9. Whispers of Innovation

The morning sun had barely begun to peek through the curtains when Seraphina was startled awake by a firm knock on the door. Groggy and disoriented, she blinked at the unfamiliar sound, trying to make sense of it. As the knocking persisted, she hurried downstairs, still in her nightclothes, only to be greeted by an unexpected sight—an enormous crowd gathered outside her soon-to-be store.

Her heart skipped a beat as the realization hit her—she had completely forgotten to include the interview time on the recruitment flyers. Panic surged through her as she ran back upstairs, hastily washing her face and throwing on the first outfit she could find. With her hair still slightly damp, she dashed back down the stairs, each step echoing her growing anxiety.

When she finally opened the door, she was greeted by the sight of over a hundred people, all anxiously waiting for a chance to be interviewed. The sight took her breath away, not just from the sheer number of applicants but from the realization of what she had unintentionally set into motion.

In her flurry of preparations the previous night, she had vastly underestimated the impact of offering a starting salary of 50 silver coins—double the average wage for a new worker in this kingdom.

This amount was typically reserved for senior-ranking employees who had served loyally for years, gradually earning incremental raises of just a few silver coins every few years.

The promise of such an enticing salary had spread like wildfire, drawing in hopeful applicants from all corners of the city.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Seraphina quickly grabbed a pen and some paper. She began the daunting task of taking down names, one by one, as the crowd pressed closer, each person eager for their turn.

Despite the chaos, she managed to maintain a semblance of order, instructing the applicants to enter the shop in groups of five.

As she scribbled down name after name, her hands trembled slightly, still overwhelmed by the turnout. She had anticipated a modest response, perhaps a dozen or so applicants, but this... this was beyond anything she had imagined. The responsibility of selecting from such a vast pool weighed heavily on her, but there was no turning back now.

Once the first group of five had entered, Seraphina guided them to the seating area she had hastily arranged the night before. As she looked at their eager faces, she realized that her small cosmetic shop had suddenly become one of the most desirable places of employment in the entire city.

This wasn't just about finding employees anymore; it was about living up to the expectations she had unknowingly set. With a deep breath, Seraphina prepared to interview the first group.

One by one, the applicants trickled into the shop, their eyes wide as they took in the elegant surroundings of what would soon be Enchanting Elegance. Seraphina sat behind a simple yet stylish desk she had prepared for the interviews, a small stack of blank parchment and a quill in front of her.

As the first group of five entered, she offered them a warm smile, trying to put them at ease despite her own nerves.

"Good morning," Seraphina began, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. "Thank you all for coming. I'm Seraphina Elysia Vale, the owner of Enchanting Elegance. Before we begin, I'd like to know a bit more about each of you."

She gestured to the first person in line, a young woman with bright eyes and a nervous smile. "Let's start with your name."

The young woman cleared her throat, her voice wavering slightly as she responded, "My name is Liana Greer."

"Nice to meet you, Liana," Seraphina replied kindly. "Do you have a resume or any documents with you?"

Liana nodded and handed over a neatly folded piece of parchment. Seraphina accepted it with a grateful nod and then continued, "Could you tell me a bit about yourself? What have you done before this, and do you have any experience in sales or customer service?"

Liana took a deep breath before speaking. "I've worked at the local bakery for the past three years, mostly handling the counter and helping customers. I don't have direct experience in cosmetics, but I'm very good with people, and I learn quickly."

Seraphina nodded thoughtfully, jotting down a few notes. "That's great, thank you, Liana."

She then turned to the next applicant, a tall man with a calm demeanor. "And you? What's your name?"

"Derrick Moore," he replied, handing over his resume with a steady hand. "I've been a merchant for most of my life, selling various goods at the market. I've dealt with all kinds of customers and have a good sense of what people want."

Seraphina noted the confidence in his voice and wrote down a few more notes. "That's very helpful, Derrick. Thank you."

As she continued down the line, asking each applicant to introduce themselves and share their experiences, she found herself intrigued by the variety of backgrounds. One woman had worked as a seamstress, another as a florist, and one young man had been an apprentice at a potion shop.

"Thank you all for your time and for sharing your experiences," Seraphina said after finishing with the last applicant. "I'm very impressed with the enthusiasm and skills each of you has shown."

She stood up, signaling that the interview was coming to an end. "I'll be making my decisions shortly. I'll post the names of those selected on a notice board in front of the store. Please feel free to check back tomorrow."

The group thanked her, a mixture of relief and anticipation on their faces as they exited the store. As the door closed behind them, Seraphina let out a deep breath she didn't realize she had been holding.

She sat back down at her desk, spreading out the resumes before her. Carefully, she reviewed each one, considering not just the experience listed but the impressions she had gotten during the interviews. After some deliberation, she selected Five individuals who she felt would be the best fit for her vision.

Once her decision was made, she quickly wrote out the names on a sheet of parchment:

Selected Candidates:

- Liana Greer: Used to work at a bakery

- Derrick Moore: Used to be a merchant

- Elara Wren: only 13 years old and first time working because her parent died and she have siblings to feed.

-Aldric Stone: A Herbalist

-Marina Thorne: An Alchemist

Satisfied with her choices, she posted the list on the notice board outside the store, hoping that those she had chosen would return soon. As she stepped back inside, she allowed herself a small smile—this was one more step toward making her dream a reality.

The day had stretched on far longer than Seraphina had anticipated. With over a hundred hopeful applicants, the interviews seemed never-ending.

By the time the last person had filed out of the shop, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city. The soft glow of lanterns illuminated the streets, signaling the close of another day.

