"Mr. John, I'd like to buy this house from you, but 20 gold is quite a sum, and the house has been neglected for a long time," Reve began the moment she sat down beside the old man.
"Neglected, you say? Listen, lass, I won't haggle with you over this house. I've spent my whole life here. If it weren't for moving to another city with my children, I wouldn't part with this place for anyone," answered the old man with a frown.
Reve took a deep breath. "I understand your attachment, but you must admit that 20 gold is a substantial amount. Besides, this isn't the only place available. I can offer you a fair deal: 12 gold, and I'll take it off your hands right now." She gave him a charming smile, causing the old man to blush.
"Cough... 12 gold is a steal, lass. I still have to put food on the table," the old man replied, turning his head, pretending to be angry.
"Alright, I'll make it easier for you. Let's meet in the middle, 15 gold, and that's my final offer," she said with a firm tone.
"Alright, alright, 15 it is. Give me the money, and the house is yours," the old man conceded, handing over the contract and keys in exchange for the gold. He immediately stood up, not even glancing back or acknowledging Noah and the others, and walked away.
"Very good; you earned 5 gold from your first business deal," Noah chuckled and began moving into the house.
"That was very impressive, Sister Reve," Talia said happily.
"Yes, I would have never thought you were good with money," Zinab added.
"But, Sir Noah is too generous; 5 gold is enough to last a family for ten years," Maria commented with a sigh.
"I think my life with Sir Noah is going to be good," Reve giggled and followed Noah into the house.
Noah chose the best room on the third floor and undressed for a bath. After finishing, he walked to the living room, where the women were sitting around the table, waiting for him.
"First of all, if you start working for me, you will stay with me until the end. That means, unless you dislike working here or your job becomes unbearable, our partnership will last until one of us passes away," Noah began speaking as he took a seat.
"I still don't know your talents. Care to enlighten me?" Noah asked with a gentle smile.
"I'm good at tailoring," Talia said.
"I'm skilled in cooking, Sir Noah," Maria added.
"I have experience with nobles and their lifestyles," Zinab said.
"That's useful. I can see potential for all of you," Noah thought. "Good. Talia, you're my tailor now. Maria, you'll handle the cooking, and Zinab, for now, you'll be my assistant. I'll find another role for you later." The three women were content with the arrangement.
Noah then handed 4 gold coins to Maria. "Use one to buy the best-quality food you can find, and use the other two to purchase the finest materials for Talia to make clothes for everyone," Noah instructed before taking a sip of water.
"There are three rules for working with me:
1. Keep quiet about what you see here.
2. Look and live well; I don't want to see old clothes or a dirty environment.
3. Work hard to become strong. I expect no weak individuals by my side."
The women were taken aback by his words and couldn't quite comprehend what was happening.
Reve cleared her throat and said, "So, you want us to dress well, eat the best food, and become powerful? Are you sure we're working for you, Sir Noah?"
The three other women shared the same confusion.
Noah saw their reactions and burst out laughing. "Yeah, that's all. I just want you to enjoy your life and make mine easier. I'm a lazy person, but I like luxury, so I want to live comfortably and luxuriously. Since you are my people, I want you to represent me and my lifestyle. If you ever go out, even the lowest servant should look and live like a noble." Noah added, leaving the room silent.
"Sir Noah, are you an angel?" Talia said.
The entire room erupted in laughter.
"Alright, enough jokes. I don't like you calling me 'sir.' You can call me 'master,' 'young master,' or 'Doctor Noah,'" Noah said.
The four of them nodded.
"You can all go and rest, and choose whichever room you like. But no one is allowed to live on the same floor as me," Noah said as he summoned his shadows, startling the women. "These are my shadows; they handle the difficult tasks, like fighting and guarding the place. Later, I want Maria to teach me how to clean the house and the garden, so I can pass on the knowledge to them."
Maria nodded in agreement.
The women started to leave. "Reve, stay here for a moment," Noah added.
The women exchanged glances and said their goodbyes.
"What do you need me for, Master?" Reve asked with a gentle smile.
"As I mentioned earlier, you have great talent, so I want you to focus on business. When my rank increases, I'll provide you with knowledge books on medicine, as well as some recipes for pills and potions. I believe you know what to do with them," Noah said excitedly.
Reve nodded in agreement. "I'll never let you down, Master."
"I hope so. Also, since you're the first, you'll be my right-hand person until your business takes off. I have two tasks for you now. First, talk to the girls and see if they'd like to learn knight's techniques or magic. Let me know their choices, and also, you need to become stronger."
"Yes, Master," Reve replied enthusiastically. She walked happily toward the second floor to search for a room.