Chapter 23 - Chapter 19: The Glow That Spreads

🌙🏰✨ — At the Royal Palace, Night

The royal bedchamber was bathed in soft moonlight filtering through tall windows. Rosalie sat at her vanity, the small jar of Night Cream resting in her palm. She turned it slowly, reading the plain, elegant label again.

"Night Cream... and Day Serum...?" she murmured, tracing the letters with a fingertip. "Quite the name—one for day, one for night... simple enough."

Her gaze drifted to the mirror.

Even Maira tried it and came back full of praise... she thought. If someone as careful as she is impressed, perhaps there really is something to it.

She dipped a finger into the rich, smooth cream and spread it gently across her face. It melted instantly, cool and soothing, leaving no sticky heaviness—just a soft, fresh feeling that lingered.Rosalie leaned closer to the glass, studying her reflection doubtfully.

"I wonder if this really works..."

☀️👑🌸 — The Next Morning

Sunlight spilled across the room as Rosalie sat before the mirror, still half-asleep, while her maid brushed and arranged her hair. Then the maid paused, brush hovering mid-air, eyes widening.

"Your Highness..."

Rosalie blinked. "Yes?"

"Your face... you look absolutely radiant this morning!" the maid said, breathless with delight. "Fresh, bright—like you've been resting for a week! The tiredness is completely gone!"

Rosalie stared at her, then turned back to the mirror, blinking in confusion. Her skin did look smoother, softer, lit from within. She cleared her throat, feeling strangely flustered.

"Uhh... thank you?"

🚶‍♀️💫🗣️ — In the Palace Hallways

Later, as she walked through the sunlit corridors, servants bowed and greeted her as usual—until they looked up.

"Good morning, Your Highness!" one steward said, then hesitated, staring. "You look... truly lovely today, Your Highness!"

Rosalie paused. "Eh?"

Before she could reply, another maid passing by gasped softly. "It's true! Your Highness seems to glow!"

"Her skin looks like porcelain!" added a third, stepping forward with a smile.

"It's as though all weariness has vanished!" said another.

One after another, they spoke up—polite, sincere, and clearly astonished. Rosalie walked on, trying to keep her composure, but her cheeks felt warm. She touched her cheek lightly, wide-eyed.

This Night Cream... and the Day Serum too... she thought, equal parts bewildered and impressed. They really work far too well...

🏪💥📈 — Meanwhile at the Pharmacy

Morning sun lit the streets as Paul and Lisse approached the shop. The bell jingled softly as they stepped inside.

"Good morning, Madam Amelia~!" Lisse chimed cheerfully, dusting off her apron.Paul nodded, calm as ever. "Good morning, Miss Amelia."

Amelia looked up from arranging shelves, her hands resting on a stack of jars. She smiled warmly.

"Good morning, you two~!"

She set down the box she was holding, brushed dust from her hands, and leaned against the counter with a knowing look.

"I have news," she said. "Sales of the Night Cream and Day Serum are booming. We've barely anything left—we need to prepare a great deal more stock, and quickly."

Paul blinked, stepping forward. "Really...?"

Amelia nodded, then gestured toward the window. "Yes. Look for yourselves."

Paul and Lisse turned to look. Outside, the street was packed—crowds of people jostling, calling out, waving coins, all pressing toward the shop.

"One jar of Night Cream, please!"

"Two of the Day Serum—hurry!"

"I've been waiting since dawn!"

Paul and Lisse stood frozen, identical beads of sweat rolling down their temples.

Amelia sighed, already rolling up her sleeves, equal parts amused and exasperated.

"Well then... it seems it's going to be a very long day. The busiest we've had in quite a while..."

🏰🍽️✨ — Rival's Resolve

At the Veyron Estate

Sunlight streamed through the dining hall windows, gilding the polished table and fine porcelain as Marquis Aldric Veyron, his wife Cristine, and their son Christopher sat together for breakfast. Conversation flowed gently, warm and peaceful.

Aldric paused, setting down his teacup, and looked across at his wife with a soft, admiring smile. His gaze lingered on her face, and he leaned forward slightly.

"My dear... have you noticed?" he said warmly. "Your skin seems positively radiant this morning. You look as though you've been blessed by the morning star itself."

Cristine laughed, a light, musical sound, and touched her cheek with amusement.

"You flatter me, Aldric. But it is not magic, nor divine blessing," she said, smiling. "It comes from a new product—Night Cream and Day Serum—sold at a little shop in the market. Simple names, but truly wonderful. I've only been using them a short while, and already the difference is plain to see."

Across the table, Christopher sat quietly cutting his food, appearing not to listen. He ate steadily, his expression calm and unreadable, paying no mind to his parents' gentle exchange.

But beneath his composed demeanor, his thoughts turned sharp and focused.

A new shop, is it... he thought, slicing neatly through a piece of meat with deliberate, precise strokes of his knife. Night Cream and Day Serum... the very same products everyone speaks of. If they are growing this popular this quickly... then this is exactly the kind of ingenuity Lena Dunham has shown.

He lifted another forkful, his gaze steady and determined.

I will go there myself. I will see what makes this shop so special. And I will learn everything I must—so that I may catch up to her success. I will not fall behind.

He ate with renewed resolve, his posture straight, his mind already planning his visit.

Cristine, noticing his hurried pace, leaned forward with gentle concern.

"Christopher... please eat slowly, dear. There is no need to rush."

Christopher paused only for a moment, nodding respectfully without slowing his determination.

"Yes, Mother."