Inside the kitchen, the young witch took a last puff of the cigarette before making it disappear. She glanced at her little handheld mirror to check her appearance and make sure that she was not dirty or disheveled. Even so, Zanthia used a slight touch of her magic to cleanse her clothes of the non-existent dust, smooth out wrinkles, fix her red hair and sharpen her hat.
After all, she was a coquettish witch. And a little obsessive about cleaning … ... Alright! Alright! Extremely obsessive about cleanliness. In fact, describing it as phobic would be closer to the truth. Yes, Zanthia was definitely phobic. But a very coquettish phobic.
*CLIK-CLAK-CLICK-CLAK-CLIK! *
The sound made by the high heels of the witch resounded through the front of the shop as she walked to meet the clients. Fortunately, this time there was no humiliating fall or any other such problematic event.
Instead, the entrance of the young witch in the front of the store was right from the textbook. Full of mystery, glamor and all the flair a girl can ask to properly show off. It was a first-class entry!
Yes, sir!
A total diva!
Which was a lucky thing, because the client next to Little Sun turned out to be a tall and blond man, very handsome, who was standing near the counter, waiting for Zanthia like a groom who was standing at the altar.
Well, maybe that was not strictly true...
The client was more focused on stroking the back of the black cat, who, despite himself, was making that purring sound typical of cats. The customer had barely acknowledged the woman's presence.
But still, the important thing is that he was so beautiful. And young. He must have been about twenty years old, the age the witch liked to pretend that she had.
Yes, definitely this customer was of Zanthia's taste. His gentle countenance, his gold-blond hair, and his emerald green eyes gave the young man a delicate air like that of a fine doll made by an artisan.
And the most important thing of all, he was dressed in a tuxedo that was the latest must-have design among the fashion-conscious nobility of the Empire. Also, he had a very expensive watch in his right hand. On the left, he had a black cat.
"Hello, the client! Welcome to the Witch Zanthia's Little Shop of Horrors! I am Zanthia, the owner, at your service, " said the witch, a little nervous.
Nobody could blame her for that. After all , she was now before a client who seemed straight out of his wild fantasies. Maybe she even had previously given herself a discreet pinch on the arm, just to be sure that was not the case.
[SYSTEM: Client acquired. Human male. Type of client: FORTUNATE. Sales Restrictions: none.]
[SYSTEM: Stop drooling. You are going to scare the client... Friendly Advice: show the proper attitude that a serious shop owner must have!]
"So it's the Owner Zanthia. It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. Let me introduce myself, I'm Henry Percy from the noble Percy family of Cester. Maybe you had heard about us? "
"Henry Percy. What a solid name! Worthy of a young man as noble as you," exclaimed the witch, who slowly pronounced the words as if she was savoring a mouthful of delicious food.
"Ooh! So you do know us," said the very pleased young man.
"Of course I know you! Who in the Scarlet Empire does not know the Percy family of Cester?"
Indeed, the young witch recognized the name immediately. If the Abercrombie's were the most powerful merchant family of Evergreen,then the Percy were a fundamental part of the merchant princes of Greymountains. Two of the most rich and strong branchs of the imperial nobility.
So the young man in front of her must be a powerful young master of that distinguished and noble family that was originally from the city of Cester.
"It is an honor that such an important person decides to visit my humble store. And, tell me what can I help you with, Henry. "
"You'll see, Owner Zanthia, it's very simple. I want to buy this cat. "
"…"
"…"
"Meow"
"…"
There was an awkward silence. The witch was open-mouthed. The client's words had left her stunned. As for the cat, he only deigned to briefly open one eye to give a look full of smugness to his mistress and then he gave a proud and brief meow. After that he closed the eye again and went back to enjoy the client's caresses.
"This cat is not for sale, Mr. Percy," answered Zanthia in a cold voice.
It was evident that the client´s order had not been well received at all. Although she was not opposed to the idea of selling animals, beast or any kind of sentient beings as products, the witch did considered that Little Sun was a beloved member of her family.
