Chapter 17: You will die a virgin
Arya just stood there, biting her lip, hands extended like she was offering him a puppy and half-expecting to get scolded for it. "I don't know how else to thank you," she added quickly. "I-I really need the quest, and I don't want to owe you something unfairly."
Damon was shocked, to say the least. He did not expect the girl to be so sincere in her intentions. He shook his head and smiled.
"That's fine. You can keep the pouch. Just give me the cauldron. Consider these herbs as an advance payment for our future business transactions. When you manage to make some potions out of them, contact me, and I will buy them from you."
Arya's eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked like she might cry—not from fear this time, but from sheer gratitude. "Y-you're serious? You'll... you'll buy them? Even if I mess up a little?" she asked, clutching the pouch close to her chest again like it was a lifeline.
Damon chuckled softly. "Everyone messes up at first. What matters is whether you learn. And something tells me you will." He extended a hand, palm open. "Now, the cauldron?"
Arya gave a breathless laugh, equal parts relief and disbelief, and gently placed the small cauldron in Damon's waiting hand. "Here. It's not much, but I promise I'll make it count." She looked up at him with a newfound spark in her eyes, timid yet determined. "And I won't disappoint you."
Damon nodded, inspecting the cauldron briefly before tucking it away.
He didn't know yet if Arya truly was that Arya from his past life, but he was willing to invest a little faith in her potential.
"You'd better not," he said, turning slightly. "Because if you do, I'll come collect—interest included." He flashed her a smirk over his shoulder before stepping away, his voice trailing as he vanished into the trees. "Stay alive, little alchemist."