Zachary, the manager of the essential oils shop, had been riding high lately, walking with an extra spring in his step.
The store he managed was originally an unremarkable grain shop in the royal capital, located in the middle-class district where the streets were lined with ordinary commoners who had some modest savings. The business had been barely scraping by each month, and at one point, Zachary had even feared the shop might have to close.
But ever since the new Earl ordered the grain shop to be converted into an essential oils store and renovated, the reopened shop became the hottest destination in the entire capital. Customers ranged from royalty and nobility down to officials and merchants, frantically snatching up their products as if they were free. Often, within just a few days of a new shipment arriving, the entire stock would be sold out.
Of course, this frenzy didn't last forever. Once the supply of essential oils stabilized and prices rose significantly, the number of customers, though still substantial, no longer required long queues to make a purchase.
But this didn't mean business had declined. On the contrary, the stable customer base and lack of crowding were because the shop now sold concentrated essential oils—large bottles that could last a long time, saving customers the trouble of frequent trips. However, concentrated oils were even more expensive, costing hundreds of gold coins per bottle. Though the daily sales volume had decreased, the revenue was higher than before.
From nearly fainting with excitement the first time he handled over a thousand gold coins, to now calmly processing tens of thousands daily without batting an eye, Zachary couldn't even remember how he had gotten used to it.
"Following your instructions, all the gold coins have been deposited in the bank. Here are the account books and this month's deposit receipts."
Though banks at this time primarily dealt in promissory notes and usury, large deposits still earned some interest. Using these deposit receipts, Felix could directly withdraw large sums of gold coins from the bank.
Moreover, the receipts were issued under the condition that only Earl Felix Williams or someone bearing his seal could withdraw the funds. Without proper documentation, no one else could retrieve even a single copper coin, making the security exceptionally high.
Even so, after handing over the receipts, Zachary let out a huge sigh of relief in his heart.
The reason was simple—though he knew the receipts alone couldn't withdraw money, the sheer amount written on them was enough to make his heart race.
It was a deposit receipt for over a hundred thousand gold coins—the essential oils shop's net profit for a month. If it were stolen or robbed, even if the thieves couldn't access the coins, the cost of reissuing the receipts at the bank would be substantial, far beyond what Zachary could ever afford to repay.
And it wasn't paranoia—Zachary was certain the shop had been attracting unwanted attention lately.
Ever since the essential oils business took off, Felix had purchased the shops on either side of the store. However, instead of expanding the business or opening new shops, he stationed soldiers there to ensure the safety of the essential oils shop.
At first, when shipments arrived in the capital, they would sell out overnight, making guards unnecessary. However once high-concentration oils were introduced and the shop began maintaining inventory, security became a pressing concern.
For a long time, even knowing soldiers guarded the shop, Zachary insisted on staying overnight, unable to rest easy otherwise.
This proved to be a wise decision. Twice, Zachary heard suspicious noises in the shop and called the soldiers from next door, scaring off thieves before any major losses occurred. After that, the number of guards increased, and the nights grew quiet again.
Still, it left Zachary constantly on edge.
Because he had a sneaking suspicion that those well-prepared, quick-footed intruders were likely sent by some noble family.
The essential oils business was far too lucrative, and envy was rampant. Ordinary thieves wouldn't dare target a shop owned by an Earl—getting caught meant certain execution, and the presence of guards was no secret to nearby residents.
Nor were they desperate, reckless bandits—such criminals were usually on wanted lists and couldn't even enter the capital, let alone flee at the mere sight of soldiers.
So Zachary guessed the most likely culprits were agents sent by nobles coveting the immense profits of the essential oils trade.
If it was a noble, and they stole the deposit receipts, they could cash out at the bank. Private banks had deep, murky waters.
Thus, Zachary, who exchanged large sums of gold into deposit receipts daily and submitted them monthly, lived in constant fear of theft.
Especially since, due to the Earl's upcoming visit to the capital, last month's receipts hadn't been sent back with the delivery knights but were kept in the shop for the Earl to collect. The accumulated amount from two months totaled nearly four hundred thousand gold coins—equivalent to half the annual tithe collected by the Church in the Pradi Empire.
Such an astronomical sum could buy a noble title if donated to the state.
Now that they were finally handed over and his task complete, Zachary could finally relax.
Watching the Earl examine the receipts, Zachary mustered the courage to share his suspicions about the would-be thieves.
"I understand."
Felix shared Zachary's suspicions, but since the thieves had never shown their faces and fled immediately when discovered, there was no way to trace the mastermind. He could only increase security further to prevent future incidents.
