Chapter 29
The Grand Opening of Silver Bloom
Two months.
It had already been two full months since Alex woke up in this unfamiliar world.
Two months since he had opened his eyes inside the body of a forgotten prince.
Two months since fate had thrown him into a world of magic, nobles, conspiracies… and opportunity.
Alex stood quietly on the balcony of a tall building, watching the capital slowly awaken beneath the golden morning sun.
The capital of the Ether Empire was already alive.
Carriages rattled along the stone streets.
Merchants shouted prices.
Street vendors roasted meat while the smell of spices drifted through the air.
But today the busiest place in the entire district wasn't the palace… or the market…
It was a single shop.
A brand-new shop with silver letters shining above the entrance.
Silver Bloom Beauty House
Alex crossed his arms and leaned against the balcony railing.
His eyes calmly observed the crowd slowly gathering below.
Women in expensive dresses.
Curious merchants.
Even several nobles.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Two months…"
he muttered softly.
"I didn't manage to shock the empire as much as I expected."
He tapped the railing thoughtfully.
"But starting today…"
"…things will change."
Behind him, Selena was running around nervously.
Boxes of products were stacked everywhere.
Perfume bottles.
Cream jars.
Serums.
Hair oils.
Even enchanted mirrors designed to enhance beauty.
Selena wiped sweat from her forehead.
"My— I mean… sir."
She still occasionally struggled not to call him Your Highness.
"The crowd outside is growing larger."
Alex turned around.
"Good."
"That means curiosity is working."
Selena frowned.
"But curiosity alone doesn't make people buy."
Alex smiled calmly.
"Which is why we prepared something else."
He pulled a small black vial from his pocket.
Selena immediately recognized it.
"The appearance potion again?"
Alex nodded.
He drank it.
His appearance slowly changed.
Hair darker.
Facial structure slightly different.
The noble aura around him disappeared.
Now he looked like nothing more than a talented young merchant.
Selena shook her head.
"I still can't get used to seeing that."
Alex shrugged.
"If a prince stands behind the counter selling beauty creams…"
"…it ruins the mystery."
Selena laughed softly.
"You're right about that."
---
Outside the shop, the crowd continued growing.
Several noble ladies stood together whispering.
"I heard their night cream makes wrinkles disappear."
"That's impossible."
"My cousin swears she tried it."
"And?"
"She refuses to tell me where she bought it."
Another noblewoman crossed her arms.
"I also heard rumors that these products are fake."
"Yes."
"I heard the Blackthrone family exposed them."
"That rumor came from Lady Elara, didn't it?"
"Yes… originally."
"So why are we all here?"
The woman paused.
Then whispered quietly.
"…Because rumors can lie."
A merchant nearby listened carefully.
"If these products really work…"
"…the profit potential will be enormous."
---
Inside the shop, Selena clapped loudly.
"Alright everyone!"
Assistants immediately stood straight.
"Positions!"
Several young women rushed toward the counters.
Products were placed neatly across polished wooden shelves.
Crystal perfume bottles reflected the sunlight.
Golden jars glittered like treasure.
Beautiful ribbons decorated the displays.
The entire shop looked luxurious.
Almost magical.
Selena turned toward Alex nervously.
"Do you really think everything will sell?"
Alex smiled.
"Just wait."
"Once the first person buys something…"
"…the rest will follow."
Selena tilted her head.
"That sounds like manipulation."
Alex shrugged.
"That's called marketing."
---
Outside the shop the crowd grew impatient.
A nobleman complained loudly.
"What is taking so long?"
Another merchant muttered.
"Probably another scam."
Suddenly—
A carriage arrived.
It stopped directly in front of the shop.
The crowd slowly became quiet.
The carriage door opened.
A young woman stepped out gracefully.
Long black hair.
Elegant silver dress.
A presence that immediately drew every eye toward her.
Whispers exploded across the street.
"Lady Elara!"
"The Beauty of the Empire!"
"What is she doing here?"
Even the merchants stepped back.
