Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 222: The New Worker.

Chapter 222: The New Worker.

Marketplace.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

***************

Conan dropped his miss off and left for knight camp right after dropping a confidently passionate kiss on her cheek and leaving her blushing, the bungalow they had intended to go back to has been postponed because of the attack, now they’ve decided united they were stronger.

Helena unlocked the door to her pillow shop just as the first light of dawn crept over the rooftops. The small bell above the door jingled softly, a sound that once filled her with joy but now seemed to mock the empty hours that stretched ahead. It had been almost a week since she’d seen a steady flow of customers, and her agitation had grown with each passing day.

Stepping inside, Helena took a deep breath, the familiar scent of lavender and fresh cotton greeting her. After finding out she was the vitamin, water and refreshment that the cottons planted in the lord’s mansion, she realized it must be the seed she’d planted years ago with a boy knight, when she’d still been on the run with her mother. Who could that boy be? And should she continue running?

The shop, a cozy haven of color and comfort, was Helena’s pride and joy. Plush pillows of every size and hue were artfully arranged on shelves and display tables. Embroidered cushions with intricate patterns sat next to soft, solid-colored ones, and a corner nook showcased luxurious silk and velvet options.

She moved behind the counter and set down her bag, her mind racing with worry. Bills were piling up, and if things didn’t turn around soon, she would be in serious trouble. Helena couldn’t afford another day of minimal sales. She needed a plan, something to draw people in and remind them why they loved her shop.

Determined to make a change, she set to work rearranging the shop. She meticulously reorganized the displays, placing her most luxurious and eye-catching pillows at the front. Richly colored velvet pillows were stacked in appealing arrangements, and the ones with intricate embroidery were given prominent spots where they could catch the light. Helena stepped back to admire her work, hoping the new layout would entice passersby to come inside.

Still, as the hours ticked by and the shop remained empty, Helena grew more agitated. She glanced out the window and noticed the beggar woman sitting across the street, her worn shawl pulled tightly around her against the morning chill. The woman had become a fixture in the neighborhood, her presence as constant as the cobblestones beneath her.

An idea sparked in Helena’s mind, and she quickly acted on it. She grabbed her shawl and stepped outside, crossing the street to where the beggar woman sat. The woman looked up, her eyes wary but curious.

"Come." she mouthed, her fingers doing the hurried finger invitation movement.

The middle aged woman approached her, her brows drawn in fear mixed with curiosity.

"Good morning," Helena began, trying to keep her voice cheerful. "I was wondering if you’d like to help me with something."

The beggar woman blinked in surprise. "Help you? With what?"

"I own the pillow shop across the street," Helena explained, gesturing to her shop. "Do you want Crits?"

The woman stared at her like she was stupid, "You are asking if I want money?" Her inquiry made Helena realize her mistake but she raised a restless brow anyway, "Yes, do you?"

"I am a beggar" the woman pointed out with widening eyes, of course she needed money, that is what they stay around the corner for afterall.

Helena nodded with narrowed eyes, "Yes, one that should be in his city but here we are" she pointed out how beggars are never from Critic Arley but other cities, Critic-Izinghale mostly.

The woman sighed, "What do you want?" she questioned, well-off people never just offer money she had been delusional to assume otherwise.

"Business has been slow, and I need a way to draw more people in. I thought... Maybe you could help me by announcing nice things about my shop to passersby. Like a town crier, but for my shop specifically."

The woman considered the offer, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied Helena’s face. "What’s in it for me?"

"I can pay you," Helena said quickly. "And you can keep warm inside the shop when you’re not outside. What do you say?"

"To give you a job," Helena added with a nod confirming her words for herself, she did need an apprentice if her love life is to go smoothly, she couldn’t have Conan coming here to take her out but she is busy or have to close up the shop, for a new shop she was already taking too many breaks.

"A job?" the woman mauled over it, testing the words.

"I thought you might want one to sustain you" Helena gestured behind the woman, where she’d been sheltering.

The woman reddened, "Yes, but–" Helena cut her off, "No buts please, do you agree to work for me or–"

After a moment of silence, the woman nodded. "Alright. I’ll give it a try. Yes, I shall work with you""

Relief washed over Helena, and she helped the woman to her feet. "Wonderful! What’s your name?"

"Mait," the woman replied.

With a nod Helena prepared to leave for her shop, "Nice to meet you, Mait. We should get started."

"Also, technically you are an apprentice but since it is just you and─" Mait interjected, "You are a kind and lovely miss, I know you shall pay me"

Helena narrowed her eyes at her, "Why do you think I am a miss? and not a lady or a madam?"

"Because I have watched the handsome and very single Sir Conan come here to see more than once" her reply would choke Helena if she was having something.

Conan was famous and she should’ve known, he will soon be noticed coming here but since the Muckraker hasn’t said anything about it yet, they are still safe.

"He could have been here for the pillows," Helena suggested, feeling uncontrollably shy.

"And then he leaves without them? Then escort you home? I doubt that" she drops her little luggage under a desk away from the customer’s eyes.

