Ella's shop was alive with the usual buzz, but today, there was an extra air of excitement. After weeks of testing and perfecting, she was finally introducing her new face wash—something she hoped would appeal to both men and women alike. The product, a blend of chamomile for soothing, oats for gentle exfoliation, and honey for its antibacterial properties, came in two distinct versions. The men's option carried an earthy, musky scent, while the women's was light and floral, soft as a spring breeze.
As customers streamed into the shop, Ella could hear snippets of conversation floating around the room. People were eager to try the new product. She caught the eye of one of her regulars, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, who approached her at the counter, a jar of the women's face wash in hand.
"I've been waiting for something like this," the woman said, smiling as she opened the jar to take a whiff. "Chamomile, oats, and honey? It smells heavenly."
Ella grinned, grateful to see her hard work being appreciated. "I wanted something natural, something that would work for everyone. No chemicals—just good, clean ingredients."
"I'm sure my skin will thank you for it," the woman replied before making her way to the counter to pay.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the shop, a couple of younger men were inspecting the men's version of the face wash. One of them, tall with a scruffy beard, seemed hesitant at first. "I don't usually go for this sort of thing," he said, glancing sideways at his friend. "But... maybe I'll give it a try."
His friend chuckled. "Come on, you could use a little 'earthy' scent in your life. Besides, if it's from Ella's shop, you know it's going to be good."
Ella overheard them and couldn't help but smile. "You might be surprised," she said, joining them briefly. "It's designed to be gentle but effective. And I promise, no flowery smells. Just fresh, clean skin."
The tall man laughed, grabbing a jar. "Alright, I'm convinced. Let's see what this does."
As the customers browsed, she felt a growing sense of satisfaction. She had spent months perfecting these face washes, ensuring they were all-natural and suitable for every skin type. It was a labor of love, much like everything else in her shop.
Later in the day, as things began to settle down, Ella sat behind the counter, mentally replaying the moments from earlier. She thought about how far her little shop had come, how products like this face wash were slowly gaining attention beyond the village. Merchants and travelers would no doubt spread the word even further.
The scent of chamomile lingered in the air as Ella quietly reflected, feeling a deep sense of pride. This was more than just a product launch; it was another step toward her dream of transforming the lives of those around her, one small innovation at a time.
The shop's lively atmosphere briefly stilled when an elegant noblewoman entered, her presence commanding immediate attention. Dressed in the finest silks and carrying an air of quiet authority, she moved through the aisles with practiced grace. Her gaze drifted over the shelves, pausing on the jars of face wash. Intrigued, she picked up a jar of the women's chamomile, oats, and honey blend, examining it as if it were a rare artifact.
"Quite the selection," she murmured, her voice soft yet deliberate, as if speaking to herself but loud enough for Ella to hear. Ella stepped forward with a welcoming smile.
"We like to offer a little something for everyone," Ella said, her tone warm and inviting. "That one's particularly good for calming the skin."
The noblewoman raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "I shall take it, then," she replied, placing the jar gently on the counter. Ella wrapped it with care, noting the woman's refined movements, her gloved hands smooth and deliberate.
After completing the purchase, the noblewoman's eyes wandered, settling on the door to the back of the shop. "Might I trouble you to use your facilities?" she asked, her tone formal, though there was an underlying expectation in her voice—one that hinted at her nobility.
"Of course," Ella replied, gesturing to the small hallway that led to the customer bathroom. "Right through there."
The noblewoman nodded her thanks, sweeping past Ella with a regal grace. Moments later, the shop carried on with its usual hum of customers, while Ella continued attending to a line of patrons. But before long, a sharp gasp echoed from the back of the shop, loud enough to draw curious glances from the crowd.
Ella looked up, a knowing smile already forming on her lips.
The noblewoman reappeared quickly, but this time her expression was far from composed. Her eyes were wide, almost childlike with wonder, and she hurried toward Ella with uncharacteristic haste. "What... what is that in your bathroom?" she demanded, her voice betraying both astonishment and awe. "I've never seen anything like this. The water—clean, running water at the mere turn of a handle!"
Ella chuckled softly, wiping her hands on her apron. "Ah, that. It's a system developed for the shop—indoor plumbing, as I like to call it. It's meant to make things easier. No need for water pitchers or chamber pots anymore."
The noblewoman was speechless for a moment, staring at Ella as if she had just revealed some ancient, forgotten magic. "Easier?" she repeated, her voice incredulous. "It's beyond easy! It's miraculous! Who came up with such a thing?"
"Well..." Ella hesitated, a modest smile tugging at her lips. "I did. With the help of a few local builders, of course."
