Extra-long legs

"Young master, does this guy have a grudge against you?" Byron instinctively tightened his grip on his warhammer and eyed Moss warily.

Moss noticed the Paladin's movement and instinctively took a step back.

Why was Rowan surrounded by freaks? Didn't his guard know I was a noble?

"Probably because everyone calls me the son-in-law of the sea. Once you're outstanding enough, someone always ends up resenting you." Rowan shamelessly waved a hand, looking helpless.

The corners of Moss's mouth trembled with anger. Nothing irritated him more now than hearing "son-in-law of the sea." "Have you no shame? You're a noble's son who doesn't even dare attend the Military Academy. What could I possibly resent you for? Besides, your cowardice disgraces the Norwington Family!"

"Hey, hey, hey, where did you come from? Could you watch your mouth? Judging by your clothes, you don't look like someone who's never been to school, so why are you so nasty? Look at our young master. Now there's a proper noble. No matter how much you mock him, he doesn't get angry. And who do you think you are, talking to our young master like that?" Byron couldn't bear to listen any longer. He raised his warhammer across his body and stepped in front of Young Master Rowan.

Who did I think I was? Moss sneered, but before he could answer, Byron cut him off.

"Don't tell me you're a noble. I've never met a noble this nasty. Every word out of your mouth is a jab. You don't have an ounce of noble bearing. Do you even understand noble etiquette? Those clothes are wasted on you." Byron looked Moss up and down, his eyes full of disdain.

Moss flushed bright red. After Byron's tirade, he actually swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.

A brainless young master and a silver-tongued guard. The Norwington Family certainly had plenty of oddballs.

Moss inwardly cursed Rowan and Byron a few times, and his anger eased a little.

It was noon, and the trading company was bustling.

While the merchants were busy discussing business, two pretty young female students slipped into the trading company in their academy uniforms.

"Oh, come on, we agreed to go look at dresses at the clothing shop this afternoon." Lucille let Jaina pull her reluctantly around the trading company's lobby.

Jaina searched everywhere for Rowan. "I'm a little worried about that silly boy. What if some crafty Goblins swindle him?"

"What silly boy? You mean your sweetheart." Lucille suddenly perked up. She hadn't seen Rowan since he'd regained his senses.

Jaina hurried to correct her. "Nonsense. We're just ordinary friends."

Five minutes later, Jaina and Lucille found Rowan on the second floor, but there was an unexpected complication: Rowan was standing with Moss.

Jaina frowned. She knew Moss had been pursuing her all this time.

Jaina had told him several times that she didn't like him, but Moss refused to give up. Whenever she appeared, he would shamelessly approach her and strike up a conversation.

Should I just sneak away today? The thought of fleeing flashed through Jaina's mind, but she instantly dismissed it. What mattered most now was whether Rowan had been swindled by the Goblins. Nothing else mattered.

Jaina and Lucille walked toward Rowan.

"Your Highness Jaina, Lucille, it's a pleasure to see you again." After Byron's tongue-lashing, Moss had looked around, trying to find a dignified, suitably aristocratic way to retaliate. Unfortunately, he hadn't found an opening. Still, he could at least be glad that he had run into Jaina and Lucille today.

Jaina folded her hands at her waist and smiled gently. "Yes, we meet again."

Lucille mirrored Jaina's gesture and nodded slightly with a smile. "Hello, Captain Moss."

This was the etiquette nobles had to observe when they met. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Moss, Jaina turned her attention to Rowan.

The smile on Jaina's face vanished. She looked at Rowan irritably and said, "You didn't mess things up, did you?"

"Of course not. I didn't even pay any gold." Rowan handed Jaina the contract, looking smug.

Was it really possible to get something for nothing when doing business with Goblins?

Jaina hastily took the contract from Rowan and examined it closely.

Moss stood to one side, watching. Jaina didn't give Rowan a pleasant look, but she gave me a gentle smile. It seemed Her Highness Jaina thought much more highly of me than of Rowan.

Moss was happily savoring the sense of superiority Her Highness Jaina's different treatment gave him when he suddenly heard Rowan say he hadn't paid any gold.

"What? You didn't pay any gold? That's impossible. Your Highness Jaina, don't believe his nonsense." Moss doubted even more that Rowan had truly regained his senses. It was good enough not to lose money trading with Goblins, yet he had made the absurd claim that he hadn't spent any.

Lucille was half a head taller than Jaina, mainly thanks to her long, straight legs. Curious whether Rowan's claim was true, she leaned close to Jaina's ear and looked at the contract in her hands.

"No way! You're incredible, Rowan." Lucille had never seen this kind of trade before. He had closed the deal without using any gold, and the Goblin trading company had actually signed the contract.

Ding! Happiness from Jaina +300.

"You're a little clever, I'll give you that." Jaina returned the contract to Rowan, deliberately concealing her delight.

Rowan took the contract and looked the pretty young girl beside Jaina up and down. She seemed very familiar.

"I can't quite remember who you are. But I remember your legs. They're really long." Rowan pressed a hand to his forehead and searched his memories.

Ding! Pleasure from Jaina -50.

Lucille's fair, clear face reddened slightly. Pinching the hem of her clothes, she said, "They're not that long. I'm Lucille Waycrest. We attended the Junior Military Academy together when we were little."

"Oh, now I remember. Lucille, you're as pretty as ever." Rowan offered a few casual compliments.

Ding! Pleasure from Jaina -100.

What's going on? Why did I lose 150 emotion points?

Only then did Rowan realize. Did I say too much?

Seeing the reproach in Jaina's eyes, Rowan hurriedly added, "What a shame. If you weren't such close friends with Jaina, you might look even prettier."

Lucille looked at Rowan in confusion, her clear eyes seeming to sparkle. "Why?"

"Because comparisons hurt. A pretty girl has to stand beside a girl who isn't pretty to show off her beauty. When you stand next to Jaina, your advantage isn't so obvious," Rowan said with a perfectly straight face.

Lucille blushed slightly and stole a glance at Jaina. What kind of person was he? All that buildup just to compliment his sweetheart.

Moss looked at Rowan with contempt and said coldly, "What a smooth talker. Do you think Her Highness Jaina can't see what you're up to? You don't have an ounce of noble bearing."

Ding! Joy from Jaina +150.