"I would hate to accuse you of spying," Helena blurted as she settled on a stool.

Mait laughed, shaking her head, "Accuse me curious and start with the lesson, mistress" she said.

"I am a tailor." Helena declared.

"Yes Tailor Helena" Mait agreed in a murmur.

Helena squealed mentally, her feet bouncing, "It does not have a ring to it, does it?"

"No, it falls flat" Mait teased but Helena took it seriously anyway, "I shall ask my sister about it when I get home today," she mumbled to herself, "Lydia, what shall I be called?"

Back inside the shop, Helena explained what she needed Mait to do. They crafted a few simple, engaging lines about the shop and the quality of the pillows. Helena provided Mait with a warm cloak and a small bell to ring for attention.

As the afternoon progressed, Mait took her position outside the shop, calling out to passersby with a clear, strong voice. "Come to Helena’s Haven for the finest pillows in town! Luxurious fabrics and soothing scents to help you sleep soundly!"

Slowly but surely, people began to stop and listen. Curious shoppers started to trickle into the shop, drawn by Mait’s enthusiastic announcements. Helena’s heart lifted as she attended to her new customers, grateful for the small surge in business.

Then they had a hearty lunch, one that almost brought Mait to tears.

Helena knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but with Mait by her side, she felt more confident that she could weather the storm and bring her beloved pillow shop back to life.

Late that afternoon she saw a familiar carriage pulling a stop, so with narrowed eyes and anticipatory heart she jumped to her feet, and lo and behold Lydia was coming down from it, Helena squealed and rushed to push her door open, "Lydia sweetheart"

"Lena, you seem pleased" Lydia noted with a smile, she had left the mansion right after Viscountess Cesita did so she could come here at last and she is grateful that Helena is happy by the gesture.

"Of course, come sit─ hello Blanc," she smiled.

Blanc cleared his throat, perhaps disappointed he had been perceived, "Hello Miss Helena"

She scowled, she wanted a title, she realized suddenly and she wondered if that was greedy of her. Blanc tipped his head before turning to slide by the carriage.

Helena scribbled something quickly on paper, before waving Mait over when she glanced behind, Mait came and she smiled, temporarily forgetting Lydia, "I have your first job for you" Helena said to her.

"What is it, mistress?" she asked.

"Here, announce this like a town crier" she handed a paper to the woman without thinking she might not know how to read and right before she’d remember, Mait read the paper, before meeting Helena’s apologetic eyes.

The knowing smile that bloomed on Mait’s face was to die for, before she turned around and got to work.

"I cannot believe the lady of Critic Arley is in my shop, a princess, the only princess of the kingdom who came to Helena’s Haven for a luxurious pillow!" Mait announced, "These are not just any pillows, they are royally blessed and have earned gold crits" she continued drawing glances and murmurs from the onlookers.

"Nightmares escape you the second you place your head on them, come and buy some pillows, fine lady before the richest lady of Critic Arley purchase them all"

It was a market line but they were customers, and a passerby nodded that they indeed stopped having nightmares and it made Helena frown. Does her work take her magic?

She shook her head, "You came to my shop!" Helena squealed again redirecting thoughts to Lydia.

"At the right time that is!" Lydia said, glancing at Mait.

"I just employed her and she is good, she is selling me like I am cheap" Helena giggled while Lydia bit her lip through a smile, happy for her.

"So, Lydia, tell me, What should I be called now? What am I?" Helena fired.

Lydia doesn’t contemplate before she started, "You are a Miss, a business woman, an artist? A tailor." her words.

"Mmm," Helena pouted, making Lydia shake her head, "If you keep up the good work, the lord might just give you a self acclaimed title" she assured her friend. "Or the muckraker could spun one for you, her papers are coming this evening"

"You came for the papers! I had foolishly thought it was for me" Helena accused, feeling betrayed.

"It was a double outing, I am here now" Lydia pacified. "I would also get Conan’s, he had told me this morning that he would not be able to get them"

Helena shook her head, "Do both of you forget you live in the same mansion now and can read one paper instead of buying two?"

"No, we cannot" Lydia answered sharply, as though Helena should take back those words.

Helena rolled her eyes, "And a courier could deliver it, to the mansion"

"Helena..." Lydia warned, making the tailor raise both her palms in mock surrender.

By the end of the day, the shop had seen more customers than it had in weeks. Helena thanked Mait profusely, slipping her a small pouch of coins and offering her a warm meal. As Mait gratefully accepted, Helena felt a renewed sense of hope. Perhaps this was the desperate measure she needed to turn things around.

"I would take a walk" Lydia had said when the coachman redirected her.

"Of course, I shall be right behind you" he assured her as they walked to the muckraker’s joint and got papers but something happened, something that shook her. Despite the extra guard and Hound following her, someone got to her.

So when she got home Theodore wrapped his arms around his delicate wife, wondering why she looked so pale but he didn’t ask any questions as he offered her comfort. Tomorrow was the last day of the month and he had a surprise for her.

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