The day had dawned crisp and clear when Lilly set up her stall at the Thornwood Farmer's Market. This was a day she'd been anticipating with a mix of excitement and trepidation, debuting some new products from her farm.

Intrigued customers were drawn in by the unique offerings on display. The braids of black and white unicorn hair gleamed brilliantly under the morning sun, their ethereal quality captivating the hearts of passersby. Beside them, bottles of goat milk stood, with blocks of cheese and bars of soap neatly arranged in wicker baskets. The soap was especially intriguing, not just for its delightful scent but for the faint tingle it gave upon contact, leaving a sense of invigoration.

Lilly took special pride looking over Tom’s tomatoes. They were plump, deep red, and had a juiciness that burst with flavor. Word had spread about their unparalleled taste, and many customers flocked to her stall just for them.

As the day wore on, Lilly chatted and laughed with her regulars, also sharing tales and advice about her new products. The medicinal herbs from her forest garden, neatly labeled and packed, found favor with many who sought natural remedies.

At one point, Greta walked by with a tray perched elegantly on one hand. Upon closer inspection, one could see that it was filled with colorful, gelatinous candies shaped like the ears of various humanoid species: elf, dwarf, orc, and more. The gummies were each intricately designed to resemble its respective ear in minute detail. The very concept was both intriguing and slightly unsettling.

Lilly watched as shoppers cast curious, sometimes wary, glances toward Greta's tray. The brave or simply curious would take a gummy, inspecting it closely before taking a tentative bite. Their reactions varied from surprised delight to humorous revulsion. Yet for all the attention, Greta's tray remained predominantly full.

As Greta neared Lilly's stall, her characteristically broad smile was undeterred by the mixed reception. "Ah, Lilly!" she exclaimed with a twinkle in her eye. "You simply must try one of these. Handmade, you know."

Without waiting for a response, Greta selected a gummy that perfectly resembled an elf's pointed ear, right down to the delicate curve and subtle ridges. Holding it out for Lilly, she urged, "Go on, dear. It’s an experience."

Lilly hesitated, eying the gummy with a mixture of amusement and trepidation. "What does it taste like?" she inquired, a hint of mischief in her voice.

Greta winked. "Why, like candied cartilage, of course! And a hint of wild berry. Can’t quite leave out the classics."

With a chuckle, Lilly accepted the candy, giving it one last inspecting glance before taking a tentative bite. The taste was unexpectedly delightful, a burst of berry flavor with a hint of something whimsical—something that was pure Greta. She had to admit, it was like no candy she’d ever tasted before.

"See, not so bad, is it?" Greta asked, looking triumphant.

Lilly laughed as Greta continued on her way. "You always bring the most interesting things to the market, Greta."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

By late afternoon, as the market wound down, Lilly tallied her sales and realized it had been her most successful day yet. Her heart swelled with gratitude and pride, knowing all her hard work had paid off.

After arriving home, Feather, her trusty griffy, greeted her with an excited trill, nuzzling against her in a display of affection. She took a moment to play with her, laughing as they darted around the yard.

Walking to her garden, she found Tom absorbing the last rays of the sun, his green foliage gleaming. "It was a busy day at the market," she told him. "Your tomatoes were quite the hit."

Further down, she caught sight of Astra and Nova, cheekily nibbling on the edges of her vegetable patch. "Oh, you two!" she chided playfully, guiding them toward the overgrown orchard area. The goats bleated happily, eager to take on their next mission—helping clear the weeds.

She was saving the unicorns for last. She planned to work with Charcoal for a bit and then take Snow for a ride down to visit Yorik. Spending time with him would be the perfect ending to her productive day.

In the center of Charcoal’s corral, a determined Lilly worked with the unicorn. The magnificent black unicorn was doing so well letting her handle him that she felt it was time to introduce a saddle. He snorted and shook his head as she approached him with a saddle, seemingly unwilling to cooperate. But she wasn't about to give up.

"There, there, Charcoal," Lilly cooed, her voice a gentle lullaby as she brushed her fingers along his mane. "Just trying to see if this fits you right. Won’t keep it on long."

Just as she managed to place the saddle on Charcoal's back, Feather started barking frantically and flew down from her perch overlooking the pastures. Looking up, she saw Ignatius Timber confidently sauntering up to the fence, his tall frame imposing and his sharp eyes surveying the scene with evident interest. The finely tailored farmers outfit seemed out of place amidst the rustic beauty of the farm, but it seemed to fit him perfectly.

Lilly raised an eyebrow, curious. "Mr. Timber," she greeted, her voice cautious but polite. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Ignatius flashed her a suave smile. "Ms. Lilly," he began, nodding toward the unicorn, "I see you've acquired another remarkable creature—a splendid addition to your collection, I must say."

Lilly felt Charcoal tense beneath her touch. She whispered soothing words to the unicorn before turning her attention back to Ignatius. "Thank you. He's...been a challenge. But we're getting there."

Ignatius chuckled. "Perseverance—always the hallmark of a good farmer." He paused, clearing his throat, a more serious expression settling on his features. "I came to express my gratitude, Ms. Lilly, for returning my alpaca. It was a noble gesture."

Lilly simply nodded. "It was the right thing to do. I returned it to the farm that lost her."

Ignatius leaned against the fence, his gaze steady on hers. "In light of that, I'd like to offer you a proposal—one that I believe you'll find quite...beneficial."

Lilly waited, her guard up.

"I'm prepared to buy your farm for a rather handsome amount," Ignatius began, holding up a hand when he saw her about to protest. "Hear me out. I buy the farm, but you remain here. You live here, work the farm as you've always done, and I merely own the land."

Lilly frowned, a myriad of emotions playing across her face. "Why would you want to do that?"

Ignatius straightened, his posture impeccable. "I see potential in this place—and in you, Ms. Lilly. The arrangement is working out very well with the couple you met who have the alpaca. What would you do if something happened to this farm you have worked so hard on? I would take on all the risk of your farm, and you could continue doing what you love, while being incredibly rich. Consider it a partnership of sorts."

She looked around at the farm, her home, the place she’d poured her heart and soul into. Then her gaze settled on Charcoal, who seemed to watch the exchange with sharp intensity.

"No, thank you," she finally said, her voice firm.

Ignatius smiled. "I’ll give you some time to think on it. Take your time. I believe we could do great things together." And with a tip of his hat, he departed.

Lilly’s eyes watched as he made his way to his horse and didn’t take another easy breath until he was off her property and out of sight.

Ignatius had mentioned something happening to her farm. Was it really a threat of what would happen if she didn’t sell him her farm?