Mr. Royce’s words sounded pleasant, but Finihiya could tell at once that they were nothing but polite formalities.
“Since that’s the case, why doesn’t Mr. Royce find someone to test it right now?”
“Uh… alright.”
“This Secret Potion needs to be used with water.”
“I’ll go prepare it now.”
“Swallow…”
“Mhm.”
As she watched Royce give orders, Darlian quietly leaned over to her ear, speaking in a tone that was both playful and amused.
“Didn’t expect the Saintess to lie, did we?”
Naturally, she knew that the “lie” Darlian referred to was when she vouched for the shampoo’s effect earlier, using her own hair to fool Mr. Royce.
She glanced at Darlian with a subtle look and, annoyed, nudged Darlian with her leg under the table.
“Keep your voice down.”
“Hehe~ naughty girl.”
While speaking, Darlian poked her cheek with slender, delicate fingers, her smile as radiant as sunlight streaming through the window.
“Hmph.”
Annoyed at Darlian’s teasing, she puffed up her cheeks and let out a disgruntled snort.
***
Not long after, the person Royce had instructed returned, carrying two buckets of water and a wooden basin.
“Gro, come and test this Secret Potion.”
“Yes, President Royce.”
The one chosen to test was the young man who had stood to Royce’s right earlier, dressed in a gray robe made of coarse linen, adorned with silver cuffs.
He had short, flaxen hair.
The young man named Gro stood before the wooden basin and bowed his head.
Seeing this, Finihiya rose to stand beside him, then began to explain to Gro how to use the Secret Potion.
“Mr. Gro, first wet your hair thoroughly with water.”
“Alright.”
As the ladle slowly poured water over him, Gro’s hair was soon soaked, hanging limp on his head.
“If you would, please extend your hand.” Seeing Gro offer his Right Hand, Finihiya twisted open the cap and poured a small amount of the thick liquid into Gro’s palm. “Now, please rub this onto your hair.”
With Finihiya’s guidance, Gro began to wash his hair.
Once the white foam was rinsed away with clean water, both Royce and another man beside him displayed looks of shock and disbelief.
Seeing their reactions, Finihiya’s lips, as red and fresh as cherries, curled into a faint, pleased smile.
Royce scrutinized Gro for a moment, then sat back at the Oak Table before him.
Compared to earlier, his expression had become rather complex—astonishment, delight, and a heavy, indescribable weight all mingled together.
“Miss Kleia, how many bottles of this Secret Potion do you have? Our Belgrade Association wishes to purchase them all and is willing to pay you seventy silv—no, 1 Gold Coin per bottle.”
1 Gold Coin…
The price was frankly terrifying—enough to pay the average citizen’s wages for more than two months.
Even Darlian, sitting beside her, showed a trace of surprise at Royce’s offer.
Lifting her teacup, Finihiya took a small sip of the dark tea, exhaled gently, and composed herself once more, a subtle smile gracing her face.
The sunlight streaming through the window fell directly onto her tea, the beautiful amber hue scattering across the room’s walls.
“Mr. Royce, I didn’t come today to sell bottles of this Secret Potion. I intend to sell the formula to you.”
“Formula?” Royce gave a short exclamation.
“Mhm!” Finihiya nodded. “If you have the formula, you’ll be able to produce and sell this Secret Potion in large quantities.”
“That is indeed very tempting.” Royce grew serious, propping his elbows on the table. “Then, Miss Kleia, at what price are you willing to sell the Secret Potion’s formula to us?”
“What I want is a continuous share of the profits.”
“Profit?” At her words, Royce’s face immediately showed a troubled expression. “You mean you want a cut of the profits after we manufacture and sell the product?”
“Yes, Mr. Royce.”
“Is there a problem?”
“…This is rather important. Please allow me to consider it for a moment.”
Watching Royce furrow his brow in deep thought, Finihiya fell silent and said no more.
Bang!
A faint sound of a door closing echoed from behind.
She tilted her head and glanced toward the door, only then noticing that one person was missing from the room—the man who had originally stood to Royce’s left had quietly slipped out.
Royce, still frowning in thought, finally managed a stiff, awkward smile.
“I’m truly sorry, Miss Kleia. Would you allow us some time to discuss this matter internally?”
Royce’s answer left her feeling a bit disappointed.
She had thought the shampoo’s powerful cleaning effect would be enough to easily get the other party to make a concession.
Just as Finihiya was about to stand and leave, planning to return another day after Royce had finished his discussions, Darlian—who had been sitting quietly beside her all along—suddenly spoke up.
“In that case, alright then.” Darlian stood and took her by the hand. “Fe… Kleia, it’s getting late. We still have to go to the Castelli Emerald Chamber of Commerce.”
“Huh?”
Darlian’s sudden words left her stunned for a moment, and before she knew it, she was being pulled toward the door.
The negotiation… was it over?
Before she could fully react, Royce’s hurried voice called out.
“Wait! Miss Kleia, Miss Sasha, could we talk further?”
“Talk?” Darlian turned slightly, looking over with cold eyes. “Doesn’t your Belgrade Association need to discuss things internally?”
“N-no more discussions. On behalf of the Belgrade Association, I agree to Miss Kleia’s terms.”
Hearing Royce agree to her terms, a faint smile appeared on Finihiya’s face. She quickly shot Darlian a sweet smile.
“Thank you~”
“You’re welcome.”
Darlian winked playfully and replied softly.
They sat back at the Oak Table to continue negotiations. After thinking for a moment, Royce smiled and spread out his Right Hand.
“Then, what about splitting the profits from each bottle of Secret Potion fifty-fifty?”
Fifty-fifty?
Royce’s offer clearly satisfied Finihiya. Just as she was about to agree, before the words could escape her throat, Darlian’s cold voice interrupted.
“Ninety-ten.”
Royce’s face immediately froze.
“Mr. Royce, as a shrewd merchant, I’m sure you realize what a dramatic upheaval this Secret Potion will bring once it enters the market.”
“And at that time, with the Belgrade Association as the only merchant guild able to produce and sell this Secret Potion, do I need to explain how much fame—and profit—that will bring you?”