The Villainess Demands a Kiss

Kabanata 10 | Merchant's World

𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐀 𝟏𝟎 | 𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐓'𝐒 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃

𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐀𝐍𝐀

I grinned while packing things as the most handsome merchant in the Empire leaned closer to the counter. Ilang pulgada ang layo ng mukha nito sa akin. I stopped what I was doing and found myself staring at his almond-shaped eyes and perfect eyebrows. Napatitig na rin ako sa kulay berde niyang mga mata.

"I hope you don't find it weird... but I love your unique hair." My gaze shifted to his sultry pink lips. Hinablot ko ang vial sa harap niya at kinuha ang container na puno ng pink salt.

"You already told me that sentence fifteen times this week, Seisu. Quit it. Hindi ko na uli sasaluhin ang trabaho mo." I grinned at him. Humalakhak siya sa sinabi ko. He placed his chin on top of the counter. Lalo niya akong pinagmasdan kaya naman ay pinikit ko ang noo niya.

''That hurts!'' Hinimas niya ang pinitik ko ngunit hindi ko na siya pinansin pa. He glances at me while facing the counter full of skins and leather. Siningkitan ko siya ng mga mata dahil baka nakakalimutan niya na nasa trabaho kami.

In the past few weeks, I realized that I should give Ginger a new life. Since I already named her, it makes sense to give her a different hobby and personality. As a result, I joined the Merchant Guild in the Empire. Sa katunayan ay hindi madali ang makapasok sa Merchant's Guild.

Merchants are mostly male and they are individuals who travel to different towns or empires just to buy or sell goods or services. I heard from Seisu that I'm the first woman Merchant in their guild. Hindi ko alam kung binobola niya lang ako o ano. I shrugged my shoulders at him as I stared at the shelves.

''Looked like this purse is made of a snake's skin.'' Tinuro ko ang pitakang naka-display sa isang shelf. Isang malawak na ngisi naman ang binigay sa akin ni Seisu. He gave me a thumbs up.

''Woah. You can tell?'' Tila namangha pa siya. ''Are you sure that this is your first time as a merchant? You have keen eyes!'' I rolled my eyes. He chuckled because he simply loved teasing me. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako nasasanay sa papuri niyang jologs.

Since I joined a Merchant Guild, Seisu sticked around me like a dog. Hindi lang naman kami ang nasa Merchant Guild na ito. Abala nga lang ang iba sa pag-hunt ng mga wild animals sa mga masukal na kagubatan sa Empire. Merchant Guilds are divided into two groups called hunters and crafters.

Mabuti na lang ay may option akong hindi maging hunter dahil panigurado'y mababagot lang ako. If you're a hunter, you won't just be dealing with wild animals; you'll also be dealing with your fellow hunters. Ayaw kong makisama sa ibang tao. I despise other people. I'm just like Morgana. We are both introverted people who enjoy our own company.

''This is a common sense, Seisu. Look at the scales.'' I observed the scales on the purse and continued walking, scanning other products.

''I bet you can make a better purse than that, Ginger.'' Tinaas niya ang hawak niyang container. It's full of excited shells. Tinitigan ko ang mga shell sa loob ng tila tupperware niyang lagayan.

''Marco brought another group of shells?'' Ito lamang ang naging komento ko. Isang thumbs up naman ang binigay sa akin ni Seisu.

I guess Marco brought those because he said he loves to explore oceans. Out of all the men in this Guild, Marco loved exploring the ocean. Perhaps the reason why Marco had naturally tan skin and chestnut brown hair. Madalas tuwing bumabalik nga si Marco ay puno ng tan lines ang katawan niya. Thank God, Marco isn't here. Isa rin siyang sakit sa ulo dahil hilig niyang kulitin at daldalin ako.