Hessian Clothing (1)

At long last, it was time for me to introduce my water-repellent cloth to the world.

Ymir and I had spent long months putting out heads together and toiling over the details that would result in a successful business, and before we knew it, autumn was upon us.

It was a brilliantly sunny day, complimented by a brisk wind and colorful leaves all around, when we finally opened up shop for the first time.

Several weeks prior, I had bought out a property in the middle of town and renovated it to suit the needs of a clothing shop. Now, Ymir, Mary, and I stood outside it's doors, looking up with pride at the store sign reading 'Hessian Clothing'.

After much deliberation, I decided it would be best to name our brand after the family. I had to make full use of the duchy's reputation, and people were more likely to buy our product if they knew it had been produced by someone so powerful. Soon, I would be rolling in profit, and I could achieve my ultimate goal of buying dirt on my family.

I hadn't forgotten why I started this business in the first place. I needed a fund not directly managed by my father, so I could find an information guild willing to sell me all their information on the Hessian Duchy. I was entirely sure, with my father and brothers' personalities, that they were involved in something shady, and I planned to use whatever I found against them in the battle for succession. After sealing away the evil within our house, I'd leave the rest of the grunt work in the hands of someone capable, and spend the rest of my life enjoying my golden spoon!

My eyes were aglow with thoughts of the future, and Mary must have noticed because she turned to me and asked, "Are you that excited to finally be opening up shop, brother?"

I turned to her and grinned wider than I had ever grinned in my life, "Of course! Do you remember what I said to you all those months ago, Mary?"

"Don't come near me. Oh gods, please no?" She asked monotonously as she tilted her head.

I suddenly had flashbacks to the time she forced me into a clothing shop for men during our market research and made me try on a bunch of ridiculous, frilly outfits. I shuddered at the memory.

"No!" I responded, getting back on track, "I told you. The best thing about being a Hessian? Money!"

"Oh, that?" She seemed unimpressed, and went back to admiring the store.

I groaned and turned to Ymir, hoping he would understand my passion. He just looked at me and laughed. A traitor. That's all he could be described as.

During our time working on this business together, Ymir and I had gotten pretty close. I found out he's not as old as I thought he was. Only about ten years my senior, and I was twenty-two. I supposed he looked so old before because he hadn't taken a proper bath in years. As if he could read my thoughts, I caught him squinting at me and I smiled innocently.

Even with the age gap, we developed a friend like bond. In the beginning, Ymir was shy and reserved around me because of my high status, but as he learned more about what kind of person I was, he began to loosen up. We started to laugh and joke with each other more, poking fun in friendly ways, and before I knew it, Ymir became something like a brother to me. Definitely more than my 'real' brothers had ever been.

The same closeness had formed between Mary and I. At first, I think most of what she felt was sympathy for my situation, and a sense of guilt for being unable to help me. But I soon realized that I was probably the only person in her life to ever show genuine interest in her being, and that in turn, made me special to her.

For once in my two lives, it was starting to feel like I might have an actual family. Not one I was born into, but one I chose.

It was a little bit scary.

I had only ever planned to live my life having fun, spending my money like it was nothing, and indulging myself in every way possible. Having people I was close to was great and all, but it was also dangerous. Ymir and Mary were now my weaknesses. I feared what would happen to my peaceful life if something were to ever happen to them.

I shook my head violently, surprising both Mary and Ymir. I couldn't let myself be consumed by such depressing thoughts. I had to focus on opening day!

It was lucky we were finished with everything so close to the start of winter. Winter meant snow, and snow was wet. At this time of year, water-repellent cloth would be at it's highest demand. The trouble was getting the word out about this fantastic new innovation!

"Ymir!" I turned to my friend, "Unlock the doors!"

Ymir looked at me, smiled, and nodded his head. Then he took out the key to Hessian Clothing and fit it into the keyhole of the doors. It was finally time.

All three of us rushed inside, our entourage of guards following behind, and we set to work. We combed the shop, making sure everything was in order, even putting the knights to work straightening out loose racks, and soon we had everything displayed just how we wanted it. Now all that was left to do was wait for customers.

We had unlocked the doors at seven a.m., a bit early for a clothing shop, so the first hour went by without much excitement. But by eight o' five, we had our first guest.

"Welcome!" I greeted warmly as a young woman, obviously just coming into adulthood, entered the shop hesitantly.

"Oh, hello!" She squeaked as she looked around our shop in wonder.

"Have you come to shop for anything in particular?" I asked, putting on my best salesman act and moving out from behind the counter.

The young woman continued to look around as she answered, "Yes, I heard there was a new clothing shop open nearby and I need to buy a coat for winter. Do you happen to have anything suitable?"

She looked at me directly then, and I watched as her face flushed bright red. Right, I had almost forgotten about my handsome face. She must have been flustered by my beauty. I understood. Even I, upon looking in the mirror every morning, could not help but drool. I decided to take advantage of this opportunity.

I took hold of one of her hands, and gestured behind me with the other, all while leaning over close to her face.

"Why yes, my lady. You are in luck. We have an excellent line of winterwear just perfect for cold days! It's cloth is even water-repellent!"

The woman looked almost dizzy with confusion as she tried to soak in both my flirting and my sales pitch.

"Water-repellent?" Was all she managed to get out.

But that was what I wanted. We'd caught our first fish. Hook, line, and sinker.

Now it was time to ride the wave.