Seeing that Pardofelis had completely caught on, Eden sat down on the edge of the bed and asked naturally, "Felis, what are your plans for the future?"
Pardofelis looked at Eden, her gaze somewhat vacant, not quite understanding why she would ask such a thing.
"I mean, are you going to keep playing the 'Robin Hood' of Sundown Alley forever?"
While recounting her movements from earlier that evening, Durandal had also revealed to Eden the 'nickname' Pardofelis had earned around Sundown Alley, which prompted her question.
Pardofelis felt a wave of embarrassment at the mention of it.
Her bare feet, which had been slipped out of her shoes, curled up, all five toes bunching together.
"Sister Eden... that 'Robin Hood' business—it's not nearly as dramatic as it sounds. I've only done a few small things I was capable of. I prefer to call my actions 'stocking up,' and being a merchant is exactly what I want to do!"
"I thought as much."
Eden wore an expression of knowing. "Ever since you recognized me and I guessed that you at least skim through Entrepreneur magazine, I knew what your aspirations were."
Eden had originally wanted to say, 'I guessed you subscribed to Entrepreneur magazine.'
But after a moment's thought, she remembered the title of 'Sundown Alley's Robin Hood' and changed her tune.
Who knew if the girl actually paid for a subscription?
She might have just 'restocked' it from some random newsstand!
"Then, Miss Felis, as someone who aspires to be a merchant, would you be willing to work alongside an entrepreneur who has graced the cover of Entrepreneur magazine and learn how to become a top-tier businessperson?"
Eden had her own ways of talent scouting.
The method Durandal used—tossing the harsh truths of the world at recruits—might not work on someone like Pardofelis.
Eden could tell that the girl before her was extremely cautious and seemed to lack self-confidence; it would likely be impossible for her to connect herself with grand concepts like 'saving the world.'
If the girl actually knew what Schicksal and Eden were really up to, she might be talking fine one second, only to vanish into thin air the next.
Even just asking her to shadow her to learn about business might make the girl shrink away in hesitation.
However, at least this wouldn't scare her off directly.
Besides, Eden didn't plan on succeeding on the first try; she still had her 'trump card' arranged over at Aponia's place.
As expected, a flicker of pleasant surprise crossed Pardofelis's eyes, followed immediately by hesitation.
Finally, she slowly shook her head. "Sister Eden, someone as ordinary as me, how could I ever be a powerhouse like you? I don't want to manage a huge corporation."
"I just want to be a small, independent shopkeeper with a store of my own, selling little trinkets I've scavenged from here and there that my customers happen to like."
"If you're looking for help, there are plenty of kids at the sanitarium around my age; they're much smarter than me. You should ask them instead!"
Seeing Pardofelis subconsciously cross her arms in a defensive posture, Eden understood that it wasn't the right time to push.
She didn't press the matter, only saying softly, "I can give you time to consider it. Whenever you've made up your mind, you can come find me here. I expect to be staying in this area for another half a month."
Pardofelis nodded distractedly.
"As for now... it's quite late. Go wash up, and let's get some rest."
With that, Eden stood up from the bed, took a nightgown from her suitcase, and handed it to Pardofelis. "This is for you. Just make do with this for tonight."
"F-for me?"
Pardofelis took the nightgown. Just from the cool texture of the fabric, she knew this piece was incredibly expensive.
"Mmhmm. You were just brought back from an explosion site by the leader—don't tell me you think you're clean right now, do you?"
Though Eden felt a great deal of pity for Pardofelis, it didn't mean she could tolerate sleeping next to someone covered in all the dust and grime from an explosion.
Stung by Eden's remark, Pardofelis lowered her head in embarrassment, realizing her clothes were indeed quite dirty.
Although she had grown up following stray cats to scavenge for discarded food, she was still very particular about her personal hygiene.
After all, if she hadn't been careful, she likely would have died from some unknown disease long ago.
"I... I can go back."
The thought of sleeping in this bed—and with a wealthy woman who had been on the cover of Entrepreneur magazine right beside her—made Pardofelis feel entirely restless.
But Eden simply shook her head, her tone becoming brooks-no-argument. "You aren't leaving tonight."
Seeing Pardofelis's eyes widen with sudden wariness as she grabbed an air-conditioning blanket to cover her chest, Eden didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
After a long pause, she said with a touch of exasperation, "I'm not about to have any twisted ideas about a half-grown kid like you! You know the situation in [Sundown Alley] better than I do. At this hour, do you really dare to wander the streets?"
Pardofelis wanted to say that she did.
But upon seeing the look in Eden's eyes, and feeling the luxurious, comfortable texture of the giant mattress beneath her, the words died in her throat.
Watching Pardofelis abandon the idea of leaving, Eden breathed a sigh of relief.
As she thought, this little girl was much easier to deal with than her business partners or competitors.
Indeed, Eden had no designs on the scrawny Pardofelis, but her decision to keep the girl here had nothing to do with the safety of Sundown Alley.
After all, everyone had seen Pardofelis being carried back on Krishna by Durandal, who had just turned Sundown Alley upside down.
Right now, even if Pardofelis sauntered into the territory of those local gangs to 'restock,' they wouldn't dare let out a peep!
The only reason she used that excuse was to recruit her.
Though the initial attempt had failed, that didn't stop Eden from using something like sleeping in the same bed to bridge the gap between them.
Once they became close confidants who shared everything, wouldn't it be twice the result for half the effort when she extended another invitation?
"You rest here for a bit; I'll go wash up first."
With that, Eden pulled another nightgown from her suitcase and headed toward the bathroom.
Half an hour later, Eden stepped out. Seeing that Pardofelis was still on the bed, she felt completely at ease.
"Your turn."
Pardofelis nodded blankly, took the nightgown, and ducked into the bathroom, which was still lingering with steam and a light fragrance.
Seeing the bed was empty, Eden picked up the room telephone and had the hotel staff come up to change all the dirty sheets and duvet covers.
Only then, feeling refreshed, did she lie flat on the bed, applying a facial mask while waiting for Pardofelis to return.
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL