Alas, even with such a beautiful drink made with such touching effort, the merchant did not dare take a step closer to the drink or reach out for it. That certain ingredient ruined the utterly gorgeous drink before his eyes, and the merchant couldn’t see past it.
“It looks splendid, but sadly, the flower is poisonous to consume.” Chaeyar stated with a hint of pity.
“Well, it’s no longer poisonous!” Pamela declared confidently.
All of them merely stared at Pamela blankly, unable to utter a single word for a good moment.
“How do you know something like that?” Sayi raised an eyebrow. “Do you think just simply drying and boiling the flowers will make the poison disappear?”
“Every world has its own strange rules, and strange stories to share,” Pamela answered as she lowered her eyes, her eyes glistening with an imperceptible emotion. “Even ingredients have their own stories to tell, like the people.”
“...”
“...”
Sayi and Chaeyar didn’t know how to interpret her mysterious words. How could one possibly consume the flower recklessly and suddenly discover everything there is to that flower?
“So, owner, what do you think?” Pamela lifted her head up and smiled at him. “Will you fulfill your end of the bargain now?”
“No matter how I look at this, yo-you are just…”
“Poisoning you?” Pamela finished his sentence, a smile on her face.
“...”
“Owner, if there's something I wouldn't do, even at the cost of my life,” Pamela said as she leaned in, and there was a fervent look in her amethyst irises. “I will never poison my drinks. I'd rather die than do that.”
“It’s just a drink…” Sayi muttered in confusion.
“Shut up.”
Sayi stiffened, turning towards the culprit who spat out those offending words. “...did you just tell me to…”
“It's not just a drink, so shut your mouth.” Pamela hissed out, her usual bright and lively mien was nowhere to be found. “Don't insult my life.”
“You fucking brat—”
Chaeyar raised his eyebrows in surprise, taking a step back as the atmosphere became extremely cold. Even the owner of the cart could feel himself suffocating, and his forehead began to glisten with sweat. The only way they could disperse the tension was to…
“Take a drink, child.” Chaeyar gestured towards the cup, his heterochromia eyes held a hint of encouragement.
“Ye-yes?”
Chaeyar nodded at him, and somehow, something within the owner compelled him to take the drink into his hand, and he suddenly took a gulp from the drink. Just like that, the tension disappeared as the three of them watched him with unfathomable expressions.
“...th-this is–!”
The owner widened his eyes in disbelief. He had never felt such sensations from a drink in his life, and there was no hint of poison detected from the flower. The floral fragrance from the drink made feel as if he was in a forest surrounded by the trees where Eley's Rainbow sprouted out from. The sweetness from the drink lingered on his tongue as the drink slid down his throat.
“It's astounding. The flavours of the ingredients blend well together, and the fragrance is neither too faint or overpowering. Refreshing, not overly sweet with a hint of floral fragrance. I never knew a drink could make me feel this peaceful. There's no hint of poison!”
Seeing the enthusiastic reaction from the owner, and hearing his compliments, a wide smile appeared on Pamela’s lips. In fact, her face was flushed with joy.
“Miss…no wait, how should I address you?”
“Pamela, call me Pamela. Now, about that favour you asked–”
“Forget the favour, please! I'll give you everything you need and want! I don't even need compensation! How are you planning to sell this?”
“Sell?”
“The profit you'll earn out of it will be incomprehensible! If you were to start a branch in Mystanore, those nobles would be clamouring left and right! They would never get enough. It won't be too difficult to procure the source of the ingredients, I know a few people and–”
“I'm not selling anything, owner.” Pamela declared, her arms across her chest as she frowned deeply.
“Wh-what?”
“In the hands of others, the taste of such a drink would change. No one person can make the same drink as the other.”
At that moment, the owner realised something was hovering before his eyes. It was a translucent window, and there was a status effect clearly written.
The blessing of Pamela Laifecois is upon you.
You will be filled with a sense of happiness and serenity temporarily.
