Rebirth of the Fallen Zenith.-Chapter 14: A Merchant’s Antics [Part 2]

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A Merchant's Antics [Part 2]

The Iron Fang Pavilion restaurant loomed high and imposing, the grandeur manifest in the intricately carved wooden entrance and the soft golden sheen of spirit lanterns suspended from the ceiling. Orion, Elara, and Laura entered, and the tempting smell of sizzling meats, foreign spices, and scented wine filled the air. The club served Valeria City's elite, its interior done in sophisticated silk drapes, gleaming marble floors, and private dining rooms screened by magic partitions that dampened sound.

Upon entering, Laura effortlessly asserted control, as was to be expected.

"A private room, as usual," she told the attendant before smiling at Orion charmingly. "We wouldn't want nosy eyes ruining our little meal, now would we, my lord?"

Orion, not bothered in the slightest, just nodded. "Fine."

Before long, they were ushered into a lavish room with a circular dining table, soft chairs, and golden candlelight casting a warm glow from delicate crystal candelabras. As the attendant motioned for them to sit, Elara automatically reached to sit beside Orion—only for Laura to slip in seamlessly, claiming the seat right beside him before Elara could even blink.

The temerity!

Elara's hands curled into fists as she sat down on his other side, glaring at the smug merchant, who had the temerity to smile innocently at her.

With a smooth sweep of her arm, Laura beckoned a servant and leaned in just slightly closer to Orion. "My lord, what do you prefer? The Iron Fang Pavilion is famous for its exquisite cuisine—perhaps a delicacy to suit your discerning taste?"

Elara's eye flicked. She's sitting too close. Again!

Unwitting to Elara's growing sauce, Orion responded with his typical indifferent tone. "Anything is fine." Then he leaned back and regarded her distantly.

Laura laughed; her golden eyes flashing with mirth. "Such a straightforward answer for such an uncommon man... How delightful."

Elara almost swallowed a lungful of air. Charming? She whipped her head around to Orion, expecting him to scowl or at least raise an eyebrow, but, as always, he just stood there, expressionless.

With a amused hum, Laura faced the servant. "Bring us the finest selection—grilled spirit beast meat, phoenix rice, moonflower stew, and a variety of side dishes. And a bottle of your best celestial nectar wine."

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The servant bowed and departed in a hurry.

Elara folded her arms, obviously unimpressed. "Wine? Brother doesn't even drink."

Laura leaned against her palm, smiling mischievously. "Not just for consumption, Lady Elara. Celestial nectar also has medicinal properties, assisting in cultivation and alleviating weariness. If however, my lord would not mind drinking then. it is alright."

Orion, however, was unmoved by Laura's taunt. To him, this was to be expected.

Merchants had often tried to cement their bond with precious clients by way of charm and hospitality as natural business tools. While other people may find Laura's demeanor too forward, Orion recognized it for what it truly was—an intentional game staged by a master in her craft.

Regardless of whether it was money, power, or good favor, merchants lived on relationships. It was just her nature.

Orion, knowing Laura's ways long enough, merely waved off her words with an uncaring glance. "It's okay. I share drink with you."

Laura tipped her head, smile and glance towards Elara like she was attempting to say "A small victory look."

Elara's blood pressure spiked.

Soon after, the meal arrived, the smell of masterfully cooked dishes infusing the air. The grilled meat of the spirit beast crackled enticingly, painted with a deep, meaty glaze. The phoenix rice was scented, each grain glistening with gold highlights, and the moonflower stew radiated a comforting heat.

When they sat down to eat, Laura did not hesitate to get back into mischief.

She snatched up a perfectly grilled chunk of meat in her chopsticks and, with a nearly sinister grin, held it aloft towards Orion plate. "Here, my lord. A bite of the Pavilion's best. I insist."

Orion thanked her for her graciousness but Before Orion could get another word out. Elara said "I'll attend my brother! You don't have to worry Miss Laura." she stated, quickly picking up a piece of meat and putting it in Orion's bowl. "There. He's already been taken care of."

Laura blinked at Elara's brash action before letting out a sultry laugh. "Oh my, how doting."

Orion, still tranquil, sampled the meal Elara and Laura had offer him. "It's fine," he remarked blandly.

Next, Laura drew in nearer. "Then maybe my lord would like to take a draught of celestial nectar also?" She added a little into Orion's mug, her fingertips brushing against his ever so gently.

Elara's scowl could have turned lead into puddle.

But, Orion, still unruffled, merely took the cup and put it down. "Not now after food I take it."

Laura pouted but accepted his answer with a sly grin. "Such discipline... admirable, but a little wine with food wouldn't hurt, you know."

Elara grumbled under her breath, "What would hurt is me throwing it at you."

But, both Laura and Orion can't hear what Elara said.

