đ¤ď¸đŞ: Morning at the Pharmacy
The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of Dunham Pharmacy â Remedies & Skincare, filling the space with soft, golden light. The air smelled of dried herbs, lavender, and faint traces of sweet floral extracts.
In the back storage and preparation area, Lisse wiped her hands on her apron, brushing off the last bit of dust and herb residue. She had just finished restocking the shelves and organizing the jars, and now she turned her gaze toward Paul, who was hunched over his workbench, scribbling notes and adjusting a small glass apparatus.
"Hey, Young Master," she called out gently but firmly. "Try not to blow up or explode anything today, alright? We've only just fixed the wall from last time. If you make another loud noise or send more dust flying, we'll scare off all the customers before they even buy anything."
Paul didn't look up immediately, but he gave a low, noncommittal humâ"Mm-hmm"âthat sounded more like he'd heard her than fully agreed.
Lisse shook her head, knowing that was as much of a promise as she was going to get. She turned and walked toward the front of the shop, ready to start the day's business.
đď¸â¨: The Cloaked Guest
No sooner had she stepped behind the counter than the little brass bell above the entrance jingled softly.
Lisse immediately smoothed her apron and put on her warm, professional smile.
"Welcome to Dunham Pharmacy! We have remedies for every ailment, and skincare products that bring out your natural glowâfeel free to look around and ask if you need anything!"
As she spoke, the figure in the doorway reached up and pulled back the hood of their cloak.
Lisse's smile stayed in place, but her eyes widened just a fraction.
Standing there was a young girl with soft chestnut hair that fell neatly past her shoulders, and bright, clear light blue eyes that held a calm, poised confidence. Beside her stood a tall, broad-shouldered man also wearing a cloak, his posture rigid and watchfulâclearly a guard or attendant.
She looks like proper nobility, Lisse thought to herself, taking in the fine fabric of her dress peeking out from under the cloak, and the quiet grace in her stance. Around the same age as Young master Paul and that girl with the pink streak... and she carries herself like someone raised in high society.
The young girl stepped forward, her voice polite and gentle.
"I've heard good things about this shop. I understand you sell both medicinal remedies and skincare products?"
"Indeed we do," Lisse replied warmly. "We have everything from healing salves to our newest line of serums and creams."
The girl raised one hand slightly, her tone clear and direct.
"Then I would like to purchase the product everyone has been speaking of lately. The Day Serumâor was it the Night Cream? Either one will do, but I'd like to see them first."
Lisse's face lit up with genuine delight. She clasped her hands together happily.
"Oh, how wonderful! It makes us so happy to hear our work is being talked about even among noble ladies in the capital! Please, follow meâI'll show you both right away."
"Thank you very much," the girl said with a small nod, and she and her guard followed Lisse further into the shop toward the display shelves.
đâ: A Sudden Pause
Just as they turned past the first row of shelves, the door leading to the back workroom swung open.
Paul stepped out, still holding a small metal tool in one hand and a notebook in the other, looking slightly distracted.
"Lisseâhave you seen my small precision caliper? I left it on the table but it's notâ"
His voice cut off completely.
He stopped dead in his tracks, eyes going wide as they landed directly on the young girl walking beside Lisse. For a split second, his mind went completely blank.
Lisse, noticing him, answered quickly, "Oh! It's on the far right shelf, behind the row of mint jarsâyou moved it there yesterday to make space for the distiller."
Paul blinked rapidly, snapping out of his momentary shock. He gave a short, stiff nod.
"Ah... right. Thanks."
He turned and hurried back into the workroom, closing the door behind him just a little too quickly.
Lisse turned back to their guest, looking apologetic.
"Please forgive that interruptionâthat's my master, and he tends to get lost in his work sometimes. He means no harm."
The girl simply smiled, unbothered. "It's quite alright. Everyone has their own way of working, I suppose."
As they continued walking, Lisse chattered softly about the benefits of each product, while the girl listened with polite interest.
đ¤Żđ: Thoughts in the Back
Back inside the workroom, Paul leaned his back against the closed door, his heart beating just a little faster than usual. He ran a hand through his hair, pacing back and forth across the small space, his mind racing.
What in the world is she doing here?! he thought, eyes wide and full of disbelief. That's Maira Lotineâdaughter of one of the Four Great Dukes, and the girl who was supposed to become the main character's important love interests in the original story!
He stopped pacing, staring at the wall as if it held all the answers.
She was never supposed to appear in this part of the city, let alone walk into this shop. Did I change something already? Is the story starting to shift even more than I thought?
He pressed his lips together, his expression turning serious.
Well... whatever the reason is, she's here now. And I have to make sure things don't get more complicated than they already are.
â¨đ: Curiosity and Questions
The sunlight streamed through the pharmacy windows, gilding the rows of glass jars as Maira, a poised and sharp-witted lady-in-waiting, leaned forward across the counter. Her eyes had lingered on the simple labels for Day Serum and Night Cream since she'd first stepped inside, and now she reached out, her fingers brushing the smooth glass.
"May I?" she asked politely, looking toward Lisse.
"Of course!" Lisse smiled, pushing the samples closer. "Feel free to try them."
Without hesitation, Maira dabbed a small amount of the Day Serum onto the back of one hand and spread it gently. Almost instantly, the cool, lightweight texture sank inâno greasiness, no sticky residue, just a soft, refreshing sensation that seemed to calm the skin right away. She blinked in surprise, then opened the jar of Night Cream and applied a tiny bit to the other hand.
 It felt richer, yet still absorbed quickly, leaving behind a faint, healthy glow that didn't fade even after a minute.
