20. Early morning Preparations

The sun had just begun to peek over the horizon when Seraphina woke up, her mind already racing with everything that needed to be done. Today was a big day—the official opening of her shop—and she wanted everything to be perfect. She glanced over at Marina, who had stayed the night to help with preparations, still peacefully asleep on the sofa. Seraphina let her sleep a little longer, knowing they both needed energy for the long day ahead.

As the morning light brightened, Seraphina decided to start getting ready. She stretched, stood up quietly, and made her way to the mirror. She needed to prepare herself, not just physically but mentally too. After all the recent turmoil, from being arrested to securing her release with the Duchess's help, today was a fresh start. Today was about her shop, her passion, and her new life with Aurel.

After quickly dressing herself in a simple yet elegant dress that matched the vibe of her new shop, she gently woke up Aurel. The boy, still wrapped in his blankets, blinked sleepily at her. "You can sleep a little longer if you want, sweetheart," she said softly, ruffling his hair. "But we have a busy day ahead, so I'll be downstairs, just come ring the bell by your bed when you wakeup alright." Aurel mumbled something and turned over, already falling back to sleep. Seraphina smiled warmly and let him be.

Next, she moved to the kitchen and whipped up some breakfast for herself and Marina. She made a simple meal—sandwiches and milk. She called Marina and wake her up.

Marina's Rush

Marina finally stirred, stretching and yawning as she sat up. Seraphina stood with her arms crossed, teasing, "Did you bring your uniform, or do I need to send you out into the streets in your nightgown?"

Marina blinked sleepily, realizing she had forgotten to bring her work attire. "Oh no, I forgot! I'll go fetch it now!" she exclaimed, hurriedly grabbing her things.

"Well, don't take too long. You know how important today is," Seraphina called after her as Marina rushed out the door.

With Marina gone, Seraphina returned to her tasks. She checked the cabinets, making sure all the products were ready and placed perfectly for display. Everything was in order. She was excited, and her nerves were jittery, but in a good way. This was her dream coming to life.

She took a deep breath, staring at the shop. "This is it," she whispered to herself. "It's really happening."

Beauty Preparations

A little while later, Marina returned, dressed in the shop's signature uniform—a soft pink shirt paired with trousers, looking professional yet stylish. Seraphina couldn't resist teasing her a bit.

"You clean up well," Seraphina said with a grin. "But you still need a little something."

With that, Seraphina grabbed her makeup pouch and motioned for Marina to sit down. She applied light makeup to enhance her friend's natural beauty, giving her a soft yet radiant look. She focused on Marina's eyes, adding a touch of liner to make them pop, then applied a soft tint to her lips.

Marina admired herself in the mirror, a bit stunned. "You really have a gift for this," she said, still staring at her reflection. "I wish I could try doing it myself someday when we finally have our own makeup line."

Seraphina smiled, nodding. "We will, Marina. Once we find the perfect ingredients, we'll make makeup that's both beautiful and safe for everyone to use."

Marina beamed. "I can't wait for that day."

Final Preparations and Early Guests

By 9 AM, the other employees began to arrive, all wearing their uniforms, just as instructed. They had arrived early for a special reason—Seraphina wanted to style them herself. She worked quickly but carefully, giving each of them a polished look that fit the vibe of the shop. A little makeup here, a quick hair adjustment there, and soon, her team looked stunning.

"You all look amazing!" Seraphina said, pleased with the results. Her employees smiled back, clearly excited about the day ahead.

It wasn't long before the first crowd gathered outside the store. Word had spread about the free product giveaways, especially among the city's women. By the time they were ready to open, a line had already formed.

Seraphina took a deep breath. "Alright, let's do this."

As she opened the doors, the women eagerly stepped inside, their eyes wide with curiosity. But before long, Seraphina made the announcement about the free products being handed out just outside the store. "We've set up tables outside for the free samples. Face wash on the left, moisturizer on the right. Please help yourselves, but remember—one product per person."

As soon as she said that, the store emptied out as the crowd rushed outside. Seraphina chuckled to herself at how quickly the store became quiet again. It was funny, in a way, to see people so excited that they couldn't wait a second longer to grab their freebies.

The Duchess's Arrival

By mid-morning, around 11 o'clock, the sound of multiple carriages stopping in front of the shop caught Seraphina's attention. She looked out just in time to see the Duchess herself stepping out.

One of the employees quickly greeted her and escorted her inside. Seraphina immediately bowed, her heart pounding slightly. "Duchess," she began, her voice soft yet full of gratitude, "thank you so much for your help last night. I don't know what would've happened without you."

The Duchess smiled, waving off her gratitude. "What happened to you was truly unimaginable, my dear. The fact that you were taken in for such a minor matter... it won't happen again. You have my word."

Seraphina exhaled deeply, the tension she hadn't realized she was holding finally releasing. "I still can't believe it. But thanks to you, I'm here today, able to open my shop. I'll never forget it."

The Duchess took a moment to look around the store, clearly impressed. "You've done well here. And I must say, I'm quite fond of your products, the sample you send were working, can you see it my face is getting softer and it look more alive than ever, I look brighter and more refreshed." She praised her loudly for people oitside to hear.

Seraphina beamed. "Please, take whatever interests you. Consider it my gift to you for everything you've done."

The Duchess smiled graciously, nodding her approval. "I'll certainly do that."