For the remainder of the meal, Laura continued flirting, and Elara repelled every one of them like a battle-hardened warrior on the field of war. Orion, however, was utterly indifferent, only answering when he needed to, which made it all the more infuriating for each of the women in her own way.

Lastly, after the meal was over, Orion set down his chopsticks with a contented fullness. He looked at Laura. "That was good. Thank you for the suggestion, Miss Laura."

Laura leaned back, smiling wickedly. "A compliment? My, my... this meal was worth it, then."

Elara rolled her eyes. "May we depart?"

Laura laughed, standing elegantly. "Of course. But I do hope this isn't our last dinner, my lord."

Orion merely nodded, also standing.

Stepping out into the warm sunlight of the afternoon casting golden shadows across the city streets of Valeria City, Elara breathed loudly, as if at last, she and her brother from under an invisible shackle of Laura Valtor.

Orion, catching the action raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"

Elara huffed, folding her arms. "No. Nothing whatever, Brother."

Upon Elara, Laura, and Orion returning to the entrance of Iron Fang Armory grounds, Commander Black gives a pouch with the remaining gold from Orion's purchases to Orion. Commander Black further tells Orion that all the items he bought have already been loaded onto the carriages.

Then Laura approach Orion take a pouch from her attendant and hand to Orion said, "Take this, my Lord."

Orion confused look her why she gave him pouch but Orion look her smile and remove the pouch from her hand to saw what inside of pouch contained. But when he open pouched, his eye falls on a group of vials inside the pouch. His fingers touch the cold metal as he identifies them at once—Vials of Eternal Tears. In contrast to common healing potions, vials hold a rare and valuable elixir that can heal anyone under the Magister rank fully, no matter how severe their wounds are. Because of their unprecedented scarcity, one vial is worth one to two Platinum Coins, making them a luxury even for nobles. For Viscounts and higher ranks, having a Vial of Eternal Tears is a reflection of colossal wealth and power.

Orion's forehead wrinkles in suspicion. Why would Laura give him something so precious?

Shifting to where the enigmatic merchant stands, Orion's blue eyes express his curiosity and disbelief. "Miss Laura, these... they're Vials of Eternal Tears, right?"

Laura just smiles, ever so slightly tilting her head. "Of course, my lord."

Orion narrows his eyes in confusion. "Why you giving this very precious thing to me?"

Laura smiles, moving forward in a fluid sway. "For you and the little miss. A gift from me."

Elara's eyes widen in shock, while Orion says nothing, watching Laura's face intently.

"A gift?" Orion repeats, his voice tinged with doubt.

Laura smirks mischievously. "Yes, my lord."

"For which reason?" Orion asks.

Laura's golden eyes sparkle with amusement. "For our friendship."

Orion dryly chuckles, crossing his arms. "Friendship? And why would you wish to be friends with me?"

Laura leans forward a little, speaking in a teasing whisper. "Why wouldn't I?" Her tone has an almost flirtatious tone. "Tell me, my lord... does no one desire to befriend a Golden Blessing user?"

Orion hesitates. Reflect on the world in which Golden Blessing user one day climbed to the peak of the Eldora and merchants who are naturally clever and always think to form contacts he feel she doesn't have something different perhaps she bet on Orion today for thinking perhaps when he got stronger she asked something then. He observed this strategy many times in his previous life. Thus, he receives her offering said, "Then... thank you, Miss Laura."

Laura's mischievous smirk mellows for an instant for that brief moment before she gets into teasing mode once again. Approaching a step closer, she bends over Orion, her lips hovering by his ear.

Whispering huskily, loud enough only for both Orion and Elara to be privy to it, she whispers, "And... there's another reason, my lord."

She slows down, her voice falling into a sultry register.

"Which woman would not want to be near someone as beautiful as you, young master?"

Orion bristles slightly, clearing his throat to cover his reaction.

Elara, however.

Her fingers quiver with anger. Her blue eyes flash with pent-up fury as she clutches her fists so hard they become white. A kill aura emanates from her as she looks at Laura with hostility.

However, Laura doesn't flinch, but smiles with mischief.

Orion breathes slowly, shaking his head. "For the second time, Thank you for the gift, Miss Laura. We'll be leaving now."

Laura puts a hand on her hip and nods playfully. "Come again, my lord. This humble shop is always open for you." Orion nodded and got into the carriage. But, Elara, before getting into the carriage, sends Laura one final glare—a glare so sharp and murderous that if looks could kill, Laura would be dead as of now.

Laura merely smiles, raising a dainty hand in a loose wave. "Bye-bye, young miss."

Elara snorts, swishing her Black hair in annoyance before entering the carriage.

As the carriage departs, Laura observes until it is out of sight.

Her teasing smile breaks a little and only leave little smile.

Her golden eyes turn dark.

She speaks to the shadows behind her, "What an entertaining man... right, Shadow?"

A soft voice in the darkness replies, "Indeed."