Chapter 14: Reading.
Kein's POV
I was in my damp closet room, small space, it was a little dusty, and it was hard to move around. I opened the box that contained Kein's diary and read it again.
Re-reading the pages, I realized Kein and I were similar. It gives me comfort to know Kein before me had the same preferences and personality.
"For some kid in another world, she's a really fun one. Even if I'm occupying her body now. I wonder, what was she like before I occupied her body?" I asked myself as I looked at a shattered mirror near the corner.
"I always forget to clean this closet. There's broken glass and bottles. The fact that I sleep here is really sad." I frowned as I at least admired the European figure I was born with in this world.
On earth, I was... Asian so this is really weird. To think after living months in this world I would get used to my new look already? Blonde hair needs some getting used to.
I played around with the loose hair in front of my face, feeling it was rather slippery, dry, and oily.
"Hmm... Shampoos don't exist in this world but how can I make it here?"
I realized that even if the kingdom of Puronia is really advanced in artistry, they have high quality paints, brush, colors, and pencils but not much on other things. There were some makeup and perfume stores but none on further body cleaning. "Imagine if I somehow made bath bombs. The noble ladies would love that stuff."
Hmm other than that toothbrushes don't exist in this world as well.
They just clean their teeth with a toothpick or something.
"I've been so busy not getting in trouble I forgot about this." I furrowed my brows.
I've been so busy cleaning the mansion and dealing with things. I have the knowledge to solve the problems of this world. "But who would be interested in forming a business with a ten-year old?"
I have the first princess but isn't this a little too forward? I do have the royal seal so I'm able to send her letters but talking to princesses through letters and then proposing a business is a no for me... "Oh! There's Baron Hills! But I need to make the product first before actually thinking of proposing."
And the ingredients. Firstly, I should focus on making shampoo but on what material?
Hmm... I need to visit Veronica to see how she's doing and ask for some advice.
For the shampoo, "I should ask Madam Prisha. Oh, and about the bath bombs maybe we can form some sort of contract as well."
It actually seems I've acquired some very powerful people for the time I'm here. "Didn't I watch something similar on an isekai anime as well? I think I watched a reincarnated person like me back then and she was making papers and shampoo in her life."
Then again, we were on the same boat and we both had it hard. Not much for me because papers exist in my world, cheap ones even. "Ah good anime. I want another season of it."
In any case, I should not record my present thoughts into this diary, I stored the diary into my [Storage Ring] and slept on the cold floor.
.-.-.-.-.-.
The next few days passed. I left the mansion in hopes I would find ingredients for shampoo. I need specific fruits or plants but I'm not sure if they have it here.
If anything I'll hope this world has something similar to it then I'll be able to experiment on them. Process does take time after all. For now in order to find some of them I decided to take out my sketchpad and began sketching the things I need.
I took out a basket that I bought from Veronica back then when her business was having problems, but then realized, "Well shit I forgot to give the other baskets to Lenard, Vincent, and Rose."
pαпdα Йᴏνê1,сòМ And I did tell Rose back then that when I won the Licht Festival drawing competition I would buy her something. "I mean... I should just make her shampoo or bath bombs as compensation of thanks for cheering me on back then."
Rose was really brave for defending me back then, even if that three year winner dude was so salty that losing to a ten-year old kid was funny I wonder what she's doing right now?
I wore the basket in my arm and decided to walk to the market today. After these times I became a regular and I could talk to the locals more easily now that they recognize me often. "Hi. How's your day?" (Stall owner)
"Um I'm fine? Thank you?"
"Congratulations on winning the Lumineria festival painting competition!" (Stall owner)
"O-Oh um thanks?"
"Oh! You're that Kein Rosenguard! You look so young!" (Stall owner)
"That's because I am?"
I wave around the people that recognized me. I'm a little nervous because I'm not used to random strangers just knowing me.
Okay, maybe my popularity spread around a little because I won at the painting competition in the festival. I forgot that this country is practically an artsy country and artists are practically a highly praised job here. "Maybe I could become an artist for a living huh?"
Paintings can definitely go a long way even if my past experiences on earth made me not want to paint anymore, maybe this world is not that bad? "Pfft, give me a world that's not even bad. I'm sure that's impossible to exist."
Without suffering or problems, humans would never evolve nor feel emotion after all. To my opinion at least but I sure can't stand those corporate corrupt collectors that want my work.
I walked to Veronica's stall and saw her having customers, mostly adventurers and commoner women. I waited for my turn in the back of the line but when Veronica saw me she waved.
"Little charmer! It's been a while! You came to visit again!" (Veronica) called me by that embarrassing nickname again but I'll let it pass because it's her.
I sighed, with a faint smile on my face I waved back, "It's definitely been a while and I see people are buying your bags now." I told her as her stall was mostly empty now.
