(Riven POV – Hestia Familia Church)
I study Naaza closely.
Even before she speaks, it's obvious that she hates her own proposal. Her shoulders are stiff, her jaw tight, fists clenched so hard her knuckles have gone pale.
"To be clear…" I say mildly, a hint of amusement slipping into my voice. "Who gets seventy, and who gets thirty?"
Her fingers curl tighter.
"…Seventy percent for you." She answers after a pause. "Thirty for us."
Her words come out flat, almost resigned. It's as if she's given up.
I feel a gaze and glance down to find Hestia staring at me. I can tell she's worried.
'Please don't push her.' Her eyes seem to say.
'…Don't look at me like that.' I think, suppressing a sigh. 'I'm not bullying anyone.'
It almost feels like I'm the villain, which I wouldn't mind, given the right circumstances.
Still, I'm relieved she doesn't interrupt. She trusts me enough to stay quiet, even when she doesn't like where this is going.
"Actually…" I say, tapping my chin thoughtfully, "I don't really like that ratio."
Naaza stiffens.
"How about eighty–twenty?" I grin.
Her eyes widen, teeth gritting together. For a second, she looks like she might actually snap.
"But that would—" She stops herself, and a tense silence hangs over us for a few seconds.
Then she forces a breath through her nose. "…Fine."
The word carries heavy meaning.
Naaza lowers her head, shoulders slumping just a little, seemingly completely defeated.
Hestia's patience, on the other hand, snaps instantly.
"What?!" She blurts. "Riven!"
I tilt my head. "What? I don't get why you're so upset. It's a good deal for them."
Naaza doesn't respond. She just stares at the floor.
"I'm not even asking for much," I continue calmly. "Considering my contribution."
Hestia frowns harder, genuinely baffled.
"Huh? Eighty percent isn't a lot to you?" She demands. "You're making them do all the work too! You shouldn't extort and bully people like this!"
I roll my eyes. "Am I really the type to extort and bully people?"
"Yes!" She fires back instantly, jabbing a finger into my chest. "You bully me all the time, and I'm your Goddess! Who knows what you do when I'm not around?!"
I can't help laughing.
"I bully you because you're my Goddess."
I ruffle her hair. She jerks away with an indignant huff, arms crossed, face turned aside… but the tiny smile she tries, and fails, to hide betrays her completely.
Turning back to Naaza, I find her staring blankly at the floor.
"So," I say, clapping my hands lightly. "Do we have a deal?"
I extend my hand. In it is a neatly written contract, courtesy of GS, produced in seconds.
"An eighty–twenty split." I add. "And let's call this an alliance between our Familia."
Naaza looks at the paper.
Then at my hand.
Then back down again.
"…Yeah." She says dully. "I guess so."
There's no anger or protest.
Just emptiness.
"I'll need Miach to sign it." She adds, already turning away as she takes the contract without even glancing at it and leaves without another word.
Once she's out of sight, Hestia tugs on my sleeve.
"…Hey." She murmurs. "Don't you think this might cause problems? Couldn't you have given them a little more?" She asks quietly.
'She thought all that… and still didn't interfere.' I muse. 'Even when she thinks I'm wrong, and doesn't agree, she trusts me enough not to stop me.'
Of course, when my own safety is on the line, she'll stop at nothing to hinder me.
"That…" I say warmly. "Is exactly why I love you, Hestia."
"H-HUH?!" She explodes instantly, face burning red. "D-Don't say things like that out of nowhere! And don't think you can distract me with a few sweet words!"
'I absolutely could if I wanted to.' I think with a smirk.
"Alright, alright." I say, waving my hand as I gently steer her back inside. "Relax. Trust me. I was more than generous."
She gives me a deeply skeptical look.
"Miach himself will come to thank us for this opportunity." I add. "You'll see."
"Hmmm…" She sighs. "…Okay."
Then she blinks.
"Wait—why are we back in the room?"
I yawn. "Obviously, I want to sleep. I was up all night."
She stiffens.
"And just as I was finally falling asleep…" I continue innocently. "Someone started messing around and woke me up."
I smile at her. "I think she needs to make up for it."
Hestia immediately shrinks back.
"W-what do you want to do to me…?" She squeaks.
"Sleep." I say simply.
She freezes.
"…Sleep?"
"Either that," I add, "or you go to work. It's almost time."
She visibly struggles for many long seconds, until finally…
"I'll… work…" She mutters weakly.
"I meant actual sleep." I deadpan. "I just want a body pillow."
"Oh!" She brightens instantly, hopping onto the bed and snuggling up to me.
"You should've said that sooner!" She hums happily, hugging my torso, turning me into the pillow.
"…Was it that bad?" I ask. "I thought you enjoyed yourself."
She hides her face against my chest, fidgeting nervously.
"Um… I did…" She admits softly. "But you can't just keep going until morning! I'm still tired!"
"Practice makes perfect."
"Not if I die first!" She whines, squeezing me tighter.
