Episode 49. The Scent Shop
The drawing room of the Duke of Valois was bustling from early morning. Items were spread out across the table. Small glass bottles, small packages wrapped in brown paper, small pouches tied with cloth, and even contents in small glass containers. They were samples of herbal products made by the Viscount Muller family. There were various types: lavender perfume, rosemary perfume, thyme herbal salt, lavender bath bombs, lavender scented candles, and nose solutions to be sprayed directly onto the nose.
Martha, Viscount Werner, Viscount Muller, Lily, and Bianca were seated around the table. Martha opened her notebook and said.
"We have to test each one individually. We have to apply the perfume directly to the skin, taste the salt, check how quickly the bath bombs dissolve in water, light the scented candles, and use the nose solution ourselves."
Viscount Muller nodded and said.
"I have prepared everything."
Lily had already opened the lid of the lavender perfume and was spraying it on her wrist.
"My Lady, this is really good. I think it's even better than the last one."
Martha brought her nose to Lily's wrist. A faint scent of lavender rose up. It wasn't too strong. It was a fragrance that spread warmly upon contact with body heat.
"It's nice."
Viscount Muller said.
"This time, I increased the proportion of pure lavender extract slightly and lowered the alcohol content. That is why it smells more natural."
Martha said, writing something in her notebook.
"This is the lavender perfume. What about the rosemary?"
Viscount Muller handed her another bottle. Bianca sprayed it on her wrist.
Lily tried it too. Martha took it and sprayed it as well. It had the refreshing and crisp scent characteristic of rosemary. It felt a bit more invigorating than the lavender.
"This is good too. It would be nice to use in the morning."
Martha said, writing in her notebook.
"Rosemary is confirmed, too. Next is the herb salt."
Viscount Muller brought over some herb salt in a small bowl. It was a thyme type. It had a light green tint. Martha dipped her finger in a little and tasted it. It was salty. And the characteristic herbal scent of thyme wafted up slightly. She could immediately picture in her mind what it would taste like when sprinkled on food.
"I think this every time I eat, but this could really change the landscape of seasonings in the food industry."
Viscount Muller said.
"It works especially well with meat dishes that have gamey odors. It isn't even on the market yet, but Lily won't eat without it."
Lily nodded.
"Herb salt is definitely on the list."
Bianca said as she took notes.
"Next is the scented candle."
Viscount Muller took out a candle from a small glass container. It was a lavender scent. Dried lavender petals were embedded in pale purple wax. A subtle fragrance already wafted from it even before it was lit. Martha picked up the candle and brought it to her nose.
"This is pretty. It looks good and smells good."
Viscount Muller took out a small match and lit it. As the wick caught fire, the scent began to spread. The lavender fragrance rose warmly into the air. It was a scent softer and deeper than perfume. Bianca closed her eyes and said.
"It would be really nice to have this at home."
"It's perfect for the bedroom. If you light it before falling asleep, it helps with sleep."
Martha said.
"The scented candle is confirmed, too."
Viscount Muller took out the next sample. It was a nose solution. It was designed to be sprayed directly into the nose like a mini spray. Martha took it and sprayed it once. Instantly, the scent of mint spread into her nostrils. It was more direct than perfume. It felt like her head was clearing up.
"This is good for the changing seasons, like back then, or when suffering from a stuffy nose. I think it would be good to use when you're stressed or have a headache."
Hearing this, Viscount Werner took it from Martha and sprayed the nose solution into his nose while muttering, 'Stress, stress,' to himself repeatedly. Viscount Muller said.
"That's right. Mint scent is known to help relieve headaches. It's also convenient to use when traveling."
Martha nodded.
"The nose spray is confirmed, too."
Martha said, writing it down in her notebook.
"Lastly, it's herbal tea."
Viscount Muller brought out samples of various herbal teas. Lavender, chamomile, peppermint, and one made from a herb called Gentian, a name Marta had never heard before. They started with the lavender tea. It was subtle and smooth. It tasted like something perfect to drink before falling asleep. The chamomile tea was sweet with a faint apple scent. The peppermint tea was refreshing. It felt like it cleared her throat. And finally, the last tea was Gentian.
"This is a blend with Gentian as the main ingredient."
Viscount Muller said.
"It is an herb known to aid digestion, but we are still fine-tuning the blend."
Martha picked up her glass and took a sip. At that moment, her expression hardened. It was bitter. Incredibly bitter. Martha tried to compose herself, but it was already too late. Her brow furrowed, her eyes closed slightly, and the corners of her mouth drooped, all clearly visible on her face. Seeing this, Lily burst out laughing. Bianca stopped mid-air while holding her glass and said.
"I won't be drinking it."
Martha said as she set down her cup.
"I think this needs a bit more development. But for now, I think it would be good to market it together."
Martha gazed intently at Bianca, then spoke again.
"For those sneaky people who back out like that... well, they say it's good for digestion, too."
Hearing Martha's words, Bianca fanned herself, seemingly feeling hot, and looked around. Viscount Muller said.
"Yes. Understood."
