Episode 50. In the Garden of Scent
The area in front of Viscount Werner's shop was bustling from early morning. Servants were hanging a sign. It was a sign with green lettering on a white background.
"Fragrance Garden."
It was the name Clara had given it. Martha looked at the sign and thought.
"It suits it well. Fragrance Garden. I hope it lives up to its name. That the moment you step inside, it feels like being in a flower garden, and even if it isn't a grassy field, it is filled with the scent of grass."
A small brazier was placed at the tasting corner in front of the shop. The fire hadn't been lit yet, but the smell of meat had already permeated the surroundings. It was leftovers from a test grilling session yesterday.
Viscount Werner stood beside Martha and said.
"Will things go well today?"
Martha replied.
"They will. You said so yesterday, too."
Viscount Werner said.
"I was nervous yesterday, but I'm even more nervous today."
Martha said.
"It's natural to be nervous. But being nervous doesn't mean customers won't come."
Viscount Werner chuckled. Martha encouraged him. Ten o'clock in the morning. The gate to Fragrance Garden opened. The fire in the brazier at the tasting corner was lit. Meat sprinkled with thyme herb salt was placed on the grill. As the oil sizzled, the scent of thyme began to spread. People passing by stopped to gaze at the scene. Then, the first customer, Lily, arrived. As Lily entered with Clara, she said.
"Princess, I'm here! I'm the first customer!"
Martha said.
"Welcome."
Lily's eyes sparkled as she stepped inside the shop. The shop, with its display completed yesterday, looked much prettier than it had the day before. When the lights shone on it, the glass bottles sparkled in the light. A lavender-scented candle was lit. A subtle fragrance filled the shop. Lily looked at Clara and said.
"You chose the name really well. 'Fragrance Garden' fits perfectly."
Clara smiled shyly. And so, the two began to talk. Lily asked this and that, and Clara answered. Lily sprayed perfume on her wrist and asked Clara to smell it. Clara smiled as she smelled it. Watching the scene, Martha thought, 'Those two would be a good match.' I think Lily will guide Clara well.
Guests began arriving one by one. As the smell of grilling meat spread from the tasting counter, passersby started to stop in their tracks. They were people who had stopped in their tracks, drawn by the aroma, and approached out of curiosity. Among them was one man. He was a Baron in his fifties. He was well-built and had a substantial build. He stood right in front of the tasting counter, picked up a piece of meat, and ate it. And he picked it up again. And again. Watching this, Martha thought, 'Did he come here to get his breakfast? The others aren't getting to taste anything.'
Martha picked up an apron. She put it on and stepped forward to the tasting counter. Just as the Baron was about to grab another piece of meat, Martha appeared holding a whole chunk of grilled meat.
"Your Honor."
The Baron looked at Martha. Offering the chunk of meat to him, Martha said.
"The others need to taste it too. Why don't you take this and eat it right over there in the shade? I'll grill this big for you. Of course, it's free."
The Baron froze. The people nearby stifled their laughter as they watched the scene. The Baron, his face turning red, said.
"How dare you scold me for how little I've eaten! But I won't refuse that meat."
The Baron took the chunk of meat and walked toward the shade. As Martha tidied up the tasting counter, she thought to herself, 'Oh my, that pig. It must be delicious.'
Customers began to arrive in increasing numbers. Noble ladies started coming in. However, without anyone asking, Bianca began wandering around the shop, stopping every young lady who came by.
"This is lavender perfume. Would you like to spray it directly on your wrist? The scent comes alive more when it comes into contact with body heat "
Once the lady sprayed it, it immediately led to the next one.
"This is rosemary perfume; it's good to use in the morning. It feels much fresher and more invigorating. Would you like to smell this one too?"
While that lady was smelling it, Bianca had already grabbed another lady.
"This is a lavender-scented candle. They say placing it in the bedroom helps with sleep. How about it?"
Martha watched the scene and whispered to Bianca as she walked past.
"Even if you work that hard, there is no pay. No! Guarantee!"
