Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: Excess Ties and Beta Testers
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I'd only taught Ellen how to make two types of ties, then hit her with the main quest to crank out neckties like a madwoman before leaving her to her own devices for about a week.
It might come off as thuggish to just up and abandon her out of nowhere, but this was my own special brand of teaching method.
Teenage creativity defies imagination—it's the phase where outlandish ideas gush forth like an endless fountain.
Most of them shatter against the wall of reality, of course, but their sheer freshness is unmatched, and those ideas often fuse with adult experience to become unique weapons.
So my plan was to quietly watch as she experimented on her own for now, then step in with a bit of advice the moment she hit a wall, guiding her toward that ideal growth spurt...
That was the picture-perfect scenario I'd envisioned.
For this approach to work, the task needed to be just a tad beyond her current skill level, throwing some trials and tribulations her way.
The problem was that Ellen's growth and talent had far surpassed my expectations.
"W-William, sir...! This time, I tried making it without a lining... I folded it about five times for volume and shape retention... What do you think...?"
"The necktie flaps around too much, and it lacks volume."
"I-I knew it...! The folds... and the fabric weren't enough... Th-thank you... I just thought of a solution...!"
"Uh-huh..."
She was sharp enough that one hint led her to two or three insights on her own, and her skills improved noticeably with each passing day.
Hell, even though she was still practicing, I judged her quality consistent enough to greenlight using expensive silk instead of cheap cotton.
You might wonder what's wrong with her exceeding expectations, but as the saying goes, too much of a good thing...
Her enthusiasm was simply overboard.
"Ellen, that's enough. Take a break."
"Y-Yes... just this one..."
"That's the third time you've said that, you know."
"It'll be over really quick..."
"......"
It was so bad she'd skip meals, skip rest, and even ignore orders from me and Elizabeth.
"William, you didn't do anything weird to Ellen, did you?"
"Never."
"Then why's she acting like that?"
"No idea. It's scaring me too..."
Elizabeth even eyed me like human garbage for a split second, wondering if the kid was possessed. The way she threw herself into it was that intense.
Is this how Emily felt watching me cause chaos over clothes?
I was seriously worried she'd collapse at this rate.
"William."
"Got it."
Letting a kid overdo it like this wasn't right for an adult, so after a brief huddle, Elizabeth and I decided on drastic measures to stop her.
"Mari, drag her out."
"Yes, sir!"
The solution? Have Mari nyanko-punch her into submission and haul her to the break room, posting a guard until she'd rested enough.
"Nyaaat!"
"Guh...!"
Mari nailed the pressure points on my command, paralyzing Ellen before grabbing her by the scruff like a sack and yanking her off the chair.
She then marched straight to the break room.
"P-Please, just this one...! Just this...!"
"Rest quietly! You're making more work for me!"
"Ah, aaah! M-Mari sis... pleeease...! William, sir...! Elizabeth, ma'am...!"
Ellen flailed like a sack of potatoes being dragged away, shooting us desperate looks, but we just turned our heads and pretended not to notice.
"Nooo...!"
Her pitiful cry cut off as the door slammed shut.
"Haa..."
I stared at the door where she'd vanished, letting out a deep sigh.
Hopefully her drive cools off soon, even if just by a day...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ellen coming down with a severe case of workaholism was my biggest recent headache, but it wasn't the only thing bugging me.
"What am I gonna do with these..."
One issue was disposing of the neckties.
Ellen had churned them out during practice, and I'd made a bunch experimenting too. Now the atelier was piled high with dozens, sorted by type.
They were practice pieces, so selling them to customers felt iffy, but ditching them seemed wasteful—classic dead stock.
Normally, you'd trash them or bury them in storage until someone bit.
Luckily, us designers and creators have a surefire trick for unloading junk like this.
Gift them away.
Gifting practice items might feel off, but call it 'beta testing' and you're golden.
Clears inventory, gathers feedback, and recipients feel special.
Everyone wins, even if the item's a bit rough around the edges.
"Herbert, Fanny, come here a sec?"
"Yes."
Inspired by this genius inventory purge, I summoned Prince Herbert and Princess Fanny to kick it off.
Beta testing always starts in-house.
"What is it?"
"Pick one."
"Pardon?"
"Grab one you like. You have to take at least one."
"...Alright."
Prince Herbert's eyes flickered like he'd run into a shady peddler, but he quickly got the gist and gravely inspected the ties covering the table.
"These are all for men. Why call me?"
"Obviously, we have women's too."
Meanwhile, I handed Princess Fanny—who was pointing at herself in confusion—a wider strip from the corner, showing her a push bow and stock tie.
A push bow is a chunky ribbon-style tie you knot up, and a stock tie is a strap wrapped around the neck, crossed in an X or diamond shape, and pinned in place.
"Wear these for active stuff or casual occasions where formality isn't key."
Makes sense—back in my past life, stock ties paired with riding habits, and push bows were big with blouses and progressive intellectuals over dresses.
Compared to cravats being noble-man territory, it was par for the course.
"They look fine. What're they called?"
"Push bow and stock tie."
"...Pu-push what?"
Princess Fanny squinted skeptically at the names.
"It means cat, so don't overthink it."
"Oh, I see..."
The knotted push bow does resemble a ribbon on a cat, hence the name—at least on the surface. The real origins ran deeper, with "puss" carrying layers of meaning at its debut.
"Can I try both?"
"Sure, but give me your impressions after."
"Got it. Thank you."
Princess Fanny snatched up the two lone women's ties and left.
No agonizing needed with so few options, unlike Prince Herbert dithering over the mountain of men's ties.
As I admired her decisiveness, the prince—having eyed one intently—picked up his choice and spoke.
"Then I'll take this bow tie."
"No others? Feel free to grab more."
"I can make any extras myself, so this is fine."
"If you say so..."
I wanted to push for two or three more, but that'd scream hard sell, so I swallowed the urge.
Princess Fanny, however, squinted at his pick with one eye.
"Hmm? Herbert, don't you have sharp features? Wouldn't a plain one suit you better? Something long and moderately wide with stripes feels safer and more refined."
"You're right—I did consider my style. But this bow tie matches your vibe, Fanny, so it drew me in."
"......"
"Oh..."
A romantic line from Prince Herbert.
Caught off-guard, Princess Fanny blushed like an apology, covering her face and glancing away.
"W-Well, if that's the reason... Guess we'll shop for matching outfits this weekend."
"Yes. We can find something that suits you too."
She fidgeted with her hands and eyes from embarrassment, but seamlessly locked in a weekend date.
Both Prince Herbert and Princess Fanny.
They seemed headed for a dry, boring romance, yet here they were, all fresh and sweet.
The prince especially had a hidden romantic streak, softening the rather stiff princess with ease.
It was nice seeing them so naturally affectionate, but for some reason, it irked me.
"Done picking? Back to your seats."
I gruffly waved them off.
"Understood. Thanks again—we'll treasure them."
"Show your thanks with a good review."
"Yes, sir."
They gathered their ties, flashed a light smile at my pursed lips, and thanked us before heading back.
I shook my head and eyed the ties on the table.
Three offloaded to them left about 27.
Minus the subpar ones, it'd halve, but I'd still need to distribute to another six or seven.
"Aah~"
I sighed deeply and tidied up.
Who next, so word spreads that these passed muster...