The flickering orange firelight in the stone house illuminated the young male's chiseled face. His sharp jawline tightened as his amber eyes intently scrutinized the small female sitting across from him.
The small female had rosy lips and a radiant smile, accentuated by two adorable dimples on her cheeks. Her expression was relaxed and natural, completely devoid of any fawning or calculation, as if she were genuinely just making a calm trade with him.
"Alright." He then untied the animal skin pouch from his waist and tossed it lightly into Ophelia's lap.
Ophelia weighed the pouch in her hand. It made a clinking sound, like stones knocking together. She opened it right in front of everyone. Inside were ten Orange Crystal Stones and four Yellow Crystal Stones—a one-time payment for the five hundred pounds of grain.
