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Chapter 22
The Birth of a New Industry
The First Experiment
The first light of dawn had only just begun to touch the tall spires of the imperial palace when Alex summoned five trusted maids to a small, forgotten kitchen behind the western wing.
Normally the room was used for preparing herbal tonics and simple medicines for palace staff. Today, however, it looked more like the workshop of a strange alchemist.
Clay pots covered the stone tables.
Bundles of dried lavender and mint hung from hooks.
Jars of scented oils reflected the pale morning light.
A sack of rendered animal fat rested near the stove, while a large pile of pale ash sat beside it — collected from the palace's oldest oak hearth.
The maids gathered near the doorway, whispering among themselves.
Their eyes moved nervously between the strange ingredients and the young prince who was calmly rolling up his silk sleeves.
Prince.
Experiment.
Kitchen.
None of those words usually belonged in the same sentence.
Finally, one of the older maids stepped forward.
Her name was Mira, and she had served the royal family for nearly fifteen years.
"Your Highness…" she said carefully, "forgive my boldness… but what exactly are we preparing today?"
Alex smiled slightly.
"An experiment."
That answer only confused them more.
He pointed toward the ash.
"Mira, bring that here. And a bowl of clean water."
She obeyed immediately.
Alex poured the ash into a tall clay container and slowly added water. The liquid filtered through the ash and began dripping into another bowl beneath it.
A faint sharp scent filled the air.
One of the younger maids wrinkled her nose.
"Your Highness… what is that strange water?"
Alex gently stirred the cloudy liquid.
"This," he said, "is called lye."
"It has the power to remove grease and dirt far better than ordinary water."
The maids exchanged curious glances.
Alex then turned toward the iron pan on the stove, where animal fat was slowly melting over a low flame.
The oily scent spread through the kitchen.
Carefully, he poured the warm fat into a large bowl and slowly added the lye solution.
Then he began to stir.
Slowly.
Steadily.
Minutes passed.
The mixture looked thin at first, almost like milk.
But gradually it began to thicken.
The maids watched with fascination.
"Your Highness…" one whispered, "are you cooking something?"
Alex chuckled.
"In a way."
"But this definitely isn't food."
He continued stirring patiently.
The mixture thickened more and more until it resembled creamy batter.
Alex lifted the spoon and let a small ribbon of liquid fall back into the bowl.
It left a visible line across the surface.
He nodded with satisfaction.
"Perfect."
Now he added crushed lavender flowers and a few drops of fragrant oil.
The change was immediate.
The harsh scent of lye disappeared.
Instead, the room filled with a soft, fresh fragrance — like a spring garden after rain.
The maids gasped.
"That smells wonderful!"
Alex poured the mixture into small wooden molds resting on the table.
"This," he said calmly, "is soap."
The maids blinked.
Soap already existed in the empire.
But it was rough, gray, and smelled terrible.
This looked… beautiful.
One maid leaned closer.
"It looks like a sweet cake."
Alex laughed.
"Please don't eat it."
"Although I admit it probably smells better than the soap sold in the capital."
Soft laughter filled the kitchen.
The tension in the room had disappeared.
Now there was only curiosity.
---
Creating the Shampoo
But Alex wasn't finished.
He gathered another set of ingredients.
Soapberries.
Mint leaves.
Fresh rose petals.
These herbs existed everywhere in the empire, yet nobody had ever combined them properly.
Using a heavy stone mortar, Alex crushed the soapberries.
A foamy liquid slowly appeared.
Next came the mint and rose petals.
The scent filled the room instantly.
Fresh.
Cool.
Sweet.
He placed everything in a pot and added water.
Soon the mixture began to simmer gently over the flame.
The liquid slowly turned golden.
One of the maids leaned closer, breathing deeply.
"Your Highness… this smells better than the royal perfumes."
Alex stirred calmly.
"This will become shampoo."
"What is shampoo?"
"A special liquid used to wash hair," Alex explained.
"It cleans deeply, but it doesn't damage the hair."
"In fact, it makes hair softer."
The maids looked skeptical.
Most people in the empire washed their hair with rough soap or plain herbal water.
Both usually left hair dry and tangled.
