and looked to be a little more confident. Aurelia took a moment to think and continued the interview.
"You do indeed show better talent in negotiating than the other applicant. But let me ask you this. Should you be forced to make a decision that will benefit the merchant guild but harm your kingdom, what will you do?"
Aurelia lay back into her chair and gave Princess Nora some time to think it over. This question was a trap set for her and she should have ample time to try and figure out the correct answer.
The princess thought it over for a while before her face lit up. She must have noticed the trap. If she said that she would act for the good of the kingdom she wouldn't get the job. However, if she said she would act for the benefit of the guild she would have to tell a lie since she evidently cared for her kingdom.
"If such a situation ever comes to pass I will step back from my position as too not burden the guild."
Aurelia looked a little disappointed in the face of this answer. It wasn't what she had hoped to hear but it also wasn't bad. Princess Nora immediately noticed the change and grew worried.
"Was that the wrong answer?"
"Technically, there are no wrong answers. There are only answers which will get you the job and those which will not. Your answer wasn't quite what I wanted to hear but it does qualify you for the job."
"But anything besides stepping back would be a bad answer!"
"And what would happen to the guild if you suddenly stepped back? Have you considered the impact of suddenly needing a new branch guild master?"
"Oh, I didn't think of that..."
"The answer I wanted to hear is far more simple. If you feel that the decision concerns something you can't think about on an objective basis you can just ask me or if I'm unavailable other guild masters. As a member of the grey merchant guild, it is important that you understand that you aren't alone in this."
"But won't I seem like I am unable to do my job if I ask for help?"
"No, your job is to ensure that optimal conditions are present for our merchant guild to grow. The tools you use are secondary. Knowing when and where to ask for help is a true gift and should be used."
Princess Nora nodded while deep in thought.
"You should be happy, princess. I have decided that we will make you the branch guild master of Nix. You will need some training but that shouldn't be a problem."
"Really?!!"
"I wouldn't be lying to you on a matter of such importance. Being a branch guild master comes with great responsibility so the position can't be given easily. I hope you work hard to meet my expectations. We will begin orientation and training tomorrow will you join the others or do you need some time to bring your own affairs into order?"
"I will return tomorrow!"
Aurelia chose to personally send Princess Nora off. She may become our employee in the future but for now, she was still the princess of the country we were currently in. A certain measure of courtesy had to be shown. Though I'm sure neither we nor the royal family cared about it and it was more for any bystanders who saw it.
After the princess, we had another influx of applicants in the late afternoon. These people seemed to have come after work but most of them didn't seem promising to me. Among all the applicants was only a single female, an older lady who wished to become a clerk. Aurelia asked her some questions and decided to offer the old lady a position as a secretary.
Apart from Joshua and the old lady we had also found another secretary about a dozen clerks and plenty of manual laborers. People with production-based jobs were unfortunately in high demand so we only got an apprentice blacksmith and a woodworker who just finished his apprenticeship. I would have to teach them a few tricks so they could produce goods that turned a high profit.
With that our day of recruitment was over. All the new employees were selected and from tomorrow onwards we could work on getting them up to speed. For now, we would have to use the gate to bring them to the guild in Saitala where we had a few customers at least. Once the second building was successfully bought and prepared we would be able to formally establish a branch guild here and begin operation.
Still, the lack of goods was worrying. Sure we could just buy and sell between two nations but to keep growing we would have to have some unique goods.
It was high time we made contact with the others. Red and Rose had mentioned that they were in a desert type realm with undead and bunny people. Surely some trade between these true realms would be a good business opportunity.
I returned my looks to how I normally looked and ceased to use the mask of Portly Bonnefoy. After cleaning up the waiting rooms and notices I spoke to Aurelia about my visiting Red and Rose. She indicated that she had similar plans in mind and would join me. We received the coordinates of their oasis during the last meeting so nothing was hindering us from going there right away.