Beside him, Viscount Werner listened to Martha and Viscount Muller's conversation and reached for a cup of the gentle herbal tea.
"Indigestion." He drank his tea while repeatedly exclaiming, "...indigestion..."
Viscount Werner expresses the bitter taste with a myriad of facial expressions. Seeing this, Lily bursts into laughter from the side. Still laughing, Lily said.
"Look at the Princess and the Viscount's expressions. They look like they are begging to be saved."
Martha said.
"It's the tea's fault."
Lily clutched her stomach and fell over laughing.
They finally finalized the list of products for the first launch. Lavender and rosemary perfumes, thyme herbal salts, lavender bath additives, lavender scented candles, three types of herbal tea, and a nose solution. These were the six items. Looking at the list, Martha said.
"This is enough. If there are too many from the start, it becomes unmanageable. It is right to increase it after seeing the response."
Viscount Werner said.
"I agree. It would be better to focus on these for now."
Viscount Muller nodded and said.
"Then, what should we do about the supply quantity?"
The scene continued with Martha discussing the quantity with Viscount Muller. Bianca continued to jot something down in her notebook beside them. Lily held a candle, and Viscount Werner held a nose spray, examining them from various angles with happy expressions.
It was the afternoon when the products were finalized. Martha, Bianca, Lily, and Viscount Werner headed to the shop scheduled to open. As they stepped out of the carriage, they looked at the shop. It was an old building. It was a two-story stone structure. The lettering on the sign was faded from age. Dust had accumulated on the windows.
Viscount Werner hesitated in front of the shop. Looking at Martha and her party, he spoke with a slightly embarrassed expression.
"It looks shabby, doesn't it?"
Martha looked at the shop and said.
"No. Many people come and go, and the space itself is nice. This is enough."
Viscount Werner opened the door. They stepped inside. It was spacious. Much larger than expected. Although dust had accumulated and it was evident that it hadn't been properly operated for a long time, the space itself was ample. Shelves were installed along the walls. It was a structure that extended long from the entrance to the back.
Lily wandered around as she entered. Martha took out her notebook and scanned the interior of the shop. Then she began to sketch something. Bianca spoke as she looked around every corner of the shop with Viscount Werner. Martha spoke to Viscount Werner.
"First, let's set up a tasting area outside the entrance"
Viscount Werner said.
"Outside?"
Martha asked.
"Herb salt is the key. We'll set up a small brazier outside the shop so we can grill meat sprinkled with herb salt. The smell of the meat and the scent of herbs will spread out onto the street simultaneously. When passersby smell that, their footsteps will stop on their own."
Viscount Werner's eyes changed as he heard this.
"Do you think that will work?"
Martha asked.
"People open their wallets when they are hungry. And smelling a good scent makes them hungry."
Bianca said, writing in her notebook.
"And when they come inside, you need to ensure they can immediately try out the scented candles and nose spray samples. They are drawn in by the smell of meat outside, then gently immersed in the herbal scents inside. That creates a structure where products sell naturally."
Bianca nodded.
"That makes sense. It is about enticing from the outside and persuading from the inside."
Viscount Werner said as he listened.
"My Lady, that sounds scary."
Martha said.
"That is just how business works."
Martha continued speaking as she walked around the shop.
"Put the perfumes and bath bombs on the inner shelves. Since these are products people buy after smelling them, you want them to take their time browsing and making their selections inside. And since the lavender bath bombs have pretty colors, display them prominently."
As Bianca walked around the shop discussing features that noble women would appreciate, Viscount Werner took notes one by one. As Martha completed the layout plan, she began to explain it to Viscount Werner.
"It is important to ensure that when someone enters, their gaze naturally flows inward. That is why you place eye-catching products near the entrance and arrange a wider variety of items as you move further inside. This naturally creates a flow of movement. It is a structure where customers browse the entire shop without even consciously thinking about it. Lighting is also important; if you hang warm-colored lights above these shelves, the product colors look even prettier."
Viscount Werner began to zone out as he listened to Martha's explanation. Bianca watched him and said.
"Serena, make it a little easier."
"This is the easy part."
Martha looked at Viscount Werner. Viscount Werner said, writing something in his notebook.
"...Please continue."
Martha let out a chuckle. Just then, Martha spoke to Viscount Werner.
"By the way, what are you going to name the shop?"
Viscount Werner paused and said.
"I haven't decided yet. What do you think would be good?"
Martha thought for a moment and said.
"Since it is the Viscount Werner family shop, you should decide."
Viscount Werner said.
"I'm not very good at this kind of thing."
"Do you have children?"
Martha asked.
"I have a daughter. She is twelve years old."
Viscount Werner replied.
"Ask your daughter. Children are good at making things like this."
As Viscount Werner heard this, his expression changed slightly. His gaze softened at the mention of his daughter.
"I will try."
It was the day before the opening. It was the day for cleaning and displaying. Martha, Bianca, Lily, and Viscount Werner began organizing the shop together with the servants. Just as Bianca was about to pick up the mop, Martha spoke.
"Bianca, go away."
Bianca said.
"I'll help you."
Martha said.