What is she talking about? Bianca froze. Martha was already walking away. Turning back toward the young lady, Bianca said.
"This nose solution is really good for headaches. Would you like to try it?"
Just then, the door opened, and Countess Hartmann entered. She was a close confidant of the Empress. She was the lady who had had a heated argument with Martha at the last tea party. Countess Hartmann looked around the shop, then looked at Martha and said.
"The amount you gave me last time was too small. I wondered if it was disposable."
Martha said.
"That means you liked it that much, doesn't it?"
Countess Hartmann asked.
"Well, it wasn't bad."
Martha replied.
"Welcome."
Countess Hartmann said, looking at Martha.
"Are you running this business yourself, Princess?"
Martha asked.
"It opens today, so I came to take a look."
Countess Hartmann nodded as she looked around the shop.
"It's nicely decorated."
Then she walked toward the perfumes. Martha thought as she watched her retreating figure. The Empress's closest aide. Surely she hasn't come to find fault again? I should have Bianca stand by her side so she buys a lot of stuff.
Martha gestured for Bianca and pointed at Countess Hartmann, who was standing behind her with her back turned. As if sensing Martha's signal, Bianca stuck close to Countess Hartmann's side and began introducing this product after that, her mouth watering with enthusiasm.
Just then, the door opened again. It was Duke Vid Kreuz. Watching him, Martha thought to herself, 'He's back again. That filth is back.'
Vid Kreuz looked around the shop and approached Martha.
"I heard these products might be supplied to the hot springs. I came to check them out in advance."
Martha smiled and said.
"Welcome, Duke. Let me show you our flagship product."
Martha brought a cup of warm, brewed Gentian herbal tea.
Vid Kreuz took the cup. Standing beside him, Martha said.
"It is an herbal tea that is really good for digestion and gut health. It is our most popular product, which we are pushing as our main offering."
Vid Kreuz raised the cup and took a sip. At that moment, his eyes wavered. It was bitter. Incredibly bitter. Vid Kreuz tried to suppress his expression. As a nobleman, he maintained his composure. However, he could not help the corners of his eyes furrow slightly. Martha spoke from beside him.
"It's nice, isn't it? You'll get used to it as you drink."
Vid Kreuz looked at Martha. She stood there calmly. Vid Kreuz picked up his glass again but put it down. Martha stood there motionless, watching. Vid Kreuz looked at Martha, then at his glass, then at Martha. Eventually, he took another sip. Martha thought to herself, 'Fine, drink it. Drink it all. Gulp!'
Duke Kreuz finished his drink, hurriedly covered his face, and left. The shop grew increasingly crowded. As noble ladies and young ladies gathered, the shop filled up. The sound of perfume caps being opened could be heard from here and there. The sound of herb salt being tasted could be heard. Bianca was still holding the young ladies and explaining this and that. Just then, Edward entered.
Edward looked around the shop, and his eyes met Bianca's. Bianca froze. Edward froze, too. The two looked at each other for a moment, then Bianca approached Edward first.
"Young Master, welcome."
Edward said.
"Uh, yes. Serena said she's opening today."
Bianca said.
"Let me introduce you to our products."
Then, pulling Edward by the arm, she led him toward the perfumes.
"This is a lavender perfume; it makes a really great gift for women. The scent really comes alive when it comes into contact with body heat. I'll spray this on your wrist."
Edward said.
"But I'm a man."
Bianca said.
"Still, you should enjoy the scent. And this is herb salt; sprinkling it on meat really changes the flavor. Please try it."
Edward tasted it.
"It's delicious."
Bianca said.
"Right? And this is a scented candle; they say it helps with concentration if you place it in a study. And this is a nose solution; it's really good for headaches. And this is a bath bomb."
Edward looked at Bianca. Bianca continued speaking while looking at Edward, but their eyes met. His mind went blank. Bianca spoke.
"Um, and this is... herbal tea. It's good for digestion."
Edward said.
"Good. Good."
Edward looked at the items Bianca had described. Two types of perfume, herbal salt, scented candles, nose solution, bath bombs, and herbal tea. Edward said.
