Thalia sat at her ornate wooden desk in her private study, sipping on a cup of freshly brewed latte as the morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows. She was dressed in a tailored pastel blue suit dress—her latest design collaboration with Collet. The fabric was soft yet structured, exuding elegance and authority.
Alan entered the room, his usual composed demeanor intact. His long blond hair was neatly tied back, and his glasses glinted in the sunlight. He held a thick stack of reports in one hand.
"Good morning, Lady Thalia," he began with a slight bow. "I bring excellent news regarding our ventures."
Thalia set her cup down, her attention fully on him. "Let's hear it."
Alan opened the top folder, his tone professional yet brimming with pride. "The boutique collaboration with Lady Collet has surpassed expectations. The introduction of female pants—stylish yet functional—has caused quite a stir. While there was initial skepticism, the practicality and elegance of the designs have won over even the most conservative customers. Sales have tripled in the last quarter."
Thalia leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "I knew the pants would be a game-changer. Women deserve fashionable and practical options."
"Indeed," Alan agreed. "There's been a noticeable increase in orders from influential women in various professions. It seems you've tapped into an underserved market."
"And the bakery?" she prompted, her curiosity piqued.
Alan flipped to another report. "The bakery expansion has been equally successful. The new flavors of cakes, pastries, and pies have captured the hearts—and stomachs—of our customers. However, the latte remains our best seller, with several customers traveling long distances just to enjoy it."
Thalia chuckled. "That's good to hear. And the new location in the neighboring nation?"
Alan's smile widened slightly. "It's thriving. The foreign market has embraced our modern aesthetic and unique flavors. The opening was so well-received that we've already started receiving inquiries about franchising opportunities."
Thalia raised an eyebrow. "Franchising, you say? That's an interesting proposition."
"Indeed," Alan replied. "It would require careful planning, but it could exponentially increase our reach and profits."
Thalia rested her chin on her hand, her mind already racing with ideas. "We'll need to establish a strong brand identity and ensure quality control. I want every location to feel like it's part of the Astoria legacy."
"Understood," Alan said. "I'll begin drafting a proposal for how we can proceed."
"Thank you, Alan," she said sincerely. "You've been indispensable."
Alan's expression softened, a rare moment of warmth breaking through his composed exterior. "It's my honor to serve, Lady Thalia."
Thalia nodded and glanced out the window, where she could see the bustling streets of the city. The Astoria name, once whispered in pity, was now spoken with admiration and respect. Their businesses were flourishing, their estate was nearly restored to its former glory, and for the first time in years, the future looked bright.
But Thalia knew she couldn't rest on her laurels. There were still challenges ahead, secrets to keep, and enemies to outmaneuver.
"Let's keep pushing forward," she said, determination lighting up her eyes.
"As always," Alan replied with a small bow before leaving the room.
Thalia returned to her paperwork, but her thoughts drifted for a moment. The Astoria name was rising again, and she intended to ensure it reached heights no one could have imagined.
Thalia wandered through the bustling market in her usual disguise: a simple black cloak with the hood pulled low over her silver hair. Her eyes darted from stall to stall, taking in the vibrant wares and the lively chatter of merchants and customers. She loved these moments, blending into the crowd and observing the city she was helping to rebuild.
As she passed a narrow alleyway, she heard a muffled cry. She paused, her sharp ears catching snippets of a conversation that made her blood boil.
"Hand over the coins, girl, and no one gets hurt."
"Please, I don't have much. Just let me go!"
Thalia's eyes narrowed as she stepped closer, peering into the alley. Three thugs loomed over a petite girl with auburn hair and frightened green eyes. The girl clutched a small pouch to her chest, her trembling form pressed against the wall.
Thalia sighed, her fingers twitching in irritation. "Why do these things always happen when I'm out for a stroll?"
She stepped into the alley, her hood concealing her face as her voice rang out, calm but commanding. "You know, bullying someone weaker than you is such a cowardly move."
The thugs turned, sneering at the cloaked figure. "And who do you think you are? Mind your own business!"
Thalia tilted her head, her lips curling into a smirk. "Oh, I'm someone who doesn't like bullies."
Before they could react, Thalia raised her hand, and a stream of water materialized out of thin air, swirling around her like a serpent. The thugs froze, their eyes wide in disbelief.
"What the—?!"
"What is that?! Water magic?!"
With a flick of her wrist, the water shot forward, coiling around the thugs and lifting them off the ground. They dangled helplessly, sputtering and struggling as Thalia's power kept them suspended in mid-air.
"Let me make this clear," she said, her voice as cold as the ice she summoned next. The water froze in an instant, forming icy restraints around the thugs' wrists and ankles.
"Hey! Let us down!" one of them shouted.
Thalia raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you want down? Sure." She snapped her fingers, and the ice melted—only to reform into tiny icicles that jabbed their backsides, making them yelp in pain.
The girl stifled a giggle, her fear replaced by awe.
"But wait," Thalia continued, her smirk growing mischievous. "You need to cool off and warm up before leaving."
She summoned a small flame in her other hand, sending it darting toward their frozen backsides. The ice evaporated instantly, leaving behind a burning sensation that had the thugs howling in pain.
"Run along now," she said sweetly. "And don't even think about trying this again."
The thugs didn't need to be told twice. They scrambled to their feet and bolted out of the alley, their yelps echoing as they disappeared into the market.
Thalia turned to the girl, who stared at her with wide, grateful eyes.
"Are you okay?" Thalia asked, her voice softening.
The girl nodded slowly, still trembling. "Yes… thank you. But… you… you used water magic. I've never seen anyone do that before!"
Thalia's smile faltered for a moment before she crouched down to meet the girl's gaze. "Listen carefully," she said, her voice low. "What you saw here… you can't tell anyone. Understand?"
The girl blinked in confusion. "But why? You saved me. People should know about you!"
Thalia shook her head. "It's not that simple. Water magic is… rare. If people found out, it could cause problems—not just for me, but for you, too."
The girl hesitated before nodding. "I understand. I won't tell anyone."
Thalia smiled, reaching out to pat her shoulder. "Good. Stay safe, okay?"
The girl gave her a small smile in return. "Thank you again."
Thalia rose to her feet and adjusted her hood. As she walked away, the girl watched her go, her mind racing with questions she dared not ask.
"You're getting bold," Suiryu said, his voice echoing in Thalia's mind. "Revealing your powers like that could backfire."
"I didn't reveal anything," Thalia replied, a smirk playing on her lips. "I just made a dramatic exit."
"If you say so," Suiryu said with a chuckle. "Though I'll admit, the fiery butt punishment was a nice touch."
Thalia couldn't help but laugh softly as she disappeared into the crowd, her silver hair glinting briefly in the sunlight before vanishing under her hood.