In truth it didn't made a difference if he asked about Little Sun, Shadow, Moon or any of the others; she loved all her cats. All of her magical familiars were like little brothers and sisters to the witch. She took care of them and they also did the same for her.
Zanthia could stand a lot of things for a client, especially one so handsome, but not this. She did not allow anyone to mess with her cats.
Luckily for Henry, it was evident that Little Sun was not angry at the situation. In fact it looked like he had probably provoked it. An effect of his Charisma ability or perhaps the consequence of a low-level enchantment spell that worked too well. After all, Little Sun, like Shadow and Moon, were very powerful magical familiars and could take care of themselves perfectly.
Even so, the sale of cats was taboo in the store. There was even officially a rule about it, the number 6: "Cats are not for sale. No offer is accepted, regardless of the reason, the excuse or the price quoted". It was an important rule.
It was right after rule 5: "The client is always right except when he contradicts the owner. The owner is always right except when she contradicts the cats. The cat is always right, without exceptions."
And also before the very recently added Rule 7: "We are not responsible for the consequences of eating the complimentary candies provided by this store. Consume in moderation and at your own risk. "
So, sadly for Percy, the sale of the cat was totally impossible. Zanthia thought that maybe she could offer him another animal. Maybe a puppy dog? The witch examined the situation. The client was continuously stroking the back of the black cat.
"purr… purr…meow…purr"
"His proud way of walking, the contemptuous way he looks at you, that way of looking that penetrates deep into your soul as if he could see all your secrets and this purring ... Oh, the purring… " said the very excited client.
Little Sun rose up the volume of his purrs as if to emphasize the point that Henry was trying to make. Strangely, there really seemed to be a link between the refined young man and the proud cat. The witch ignored them both.
"Even if he was for sale, which he is not, you could not afford to pay the price of this cat."
"I'll pay whatever price it is. My family is really rich so the price is not a problem. "
"No!" Zanthia shook his head in complete refusal.
"1,000 gold coins," offered Henry.
The witch looked at him mockingly. The cat opened his eyes and fumbled as if he had understood the offer and was clearly offended by such a low price.
Henry blushed with embarrassment and looked surprised; it was a more than reasonable amount for a good breed and a very superior price to what anyone would have paid for a normal cat. However, it was true that this cat was special. Unique. Very much the same as Henry himself.
"10,000 gold coins" immediately increased the offer the young customer, more determined than before.
"No."
"100,000 gold coins" insisted the young man stubbornly.
"I said no. No matter how much gold you offer, it's not enough to convince me to sell you this cat,"Zanthia said with a frown.
"Maybe you prefer magic crystals. Hmm, I should have some in my pocket. Let me see ... 10,000 magical crystals are fine with you? " offered Henry as if the number of crystals were nothing important.
In fact, each magic crystal was worth at least ten gold coins. However they were considered much more valuable than that. It was because they were mad of the condensation of the aura of a living magical being. So the offer represented a gigantic sum, totally ridiculous, that would have shaken the knees of most of the bankers of the Capital.
"No! Ask for something else! "
"I do not want anything else. I want this cat. "
"The cat is not for sale. How would you like a good dog? I have some terrific Wildland´s doggos so ferocious that they are ideal to defend the home, or if you prefer, an especially good breed Rottweiler to keep you company. "
"I do not want a Rottweiler, I already have dozens of those in my castle in Cester city. I also have doggos, before you insist. And do know that I do not want any kind of dog. I wish to buy this cat. I must have it. Somehow I can feel we are connected by destiny. "
"I've seen your destiny, Mr. Percy, and it has no connection to that cat," the witch said with twinkling eyes, "but perhaps your future will include an Ardsheall in it if you continue with your stubbornness."
"An Ardsheall?"
"Yes! And I must warn you that the Ardsheall has not eaten in days, maybe weeks. A thin young man like you,well, I reckon you would do wonders for its nutrition."
"20,000 magic crystals. Even a witch has to consider that this is a good price," the young man said without flinching from the threat.