Veronica chuckles and leans in, her arms resting at the stall counter. "It's all thanks to the little charmer's advice. I've been... experimenting designs. It's really been a hit with the other ladies, that's for sure." (Veronica)
Ohhh! That's good! "So you won't be in trouble anymore?" I ask her, the tone of my voice glad that she won't have to give up the thing she loves which was weaving bags or baskets.
To my surprise her hands lands on my head and pats me softly. I know I'm not used to people getting into my personal space but... I guess this is also nice?
"Yes, I won't be in trouble anymore. Thank you, little charmer, for checking up on me." (Veronica)
I tried not to smile and crossed my arms.
"It was nothing." I replied as I shyly looked away. I'm not used to this much touch ever. Veronica is my type! What? I'M WEAK FOR INDEPENDENT GIRLS!
Veronica stopped patting my head, and I was a little disappointed after but still I have to remember I still have some business to attend to.
"Um, I'm also here because I need your help Veronica." I focused on the task as I took out my sketchpad from my basket and gave it to her.
The last page was the sketches of the ingredients I needed for shampoo and bath bombs that can be another project for another day.
"What's all this?" (Veronica) asks while looking at the design of my work.
"Things that I need because I might make something useful for hygiene care." I replied as she held her chin in deep thought. "I also wrote the components of the ingredients so maybe tell me if there's something else similar to it as an alternative?"
[Possible List Ingredients for Shampoo]
For hair problems like: Suggested Herbs.
> Dry Hair- nettle, burdock, rosemary or calendula.
> Oily Hair- yarrow, lavender, lemon balm or mint.
> Blond Hair- calendula or chamomile.
> Dark Hair- sage or comfrey.
> Dandruff- rosemary, thyme, or any of the herbs for dry hair.
Suggested Herbs
> Normal Hair- lavender, clary safe or chamomile,
> Oily Hair- lemon, tea tree, or ylang-ylang.
> Dry hair- rosemary, myrrh or peppermint.
> Dandruff- tea tree, patchouli or lavender
>Liquid Castile Soap- It is made up of plant oils - coconut, hemp, sunflower seed, jojoba, and olive. (Basically an amazingly versatile vegetable-based soap that's made free of animal fats and synthetic ingredients. This is natural, nontoxic, and biodegradable.
"Hmm... I worry about lavender, it's a very expensive product imported from another kingdom. It's grown from the kingdom of [Sprivanto] for their spring festivities, if I recall. You might not get them as easy as you can." (Veronica)
I see... I nod in understanding as I take that into mind. "Hmm... I only recognize half of these in the market... I can get you the list of where you can get them if you want." (Veronica)
"Thank you Veronica! That would really help a lot."
Veronica giggles, giving me a smile as she asked for a pen to which I happily handed her one and began writing on my sketchbook. "But for alternatives, I'll just suggest you look around and experiment all that you can to see if there's going to be a proper herb that might work in your favor. Fruits are also possible, dried ones as well." (Veronica)
"It's also nice to see you using the basket you bought from me." (Veronica) glanced at the basket smiling, perhaps glad and nostalgic about the memory as she continued to write.
"I mean it's pretty cute." I told her as I awkwardly scratched the back of my neck.
Veronica pats me in the head and gives me the list as I thanked her once again, "What are you going to do with all these herbs and oils though? Are you making something perhaps?" (Veronica) asked, looking at me curiously.
"I'm making this thing called shampoo. I'll show it to you once I make it, and I safely test it." I told her. I have to safely test it just in case I'll have to mix in some other worldly ingredients that I don't know of.
Since I don't know what kind of effects might happen if I mixed weird things that caused chemical reactions then again Chemistry is not my strongest subject.
I waved goodbye to Veronica gratefully and went off into the marketplace where dozens of fruits, herbs, leaves, vegetables, and bottles of liquids that I didn't know were displayed.
First, let's go find the earth's ingredients.
"Excuse me, do you have this?"
"Ah, thank you."
"Um do you know where I might get some of these?"
"Oh just turn right that street and go straight down? Thank you."
"Agh this is getting heavy."
Shopping is super tiring.
I groaned, feeling the basket was getting heavier every minute that passed by. My arm is taking a toll on it already. "Maybe I should take a rest on a public bench..."
I walked to the center square of the market and saw an empty bench. I placed down the basket beside me as I sat down comfortably and gratefully that I won't have to walk for a while. Instead I decided to observe the people who walked passed just minding their own business and tending to their wants while using magic.
I'm really envious that adults can use magic and I have to wait for two years before I could see my own kind of magic.
This country is really similar to the European ambiance back on earth. I wonder what the other two human kingdoms are like [Sprivanto] and [Winshern].
