Noah arranged his newly priced inventory on the shelf, each product positioned for maximum visual impact.
The morning light streaming through his windows caught the glass bottles perfectly, casting rainbow patterns across the shop’s stone walls.
Let’s see how the market responds to the new prices.
The first customer arrived precisely as the plaza’s morning bell chimed—a figure that made Noah do a double-take.
Is that... is that supposed to be intimidating?
A demon swept through his doorway with menace, a black cape billowing behind him like something from a gothic romance novel.
Dark horns curved elegantly from his temples, and his crimson skin held an aristocratic pallor.
Definitely trying for the scary lord of darkness vibe. But I must say, he does look quite wealthy.
But the effect was somewhat undermined by the delicate flower tucked behind one ear and the faint scent of jasmine that followed in his wake.
"Human!" The demon’s voice boomed with authority.
"I am Viscount Vex, Lord of the Eastern Gardens, Commander of—"
His dramatic proclamation cut off as his eyes landed on the new price tags.
And there goes the scary act.
"Ten gold coins for bread?" Vex’s intimidating mask slipped entirely. "I’ve heard that it was five!"
Supply and demand, my dramatically inclined friend.
"Premium pricing for premium products," Noah replied smoothly. "Market adjustment based on demonstrated value. Besides, the first day had special pricing. Now we are back on board."
Vex’s face scrunched into something resembling a pout. "But I need the bread! Desperately!"
Desperately? For flower garden fertilizer?
His clawed hands twisted together with obvious anxiety.
"My Precious is dying," he whispered, the admission carrying a tone that made Noah’s entrepreneurial instincts pause.
Precious? Please tell me he’s not talking about what I think he’s talking about.
Vex glanced around the empty shop, then leaned forward conspiratorially.
"My Venus Demonicas. She’s been my companion for sixty-seven years."
Venus Demonicas. That doesn’t sound like any flower I know, perhaps his wife?
"She usually eats raw meat, but she’s been refusing food for weeks. Getting weaker by the day."
Vex’s voice cracked with genuine emotion.
"The healers say there’s nothing they can do."
Noah studied the demon’s face, recognising the desperate love of someone watching a cherished companion fade away. The same expression he’d seen in mirrors during his father’s worst days.
Sixty-seven years. That’s longer than most people live on Earth.
"How did you hear about my bread helping with that?"
Vex’s cheeks darkened to deeper crimson.
The flower behind his ear trembled slightly as he shifted his body from one foot to the other.
Noah studied the demon’s expression, recognising the particular look of desperation that came from watching something precious slip away despite having wealth and status. He had seen many people in the hospital, despite having money, unable to save their loved ones.
Whatever ’Precious’ is, she means everything to him.
"One loaf," Vex said finally.
Noah nodded before retrieving a golden-brown loaf from his shelf.
Vex’s relief was immediate and overwhelming. His shoulders sagged as if a crushing weight had suddenly lifted.
What remained was simply a being terrified of losing something irreplaceable.
The transaction was completed with care. Vex handled the wrapped bread like it contained liquid hope, his clawed fingers gentle despite their intimidating appearance.
"Thank you...You cannot imagine what this means."
Actually, I think I can.
"Will this truly help her?"
I have no idea what ’her’ actually is, but the system hasn’t failed me yet.
"The bread enhances natural healing processes and should provide significant improvement for most conditions."
Technically true. Even if I don’t know what we’re treating.
Vex clutched the package like a sacred relic, then did something that made Noah’s world tilt sideways.
He reached up and gently plucked the delicate flower from behind his ear.
Wait. What. Is he planning to propose to me or what?
"There, my darling Precious," Vex cooed in a voice softer than silk. "Papa has medicine for you."
Papa? He’s talking to the flower. The flower on his ear. This demon is crazy.
Noah watched in stunned silence as Vex carefully broke off a small piece of healing bread. The flower, which Noah had assumed was mere decoration, suddenly revealed itself to be very much alive.
Tiny, needle-sharp teeth gleamed around what Noah had mistaken for petals.
The entire bloom twisted toward the bread with obvious hunger, small vines extending like grasping fingers.
Oh my god. The flower is alive, like actually alive. So this is the notorious Venus Demonicas, and here I was initially thinking it was his wife or something.
"That’s it, Precious," Vex whispered as the carnivorous bloom latched onto the bread fragment.
"Eat up. Get strong for Papa."
The flower’s petals, which had been wilted and dull, began to flush with vibrant colour. Deep purple bloomed across its surface like spilt wine, while its vines grew more energetic.
It’s... actually working. On a plant. A tiny, terrifying plant.
But more shocking than the healing was the flower’s obvious personality. It nuzzled against Vex’s fingers with something resembling affection, tiny teeth clicking in what might have been contentment.
"She’s responding!" Vex’s voice cracked with emotion as his precious pet perked up, her head turning to scan the small shop.
"Look at that alertness! That beautiful aggression!"
Beautiful aggression. Only in demon territory would that be a selling point to a flower.
Watching Vex’s joy felt universal. Love was love, even when it involved tiny plant monsters.
"I need more!" Vex declared, euphoric that his precious was getting better.
"Whatever you have! She’s improving so rapidly!"
And we’re back to the upselling conversation.
"One per customer per day," Noah replied firmly. "House policy."
Well, my house policy. For now, at least. If business goes down, I can always write a new house police.
Can’t have people hoarding my inventory.
Vex’s face cycled through shock and disappointment.
"Perhaps a special accommodation?"
"I could offer you one of my prized specimens. A Nightshade Lotus—extremely rare, beautiful purple blooms—"