The noblewoman blinked, her jaw dropping just slightly. "You? You're telling me you created this... this wonder?" She gestured dramatically toward the back of the shop, as if the bathroom itself were too extraordinary to properly describe.
Ella simply nodded. "Yes. It's practical. Life is hard enough as it is, so why not make the small things a little easier?"
The noblewoman's astonishment only deepened. "My dear, do you have any idea what this could mean for households—households? I've never seen anything so... so civilized! My home is practically barbaric by comparison."
Ella's smile grew, but she kept her tone humble. "It does make a difference, I'll admit. I've had quite a few people ask about it. But it's not magic, really. Just a matter of clever mechanics."
The noblewoman's eyes narrowed, not in suspicion, but in thought. "Could this be installed in a private residence?" she asked, her voice now softer, more calculating.
Ella nodded again. "It could. I know the builders who helped me—they've been looking for more work lately. I'm sure they'd be eager to take on a new project."
For the first time, the noblewoman's expression softened into something like relief. "Then you must come to my estate. Tear down what needs to be torn down and build it anew. I'll pay whatever it takes."
Ella's mind raced, but she didn't hesitate. "I'd be happy to help," she said, her excitement barely contained. "We can meet with the builders to work out the details. They're skilled men, and I know they'll do a fine job."
The noblewoman straightened, her earlier excitement transforming into a dignified calm. "Good," she said with a nod, as if sealing a deal between them. "I'll expect you to arrange everything as soon as possible."
Ella felt a wave of satisfaction ripple through her as the noblewoman took her leave, face wash in hand. This was more than just a sale—it was an opportunity, a new direction she hadn't anticipated. As the noblewoman disappeared through the door, Ella turned back to the shop, her mind already swirling with ideas.
A few days after the noblewoman's visit, Ella gathered the team of builders in her shop's small back office. The room was modest, with shelves filled with ledgers and a large table cluttered with designs and notes, but the mood was anything but casual. The men sat around the table, their faces curious and hopeful as Ella explained the noblewoman's request.
"So," Ella began, leaning forward, "the noblewoman who visited the shop last week—she was fascinated by the plumbing system. She wants it installed in her home. Not just a quick job either. She's talking about tearing down parts of her estate and rebuilding them with a system like ours."
The builders exchanged glances, eyes wide with excitement. The eldest of the group, a gray-haired man with strong, weathered hands, leaned back in his chair, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "Well, I'll be damned," he said. "I didn't think nobles would catch on so soon."
"We've been looking for work like this for months," another builder chimed in, nodding eagerly. His face, though worn from years of labor, lit up with renewed energy. "Ever since we finished your shop, it's been quiet. Of course we'll take the job!"
Ella smiled, relief washing over her. She had worried the men might be hesitant, given the scope of the noblewoman's request. But their enthusiasm reassured her.
"Good," she said, her tone bright. "Because she's expecting us to get started as soon as possible. This could be the beginning of something bigger for all of us. If this goes well, I think we could make plumbing installations a regular service."
The younger builder, a lean man with sharp eyes, crossed his arms, grinning at Ella. "Ella, you're a lifesaver. No one else in the village has ideas like yours. It's about time someone recognized how much smoother life can be with indoor plumbing."
Ella chuckled softly. "I can't take all the credit," she replied, her voice warm. "It's a team effort. You all made the design a reality."
The men nodded in agreement, but Ella wasn't done. "I've been thinking," she continued, her voice growing more serious. "There's a lot more potential here than just one noble's home. If we offer plumbing and other innovations to more estates—hell, even common households—it could change the way people live. We'd need to formally set things up though, a business dedicated to it."
The eldest builder raised an eyebrow. "You mean a company?"
Ella nodded. "Exactly. We'd specialize in plumbing installations, house renovations, anything that makes daily life easier. We could be on the cutting edge of home innovation. What we've done here at the shop is just the start."
The men exchanged looks again, but this time, the air in the room shifted. There was a sense of something bigger, something more lasting than just one project.
"Do you think it could work?" one of the younger builders asked, his voice quiet but filled with hope.
Ella's eyes sparkled with determination. "I know it will. The noblewoman's interest proves there's a demand, and I don't doubt there'll be more like her. Imagine what we could do—building homes with modern conveniences. Plumbing, better kitchens, maybe even heating systems."
The eldest builder scratched his chin, nodding thoughtfully. "Well, it's ambitious, I'll give you that. But with you leading the charge, Ella, I reckon we could pull it off."
The younger builder, still grinning, leaned forward, his excitement barely contained. "Count me in. If we're starting a company, I want to be a part of it."