"I... I'll buy them all."
Bianca said.
"What?"
"I said I'd buy them all."
Bianca froze. Martha watched the scene from a distance and thought, 'Good boy, they're playing house. They're so awkward they don't even realize what they're doing. They're buying mountains of stuff. These are the good old days, the good old days.'
As the afternoon progressed, the number of customers decreased slightly.
"It was the time when the aristocratic guests left, and the street became quiet. Martha stood in front of the shop, watching the street. Just then, a few commoner women passed by. They were the kind of people who glanced at the shop because of the smell of meat coming from the hearth, but upon realizing it was an aristocratic shop, quickly turned their gaze away. Watching this, Martha said.
"Wait a moment."
The women stopped. Martha spoke.
"It's free today. Eat some meat and enjoy the scents."
The women looked at Martha. Martha smiled and said.
"It's the first day of opening. Feel free to come in."
The women looked at each other. They hesitated. Martha walked over to her, took one of the women's hands, and said.
"Come here. Try some delicious food and smell some nice scents."
Led by Martha's hand, the women entered the shop. Martha picked up a lavender perfume and lightly sprayed it on one of the women's wrists, saying.
"This is the scent of lavender. Smell it."
The woman cautiously brought her nose to her wrist. Her eyes lit up. It was a scent she had never smelled before. Living as a commoner woman, had she ever used anything like this? Watching the woman's reaction, Marta said.
"It's nice, isn't it?"
The woman replied.
"Yes, I didn't know something like this existed."
"We will be releasing a lot of these in the future. Stop by often to lift your spirits."
The women slowly looked around the shop. They saw scented candles, smelled herbal teas, and tasted salt. As they carefully experienced each item one by one, their eyes gradually brightened. Martha thought as she watched the scene. This is right. If there is something good, everyone should enjoy it together.
Bianca was watching the scene from a distance outside the shop. She watched Martha naturally leading the commoner women, just as she had done with noble ladies.
There was no awkwardness. No difference in social status could be felt. It just looked like a neighbor introducing something nice to an older neighbor. Watching this, Bianca muttered to herself.
"As expected. Noblesse Oblige."
And she looked again.
"At this rate, I'll have to give up my title as Queen of Society."
It was around the time evening was approaching. The shop fell silent. It was the time for the day's business to wrap up. Martha was standing in front of the shop door when she heard a sound behind her. It was Young Master Leon. He was holding a bouquet. It was a mix of roses and lilies.
Martha looked at Young Master Leon. He hesitated for a moment as he looked at her, then held out the bouquet and said.
"Congratulations on the opening."
Martha looked at the bouquet. Roses and lilies. They were unique scents not found in the Scent Garden. Martha took the bouquet and said.
"How did you know?"
Young Master Leon replied.
"I heard it from Lucy."
Martha held the bouquet and inhaled it. The scent of roses filled the air.
"Thank you."
Young Master Leon looked at Martha. Martha looked at Young Master Leon while holding the bouquet. Their eyes met. Martha was the first to lower her gaze. My heart is at it again. What is it about a single bouquet?
Young Master Leon spoke.
"Did things go well today?"
Martha asked.
"They went well. A certain Baron almost ate all the meat by himself, though that was a bit nerve-wracking."
Prince Leon said.
"The meat?"
Martha asked.
"I'll tell you about it later."
Prince Leon looked at Martha. As Martha entered the shop holding a bouquet, she said.
"Come in. I'd like to offer you a cup of tea, but I don't want to give you Gentian, so I'll have chamomile instead."
Prince Leon paused for a moment, then followed her inside. Lucy watched the scene and took out her notebook.
[Lucy's Secret Shock Journal Episode 50]
Today was the opening of the Scent Garden.
They say it sold much more than expected. It seems Young Master Edward contributed significantly to that. And Prince Leon came in holding a bouquet. He said he brought it for the Princess.
Princess, what do you think of the Prince? Will I ever find out as I live on?
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