"No! The cat is still not for sale. But I can offer you any other kind of animals or beings. Giraffes, rhinos, elephants, sharks ... " Zanthia said, frankly already fed up with the situation.
"Not interested. Those common animals do not go with my style. Only this cat is worthy of me. I must obtain it at all costs. "
"... mountain troll, swamp troll, vampires, werewolves, gargoyles, even an Ardsheall if you wish. All products at really good prices, " continued the witch "Why do not you think about it while eating some candies? Compliments of the house. Let me go to find a few in the kitchen. "
"The Ardsheall sounds interesting but no. Today I don't want anything other than the cat. And I cannot eat candy at all. I'm diabetic," said Henry, who suspected something strange because of the tone of the witch's words.
"What a bad luck! Oh, but I just remembered that they are sugar-free candies ... they are made personally by me with very special and exclusive herbs I have in my possesion... yes, very exclusive herbs…." the young woman tried again insistently.
"No, thank you very much, owner Zanthia. Returning to the subject of the cat ... " the nobleman cut her off.
"What about a phoenix? I bet none of your noble friends have one of those. A good Phoenix would make you stand out in the nobility of the Empire as a refined and tasteful person. "
"50,000 magic crystals, "Henry interrupted.
It was no longer a negotiation. Clearly, it was a battle and it would not end until only a winner remained. The young nobleman fought with tenacity by throwing immense quantities of gold and magic crystals. The young witch persistently defended herself by citing her rather large inventory of products.
Yes, it was a battle and it was at its climax. Zanthia was a little disappointed that her furtive candy attack had not been successful but she was considering releasing the Ardsheall. To hell with the consequences! It would not be the first time she killed a client, not even the sixth...
As for Henry, he was also very angry although that did not show in the delicate features of his beautiful face. Offering 50,000 magic crystals for a cat was an extreme whim. Such extravagant luxury that probably only the young master of the Percy family could afford it among the imperial nobles.
However, his sincerity had been cruelly rejected. Could it be that the witch Zanthia was one of those legendary black-hearted owners?
Even a witch should be reasonably aware of the limits on prices that could be demanded. Nonetheless, Zanthia seemed not to be sensible at all. Her bargaining technique was impeccably aggressive. No doubt, the witch's fierceness was the perfect complement to her beauty. In other circumstances, he would have been attracted to her.
But if the prize was this cat he was willing to fight her to the ultimate consequences. This cat… was too cute!
*DING DING DING!*
The magic bell of the store announced the entrance of a new visitor. The pleasant musical sound was loud and strong. It was designed that way so the owner of the store could hear the bell from any room of the building,at the moment of the newcomer's arrival, no matter where she could be in.
Despite this, Zanthia did not realize that it had sounded. She was very focused on her battle with Henry. The young man was not in a position to be distracted either. Fifty thousand magic crystals was a gigantic sum even for someone so rich as himself. They were all his accumulated savings of the last five years.
For the first time in a long time, he was forced to mentally check every corner of his temporary storage ring and then even rummage through the pockets on his clothes, trying to find some more crystals. He decided to make one desperate last effort.
What a determined young man! Such a powerful buying intent!
The two adversaries exuded an aura of danger, Henry clenched his fists and used his best smile, showing white teeth so bright they dazzled, trying to coax her. Zanthia pressed him with the unfathomable look of her deep blue eyes, inflexible as the stone of a gigantic primordial mountain.
"100,000 magic crystals. I will sell my Cester castle if it's necessary! I can always ask mom to buy me another one. " said Henry.
"So this is your trump card…" mumbled Zanthia.
"It is my last move! I will repeat it. 100,000 magic crystals! Do you dare to reject it?"
It was an extraordinary sum. An enormous fortune. Any other witch would have seriously thought about the convenience of accepting. Little Sun no longer purred and had a worried face. Even the system was tempted.
[SYSTEM: the sale of the familiar Sun" for the price of 100000 magic crystals will be considered an S+ deal. Does the owner want to eliminate rule number 6 from the store? ]