Hadrian sat at the head of the long wooden table in one of Ravennest's larger meeting halls, his fingers tapping against the surface as he observed the gathered merchants. These were the owners of the most frequented taverns, inns, and eateries in town businessmen who, like him, had seen countless fads rise and fall at the whims of nobles.
A stack of wooden boards, along with simple carved playing pieces, sat at the center of the table. It was the game the young master had created. The idea itself was unusual, but what made it even more difficult to swallow was that Lady Vivian had backed it personally.
Hadrian cleared his throat. "Let's get this over with. You've all been gathered here because the lady of the house believes this... game has potential." He gestured toward the board with mild disinterest. "Frankly, I have my doubts."
A murmur spread through the room as a few of the merchants exchanged skeptical glances.
"A game, Hadrian? We're businessmen, not entertainers," scoffed one tavern owner, a burly man named Orwin. "You're telling me that people will spend money just to sit around moving wooden pieces?"
"I wouldn't be here if I thought this was a complete waste," Hadrian replied, though his tone lacked conviction. "However, let's be clear this isn't my idea. This is the work of Lord Vincent's son, and Lady Vivian has taken an interest in it. That means we don't get a say in whether or not we give it a chance."
Another merchant, a lean man named Edgar, stroked his beard. "If the lady is involved, then we'd be fools to reject it outright. But is there truly any profit in a game?"
Hadrian let out a sigh. "I'm not convinced either, but she wants it tested. We'll place a few boards in your establishments taverns, inns, anywhere people gather. Let them play for free at first. See if there's any interest."
Orwin crossed his arms. "And if there isn't?"
"Then we quietly stop offering it, and no one is the wiser," Hadrian said with a shrug. "But if, by some miracle, it catches on, we can start charging for pieces, custom boards, even host competitions."
The merchants exchanged glances, some still skeptical, but none willing to outright reject the proposal. In the end, Lady Vivian's backing meant they had little choice but to comply.
"Fine," Orwin grumbled. "I'll put one in my tavern. But don't expect me to be the one explaining it to drunks."
"Same here," Edgar agreed. "We'll see if it earns us anything."
Hadrian smirked slightly. "That's all I ask. If it fails, we pretend this never happened."
With that, the meeting concluded. As the merchants dispersed, Hadrian exhaled and rubbed his temples. He wasn't thrilled about this, but orders were orders. If this strange board game truly took off, he'd be the first to admit he was wrong. But for now, he wasn't holding his breath.
The next day
Hadrian sat alone in his office, fingers tapping against the wooden desk. The room was dimly lit, the flickering candlelight casting shadows over stacks of parchment filled with calculations and logistics. His expression was grim as he stared at the numbers before him.
"This game... is an unnecessary gamble." He exhaled sharply, leaning back in his chair.
Zach's idea endorsed by Lady Vivian herself was already in motion. The board game was being produced, and soon, it would be distributed to various inns, taverns, and eateries in Ravennest. While the loss wasn't catastrophic, Hadrian had never been a fan of throwing money at untested ventures, especially ones that interfered with business flow.
Half of the production cost had fallen on the merchants fifty percent. It wasn't a deal-breaking sum, but for something that had no guarantee of profit? It was enough to irritate him. "If this fails, that's still money wasted." He muttered under his breath.
Then there was the issue of space. Placing the game in establishments like taverns and inns sounded simple on paper, but in reality, it meant sacrificing some revenue. "If three tables are occupied by people playing instead of drinking and eating, that's roughly ten customers per hour lost." It wasn't enough to sink a business, but it was a dent in efficiency.
He rubbed his temples, frustration creeping in. "And yet, we have no choice but to go along with it." With Lady Vivian backing the project, refusal was not an option. Challenging the lord's family was suicide for any merchant, no matter how long they had been in the business.
Still, Hadrian wasn't one to let money slip through his fingers without a fight. If he had to make this work, then he would do it on his terms.
"We can't just let this game sit in the corner of a tavern. It has to make money." His mind raced with possibilities. Charge an entry fee? Require players to order food and drink while they played? Introduce a premium area where patrons paid for a better experience? There had to be a way to turn this into profit.
But his irritation ran deeper than just the game. "The lord should be focusing on the partnership I proposed, not indulging in a child's ideas." He had spent months crafting a business alliance that could benefit Ravennest, yet all attention was being poured into an unproven project.
A smirk formed on his lips as an idea took shape. "If I'm forced to play along, I'll make damn sure I don't lose."
Hadrian picked up his quill and began drafting a new strategy. If Zach's game was going to take up space, then every second of play would have to bring in coin. He would make sure of it.
The warm glow of the afternoon sun filtered through the grand windows of the Ravennest manor, casting a golden hue over the lavish living room. Seated around a small, ornate table were Vivian, Zach, and Mia, their eyes fixed on the board game sprawled before them. The game, Snakes and Demons, was Zach's latest creation an adaptation of the classic Snakes and Ladders, but with a twist.
Mia giggled as she rolled the numbered token, her small hands barely able to steady it. "Yay! I got a six!" She moved her piece forward, only for her face to crumple in dismay. "Oh no, a demon! I have to go back!"
Zach smirked, watching as his little sister pouted. "That's how it works, Mia. Demons drag you down, while blessings lift you up." He moved his own piece next, smoothly bypassing a demon tile.
Vivian, seated gracefully, let out a small chuckle as she observed the game. However, her attention soon shifted as Sebastian entered the room, bowing respectfully. "My lady, a report on the merchant's progress regarding the board game distribution."
Vivian nodded, her delicate fingers resting on the edge of the game board. "Go on."
Sebastian cleared his throat. "As per Lord Vincent's arrangements, Hadrian has begun placing the game in several well-known establishments, including taverns, inns, and eateries throughout Ravennest. The process is underway, and reception is mixed. Some merchants see it as an interesting novelty, while others are wary of losing seating space for customers."
Zach's ears perked up, but he kept his head down, pretending to be absorbed in the game as he listened closely.
"Hadrian remains skeptical," Sebastian continued. "He considers the game a financial risk but has adhered to Lady Vivian's approval. To mitigate potential losses, he is devising ways to ensure that it generates revenue instead of merely taking up space."
Vivian remained composed, rolling the token for her turn. "I expected as much. Merchants do not take kindly to uncertainty."
Sebastian nodded. "Indeed, my lady. However, the project is progressing smoothly for now. I will continue to monitor Hadrian's adjustments."
Vivian hummed in approval, moving her piece across the board. "Very well. Keep me informed."
Zach, having heard everything, grinned to himself. Despite Hadrian's reluctance, his game was spreading. The first step to seeing his idea take root had begun.
Mia suddenly clapped her hands excitedly. "Big Brother, roll the token! You're going to win!"
Zach chuckled and picked up the token. With the game in motion both on the board and in reality