VI: Prepare the mise en place.

Ten days into running The Enchanted Hearth, Serys sat at the bakery's small dining table, surrounded by a notebook, several receipts, a lamp, and a half-empty cup of tea. The shop was closed, its windows dark and the door securely locked, offering her a rare moment of peace in the warmly lit room. The hustle of the past few days had been exhilarating, but also exhausting. She couldn't help but admit that her current operation would drive her mad.

"I can't keep running on fumes," she muttered to herself, scribbling numbers in her notebook.

Several issues needed addressing. First, she hadn't decided which days the bakery would be closed. She'd kept the shop open every day so far, worried that closing too soon after the grand opening might disappoint customers. Second, her pricing was inconsistent. Some items sold out almost immediately, while others barely moved. She realized she'd priced pastries with rare ingredients too low and simpler items too high.

Finally, there was the matter of staffing.

Serys hated asking Rieze and Gress for help, especially knowing they were already picking up the responsibilities she'd left behind at the guild. Both were mentoring novices in addition to their usual leadership roles and personal goals, and while they never complained, Serys could see the strain it was causing.

"I need to fix this," she said, running a hand through her fringe.

After hours of balancing her books and estimating costs, Serys finally reached a conclusion: the bakery could earn more than she had expected if she adjusted the pricing. Even after accounting for the cost of ingredients, maintenance, and setting aside a small emergency fund, she would still have enough to hire two additional permanent employees.

The next morning, deciding to keep the bakery closed for one more day, Serys opted to have breakfast at the guild house. The lively chatter of adventurers filled the air, and the familiar scent of roasted meat and freshly cooked grains welcomed her as she stepped into the bustling hall. She spotted Gress at a table piled high with maps and reports, animatedly gesturing as he spoke to a group of guild members.

As she sat down with her plate of roasted vegetables and crusty bread, Gress plopped into the seat next to her, grinning. "Finally remembered us little people, huh?"

"I've been busy," she replied, smirking. "But you'll be happy to know I'm looking into hiring actual staff."

Gress raised an eyebrow. "Does this mean I'm officially fired as your unpaid helper?"

"Don't worry," she said with mock seriousness. "You'll always have a place at my bakery for free labor." Gress pouted and furrowed her brows as he realized Serys might actually be serious.

Sitting across from her, Rieze glanced up from his meal of roasted chicken and noodles, his eyes meeting hers. "It's good you're thinking about hiring. The bakery's been a success, but you can't do everything alone."

"I know," Serys admitted. "That's why I'm still living in the guild house. I need to recharge before I run myself into the ground."

Rieze gave her a small smile, the kind that always made her feel seen. "Smart choice."

After breakfast, as Serys prepared to leave the guild house to run errands, Rieze appeared at the door with his gear slung over one shoulder.

"I'm coming with you," he said simply.

"Rieze, you don't have to—"

"I want to," he interrupted. "You've been carrying a lot lately. Let me help."

Serys hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright. But don't complain when I drag you all over town."

Their first stop was Castle Eldor. The Guild Registry Office, or simply The Registry, was bustling with activity as adventurers came and went, registering for quests and reporting their progress.

Behind the counter stood Halen, a cheerful bespectacled dwarf who had worked there for years and knew everyone in town.

"Well, if it isn't the former vice-captain of Exousia!" Halen greeted them with a wide grin. "And it's Guildmaster Crestfall. What brings you two here?"

"Nothing much… just wondering how many adventurers registered today," Serys said cheerfully, though a hint of suspicion crossed Rieze's mind.

Halen hummed a tune as he rifled through a stack of reports. "There's been a spike in registration lately, but most of the quests are for Steel ranks and above. New Copper rank adventurers are stuck with gathering quests until they reach Steel. Monsters seem to be migrating out of their usual zones—might be worth keeping an eye on."

Serys nodded thoughtfully. "Thanks, Halen. Monster migration, you say— is it worth investigating? Rieze can help tell the others."

"Is this how you get our members busy? Send everyone on quests based on Registry information?" Rieze whispered to Serys.

"Yes... don't you ever wonder where the money from the vault comes from?" Serys said with a sly grin. "I could be selling our guild members to slave traders, you know."

"I d—wait—have you?" Rieze asked, his voice a mix of horror and confusion.

Serys rolled her eyes and shook her head. "If I had, you'd be the most expensive merchandise."

Rieze's eyes widened in shock.

"For a guild master, he's an idiot," Halen interjected, amused.

"Sadly, he's one of my idiots," Serys replied with a wry smile. "Every guild gets a commission for volunteering to take quests from the board. I come here to collect the money that goes to our vault."

Rieze shrugged.

"By the way, is there a place where I can post job vacancies?" Serys asked, pulling out a few pieces of paper from her satchel.

"Looking to hire? Have you considered adventurers? Some of the lower-ranked ones might jump at the chance for steady work between quests."

Serys tilted her head. "I thought guilds needed to cover the costs for that sort of thing."

"They do," Halen said. "But you're now a business owner, Serys. The Registry's been supporting local businesses for years. We can cover a portion of the reward money—or salary, in your case."

Serys exchanged a glance with Rieze, who gave a small nod.

"That might actually work," she said, a smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks for the tip, Halen."

"Anytime, lass. Good luck with that bakery of yours."

The rest of the day passed in a blur of errands. Serys replenished her stock of ingredients, fresh produce, high-quality grains, and rare herbs for her bakery. Rieze proved to be an efficient companion, helping carry the heavier items and navigating the crowded streets with ease.

As they wandered through the market, Rieze paused at a stall selling small, intricately carved wooden charms the size of his palm. He picked one up, a tiny depiction of a hearth with smoke curling from the chimney.

"This reminds me of your bakery," he said, handing it to Serys.

She examined it, touched by the gesture. "It's lovely. Maybe I'll hang it near the door for good luck."

By the time they returned to the bakery, Serys felt more prepared than ever. She had a plan for hiring staff, a better understanding of her finances, and, most importantly, a renewed sense of purpose.

As Rieze set down the last of the bags, he turned to her and said, "You're doing good, Serys. Better than you realize."

Her heart swelled at his words, but she covered it with a playful grin. "Of course, I am. I'm amazing."

Rieze chuckled softly. "That you are."

And as Serys began unpacking her supplies, she felt a spark of excitement for what lay ahead. The Enchanted Hearth was becoming something truly special.