Now, the very person he had mocked was the one standing before him, waiting for payment.
'Why… why did I have to open my big mouth? This is so embarrassing.'
He lowered his head as he placed the crystals in her hand, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you… for the salt."
Marco was about to leave when Ivy suddenly spoke. Her calm voice made him pause mid-step.
"As long as you want," she said, "and if you can pay ten gold bars, then you can obtain permanent residency here."
Marco froze. His head turned slowly toward her. His eyes locked on Ivy's, searching for any sign that she was joking. But her face was serious.
His lips pressed together, and after a long silence, he nodded with a grim expression. "I will… consider it."
Inside his chest, his heart beat painfully.
