"Is that your concern, Mother?" Thorn chuckled.
"For a second there you had me worried."
"Well, let me relieve your concerns."
"Firstly, we would need some orange peels and oil; it can be olive or vegetable. As for the ingredients, that's it. Secondly, we would need to dry the peels for 4 days; then, infuse those peels in the oil for about two weeks. Once that's finished, pour it into a wooden container; we can simply carve it, then just cover it with a cloth, tie it, and finish."
"That actually sounds pretty easy to make compared to what I expected, but Thorn," Anna confusedly asked.
"How do you know if it actually works? I mean, sure, it sounds perfect, but how do you know the recipe for something you never created???" Anna seriously questioned Thorn.
"Your mother is right, Thorn," Bram remarked.
"Oh, that," Thorn stuttered.
Oh shit, I haven't thought of what to say. Wait, should I say I just experimented somehow and it worked or I just figured it out? Nah, too inconsistent. Oh wait, I know, I'll just say someone taught me this method. Yeah, that's also trash. Who in the world would teach me that? My mother? Wait, should I say, In one of the books I read, I found hints on how to create the perfume, like the effects of drying oranges and what would happen if you marinated something in oil. Yeah, I should go with that; that sounds plausible. I mean, I am the so-called-genius, right?
"Mother, Father, you think you've been buying me all these books for nothing? Come on now, these books taught me knowledge about various concepts, and because I'm a genius, I managed to put these things together, create a theory, and therefore the so-called product." Thorn was relieved, having found a plausible, consistent excuse to tell to his parents.
"Ok, well then, I guess I'll believe you, but for how long does this product even last? And you didn't test out that theory; how could you be so sure?" Bram exclaimed, seriously doubting Thorn and his so-called idea.
"Well, Father, are these ingredients easy to acquire and possibly free?" Thorn asked a question, knowing the answer prematurely.
"I mean, sure they are, but that would require some time, which we cannot spare for ludicrousness."
"Your father is right, Thorn," Anna remarked.
"Fine, I can do everything myself, and you surely don't mind giving me some orange peels and some vegetable oil, and Edward can also help me; he can help carve the container. Once it's finished, you can test out its effects!"
"Edward will have to agree to that, Thorn," Anna said.
"You think he wouldn't?" Thorn questioned.
"Well, you've got a point there," Bram remarked.
"Well, fine, but if it doesn't work, you better stop this wannabe-merchant behavior and do something else instead, ok, Thorn, like socializing?"
"What are you saying, honey? He is not even 1 year old; just because he is a genius doesn't mean those around him are," Bram explained to Anna.
"You're right, dear. Sometimes I get confused about his real age, but anyway, he should still—sorry, Thorn, I should've been kinder towards you. It's just this stress around the house is overwhelming. I'm sorry." Anna raised her arms, moved her legs, and went to give Thorn a big warm hug and said.
"I believe in you, Thorn."
"Mother, it's ok. I should be apologizing and thanking you for wasting your time with my idea and adding to your stress. Don't worry, Mom," Thorn tried to comfort his mother.
"Oh, let me join in on the hug," Bram exclaimed happily.
Squishhhhhh
"Ok, ok, I can't breathe; you are hugging me too tightly."
"Sorry, I guess I got too excited there, didn't I?" Bram let out a hearty laugh.
(3 weeks later...)
"Whew, finally, brother, it's finally complete. We did it!"
"Shall we test it out?" Thorn remarked.
"Sure, Thorn, we've been waiting enough!" Edward exclaimed.
Thorn swiftly and quickly moved his hands to grab the bottle of the completed perfume, removed the cloth, moved his index finger toward the inside of the container, dipped his finger in, and gently applied the liquid over his neck.
"So, Edward, do you smell it? Because I do—the nice, refreshing orange smell, wonderful!"
"Yes, yes, I can smell it, Thorn. The nice, orangey, refreshing smell."
Edward moved closer and hugged Thorn, lifted him up, and spun in place.
"We will be rich, Thorn; you are a genius," Edward happily sang praises toward his genius brother.
"Brother, please put me down; I'm getting a little dizzy."
"Ok, ok, sorry."
"All good, don't worry about it, Edward; this is, after all, a moment worth celebrating," Thorn proudly announced.
"So should we show it to Mother and Father?" Edward questioned.
"No, not yet. First, let's make sure we have at least 100 units to prepare to sell, and we need to map out all the information regarding the product."
"We can start with testing the range of the smell and how long it lasts, ok, Edward?"
"Must we?" Edward annoyingly asked.
"Yes, trust me, brother."
(5 months later...)
"Thorn! Thorn! Wake up, come on!" Edward tapped Thorn on his arm again and again, his impatience apparent.
"Ok, ok," Thorn angrily answered.
Today was the day Edward and Thorn planned to present their research and products to their parents.
"Edward, wait for me in the living room. Just give me a few minutes to organize myself."