"Remarkable..." she murmured, holding both hands up to the light. "Within moments, it feels like the skin has already recovered. No heavy oils, no strange scent, and it works on both dry and tired skin alike. I've never seen anything so effectiveâeven the most expensive preparations from the capital don't give results this fast."
She looked up, her expression curious and warm. "Lisse, you said these were made here. Who is the one who created them? I'd love to send my compliments to the maker."
Lisse's smile stayed bright, but her tone turned a little more evasive. "Oh, it's just a formula we developed here at the shop! Madam Amelia and I worked on it togetherânothing too special, really."
Maira chuckled softly, not fooled in the slightest. "Now, now. I've been around noble households and apothecaries long enough to tell the difference between a common blend and something truly revolutionary. This doesn't behave like any ordinary herbal mixture. It feels balanced, precise... as if every ingredient was measured and stabilized with great care. Surely there is someone behind this with a very special talent?"
As she spoke, from the slightly ajar door leading to the back storage room, two eyes peeked outâPaul's. He stood perfectly still, half-hidden in shadow, watching her closely. Is she just a customer looking for good products? Or is she digging deeper? he wondered, his mind racing.
If she's here to investigate the creator, I need to be careful. If she only wants to buy, then it's simple business.
đ°ď¸đ° Flashback: A Week Ago â The Royal Palace
The tea room was quiet and fragrant, sunlight filtering through silk curtains. Princess Rosalie sat elegantly at the table, her fingers resting lightly around her teacup, while Maira sat across from her, attentive as always.
"Maira," Rosalie said softly, setting her cup down. "Have you heard the talk lately among the ladies of the court? There's a new pair of skincare productsâDay Serum and Night Creamâthat everyone seems to be raving about."
Maira nodded with a smile. "I have, Your Highness. Many have mentioned it. They say it's unlike anything sold beforeâsimple, affordable, yet far more effective than the luxury imports. It's become quite popular in a very short time."
Rosalie's eyes held a flicker of genuine interest, something Maira rarely saw from her usually composed princess.
"Then I'd like you to go to the shop that sells them," Rosalie said, her tone gentle but firm. "Buy a supply for the palace... and while you're there, ask about the person who invented them. I am truly curiousâwhat kind of mind could create something so simple yet so perfect?"
Maira bowed respectfully. "As you wish, Your Highness."
As she sipped tea, she thought to herself:Â This is the first time I have ever seen the princess show such interest in someone she hasn't even met. Whoever this creator is, they must be far more extraordinary than their products suggest.
đ¤đĽ: The First Real Encounter
Back in the present, Lisse was still trying to steer the conversation away. "It's just good herbs and careful preparation, that's allâ"
But before she could finish, her elbow brushed the edge of the counter. A small sample jar of Night Cream tipped over, rolling toward the edge.
"Ahâ!"
Before it could fall and shatter, a hand reached out from the doorway, catching it smoothly. Paul stepped out from the shadows, setting the jar safely back on the counter, then quickly grabbing a cloth to wipe the small amount that had spilled.
"Sorry," he said quietly, his voice calm but neutral. "I'll clean this up."
Maira's eyes widened slightly as she looked at him. He was young, no older than twelve like the princess and me, with a composed, observant gazeâexactly the kind of person who looked like someone who spent most of his time thinking and working, not talking.
"Are you the one who made these?" she asked directly, her tone polite but firm.
Paul paused, his expression shifting from neutral to slightly guarded.
"Ugh..." he let out a short, reluctant sound, as if he'd hoped to avoid this exact question.
Maira's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. Based on that reaction alone... I was right. He is the creator.
đđĄ: A Bigger Request
She didn't press him further right away. Instead, she adjusted her posture and spoke in a more business-like tone.
"To be honest, I wasn't just looking to buy a few jars today. My householdâmy mother, specificallyâhas heard so many good things about these products that we'd like to order in larger quantities, and arrange for regular deliveries. Would this shop be able to supply us consistently?"
Paul wiped the last of the cream from the counter, then looked up at her, his eyes searching hers.
He stayed silent for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly in thought, as if weighing every possible risk and benefit.
Finally, he spoke.
"I am willing to do business. But there is one condition: the name Paul Gonzalez must never be mentioned. It stays unknown. No one outside this shop needs to know who made them."
Maira blinked, confused. "Why? If your work is this good, why keep your name hidden?"
Paul looked her straight in the eye, his voice steady and clear.
"Because I am magicless."
The words hung in the air for a moment. Maira's surprise showed briefly, but she quickly understood. In this world, where magic was seen as the foundation of all great achievements, someone without it was often looked down upon, dismissed, or even suspected of using forbidden methods.
"Ah... right," she said, nodding slowly, her expression turning respectful. "I understand completely. Your name will remain private. We only care about the quality of the goods, not who made themâunless you choose otherwise later."
Paul gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Then we have an agreement."
Maira smiled warmly, placing a small pouch of advance payment on the counter. "Thank you. We look forward to a long partnership."
She and her attendant bowed and turned to leave, the bell above the door jingling softly as they stepped out into the street.
Once the door was closed, Paul let out a long, quiet sigh, his shoulders dropping just a little.
Lisse walked over, leaning against the counter beside him, her expression soft with concern. "Are you alright, Young Master? That went well, didn't it?"
Paul turned back toward the workroom, already reaching for his notes.
"I'm fine," he said simply. "Just another customer. We have work to doâif we're going to supply regular orders, we'll need to refine the production process even more. Let's get started."