3. A road to the Capital City

As Seraphine journeyed from the Blackwood Forest to the bustling capital, she faced both the wonders and the tedium of travel in a medieval world. Each town and village they visited offered glimpses into a life different from her own, filled with new sights and knowledge. Despite the excitement of discovery, the absence of modern conveniences—no internet, no laptops, and limited food options—made the journey feel long and at times monotonous.

Her mind, however, was always on her goal. She meticulously studied the herbs and natural resources they encountered, determined to create skincare products that could protect and enhance the skin. With only a limited supply of makeup from her previous world, she knew she had to find a way to replicate and expand her options using what was available. Aloe vera and coconut oil were familiar, but she needed more complex chemicals and substances that were not readily found in the wild.

In her quest for these elusive ingredients, Seraphine began to experiment with what she could gather—charcoals, various herbs, and other natural elements. Her makeshift lab, set up in the confines of their carriage, became a space of creativity and frustration. She was driven by the knowledge that while skincare was essential before makeup could be applied, the ingredients she needed were often found in the city's apothecaries and alchemical shops.

Every day, she jotted down her findings and theories, preparing herself for the day when she would finally reach the capital. There, she hoped to access the full range of materials she needed and to begin building the foundation for her future enterprise. Despite the challenges, her determination never wavered. Each setback was met with renewed resolve, as Seraphine envisioned a future where she could introduce her skincare and makeup innovations to this new world.

Seraphine's unconventional pursuits captured the knights' curiosity. Their medieval minds, unfamiliar with the concept of beauty products, were baffled by her activities. They initially mistook her for an alchemist due to her experimental methods, as her work with various substances seemed mystical and enigmatic to them.

One day, as they traveled, the knights inquired about her unusual practices. Seraphine, earnest and candid, explained her goal: to enhance and beautify human skin, making it healthier and more appealing. Her response was met with astonishment. The idea of improving one's appearance through skincare was foreign and almost incomprehensible to them. To the knights, who had never considered such personal indulgence, her ambitions seemed both revolutionary and perplexing.

When Seraphine mentioned her plan to sell these products upon reaching the capital, the knights were taken aback. They couldn't grasp the concept of making a livelihood through skincare in a world where such ideas were rare and unconventional. The knights, as well as the female knight who traveled with them, had never contemplated the notion of making their skin softer or more beautiful; it was beyond their realm of thought.

Seraphine's endeavors were complicated further by the limited resources available in this world. The ingredients she could gather were rudimentary, and her attempts to create effective, aesthetically pleasing products often resulted in mixtures that either failed to work or had unpleasant odors. Despite her background as an influencer accustomed to finished products, Seraphine faced significant challenges in her new role as a creator.

Determined, she labored with perseverance, experimenting with available materials and striving to perfect her formulas.

As Seraphine and the knights arrived at the small village, she was immediately struck by its simplicity and charm. The village was surrounded by vast farmlands, with fields of golden wheat stretching as far as the eye could see. The homes were modest, mostly simple structures built to accommodate the hardworking farmers who tilled the land. The main focus of this village was clearly agriculture, with a bounty of produce displayed at the small market stalls.

Among the fruits and vegetables were unfamiliar yet intriguing varieties. Though they resembled familiar fruits like apples, lemons, and peaches, their colors and shapes were distinct. To Seraphine, they evoked the flavors of her own world, despite their unique appearances.

As she wandered through the market, a sudden idea sparked in her mind—a moment of inspiration as vivid as a lightbulb switching on. In her world, skincare and beauty products often came with delightful, natural scents: peach, apple, strawberry, and orange. The concept of infusing these familiar fragrances into her own creations excited her.

Here, in this village of abundant produce, Seraphine saw a golden opportunity. She could harness these local fruits and herbs to create natural scents for her skincare products. By extracting essences from these ingredients, she envisioned crafting lotions, creams, and serums that carried the fresh, fruity aromas she had once taken for granted.

Her mind buzzed with possibilities. Using the village's produce, she could develop unique, locally inspired scents that would not only enhance her skincare products but also connect them to the world around her. This innovative approach, blending the essence of her surroundings with her expertise, promised to bring a touch of her previous world into this new one, making her creations both familiar and extraordinary.

