Astridelle

(11) Dress shop

➴ This story is a work of fiction. Any names of characters, places and events mention are clearly coincidence and fictional. ➴

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"Good morning, father," my brother and I greeted in unison as we entered his office. He returned the greeting with a nod, gesturing for us to take a seat on the couch opposite him. The maid swiftly ushered in, preparing snacks and tea for our meeting.

"What brings you both here?" he asked, his tone businesslike yet welcoming.

"I've come to report that the contract for the mana crystals cave mine has been secured and signed. I've already acquired the necessary documents," my brother informed him, as the manservant extended the envelope containing the papers.

Father took the envelope and carefully examined its contents, pausing for a few moments to read through the documents. Eventually, he nodded his head in satisfaction.

"Good job, son," he praised, acknowledging my brother's efforts.

"You're welcome, father," my brother replied humbly, a sense of pride evident in his demeanor.

As I observed the interaction between my father and brother, I couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for my brother's dedication and hard work. It was a reminder of the importance of diligence and perseverance in achieving success in our family's business endeavors.

As my father turned towards me with a smile, I couldn't help but feel a mix of nervousness and excitement. "How about my little star?" he asked, his gaze warm and encouraging.

"Father, I have a proposal to share with you," I began, feeling the weight of my words.

"Okay, let's hear what you're about to say," he replied, his expression curious and attentive.

"Father, I've been contemplating establishing a business of my own," I explained, my voice steady despite the nerves swirling within me.

"What kind of business do you want to build?" he inquired, his interest piqued.

"I'm planning on building a dress shop. I've always dreamt of having my own clothing line and making a name for myself in the business world, father," I explained, feeling a rush of excitement as I voiced my aspirations.

"I'm aware that our family lacks nothing, but I want to carve out something that's truly mine. I want to earn my success," I added, emphasizing my desire for independence and self-reliance.

Curiosity sparked in my father's eyes as he leaned forward, prompting me to continue. "Then what are your plans about it?" he inquired, eager to hear the details of my proposal.

In response, I signaled Freya to hand over the files containing my meticulously organized plans. Along with the documents, I also presented a portfolio showcasing my initial designs and concepts for the dress shop.

"I've already organized everything," I began, feeling a surge of confidence as I outlined my plans. "I've identified potential partners from whom we can source high-quality fabrics. Additionally, I've carefully selected individuals whom I plan to hire and work with to bring my vision to life."

As I spoke, I could sense my father's interest growing, and I felt a sense of pride in presenting my well-thought-out strategy for my dress shop. It was a pivotal moment, and I was determined to make the most of it as I embarked on this exciting journey towards building my own business.

"Aside from my personal interest in fashion, I've noticed a disparity between dress shops catering exclusively to nobles and those targeting commoners. I want to challenge that prejudice," I explained, determined to bridge the gap between social classes through my business.