Chapter 59: Stingy Elf Maid
The market street of Velkarth bustled with color and noise. Merchants cried out their wares—spices, cloth, tools, trinkets—while the smells of roasted meat and sweet bread mingled in the air. Ethan walked with his usual relaxed stride, hands behind his back, stopping every so often whenever something caught his eye.
Behind him trailed Lirael, lips twitching as if she were biting back an outburst. Instead, she muttered under her breath in a steady stream.
"Ten gold coins… wasted. Just wasted. Why? Why are you even doing this? Does money sprout from your pockets like weeds? Who in their right mind spends five whole gold coins just to buy a slave collar because it looks 'nice'? Hmph. And tipping—fifty silver coins—for no reason! Have you lost your mind? And silk accessories… four gold coins, on maid clothing of all things! Maid clothing! You—you don't even know how to use money properly. Next time we earn coin, I swear, I'll be keeping it. All of it."