Today is the day, huh? After countless experiments, countless mornings and nights, we have finished. I didn't think it would take us so much time, but I did want to do thorough research before concluding my product and revealing it to the public and to my parents.
I really couldn't have completed this without Edward's help. As I am still an infant, I could barely walk and mostly sat and instructed Edward what to do. He's really been a great help, although I did most of the brain work, but that doesn't matter.
After a few minutes, Edward dressed up and went to the living room, in sight of his parents and Edward sitting at the table with a notebook and some perfumes on the table.
"Oh, I see everything is ready," Thorn exclaimed.
"Thorn, Thorn, tell Father and Mother about what we made! Hurry!" Edward was truly impatient, as a 9-year-old kid should be, and couldn't wait to impress his parents.
"What is this about, Thorn? Is this about the thing you and Edward have been obsessing over? I see it's finally over," Bram excitedly remarked and proudly awaited Thorn's explanation.
"So, it took me and Edward about six months to complete everything. Why did it take us so long, you ask? Firstly, testing. I ruled out it was a necessity we know everything about the product before we introduce it to the public. By that, I mean the ideal method of production, how long it lasts in storage, how long it lasts on the body, the range of smell of the product, and, most importantly, ways to prevent other merchants from stealing our product."
"You may think six months is a big amount of time for only that, considering we were working day and night, but what we achieved are precise details and very desirable results, and we've all stored it down in this very notebook." Thorn took a couple of breaths after this explanation was over, as he was still a child, and even speaking like that took some effort.
"Here, why don't you try it out? Remove the cloth, take some of the liquid, and apply it on your neck, and then check the refreshing, wonderful smell it gives."
(1 day passed...)
Now we have Thorn, Edward, Anna, and Bram sitting at the table again.
"So did the product impress you, Mom, Dad?" Thorn asked, knowing the answer like knowing an answer to a math problem.
"Thorn, Edward, I'm very proud of you guys. I actually was very impressed, and I really think it can be sold and earn us a nice income. I know a lot of ladies that would like to wear this, but I'm worried because surely this product must take lots of hard work, time, and money. It seems too good to be true," Anna sadly expressed her concerns.
"You're right, dear. I completely agree with you, so Thorn, what do you have to say?" Bram asked curiously.
"Now, now, yesterday was for impressing you, today will be for explaining to you the great reality of this product," Thorn remarked arrogantly.
"So as for time, about 2 weeks; money can be free to some extent. Let me explain: we use only three ingredients for the production process. First, orange peels—we can beg from neighbors or gather our own; they're not that expensive. Secondly, vegetable oil—about 15 copper per bottle. It's pretty expensive, but ok, since one bottle of vegetable oil can make about 4 bottles of the product. Now for the secret ingredient that will be used to prevent theft of our recipe: dark wood, crushed into powder and mixed with the liquid. This creates a very powerful product. Yeah, sure, some may copy, but they will never reach the original recipe's effects unless they are some expert-level alchemists, which are incredibly rare."
"Even if someone copies the recipe, by that time, believe me, the profits we would have made would be insurmountable, not to mention the fame."
"Also, the black wood masks the nature of the product, making it almost impossible to guess the ingredients, excluding the orange, and also the way in which we make the recipe is very ordered and time-important, so copying is hard, and as for effort, not that much, like about 2 hours of work is enough for one bottle, but if we're making a big quantity, like one hundred, around 30 hours, but as we get more experience, it's going to be way easier."
"And as for the price, about 60 copper per bottle, production is 10 copper max. But we can decide that later."
"Ok, I'm tired of talking. Mother, Father, why don't you assume my role now?" Thorn tiredly exclaimed, breathing like he had just run a mile. He was still a young child, so that would be natural. Thorn was forcing his ability to talk.
"Thorn," Bram said in a silent tone.
"Yeah?" Thorn replied.
"I'm proud of you. Go give Daddy a hug. You are the best son in the whole world. Edward, come here too. You too are the best. We are going to be rich, and it's all thanks to you two geniuses," Bram had faint tears tracing his face, his pride for his sons went beyond the heavens.
"Guys, you are wonderful!!" Anna rushed in, to join in the hug.
"So now that we've all come down, Father, Mother, do you perhaps have a merchant acquaintance we could work with?" Thorn hesitantly asked.
"Yes, I do. Our luck seems to be shining; the heavens are upon us."
"I'm sure he'll be open to sell our product. He's a great friend of mine," Bram arrogantly boasted.
"Perfect, could we go meet him tomorrow, Father?" Thorn asked.
"Yes, of course. We will depart tomorrow morning. His house is not that far. I will carry you. Edward, you should come too."
"Of course, Dad."
"Wow, I'm feeling a bit ignored here," Anna exclaimed.
"You want to come too, honey?" Bram quickly responded.
"I was just joking, dear. Calm down. I'll stay. Somebody does need to keep watch over Jasper and the house."
"You're right."
(Next morning...)