Seraphina closed the door behind the final candidate, leaning against it for a moment as she allowed herself to breathe. The excitement and adrenaline that had fueled her throughout the day had ebbed away, leaving her utterly drained. Her mind was buzzing with names, faces, and the weight of the decisions she had made.

She slowly made her way upstairs, her legs heavy with exhaustion. Each step felt like a small victory as she climbed to her room. By the time she reached the top, her thoughts were a blur, and all she could focus on was the overwhelming need for rest.

As she entered her room, she barely had the energy to undress, let alone think about the day's events. She simply shed her clothes, leaving them in a heap on the floor, and slipped into her bed. The soft sheets were a welcome comfort, but even as she lay there, her mind continued to race.

She was mentally and emotionally exhausted, the weight of the day pressing down on her like a heavy blanket. Seraphina took a deep breath, willing herself to let go of the tension that gripped her. The store, the interviews, the choices she had made—all of it would have to wait until morning.

Finally, she closed her eyes, the fatigue overwhelming her senses. As sleep began to take hold, she made a silent promise to herself: tomorrow would be a new day, and she would face it with renewed strength. For now, though, she allowed herself the luxury of rest, drifting off into a deep, dreamless sleep.

The next morning, Seraphina rose early, eager to begin the day with her new team. As she descended the stairs, she found them waiting—Aldric, Marina, Elara, Liana, and Derrick—each ready for their first day at Enchanting Elegance.

"Good morning, everyone," Seraphina greeted them with a bright smile. "We have a lot to do, so let's get started."

She turned to Aldric first, the herbalist's calm demeanor and wealth of knowledge reassuring her. "Aldric, I'll need your help with something special today. I want to experiment with herbs that can be used in skincare. We're looking for ingredients that may not be popular but are still effective. Can you help me find some?"

Aldric nodded, intrigued. "Certainly. There are many lesser-known herbs that could have unique properties. I'll start by visiting the markets and some of the more obscure places where these plants might grow."

"Thank you," Seraphina replied, glad to have him on board. "I'm excited to see what you find."

Turning to Marina, Seraphina noticed a hint of confusion in the young alchemist's eyes. "Marina, I know you're skilled in alchemy, but I'm about to introduce you to something new—a tool I've designed that doesn't exist in this world yet."

Marina's eyebrows raised in curiosity. "A tool? What kind of tool?"

Seraphina smiled and produced a rolled-up piece of parchment from her bag, unfurling it to reveal a detailed sketch. "This is a design for a mixer—something that will help us blend large batches of ingredients more efficiently. I've designed it myself, and we're going to take it to a craftsman to have it made."

Marina leaned in closer, examining the sketch with a puzzled expression. "I've never seen anything like this before. How does it work?"

"Well," Seraphina began, "the mixer has blades that will turn and stir the ingredients together. It's powered by a crank, and I'm hoping the craftsman can refine the design. Honestly, I'm not sure about all the mechanics, but I know the basic idea."

Marina nodded slowly, still looking a bit lost. "I see… I'll be interested to see how it turns out. This is all new to me."

"We'll figure it out together," Seraphina said, reassuring her. "For now, let's head to Craftsman's Row and see what they can do with my design."

Seraphina then addressed the rest of the group. "Elara, Liana, I need you both to clean up the first floor today. We're going to start setting up the displays soon, and I want everything to be spotless."

"We'll make sure it's perfect," Elara said with determination, while Liana nodded in agreement.

"Thank you," Seraphina said with a smile. "And Derrick," she turned to the tall man, "I need you to pick up some items I ordered from the delivery office. They should have arrived this morning."

"On it," Derrick said confidently. "I'll bring everything back as quickly as possible."

Seraphina nodded. "Among the items, there are special containers—new bottles I've designed. They're different from anything else out there because they have a pump mechanism for easy use. The design is something I came up with, and the craftsman helped bring it to life. They should be perfect for our products."

Derrick looked impressed. "I've never heard of bottles with pumps before. That sounds like it'll make things a lot easier."

"That's the idea," Seraphina said with a smile. "Once you have everything, bring it back here, and we'll start putting the products together."

With their tasks assigned, Seraphina and Marina set off toward Craftsman's Row. As they walked, Marina couldn't help but glance at the design again. "You've really thought ahead, haven't you?"

"I'm trying," Seraphina replied with a chuckle. "There are so many things that don't exist in this world that I took for granted in mine. It's a challenge, but it's also exciting to bring these ideas to life."

When they arrived at the workshop, the craftsman greeted them with a nod. "Ah, Miss Seraphina! I've been expecting you. Have you brought the design?"

"Yes," Seraphina said, handing him the parchment. "This is the mixer I told you about. I'm hoping you can make it even better than what I've sketched out."

The craftsman studied the design carefully. "This is quite ingenious. I've never thought of a tool like this before, but I believe I can build it. It'll take some time, but it'll be a sturdy piece of equipment when it's done."

Marina watched as the craftsman discussed the details with Seraphina, still trying to wrap her head around this new world of inventions. Seraphina's mind was clearly full of ideas, and Marina couldn't help but admire her determination.

As they left the workshop, Seraphina turned to Marina with a smile. "I know this is all new to you, but I appreciate your help and patience. Together, we're going to create something amazing."

"I'm looking forward to it," Marina said, a hint of excitement finally breaking through her confusion. "I think I'm starting to see what you're aiming for."

With that, they returned to the shop, ready to continue their work. Elara and Liana had made excellent progress on the first floor, and Derrick soon returned with the new bottles and other supplies. Seraphina inspected the containers with satisfaction, knowing that they were another step closer to bringing her vision to life.