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"Good morning Miss Elissa." says a voice next to my ears.
"Good morning Stuart, how is your day?" I greet the old man.
"Not much my lady, just the usual business with the shop." He replies with his kind smile.
"Let's work hard and try our best today then." I reply as he nods in agreement.
"Xiao's workshop" alongside "Café De Ambriose" are the two shops I had opened. Xiao was a workshop of jewelry, dresses and fashion for both young women and young men but the dresses were unique since i used light magic in the process of making them. However, I kept that to myself since my power would attract unwanted attention. I used it to expand my business among the citizens whether they were commoners or nobles, everyone was treated equally. Each dress and each accessory was special with it's stitching and style, I used my memories of the past to bring up new fashion and Xiao has proven successful in the city. I soon found myself competing with others, Ambriose served delicious pastry, beverages and dishes that no one has ever tasted before. Thanks to my father who taught me the recipes of the world and opened my eyes to every dish that was served. His recipes brought a smile to my face and I inspired to do the same to others in this world.
"Zoé, can you please check today's appointments?" I asked my assistant.
"Yes, Milady."
"You can just call me Elissa, you know?" I reply back.
"No, Milady. I cannot bring myself to do so." She replies while I sigh back at her, Zoé will always regard me as her master even after I made her the manager of Xiao. My maids and butlers resigned from the mansion shortly after I left, they followed me into the city. They refused to leave my side and begged to work for me even without a salary. I eventually agreed and gave them jobs within my business but they also work around the old mansion I had reconstructed. I remember the first day I was looking into houses and that house was the only one that caught my interest.
"My lady, are you sure this is what you want?" asked Sophia, my second trusted companion.
"Yes, Sophia. I'm certain." I reply.
What was Ironic is that this mansion belonged to the late family of Marquess Claes, the mother of the villain of the novel. Sein Claes was a happy child, he had a stern but juste father while his mother was a gentle and tender woman. Their house that was once full of laughter, soon bloomed with misfortune after the humble marquis decided to sell his wife to other noblemen. Sein was abused by his father and endured years of pain from that drunk man, the light of his life came back the day his mother appeared after 3 years of absence. However, her tragic fate starts from there. She was pregnant and her ill husband beat her every day. One day, as she was trying to protect her son, he had dragged her to their bedroom and punished her to death. Sein noticed that his mother coughed blood, so he ran to fetch her medicine from the town. A kind woman helped him and provided him with medicine but by the time the boy came back, he found his mother dead and his father had set their house on fire. Sein's personality was never the same after that, he was eventually taken into a viscount family. He took over after the death of his adoptive father and rose to the status of a powerful Duke, strong enough to challenge the male lead for the heroine's love and the throne. Sein has short, silky black hair with beautiful golden eyes, he was indeed handsome and charming. Prince Allein meets the same criteria but he had a prince's charm while Sein was more of a "bad boy" type of man. The author took a twist and revealed that Sein was the illegitimate son of the king, making him the half brother of Allein. As every novel progresses, he eventually came to his doom and was killed by the prince to which many had seen as an act of heroism. I felt sorry for him, Sein might've been an evil man throughout the novel. But just like Elissa, he only wanted to be loved. He found that in Lilianne but the heroine was meant to be with the prince. They had the same seal and they were soulmates, destined to love one another no matter what.
"What do you mean you can't do anything?!!"
My relaxation was shortly interrupted by yelling, it smelled like the presence of a wench inside the shop.
"Lady Erina, please calm down. The shop serves everyone equally, the way you are acting is just absurd." I heard Zoé's voice, she had no filter.
"How can you allow a commoner near a noble?! I have been a regular here!" lady Erina continues on making a scene.
"What's the matter?" I say walking out with a smile.
"Ah, my lady." Zoé says with a smile.
"the lady is bothered with the presence of Lady Marianne who just happened to come pick up a few dresses today. I told her that Xiao accommodates people from different social classes but she insists on kicking Lady Marianne out." Zoe explains to me.
"And who are you?!" Erina asks crudely.
"Do you know who you are speaking too! This is lady-" I hold my hand up silencing Zoé.
"Where is Lady Artois?! I would like to speak to her personally about this absurd behavior." She protests, ugh, she is so annoying.
Erina of house Carthia was one of the most annoying noble girls one can come across, she was also the main villainess of the novel and the heroine's sworn arch enemy. She can't even recognize who I'm but this pest still wishes to talk to me? I hated rude customers.
"Lady Erina, I'm pretty sure you know that the policy of the shop is to provide service for everyone. Lady Artois opened this shop so she can draw smiles on everyone's faces with her fantastic works, and I will tell you one thing: she detests those who come here and think they are better than everyone else." I reply.
"Rude, just how rude! Lady Artois is a good friend of mine and she will definitely fire you all!" she says with her fierce smile, she was indeed a true villainess.
"How can you even call yourself my friend when you just think I'm a regular employee here? on top of that, you are rude to my workers and customers." I say catching her off guard, her smile fades away.
"You couldn't even recognize Elissa de Artois who has made sure you get the best dresses for your prestigious balls and parties and you dare to insult me of top of that?" I continue annoyed while Zoé grinned behind me.
Erina was at lost for words.
"I will allow you to shop around but if you make a scene again and offend anyone here. I will ban you from my shop without hesitation, consider this a warning." I announce once more, I was a natural villainess as well so it wasn't a problem to deal with her.
"Hmph! Like I care!" she says before she storms off with her companion "Let's get out of here Sanghee, I can visit better shops anyway!" I wave at her with a smile as she leaves furious.
"What good comes from an ex noble anyway?! Your father disowned you for a reason." Erina added with a grin, Zoé gave her a murderous glare.
"Dresses you will never be able to have." I say with a smile as I turn to my dear Marianne.
"My dear, would you like to try on lady Erina's customized dress? I think it would look better on you. I will make sure it is within your price range." I suggest to my customer, she nods with a smile.
"Very well." I say as I snap with my fingers, the dress appeared. Erina's facial expression changed when she saw the dress. She left and Marianne adored her dress, I ended up giving it to her for free.
"My lady, aren't you worried they will find out about your ability?" Zoé asked while she served me my cup of tea.
"Don't worry, I can defend myself." I reply.
After a long day at work, I closed the shop and made my way home. I sent Zoé home earlier as usual since she liked assuming her duties as my maid, the shop has been quite busy lately. Despite the feud with that Erina girl today, nobles still storm within my shop for my works. I thought that Erina would use what happened today to bring down the shop's reputation but instead I received an apology letter from her. I think that the opposite has occurred where part of her reputation became dependent on my designs, I accepted her apology nonetheless. Maybe what happened today fixed a little bit of her attitude at last. I began walking home, the sky was starry and beautiful as always. About 15 minutes of walking, I arrived home and Zoé came out to greet me as usual. I noticed a few boxes from the house next door and workers.
"We are expecting newcomers anytime soon, My lady." She explains.
"I see, unexpected guests." I reply.
Indeed, the new neighbors were unexpected just as I thought.
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