I laugh and close my eyes to rest…
But not even five minutes later…
"Riven?" Hestia whispers nervously, her voice layered with caution and suspicion. "Are you asleep already?"
'She never learns.' I think fondly, drifting off at last.
(Miach POV – Blue Pharmacy)
The bell above the door jingles softly.
"Welcome—" I begin automatically, lifting my head from the ledger in my hands, only to pause when I see her.
"Naaza!" I call out cheerfully, happy she's back. I set my work aside and welcome her properly. "You're back already? How did it go?"
She doesn't answer right away.
She steps inside, closes the door behind her, and just… stands there.
Her shoulders are slumped, ears drooping slightly, and she avoids meeting my gaze.
My smile falters.
"…Naaza?" I ask more gently.
She walks over in silence and places a folded piece of parchment on the counter between us.
"I'm sorry, Miach." She says quietly, her voice heavy with remorse. "I… did what I could."
I feel my chest tighten.
"I tried to negotiate with Riven…" She continues, voice dull. "But even with this… I don't think it'll be enough to clear our debt quickly. I'm sorry for failing you."
'Failing? Why would she ever think that?'
I know how hard she tries. And knowing that, how could I ever be disappointed by her efforts?
"Naaza," I say immediately, reaching out. "That's—"
She bows her head before I can finish.
"I should've done better." She mutters. "I should've pushed harder. I just… couldn't. I didn't know what else to do." Her voice is cracking, on the verge of tears.
'It breaks my heart to see her like this. But before I can console her, I need to understand what's going on.' I think, bracing myself.
I pick up the contract.
"Let me see." I say calmly. "Before you decide whether or not you've failed."
She doesn't stop me.
I unfold the parchment and begin to read the conditions outlined.
The production and distribution are to be handled by Miach Familia. Formulas and research shall be provided by Hestia Familia.
And most importantly, the revenue will be split with 80% going to the Miach Familia, and 20% to the Hestia Familia. As well as the formation of an alliance between our familias.
There are more details, but that essentially summarizes it all.
I blink.
Then I reread it, my brow furrowed, wondering why this could make Naaza think she failed.
"Naaza…" I say, confused. "What about this makes you think you failed?"
She sinks even more. "…Because it's an eighty–twenty split." She says flatly.
"Yes?" I reply. "That's… very good."
She looks up at me with a tired expression.
"Miach." She says carefully. "We're supposed to give them 80% of everything, while shouldering all the costs and responsibilities. We'll barely make anything."
I raise a brow.
"…No." I say. "We're keeping 80% of the revenue."
It seems obvious, but Naaza just freezes in place, looking completely confused.
"…What?" She asks a few seconds later in disbelief.
I turn the contract around and slide it back toward her, tapping the relevant line.
"Look." I say gently. "80% to us, and 20% to them."
She immediately snatches the paper, her eyes darting across the text rapidly, numerous times.
"…This—" Her hands tremble.
"That bastard!" She blurts out, genuinely angry, which is rare. "He tricked me?!"
"Naaza." I say firmly.
She pauses, taking a breath and calming down.
I sigh, rubbing my temples. "I don't understand why you're upset, but please don't call our ally a bastard."
"…Ally?" She mutters weakly.
She slumps forward, resting her elbows on the counter, staring at the contract.
"He made me think we'd be losing almost everything…" She murmurs in distaste. "I'm sure he enjoyed watching me agonize over it."
"That's definitely possible. Although, you might be to blame for not reading the contract as well." I say, a wry smile tugging at my lips. "But the contract is clear. You did extremely well."
She exhales shakily.
"…Then what is he playing at?" She asks. "No one gives away profits like this without a reason. He definitely has an ulterior motive."
"I don't think that's the case." I say honestly. "From my interactions with him, he seems like a good person. This was probably just a test of our sincerity, and we seem to have passed."
She shoots me a look. "You trust him that much?"
"I trust Hestia." I reply without hesitation. "And anyone she chooses to stand beside can't be a bad person."
Naaza is quiet for a while, then sighs.
"…Maybe it's not so bad." She admits reluctantly. "Aside from him causing me stress, headaches, and emotional upheaval…"
I chuckle.
"That sounds like the beginning of a wonderful friendship." I say warmly.
She grimaces. "We're not friends." She says firmly. "With friends like that, who needs enemies?" She groans.
I laugh, genuinely relieved.
"I'm proud of you, Naaza." I add softly. "You did far better than I ever hoped."
She looks away, her cheeks tinted pink.
"…You really thought I'd do worse?"
"Well…" I admit sheepishly. "We were hoping to keep 30% at best."
Her ears droop again. "…That makes it worse."
I smile. "But in the end, it's a good thing."
She nods slowly.
"…I'll be more careful next time." She sighs, ridding herself of her depressed aura. "That man is dangerous in ways I don't like."
I laugh again.
"Yes." I agree. "But he's on our side, so it's a tremendous advantage."
She exhales. "I hope you're right."
'Indeed. Hestia's a good judge of character, so I'm sure it'll all be well.' I think, resuming work with Naaza.