Since entering the essential oils trade, Felix had been raking in money, handling transactions worth tens of thousands of gold coins daily. He had grown accustomed to vast sums of wealth.
Yet, holding nearly four hundred thousand gold coins' worth of deposit receipts, he couldn't help but be moved.
He handed the account book to Wei Wei beside him and meticulously verified the receipts' authenticity and amounts. Wei Wei rolled her eyes at him before skimming the book, confirming it was roughly correct, and then passing it back.
The maid, Qin, stepped forward to take the account book and retreated with a bow.
Since taking on accounting duties, most of Wei Wei's financial work has been delegated to her.
Once the receipts were verified, Felix asked Zachary about the shop's current status.
Speaking of business, Zachary became animated. "It couldn't be better! I dare say there isn't a shop in the entire capital—no, the entire Pradi Empire—with better business than ours. Every day, noble ladies and even their daughters come in person to purchase oils. The VIP area on the second floor, renovated per your instructions, is often so crowded we can't even seat them all. I think it's time to expand."
Felix nodded. Expansion was inevitable because soon, the shop would carry additional products.
Perfumes, floral waters, and eventually a full range of cosmetics—all items guaranteed to drive women wild—would overwhelm the current store's capacity.
So expansion was a must.
However, Felix and Wei Wei had already discussed this. They agreed that besides expanding, opening a second location was also an option.
The current shop was in the middle-class district, home to moderately affluent commoners. While safer than the lower-class district, it paled in comparison to the upper-class district where officials and wealthy merchants lived, or the central district reserved for nobles near the palace.
Essential oils were now a high-end luxury, affordable only to the wealthy. The middle-class district's clientele was limited, and the location was neither secure nor conducive to future growth.
Thus, they were already considering opening a new shop in the more upscale upper-class district and scouting for suitable properties.
Unaware of their plans, Zachary added, "Many customers have complained about the middle district's poor roads and suggested we move to the upper or central districts for easier access."
Felix asked, "What do you think?"
Zachary replied, "I think opening a second shop in the upper district's commercial street is a good idea, but we should keep the current location running."
Testing him, Felix said, "Why not just relocate? Aren't there few customers here?"
Zachary explained confidently, "Middle-class residents may not be as wealthy as those in the upper districts, but they can still afford our products—just not in the same way."
A single bottle of concentrated oil was prohibitively expensive, but it could be diluted into dozens of lower-concentration bottles, matching the effects of their original simmered oils. Middle-class customers might struggle with the concentrated version, but they could scrape together enough for the diluted ones.
"Officially, our shop doesn't sell diluted oils, but some merchants buy from us, dilute them, and resell them here. Their business is booming." Zachary resented these profiteers—why let others profit when they could do it themselves? "If we handled the dilution and retail ourselves, we could tap into this market too."
Retail might not match the profits of concentrated oils, but small gains would add up to a significant sum.
His suggestion was sound. Felix trusted Zachary, a holdover from the old Earl's time, but this trust had been earned. The knights delivering goods and soldiers guarding the shop regularly reported on Zachary's performance, and so far, he had been impeccable—no discrepancies in inventory or finances, no misconduct, and his staff were well-trained, diligent, and courteous.
Wei Wei whispered to Felix, who nodded and asked Zachary, "We do plan to open a new shop in the upper district. If given the choice, would you stay here or move to the new location?"
Zachary was thrilled—the upper district was exclusive, and managing a shop there would elevate his status.
But the shrewd Zachary didn't reveal his eagerness outright. Instead, he replied diplomatically, "I'll follow your orders, my lord."
Felix smiled. "Then you'll manage the new shop. And your salary will be adjusted."
Zachary's heart skipped a beat—status was nice, but salary mattered more.
He watched Felix nervously.
Felix doubled Zachary's salary, along with raises for all the shop's employees, and introduced a year-end bonus.
He placed a gold coin in Zachary's hand—a reward for his excellent work.
"Prepare a list of outstanding employees when you return. Top performers get five silver coins each, the rest two. Deduct the bonuses directly from the shop's accounts as thanks for their hard work."
A doubled salary plus bonuses—Zachary, whose wages had been average, was now among the highest-paid in his field. Overjoyed, he thanked the Earl profusely before leaving to share the good news. His staff would surely be ecstatic.
As for the transfer, it would happen once the new shop was renovated and a suitable replacement was hired. Until then, Zachary would recruit and train new staff for the grand opening.