Remaining Time: 30 minutes
The owner gaped openly.
He had never felt bliss in his entire life as he was regarded as an unlucky merchant by others, and even himself. He pressed his hand on his chest, and he could feel his heart beating steadily, and a sense of warmth washing over him.
So this is bliss.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
A sense of bliss that came from this drink, and made from her hands.
The realisation hit him, and the owner was rendered speechless. This was a drink that could not be replicated, no matter who made it. It was also a drink that was also needed in such dire times. A time where this world is slowly coming to an end, and hope was gradually diminishing among the people.
“Is it that impressive? He's gone all quiet.” Sayi questioned, snatching the drink away from the owner and taking a gulp.
She experienced the same sensations as the owner and hurriedly took another gulp down, savouring the taste in her mouth. Once again, the pounding headache began to subside and she raised her eyebrows in approval.
“Not bad, Pamela Laifecois.”
“Of course. There's no drink in the world that we, the Laifecois, can't make.” Pamela smiled, proud and ecstatic.
“Will you…not share such a drink with the people?” the owner finally spoke, his voice emotional and holding a tinge of regret.
“Of course not, from this day forth, this drink will be present on the menu,” Pamela told him, still smiling. “I’ll see it through that every Eley’s Galaxy is personally made by me.”
“You…have a store?”
“It’s a cafe located in–”
“It’s my lair,” Sayi growled, her eyes glinting dangerously and pointed towards Chaeyar. “Don't even think about bringing anyone in. That human and this is an exception.”
The owner flinched back in fear.
“A lair without trinkets or treasures? What kind of a dragon are you, Sayi?” Chaeyar teased her, his eyes gleaming mischievously. “Or perhaps, you are resorting to lying?”
“Hmph, why do I have to care? If I say it's my lair, it's my lair.” Sayi shrugged.
“I have never heard of a dragon that hides their treasure. In fact, they love to flaunt it.” Chaeyar added. “They can't see how great you are, Sayi. What a pity.”
Sayi twitched, and Chaeyar noticed that small movement and he leaned in, whispering to Pamela.
“You just have to remember that Sayi is a great elder dragon. Proud, independent and resplendent. And also, the cafe isn't her lair at all.”
“It’s my fucking lair!” Sayi hissed, flaring up.
Pamela glanced at Chaeyar, and the two shared a knowing look before directing their gazes to Sayi. Their impassioned eyes made Sayi take a step back as her expression twisted with disgust.
“Wh-why are you looking at me with those eyes?”
“O’ great Sayi, please find it in your generous heart to allow me to use your lair for my business.” Pamela implored. “It would be a pity for people not to witness your greatness and your kindness. Nothing is more upsetting about the world not noticing your presence!”
At the pleading look in Pamela’s bright amethyst eyes, Sayi faltered and took another step back, looking at Chaeyar. Chaeyar gave her the same pleading glance, making chills rub down her spine.
What's wrong with these two fools? Have they gone fucking crazy?
“Turn those ugly faces away from me.” Sayi clicked her tongue, shoving their faces away with her hands.
Pamela grew hopeful, pushing Sayi’s hand away from her face. She knew her words were working somehow.
“Tch. It's not like I would allow anyone near my actual lair anyway,” Sayi muttered to herself, clicking her tongue as she nudged her head towards Pamela. “In return, just do what you've been doing for me.”
“It actually worked, Chaeyar.” Pamela commented quietly.
“She's still a cute brat.” Chaeyar smiled.
“Who are you calling a brat?!” Sayi growled, grabbing Chaeyar by the collar. “You fucking laht’kil seht!”
“Ah! But I don't have any ingredients now!” Pamela cried out. “I forgot all about it! I came here for groceries!”
The owner looked back and forth between them, scratching his head in confusion. He couldn’t believe that an actual dragon was before him, and he assumed they were spouting nonsense. “If it’s about ingredients, I can help you with that. Even if this world is dying, there are good sources of fresh ingredients.”