Well I would definitely visit [Sprivanto] first. It's known for its accepting community with a lot of diversity, and of course there might be some occasional assholes but come on gay bars am I right? Maybe I should bring Lenard with me sometimes.
"Ahhh~ I can't wait till I turn eighteen."
The adult age in this world is eighteen.
Surprisingly quite young if it was back on earth but here even thirteen year old kids have a job or part-time help though I can tell some kids already gave up and revolted to stealing or usually they join in the adventurer's guild.
I did think of being an adventurer but I'm more of a settled person.
The mangas and isekai anime my daughter has recommended to me usually showed such grand adventures, thrills, rewards, and power once you've been reincarnated in another world.
But for now, I shouldn't think of adventure and just focus on survival. Meaning my life financially or I'll starve.
There's the gold I've won from the competition but I don't want to use it like some madman who just got their first paycheck and spent it all on alcohol. I have to think of spending it on something that will surely reel me in more gold instead.
"You spend money, to get more money." A wise man said.
I already have my list of possible investors as well. Baron Hills, Madam Prisha, and if none of these work...
Then I would ask the first princess of the [Puronia] kingdom and the heir to the throne.
Princess Cecilia von Goldheart.
I remember that I still have her royal seal with me inside the [Storage Ring].
Princess Cecilia is nice but I don't know if she's going to help me out on a whim, maybe she'll make me drink one of her honesty potions again before helping me to know I'm taking advantage of her.
Well, technically. I am.
So I'll put Princess Cecilia last on my list of possible investors because I doubt a royal would ever help a commoner promote their products. I really don't want to trouble a royal about this.
I stood off from the bench, feeling refreshed, stretching, taking the basket in my arms once again but I stopped as I noticed a familiar figure wearing white shawl while holding an elderly woman's hand.
"Rose?" I muttered to myself, my eyes followed her movement as she helped the grandmother walk on her feet. Oh! The grandmother is blind and she has a cane on her other hand.
I followed her for a bit at a respectable distance. She seemed to be in a great conversation with the grandmother as I followed them, forgetting my original mission. Wait, why am I following her again? Ugh I can just walk up and say hi like a normal person but no- I look like a stalker now.
I groaned, feeling like a fool now. I decided to just walk up to them and greet them normally. "Hey Rose."
Rose stopped talking with the elderly woman as she turned around her eyes happy to see me, "Kein!" (Rose) yells and the grandma notices me as well.
"Oh... is this the person you were talking about..." the elderly woman asked Rose.
They've been talking about me? Panic rushes through my body as maybe Rose told the worst sides of me. Wait, that's if she's even seen the bad sides of me actually.
"Ahaha... I hope it's not all bad things." I told the grandma as she gives a heartily laugh her eyes glanced at me clear, full of wisdom.
"Oh dear... On the contrary everything has been all flattery and definitely all very good things." she winked at me leaving me a little confused.
Rose looks at me for a second before looking away hiding from her shawl and then coughing changing the subject.
"Anyways Kein fancy meeting you here!" (Rose) laughs nervously as I cross my arms.
"I shop here." I told her.
"R-Right... Anyways I was just helping this lovely grandma go back to her house safely. Do you want to come with us?" (Rose) asked me as the grandma smiles brightly at her.
"A lovely grandma. Oh you sweet child. You really are a shrine maiden. You make an old lady like me happy." the elderly woman continued patting Rose's head.
"Wait so... You two just met?" I asked them and they both nod.
"Grandma needed help getting back home so I'm helping her. So wanna accompany us?" (Rose)
Well... I have time so why not? I can just make the shampoo later and experiment with other weird ingredients on the way back. "Sure, let's go."
Rose looked happy as I stood beside the elderly woman who smiled at us warmly. "Ah it's my lucky day if the both of you are accompanying a frail, blind old lady like me..."
"It is my duty to help anyone in need after all!" (Rose) cheerfully replied.
I took a side glance at Rose. I knew that she was one of those who help others in need but is it just an exception? "So is it some sort of shrine maiden thing? A rule to help anyone in need?"
"Well, for me it's not only for shrine maidens but for anyone who has a kind heart and would offer help to others. Though, I rarely see those acts of kindness. It was difficult to accept that the kingdom of light is now forgetting our teachings." (Rose) muttered as we walked slowly, her voice toned with sadness as I felt disappointed.
Not everyone will step up to help others. Teaching or not, it's hesitation and then regret. Some humans are such indecisive people. They think of what they'll get after helping.
It's give and take. They'll feel indebted.
I was about to open my mouth to speak but-
"Not until I met Kein, you definitely have a good heart." she smiled and my brain stopped for a moment.