"Same here," the second builder added, folding his arms confidently. "This could be something special."
Ella felt a warmth spread through her chest as she looked at the men around the table. They weren't just builders to her; they were partners, allies in this new endeavor. "Great," she said, her voice steady but full of anticipation. "I'll handle the paperwork and the formalities. We'll need a name for the company, of course, but we can figure that out together."
The men nodded, excitement flickering in their eyes.
As the meeting wrapped up, Ella couldn't help but feel a deep sense of accomplishment. This wasn't just about her shop anymore—it was about creating something bigger, something that could change lives. As the builders filed out, talking excitedly about the noblewoman's estate and the work to come, Ella stayed behind for a moment, her mind racing with ideas.
"Plumbing," she murmured to herself, glancing out the window at the bustling village street beyond. "And who knows what else?"
This was just the beginning.
As the day wound down and the builders had left, Ella found herself alone in the quiet of her shop. The shelves were still half-full from the day's steady flow of customers, the familiar scent of soaps and herbs lingering in the air. But her mind wasn't on her products anymore. Sitting at her desk, Ella stared down at a blank sheet of parchment, fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of her quill. Her thoughts raced with the possibilities that lay ahead.
The noblewoman's astonishment at the shop's plumbing had planted an idea, one that had been growing steadily in Ella's mind ever since. It wasn't just about selling soaps, shampoos, and gadgets anymore. There was something bigger on the horizon—something that could change not only the village but the very way people lived.
Ella picked up her quill and started sketching rough plans, her brow furrowed in concentration. She imagined a sprawling estate, much like the noblewoman's, but outfitted with modern comforts—indoor plumbing, advanced kitchens, efficient water systems. Her mind buzzed with possibilities, the kind that could revolutionize even the most traditional of homes.
"If a noblewoman is this impressed," she murmured to herself, tapping the quill against the page, "imagine what the rest of them will think." Her eyes gleamed with determination. She could see it clearly now—a future where her innovations weren't just confined to her little shop, but spread across the region, maybe even beyond.
The builders' excitement still echoed in her ears. Their eagerness to take on the noblewoman's project had sparked something in Ella—an understanding that her inventions were more than just practical solutions. They had the power to change lives, to make daily tasks easier, more efficient, even enjoyable. And not just for the common folk, but for those in the upper echelons of society too. Nobles, with their sprawling estates, could benefit just as much—if not more—from the kinds of innovations she and her team were capable of providing.
As the fire crackled softly in the hearth, Ella leaned back in her chair, studying the sketches. Her quill had created a rough layout for a plumbing system that could be integrated into larger homes—estates, even. It was more intricate than the one in her shop, designed for grander spaces and higher demands. She added notes here and there, ideas about how to improve the flow of water, how to minimize waste, how to make the system not just functional but luxurious. She wasn't just thinking about practicality now; she was thinking about what would impress the elite.
Her mind wandered to the builders—gruff, hardworking men who had taken her idea and turned it into reality. They were skilled, no doubt about that. But with a new company focused on plumbing and renovations, they'd need more hands, more expertise. Ella made a mental note to speak with them about recruiting more workers, perhaps even training apprentices. This wasn't just about building a business anymore; it was about building an industry.
"Plumbing, homes" she mused, tracing the word lightly on the edge of the parchment. "And who knows what else?" Kitchens with modern stoves, heating systems for colder estates, even clever storage solutions for large households. The ideas came in a rush, each one more exciting than the last.
Ella couldn't help but smile, the excitement bubbling up inside her. She had come so far from the girl who had first woken up in this world, overwhelmed and unsure. Now, she was on the brink of something truly remarkable—something that could transform not just her life, but the lives of everyone around her.
But she also knew it wouldn't be easy. Expanding into noble homes meant navigating a different world, one of etiquette and expectations, of wealth and power. She'd have to be careful, strategic. Yet, Ella wasn't afraid of challenges. If anything, the obstacles made her more determined.
"I never thought my inventions would go this far," Ella whispered to herself, her gaze flickering back to the sketches.
The firelight flickered softly in the corner, casting long shadows across the room as Ella continued working late into the night. Her quill scratched across the parchment, notes and diagrams coming to life under her steady hand. The vision of her new company—a business that went beyond the shop, beyond simple products—grew clearer with each passing moment.
Ella had always been a dreamer, someone who sought solace in the stories of other worlds. But now, she was creating her own story—one filled with invention, progress, and a future she had never imagined for herself. And as she leaned over her plans, her mind already racing with ideas for the next steps, she knew one thing for certain:
She was only just getting started.