In a vibrant place like the marketplace in Grythwill City, where every stall owner fought for attention, there were merchants who possessed a more commanding voice. Moreover, some products held greater allure, particularly when it came to competitive pricing.
One family offered the most exceptional potatoes in the city. Twenty-five-year-old potato farmer, Juliane Johara, proudly stood firm in protecting the family's reputation and continued cultivating these kinds of potatoes. Despite the strong competition among the merchants, Juliane couldn't afford to drastically lower their price due to the firm, smooth, and enormous size of these potatoes which were carefully cultivated by her ancestors.
Although the noise of the bustling marketplace seemed like bees on her ears, Juliane paid no mind. Instead, she was more determined to sell her potatoes in the marketplace to make a living because she lost her stall the other day, as she was not able to pay the rent. Pushing a wooden cart full of big potatoes, she wandered around the area, yelling at the top of her lungs, desperate for attention. As she felt the strain in her throat, Juliane mumbled to herself, "Can these people hear my voice? Do I need to shout louder just for them to notice me?".
As long as she made an effort, Juliane believed, she could sell all her potatoes within the week… before they rot!
The sunlight reflected on Juliane's bluish hair as she roamed around, not anymore in the marketplace, but in the streets of Grythwill. As she pushed her heavy cart, people of nobility glanced at her with disdain. What was a poor lady like her doing in the heart of the city?
But Juliane had long been used to being judged by the eyes of strangers. She had no intention to hide her worn-out jumpers and boots, as long as she could catch anyone's attention and successfully sell her goods.
"Potatoes! Big potatoes!" she called out with unwavering determination.
Finally, an elderly lady, intrigued by Juliane's offer, approached her with a warm smile. Curiosity sparked in her eyes as she inquired, "How much are your potatoes?"
"Fifty copper coins per piece, madame," Juliane replied, her voice tinged with hope.
The old lady's smile vanished, replaced by a frown of disbelief. "Fifty?! Goodness gracious," she exclaimed, with disappointment evident in her voice. "No one is willing to pay such a price, young one."
"But these potatoes are different from the rest!" Juliane insisted, extending a piece for the old lady to examine. "Look! They are larger, and..."
Cutting her off, the old lady waved away Juliane's words dismissively. "Do you think we care about that? In the end, they all end up chopped and cooked. Even the potatoes of similar size as yours are sold for a mere 30 copper coins. I guarantee they taste no different." Without even touching the hefty potato in Juliane's hand, the old lady marched away with her point made.
A deep sigh escaped the lips of the disheartened merchant as she watched the old lady's retreating figure. Should she lower the price?
The thought lingered in her mind, but she knew that doing so would negatively impact her earnings. Cultivating and tending to these huge potatoes demanded double the effort compared to ordinary ones, not to mention the additional costs incurred. Moreover, she had a younger sister who was in delicate health, and every coin earned was vital in supporting her care.
Caught in a predicament, Juliane stood there, her mind swirling with uncertainties as she grappled with the weight of all that was happening in her life. However, before she could gather her thoughts, a sudden commotion interrupted her musings. As she turned her attention back to her cart, she was shocked to find it knocked over, its contents scattered on the ground. Bewilderment etched across her face as she scanned the area, searching for the cause of this disturbance.
Her gaze settled on an automobile beside her, and a driver whose face seemed to have regretted his actions.
"Apologies, miss!" he immediately went down the automobile and helped Juliane with her cart and potatoes. "My boss was in a hurry, so I kind of panicked."
"It's alright, sir… After all, it was an accident…" Juliane responded in a kind tone. Although she knew it was not intentional, she couldn't help but frown on her knocked-out crops.
Someone then got out of the automobile. It was a tall man with a top hat, who was dressed in a simple gray suit, and carried a 15-inch wide black leather briefcase. The man's appearance hinted nobility, his golden hair neatly styled, and his slanted, narrow, deep ocean blue eyes seemed to look at them with disdain.
With his sudden presence, Juliane gulped, and as she met eyes with him, the surroundings felt like it turned black and white. She was drawn to his strong presence, as if she was paralyzed, even though she had never seen him before. It was an odd feeling, and Juliane felt like there wasn't anything pleasant about it.
"What happened, Tom?" the man asked. Seeing the mess his driver made, he furrowed his brows.
Tom widened his eyes as soon as he saw his boss standing by the street. "I didn't notice, sir, so I-" his words got cut off when he saw the dent on the automobile. "Apologies, sir! I-"
But the man did not even take a second look. Instead, he took out something from his deep pocket. It was a leather wallet.
Without even counting, the man took out three banknotes. On each banknote were the words "50 silver coins worth".
He handed over the banknotes to his driver, "Take care of this mess," he glanced at Juliane, who seemed confused, "I will pay for everything."
Juliane gaped in shock. She wondered if the golden-haired man felt responsible as the driver's boss. How admirable, right?
Just when the potato lady was about to say her thanks, the man told his driver: "You're fired, Tom."
And after he retrieved the automobile key, he turned and walked away, leaving Juliane feeling sorry for the driver. His opinion about him turned south. She regretted thinking he was a responsible gentleman.
Oh, she would remember that rude, golden-haired man. And the next time their paths crossed, she vowed to retaliate, perhaps with a well-aimed rotten potato to his face!