Of course, hiring wasn't entirely up to Zachary—he'd handle initial screenings, but Felix had the final say. Given the large sums involved, they couldn't risk hiring someone dishonest or unreliable.
The upper district's commercial street was bustling. During their earlier shopping trip, the tailor they visited was located there. With wealthy clientele and thriving businesses, property prices were high, and Felix wanted to buy, not rent, searching even harder.
But eventually, he secured a prime location—a two-story shop spanning over 500 square meters in the middle of the commercial street.
The shop's owner, one of the nobles eager to collaborate with Felix, had initially been reluctant to sell such a profitable property. But a contract for essential oils convinced him to part with it—albeit at market price, with no discounts.
Before renovations, Wei Wei accompanied Felix to inspect the shop and discuss design plans with the decorators. Besides the aesthetic, the new shop would feature a dedicated testing area—though that would wait until their return to Sardinson and the start of cosmetics production.
However, perfumes and floral waters could be ready before the opening, ensuring the shop's offerings weren't too sparse.
But the workload kept growing.
Beyond business, they were busy attending social events. After Queen Mirabelle's dazzling debut, the new-style dresses became the latest trend. Within days, at the next banquet, Wei Wei attended, noblewomen and their daughters swayed in voluminous skirts, fluttering fans in hand.
This time, Wei Wei attended a beauty salon hosted by Countess Nelson, where all the guests were women. Their dresses resembled the Queen's but with slight modifications—more embellishments as if to flaunt their wealth and status.
Countess Nelson, for instance, wore a gown woven entirely with gold thread, adorned with gemstones on the skirt, and a jewel-and-feather brooch at the chest. Her fan's silk surface bore a butterfly-and-flower embroidery that Wei Wei found mediocre but others deemed exquisite.
Naturally, the salon's hostess basked in the compliments, proudly showcasing her attire.
But when Wei Wei arrived, all attention shifted—to the cosmetic case carried by her maid, Penny.
"Dear Wei, you're finally here," Countess Nelson greeted warmly. "You look stunning today."
Wei Wei exchanged air kisses and pleasantries. She, too, wore a voluminous skirt, though hers was simpler—pure white with layered tiers like a cake, accented only by a metal family crest button and a red sash. The sweet, playful innocence of the design caught the eye of many younger ladies.
And she wore light makeup, visible in the afternoon light, enhancing her features subtly yet effectively.
"Thank you. You look equally breathtaking," Wei Wei replied, admiring the Countess's fan with nostalgia. "Your fan brings back memories—it's been so long since I've seen silk."
This reminded everyone that silk originated from Wei Wei's homeland.
"I suppose Miss Wei must have plenty of silk herself? When will you bring some for us to admire?"
A voice interjected. Wei Wei turned to see a strikingly beautiful young woman—unmarried, judging by her attire—whose tone carried thinly veiled hostility.
Though her words seemed innocently curious, her expression suggested she doubted Wei Wei could produce any silk, her disdain unmistakable.
Wei Wei noticed, and so did the sharp-eyed noblewomen.
"Jessica!" The girl's mother, Baroness Clive, chastised her daughter before addressing Wei Wei with a faux-apologetic smile. "My daughter is overly curious and adores silk, hence her forwardness. I hope you don't mind."
Her words, however, left the topic open, making it harder for Wei Wei to refuse.
Wei Wei smiled politely. "Perhaps another time."
She didn't recognize the young lady, but Baroness Clive was memorable—her husband, the Finance Minister, was highly regarded by the King, granting her influence despite her lower rank.
Countess Nelson frowned, displeased but not at Wei Wei. The Clive mother-daughter duo's behavior felt like a slight against her hospitality.
Still, she suppressed her irritation and ushered Wei Wei to a seat.
The salon was held in a cozy lounge, with about a dozen guests—mostly married ladies, plus two unmarried girls: Miss Clive and another Wei Wei didn't know, whose face was so densely freckled that even powder couldn't conceal it.
Honestly, while freckles were common among Europeans, this degree was startling.
The freckled girl seemed painfully self-conscious, exuding gloom.
Before Wei Wei could observe further, Countess Nelson eagerly asked about the cosmetic case.
"Is that the gift Earl Williams gave the Queen for her birthday?" At Wei Wei's nod, she gushed, "Open it! We're dying to see what's inside!"
Wei Wei noted Miss Clive's odd expression at the mention of Felix—ah, so that explained the hostility.
The others chimed in, equally eager.
Wei Wei obliged, signaling Penny to open the case.