The two women exchanged a few more pleasantries before the Duchess took her leave, but not before promising to return as a customer. After she left, Seraphina couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Today wasn't just the opening of her store—it was the beginning of something much bigger. Something life-changing.

And as her employees continued handing out samples and customers began trickling back in, she knew she was ready for it all.

As the morning wore on and the initial rush of people claiming free samples outside began to dwindle, Seraphina noticed that not all of them returned to the shop. However, a few wealthier ladies—though not nobility, still richer than the average townsfolk—entered the store with curious glances. They had overheard the Duchess's conversation and were intrigued by what had brought her to this small shop. They exchanged whispers amongst themselves, eyes gleaming with interest.

One woman, elegantly dressed but without the ostentatious flair of the nobility, approached Seraphina. "I couldn't help but overhear the Duchess. We simply must try your products ourselves. How much for a bottle of face wash?" she asked with a polite smile, her friends listening eagerly behind her.

Seraphina smiled graciously, appreciating their willingness to buy even before trying the samples. "A bottle of the face wash is priced at 20 bronze coins, and the moisturizer is 50 bronze coins. A bottle should last for a month or more, depending on how often you use it."

The women exchanged glances, nodding in agreement. "And how exactly do we use it? I've never used a product like this before," one of the ladies asked, clearly interested.

Seraphina gestured for one of her employees to come over and demonstrate. Elara, a young woman with a kind demeanor, spoke in a clear and professional tone. "It's best to use the face wash twice a day—once in the morning when you wake up and again before you go to bed. It's simple. Just wet your face, apply a small amount, and gently massage it into your skin before rinsing. The moisturizer should also be applied after washing your face, to keep your skin soft and hydrated throughout the day."

The ladies listened intently, their curiosity turning into excitement. "We'll each take one bottle of both the face wash and moisturizer," one of them said, her friends quickly agreeing.

As they made their purchases, the store's atmosphere remained lively. Seraphina moved around the space, helping here and there while keeping an eye on the door. She knew that several of the noblewomen she had invited last night would likely arrive soon, and she wanted to be ready to greet them personally.

The Nobles' Arrival

It wasn't long before the first of the noblewomen entered. They carried themselves with an air of refinement, their richly embroidered dresses and intricate hairstyles setting them apart from the rest of the customers. These women were here not just out of curiosity, but because Seraphina had personally invited them to experience her products. Their entrance into the shop stirred a quiet buzz among the other customers, who whispered to each other in awe.

Seraphina straightened herself, adjusting the lace on her sleeves as she walked over to greet them. "Lady Celeste, Lady Amelia," she said, inclining her head with a warm smile. "I'm so glad you could make it. Please, feel free to look around."

The noblewomen gave her gracious nods, intrigued by the small but elegant shop. "We wouldn't miss it for the world, Seraphina," Lady Celeste said. "Your products sound too interesting to pass up."

As they browsed, her employees carefully explained the use of each product, just as they had done for the other customers. The noblewomen seemed impressed, occasionally asking questions about the ingredients and effects, clearly valuing the thoughtfulness behind each creation.

Just when Seraphina thought the shop couldn't get any busier, she heard the sound of yet another carriage pulling up outside. She glanced toward the door just in time to see the Countess Ravenscroft herself step down from the elegant vehicle, her expression one of concern and urgency. Her arrival caused a stir among the customers, and even the noblewomen exchanged surprised glances.

The Countess, dressed in a dark velvet gown that shimmered under the shop's lighting, spotted Seraphina immediately. Without hesitation, she strode across the shop floor and took Seraphina's hand in her own.

"My dear, I came as soon as I could," the Countess said, her voice laced with concern. "I heard from the Duchess what happened to you last night. I've been so worried."

Seraphina smiled, touched by the Countess's concern. "Thank you, my lady. It was an unexpected and frightening experience, but thanks to the Duchess and all of your support, I was able to return safely."

The Countess shook her head in dismay. "Unbelievable, what they put you through. For something as simple as an identification misunderstanding? It's unacceptable. But you're alright now, and that's what matters."

Seraphina nodded, her heart warmed by the Countess's words. "I am, thanks to people like you and the Duchess. I don't know what I would have done without your kindness."

The Countess squeezed her hand gently, her eyes soft with empathy. "We're here for you, Seraphina. You've built something wonderful here, and we'll stand by you. In fact," she added, her tone lightening, "I intend to buy quite a few of your products today. I have relatives visiting soon, from the Merman Kingdom—an island surrounded by the Siren-eye Sea."

Seraphina's eyes widened in surprise. "The Merman Kingdom? I've heard so much about it. It's an honor to know that my products will be reaching such faraway shores."

The Countess smiled, her regal demeanor softening. "Yes, and believe me, if they like it, you'll have customers from across the sea as well. The sirens that live near the island have their own beauty secrets, but they're always curious about what we humans use. Who knows, perhaps your products will even attract the attention of a siren or two."

Seraphina chuckled at the thought, though there was a flicker of excitement in her heart. "I would love that. Thank you, Countess. I'll make sure to prepare a special set for your relatives."

With that, the Countess gathered a selection of products, buying a considerable amount not only for herself but as gifts for her visiting relatives. As she left, Seraphina felt a wave of gratitude. The shop was filled with people who supported her, people who believed in what she was doing.

The day had only just begun, but Seraphina could already tell that it would be one to remember.