My mouth was silent as my lips pursed, my eyes widened in surprise but I quickly hid my expression before Rose could see. Its not like I feel happy about the compliment but...
I cross my arms again wanting to scold Rose for being so naïve, "Don't just assume people who help you that they have a good heart okay?" I told her my voice was a little gruff.
"You don't know them enough. What if they're just going to take advantage of you and then expect something in return for helping?"
This is rather getting personal. I hate people who help, and then expect some sort of grand reward. Oh I helped you get that book wanna treat me to dinner? The nerve of some people.
I helped you clean the classroom, can I copy off of your answers in our next quiz?
Study on your own you asshole! You didn't even do a good job cleaning that classroom!
Ugh the memories of my past life presented me with trust issues. This is why when people offer me help, I immediately think they want something from me. I grit my teeth, and couldn't contain the anger rising inside of me.
"Kein are you like that?" (Rose) asked, which made me stop for a bit and think.
I nod, "Yes. I am. Everyone is like that to me."
I sigh. Maybe regretting that I tagged along in this fiasco and I really feel bad saying all this nonsense to Rose. Perhaps she hasn't been betrayed yet or she doesn't know how some people really are on the inside.
I was expecting Rose to be mad, get disappointed or dejected but instead her eyes light up and I can see her smile under the shawl countless times but I don't think I'll ever tire of it, "To me Kein is really a good kid. Even if you tell me that you're not. To me you are, and I very much like that about you." (Rose)
Rose looks at her right hand, maybe she's remembering the fond memory of our second meeting. Us under the tree, noticing that there were a cut mark on her hand I did my best patching her.
My face felt a little flushed now after that. "S-Still, I know I'm not a good person."
"Kein just accept a compliment please!" (Rose) yelled as we both bickered on the way.
"Shut up! I don't even like compliments!"
"Aw but you're really cute you know!" (Rose)
"Ugh stop that Rose!"
We fought while the elderly lady laughed and we both stopped. "Ah, you remind me like my husband and I. Always fighting but really we love each other deep inside." the grandmother teased and I took a step back.
"I'm definitely not into her!" Hell no! I'm into older girls! Like... ahem. Yeah mentally I should already be in my 40s.
Rose glares at me and then shoves me by the shoulder, "Hey! I'm twelve! And I know you're ten! B-Because I totally guessed you looked ten and did not ask someone else for that information..." (Rose)
"Wait what? You're older than me?!"
I feel cheated.
"The world should just burn at this point." I muttered as I felt my dark aura escaping out of my body. This world is unfair. I can't believe I have to tolerate surviving as a child with no other adult guidance. This is like earth all over again but with magical shit.
"Ah... This is my home now you two sweeties. Thank you for helping this old woman out." The grandma cranks her cane as me and Rose are confused.
"Wait, she's blind right?" I ask Rose and she nods. We both looked at the grandma who chuckled, for she had heard us.
"Yes, I am blind but my family has really sensitive noses. My eldest granddaughter must be waiting for me to come home at our shop."
Sensitive noses? Our shop? I look around, noticing the familiar street and the familiar sign. Are you serious? "[Magicare]. Isn't this where Madam Prisha-"
"Oh! You know of my grandchild?"
"You could say we've met." I told her awkwardly remembering the last time I went there was buying some healing oils.
So that's why they knew I had cuts before. The whole heightened sense of smell must run in the family, so basically their noses could rival a dog's. "Come in both of you please. Let me give you something this old lady can do."
I shook my head, "It's okay grandma getting you here was enough. No need to give something back."
Rose nods, agreeing with me somehow happy with my answer. "What Kein said! It's our duty to help others so we don't need payments of any kind!"
The grandma smiles as she takes a handful of cards in her pocket. "Reading someone's fortune is my joy in my life. So please let me read what your future, past, and present will be?"
I looked at Rose and she looked excited now. "Tarot cards! Can you do readings on love as well?!" (Rose)
The grandma nods happily, "Love, health, and perhaps marriage."
Rose's eyes twinkled as she turned to me slowly with a grin on her face. Love?! MARRIAGE?!
SO THAT'S WHY YOU LOOKED HAPPY.
Urk I need to get out of here. I laughed nervously as I backed away slowly. "Have fun Rose. I'll go now-"
"Oh no you don't. We'll get our readings together!" (Rose) grabs my arm with a lot of force and holy is this girl strong.
"BUT I DON'T WANNA DO TAROT CARDS! I DON'T EVEN BELIEVE IN THOSE!" I told her but she wasn't budging. She was really determined on reading our cards together.
"Kein! This isn't just Tarot cards! These are magic Tarot cards! Come on!"
Agh... someone save me... I'm being dragged and I don't wanna know if I'm still single by the time I turn sixteen... I just wanna make shampoo and continue on my quest of being rich!
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