"Don't make a personal fuss over things like this. This old woman is the one suffering. I only need to do a little bit of the work."
Bianca looked at Martha and said.
"It would be finished faster if we did it together."
Just as Bianca reached for the mop, Martha slapped her hand away.
"Don't covet my money! Go rest over there!"
Bianca stopped. Lily approached holding a broom and said.
"I'll help too, Princess."
Martha slapped Lily's hand away.
"You go rest over there, too."
Lily said.
"Are you going to do it all by yourself, Princess?"
Martha asked.
"I can do it with Viscount Werner. Since it is his own shop, he naturally has to do it."
Viscount Werner stood there blankly. Martha picked up the mop and began wiping the shelf. Bianca looked at Martha, then quietly picked up a broom. Martha spoke without looking back.
"Bianca"
Bianca stopped.
"I heard you."
Bianca put the broom down and went to sit next to Lily. Lily smiled quietly beside Bianca. Martha thought to herself as she wiped the shelves. The young lady of the Marquis de Drua shouldn't be cleaning someone else's shop. The same goes for the young lady of the Viscount Muller. I can do it. It's my second time living here, after all. I should put this sturdy body to use.
Viscount Werner silently began cleaning alongside Martha. The cleaning continued. Wiping shelves, sweeping the floor, and cleaning the windows. Bianca, who had been sitting for a while, said.
"May I help with the display?"
Martha replied.
"I do the display. That requires thinking."
Bianca stood up and opened her notebook. Lily asked.
"What about me?"
Martha said.
"You come later and be the first customer"
Lily said.
"I can do that."
After the cleaning was finished, they began arranging the shelves. Bianca looked at the shelf and said.
"I think we need to move this shelf a little further to the left."
Viscount Werner moved the shelf to the left. Bianca watched and said.
"A little further."
Viscount Werner moved it a little further. Bianca watched and said.
"Hmm, a little to the right again."
Martha looked at it and said.
"Bianca, is this the fifth time you've moved that shelf?"
Bianca said.
"This is the last time."
Martha said.
"You did that earlier, too."
Bianca looked at the shelf and said.
"....Just a little further to the right."
Viscount Werner moved it again without a word. His expression was calm. It was a look of resignation. Just then, the shop door opened. As the door opened cautiously, a small head peered inside. It was a twelve-year-old girl. She was a quiet child with big eyes, resembling Viscount Werner. She looked around the shop with a curious gaze. Viscount Werner looked at his daughter and said.
"You've come. Come here."
The daughter cautiously stepped inside. Pointing at Martha, Viscount Werner said.
"She is the Princess of Valois."
The daughter greeted Martha politely. Martha looked at his daughter and said.
"What is your name?"
The daughter replied.
"Clara."
Martha said.
"Clara, that is a pretty name."
Clara smiled shyly. Martha said.
"I heard from your father. Have you thought of a name for the shop?"
Clara lowered her gaze and said.
"I have thought of one."
"Tell me."
Clara said.
"Fragrance Garden."
Martha looked at Clara.
"Fragrance Garden?"
Clara said.
"You know, there is a scent when you come in here. It also feels like being in a flower garden... so I thought 'Fragrance Garden' would be nice."
As she listened, Martha looked inside the shop. Lavender perfume, rosemary perfume, herbal tea, herbal salt, bath bombs, scented candles, and nose solution were laid out on the display shelf. A subtle fragrance permeated the shop. It was a unique yet pleasant scent, a blend of various herbal notes.
"Fragrance Garden. It's a simple name. But it fits this shop perfectly."
Martha said.
"It's nice."
Bianca said as she jotted it down in her notebook.
"I like it too."
Lily said.
"Fragrance Garden. It's pretty."
Viscount Werner looked at Clara. Clara looked at her father. Viscount Werner smiled and said.
"Let's go with that."
Clara smiled shyly. Watching the scene, Martha thought. Father and daughter. The Werner family is rising again. A father is finally able to smile in front of his daughter.
Lily took Martha's hand and said.
"My Princess, may I come when we open tomorrow?"
Martha asked.
"The next customer will come only after you, Lily, are the first."
Lily smiled brightly. As night fell, the inside of the shop was tidied up. Products were neatly arranged on the display shelves. Small glass bottles glowed softly under the lighting. A faint lavender scent rose from the scented candles and filled the shop. Martha looked around the shop one last time before turning off the light. Viscount Werner spoke from the side.
"Will tomorrow go well?"
Martha said.
"It will go well."
Viscount Werner said.
"How do you know?"
Martha asked.
"As you live life, you develop a gut feeling."
Viscount Werner smiled as he heard those words.
Martha thought as she closed the shop door. The seed has become fruit. Now, this fruit is growing.
Martha let out a soft chuckle. A breeze blew through the night street. It seemed as though the scent of lavender was being carried in from somewhere.
[Lucy's Secret Shock Journal Episode 49]
Today, the Princess made the final decision on the herb samples and prepared to open Viscount Werner's shop.
The preparations for the Scent Garden are complete.
The Princess said that Miss Lily will be the first customer tomorrow.
I wonder how the shop will turn out tomorrow?
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