Elara Blackthrone walked toward the shop entrance calmly.
Her posture was elegant.
Her expression confident.
Inside the shop, Selena nearly dropped a box.
"She really came…"
Alex smiled.
"Of course."
"Elara keeps her promises."
The door opened.
Elara stepped inside.
The entire store fell silent.
Even the assistants stopped moving.
She slowly examined the shelves.
Perfumes.
Creams.
Serums.
Then she turned toward the crowd watching through the door.
"I see many of you came today."
Her voice was calm but clear.
"I also see many doubts."
The nobles listened carefully.
"Two weeks ago…"
"I was one of those people who doubted this shop the most."
Murmurs spread.
Elara continued.
"I believed the rumors."
"That these products were fake."
"That they were dangerous."
She paused.
Then smiled slightly.
"But I was wrong."
Everyone leaned closer.
"These products…"
"…are extraordinary."
The street exploded with whispers.
"Extraordinary?"
"What does she mean?"
Elara continued calmly.
"But the most important thing…"
"…is something else."
She turned slightly toward Alex.
"The owner of this shop saved my life."
Gasps echoed everywhere.
Someone shouted from the crowd.
"Saved your life?!"
Elara nodded.
"For three years I suffered from a mysterious illness."
"No healer could cure me."
"But he discovered the truth."
"And he cured me."
The crowd instantly exploded.
"I want the night cream!"
"I'll take the perfume!"
"I want the skin serum!"
The crowd rushed forward.
The shop instantly turned chaotic.
Selena blinked in shock.
Then she snapped into action.
"Please form a line!"
"No pushing!"
"We have enough products!"
Assistants rushed everywhere.
Money exchanged hands rapidly.
A noblewoman grabbed two bottles.
"I'll take these!"
Another shouted.
"That cream was mine!"
"I saw it first!"
"Take the serum instead!"
"I want both!"
Selena ran between customers.
"Yes, that perfume is limited edition!"
"No, please don't open the bottle here!"
"Yes, we accept gold coins!"
Alex leaned casually against the wall watching everything.
He chuckled softly.
"Well…"
"That escalated quickly."
Outside the line kept growing longer.
Merchants started calculating profits.
Noble ladies argued over limited items.
Within an hour…
Half the shop was already empty.
Selena collapsed into a chair for a moment.
Her hair messy.
Her face flushed.
"I can't believe this…"
She looked at Alex.
"We might sell everything today."
Alex smiled.
"I told you."
"This is just the beginning."
Elara walked toward them slowly.
Her eyes sparkled slightly as she watched the scene.
"You planned this perfectly."
Alex shrugged.
"I just understand people."
Elara laughed softly.
"Then you understand them very well."
Selena suddenly ran back again.
"We're running out of premium cream!"
Alex shrugged.
"Raise the price."
Selena blinked.
"…You're evil."
Alex smiled.
"That's business."
---
Several hours later…
The crowd finally began to thin.
The sun slowly moved toward the horizon.
The grand opening had been a massive success.
Silver Bloom Beauty House had become the most talked-about shop in the capital.
Selena leaned against the counter.
"I think I'm going to sleep for two days."
Alex laughed.
"You earned it."
Elara prepared to leave.
Before stepping outside she turned toward Alex.
"Today was impressive."
Alex nodded.
"Thank you for helping."
Elara smiled.
"Well…"
"I'm your sponsor now."
Then she left.
Alex stepped outside.
The evening breeze felt cool.
The sky glowed orange and purple.
For a moment he stood quietly.
Two months.
In only two months he had built something real.
Connections.
Influence.
A growing business.
Alex smiled.
"Well…"
"It's been a long time."
Selena looked confused.
"What has?"
Alex stretched his arms.
"Since I had dinner with my family."
Selena blinked.
"You mean the royal family?"
Alex nodded.
"Yeah."
He looked toward the distant palace.
"Maybe it's time I reminded them…"
"…that their son still exists."
The evening sun slowly disappeared beyond the capital walls.
And somewhere in the palace…
A reunion was waiting.
---