Seris moved quickly to prepare the items, wrapping and boxing them with practiced hands.
Leonard raised an eyebrow. " And what's the price for all this?"
Kael didn't answer immediately. He folded his hands behind his back, the corners of his mouth barely tilting upward.
"For you, my lord," he said gently, "whatever you're happy to pay."
Leonard blinked once, surprised—but not displeased.
"That's dangerous," he said. "Some merchants say that when they want to be cheated politely."
Kael's tone remained smooth. "I trust your judgment. And I suspect your generosity isn't easily underestimated."
The room fell quiet for a beat. The guards exchanged glances, and even Mayor Lysandra looked uncertain.
Then Leonard laughed—not loudly, but with genuine amusement. "You're bold."
