Kana's hands moved mechanically as she finished watering the last row of plants, her mind far away. It wasn't difficult for Penelope to notice.
From the corner of her eye, Penelope watched Kana with a faint frown tugging at her lips.
The girl's work had slowed, her movements absentminded, and there was no spark of focus in her gaze.
Penelope felt a stab of regret for hiring her in the first place—Kana, after all, wasn't like her other helpers.
She was soft-hearted, easily distracted, and at times far too naïve for her own good.
But then Penelope leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, and thought about everything she'd gained since Kana started working here—the rare plants she'd brought in, the deals that had gone her way because of Kana's connections (with the temple and high priestess Jenna), and the steady stream of customers drawn in by her presence.
When Penelope weighed those benefits against her current frustrations, things began to balance out in her mind.