Alex strained the golden liquid through a cloth into several ceramic bottles.
Two products now rested on the table.
A smooth pale soap.
And a fragrant shampoo.
Alex crossed his arms.
"Alright."
"Who wants to test them?"
The maids froze.
Testing an unknown creation from the prince felt dangerous.
After a long silence, a young maid named Lila slowly raised her hand.
"I… I will try, Your Highness."
Alex nodded.
"Good."
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The First Test
Nearly an hour later, Lila returned from the palace bathhouse.
Her hair was still damp.
But the difference was obvious.
Her usually dull brown hair now looked soft and glossy.
It fell smoothly over her shoulders.
And a gentle scent of mint and roses followed her.
The other maids gasped.
"It looks so smooth!"
"Your hair shines!"
Lila touched her hair in disbelief.
"It feels like silk…"
Alex nodded with quiet satisfaction.
But one test wasn't enough.
He needed someone with a more refined standard.
Someone who understood luxury.
Someone like…
His mother.
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The Royal Garden
That afternoon, Alex walked through the palace gardens carrying a small basket.
The imperial garden was peaceful.
White marble paths curved between blooming flowers.
At the center pavilion sat the Empress.
Beside her sat his younger sister, Princess Aurelia.
Elena noticed him first.
"Brother!"
She waved energetically.
"Did you finally escape your study?"
Alex smirked.
"I was busy."
The Empress glanced at the basket.
"And what exactly are you carrying?"
Alex placed the items carefully on the table.
"My business idea."
Aurelia leaned closer.
"Food?"
"No."
Alex revealed the soap and shampoo.
"These are beauty products."
His sister stared at him.
"You made these?"
"Yes."
She sniffed the soap cautiously.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh."
"That smells incredible."
The Empress opened the shampoo bottle next.
The gentle scent drifted through the pavilion.
Mint.
Lavender.
Rose.
Her expression shifted from curiosity to interest.
"This fragrance is very refined."
Alex explained the products calmly.
Their purpose.
Their process.
Their advantages.
Aurelia crossed her arms.
"That sounds impossible."
"Try it," Alex said.
The Empress smiled.
"Aurelia , dear, why not test your brother's creation?"
"If your hair falls out we can always blame him."
Aurelia stood dramatically.
"If I go bald I'm taking his horse."
Alex laughed.
"Deal."
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The Result
Several hours later, Aurelia returned.
Her long hair flowed behind her like dark silk.
It looked healthier.
Shinier.
And it carried the gentle scent of flowers.
She grabbed a lock of hair and stared at Alex.
"How did you do this?"
Alex leaned against a pillar.
"Trade secret."
The Empress examined her daughter's hair carefully.
Then she took the remaining products.
That night, she tested them herself.
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The Verdict
The next morning Alex was summoned immediately.
The Empress sat in the royal sitting room.
Her expression was calm, but her hair looked noticeably smoother.
"So," Alex asked casually.
"What do you think?"
She studied him quietly.
Then a faint smile appeared.
"My hair feels softer than it has in years."
"And the scent remained even after several hours."
She lifted the soap.
"This could sell for ten times the price of ordinary soap."
Elena jumped up excitedly.
"Sell? Mother this would sell like crazy!"
"Every noble lady in the capital will want this!"
Alex nodded.
"That's exactly the point."
"The beauty market in the empire barely exists."
"So we create it."
"Low competition."
"High demand."
"And massive expansion potential."
The Empress looked impressed.
"You truly planned this."
Alex shrugged.
"Of course."
Then she asked the most important question.
"How much investment do you need?"
Alex answered immediately.
"Fifty thousand gold."
Elena nearly dropped her tea.
"Fifty thousand?!"
The Empress simply smiled.
"You already sound like a merchant lord."
She turned to a servant.
"Prepare the funds."
Alex bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Mother."
---
As Alex stepped onto the palace balcony, a familiar notification appeared.
SC Coins Earned: 1500
Reason: Creating New Industry
Alex looked over the capital city.
Thousands of homes.
Thousands of future customers.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Soap today…"
"Perfume tomorrow…"
"And soon…"
His eyes gleamed with ambition.
"…the entire empire will smell like my business."
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