Seraphine, amidst the bustling activity of the village market, realized she needed to focus her efforts. She understood that creating a complete line of skincare products all at once was unrealistic, given her current resources and knowledge. Her primary goal was to develop just a few essential items that would offer immediate benefits for her skin and lay the groundwork for her future endeavors.

In her mind, the essentials were clear: a face wash, a moisturizer, and a lip gloss. These products would be her starting point. A face wash was crucial—it would cleanse her skin and remove the daily grime. She envisioned a formula that could effectively clean without harshness, something gentle yet thorough. Following that, a moisturizer was essential to keep her skin hydrated and protected after cleansing. It would provide the necessary moisture to maintain a healthy glow.

Additionally, she considered a body wash. Although it required less complexity than a face wash, it was a logical extension of her efforts. If she could successfully formulate a face wash, creating a body wash would be a natural progression, as it would involve similar ingredients and principles but on a larger scale.

Seraphine knew that she couldn't create an entire skincare routine overnight. No serums, toners, or masks were needed right now—just the basics to ensure her skin remained clean and well-moisturized. She was determined to start small, focusing on these fundamental products. By perfecting these, she would build a foundation for her skincare line and gradually expand her offerings as she gained more knowledge and resources.

As Seraphine and the knights continued their journey, she came across an intriguing find in a town they passed through. The town was known for its luxurious soaps—items that were only accessible to the wealthier classes due to their high cost. These soaps, unlike the simple bars of soap common among peasants, were richly fragranced and produced a thick, indulgent lather. Each soap was infused with exquisite scents, making them a prized possession among the nobility.

Seraphine was both fascinated and alarmed by the discovery. Each soap cost three silver coins, a staggering amount considering her newfound understanding of local currency. From her perspective, this equated to more than $2000 in modern terms, a sum far beyond what a typical person could afford.

The cost of the soap highlighted the vast disparity between the wealth of the nobility and the common folk. It also gave her a clearer picture of the economic landscape and the value of luxury items in this world. Despite the prohibitive price, Seraphine saw potential. The idea of such an expensive luxury item for the wealthy sparked her creativity. She imagined incorporating similar concepts into her own skincare products, aiming to balance quality with affordability.

This revelation further fueled her determination. She knew that if she could find a way to create high-quality products at a more reasonable cost, she might bridge the gap between luxury and accessibility. Her goal was clear: to develop products that combined efficacy and elegance, without the exorbitant price tag.

To make her vision a reality, Seraphine knew she needed to source the right ingredients. She was determined to find components that would allow her to create high-quality products without the exorbitant costs associated with the noble soaps she had seen. The expensive ingredients used in those soaps could jeopardize her efforts, so she resolved to explore alternative options.

Seraphine planned to use some of the existing ingredients, but she was also intent on discovering and experimenting with new ones. Her goal was not just to replicate what was already available but to introduce innovative formulations that would set her products apart. She wanted to craft something unique, blending familiar elements with her own creative ideas to offer a fresh perspective on skincare.

By combining her knowledge with new, affordable ingredients, Seraphine aimed to produce skincare items that were both effective and accessible. She was prepared for a challenging journey ahead, understanding that innovation often required overcoming obstacles. Her focus was on finding the perfect balance between cost and quality, ensuring her products would stand out in a world where luxury was often synonymous with high expense.

As Seraphine traveled, she recalled a cherished memory from her childhood. When she lived with her grandparents, her grandmother had crafted a simple, yet effective face wash using ingredients like olive oil, cucumber, honey, and plain yogurt. These natural components worked wonders for her young skin, providing a cooling effect and deep cleansing without the harshness of store-bought chemicals.

Inspired by this memory, Seraphine decided to recreate her grandmother's face wash. Upon reaching the next town, she procured the necessary ingredients and began her experiment. She applied the mixture to the female knights accompanying her, and the results were impressive. The face wash not only cleansed but also left their skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

This success confirmed her belief in the efficacy of her homemade solution. While she continued to experiment and refine her products, Seraphine decided to offer this face wash as her initial product. She knows that it is not good enough but this will be her starting point and she will keep improving in the future.