Layla felt well-rested despite not sleeping a wink the previous night.

As the first ray of light hit her face, she did not need Mary to wake her. She was up and about, ready to open her business anytime.

Mary came to wake her, but Layla had already freshened up, and her face told the story of what had happened the previous night.

"Hand me some products. I might as well use them if I want to look presentable."

Layla was not often curious or bothered about her appearance, but today felt like an exception. She had to look her best today because that was how she and her business would be judged.

It took her a full hour to do her hair and choose her clothes, but it reminded Layla that she was still a kid and needed to behave like this.

'I wish I could just take the age-up potion and be done with it. That way, no one would look down on me, and I can ease my troubles more efficiently.'

Aging up would also make people respect and take her more seriously.

But unfortunately, her age was her reality and something Layla had to live with…for now.

"Miss, the carriage is ready to take us to our destination. The opening is about two hours away. We should head out and make sure we have everything ready."

Mary opened the carriage door for Layla, and the younger girl quickly went inside and sat down.

The ride to the market was silent, but as soon as they reached the business Plaza, Layla could tell something was wrong.

Many temple guards and imperial guards stood in front of her shop, blocking anyone who entered.

The strict look on their faces told Layla that this was about to become a confrontation.

"My lady, shall I take care of those guards for you? They make quite an eye-sore, and I feel like punching them for it."

Mary asked with her fists clenched in front of her.

Her maid was not joking when she asked whether she could punch the people in front of them.

It annoyed Layla, but she decided to step outside herself and deal with this situation. There was no point in letting Mary do that anyway.

"It's fine! I will see what those people want. I also need to show my face outside anyway. Just give me a minute."

Layla spoke, and Mary got the hint that she needed to walk down from the carriage.

As soon as Mary was gone, Layla grabbed the potion she clutched, and her body instantly felt the change.

In seconds, the six-year-old was replaced by Layla's adult body, and she wasted no time making her appearance outside.

"Is there a problem here? I have a legal permit to operate any business that I want. If you have a problem with it, you must take it up with Duke Lockhart."

Layla spoke without hesitation, and the Imperial guards looked taken aback by her silver hair and red eyes.

Those were the colors of the imperial family, so it made sense. But Layla was just an orphan and had no connection to those people.

"I am sorry, but the temple has decided that this shop cannot be opened under unethical practices. These potions will be detained for further testing, and a jury will decide whether they are safe. That is what we have ruled."

The temple guards did not know the imperial family well, so they were much less cautious when they saw Layla.

Instead, they were deceived to tell her why they gathered here today.

"The temple has decided…I did not know that the temple had such authority over shops. Isn't this the imperial family's asking to look into such matters? My shop should not be detained if I have a legal permit."

Layla argued, and the imperial guards immediately looked away from her eyes.

The temple guard did not back down, but they did look sorry for her.

Just when Layla was about to order Mary to look for the reason behind all this, the reason decided to walk out on his own and stand in front of Layla.

"Oh, I am so sorry that we must do this to your business if it is your fault! You did not ask the temple for any input on your business. If you did, then we would have told you that it is illegal for you to sell such harmful potions.

Your body is a sacred temple that should not be tampered with. These potions are not good for you. They are devil's trap."

Earl Whittegon stepped forward dramatically, wearing the priest's white robe. Layla understood what was happening instantly.

The man in front of her, Earl Whittegon, also had a potion business associated with the temple. But the prices he charged for his potions were astronomical.

But since he was the only potion seller in these parts (for commoners), people had no choice but to pay his prices.

Now that he suddenly had competition, the man did not want that. And with his connections with the temple, he had managed to cause such trouble.

'The nobility that is a temple member is such a troublesome bunch. I don't think this situation would be resolved by just talking.'

Earl Whittegon seemed like a person who would not listen to any reason. That was why Layla did not bother trying; instead, she turned toward the much more level-headed guard in front of her.

"May I see the list of charges with a legal concern clause? I am afraid you have no right to halt my business without one."

Layla asked the Temple guard, and he looked a little uncomfortable.

As expected, he found nothing; the temple's side was running on empty fumes.

"W-What audacity? You have the temple guards and the Imperial Guards here, and are you still asking for evidence? Don't you feel afraid for your life?"

The Earl asked in an angry voice, but Layla did not feel intimidated at all.