“Really?!” Pamela brightened up. “There’s quite a few things I will need! Are you fine with that?”
“Despite my reputation as an unlucky merchant, I know a few people. Don’t worry, I’ll introduce you to the good ones.”
“Ah, and your stock of Eley’s Rainbow! I'll be more than happy to take those from you as well!”
“I'll be more than happy to give you a special discount,” the owner said, his voice filled with gratitude. “It’s a relief to see these flowers being put to use after all this time. You granted me a new opportunity to be a merchant, I am grateful towards you, Miss Pamela.”
“Haha, it’s not a big deal! So, about the ingredients I need…”
The two began to discuss animatedly, and from the conversation, it was clear this wasn't the first time Pamela made business exchanges like these. The owner felt guilty that he had tried to take advantage of such a brilliant yet eccentric young lady, but in such trying times, it was difficult not to take the easy way out.
“Tsk, I could have just used my magic to settle all of this.” Sayi scoffed.
“Won’t using your Dragon’s Tongue bring back those horrible migraines?” Chaeyar asked.
“With this migraine pill by my side, I don’t have to worry about it,” Sayi responded, making a face. “What’s all this fuss about? My magic can simply accomplish what that human barista wants.”
“It's about pride, my dear child.”
“Pride?”
“Humans have pride in whatever they do. Even if it may seem simple or pathetic,” Chaeyar answered, looking at the glass in Sayi’s hands. “Their pride in their accomplishments and achievements. It is all about…what they have left behind.”
The cup of Eley’s Galaxy remained in Sayi's hands and the ice cubes clinked against the glass cup. She gazed at it, her eyes indiscernible as she contemplated Chaeyar's words. “It sounds ridiculous. What can they do? They are merely humans.”
“Oh, is that what you think?” Chaeyar chuckled, meeting Sayi’s eyes as he smiled.
She may be an elder dragon, but in certain matters, she behaves like a whelp.
“...put away that cunning smile, laht’kil seht. Or I’ll rip it off.”
Chaeyar continued laughing, not saying a single word.
***
A middle-aged man with brown hair tapped his finger on the large round stone table with a teapot set before him, and a stack of documents was scattered around the table.
“An unusual trio with no records of entry…and their statuses aren't visible?”
“Yes, Regent.”
“And they appeared alongside the transmuter scout?”
“Yes, the blue-eyed man with black hair. It’s the same transmuter scout that requested healers for his sick parents. They were hunters.”
“Ah, the one who came begging with snot running down his face, and refused to leave even when he was beaten.”
“Yes, Regent.”
The middle-aged man smirked, waving his hand at his assistant. “Bring him back here. In exchange for information for his companions, I'll think about his request for healers.”
“Why do you wish to bring those three strangers before you, Regent? They could be dangerous.”
The Regent of Eleyville merely smiled in an enigmatic manner. However, his assistant knew he had no good intentions in mind. This was Eleyville, the city meant for the abandoned, the poor and the ones starving for survival. A place where it was every man for himself.
“Our uninvited guests should receive a warm welcome from the City of Wanderers.”
Featured Drinks
Since the drink is the same as the previous chapter, I'll leave you with a cup of prune juice!
Red plum juice in glass Red plum juice in glass on a gray stone background with fresh fruit. Selective focus. Juice - Drink Stock Photo [https://media.istockphoto.com/id/1264249095/photo/red-plum-juice-in-glass.jpg?s=1024x1024&w=is&k=20&c=6_7BbZt5KyYzjuiSnDFg6_z_AYMxTZ9ZCIbviBpdoQM=]
Juice Tip of the Day
Prune juice helps with constipation, like alot. There are some people like me who believe that blending the entire fruit may break down and destroy the nutrients within them. However, after doing some research myself, it turns out to be a false belief. Of course, I cannot prove that my research is an absolute 100% fact, but this is just another reason for me to enjoy fruit smoothies.