"Really?" Nancy bolted upright, her eyes locked onto the stones on the desk. It was as if this was the only thing in the room that actually belonged to them.
"Is it because of this ore?" Obi asked, stunned. He had simply picked these up from some of the people in their territory.
"Yes," Lucas nodded slightly, offering a casual explanation. "This is called saltpeter. It's a rather unique mineral that requires specific techniques to process." He had no intention of revealing the secret of ice-making just yet.
"What can it be used for?" Nancy asked with a frown, wanting to know the bottom line.
"That is a private secret," Lucas said, lowering his eyelids slightly. "Now, you have a choice: mine this ore and transport it to Sedona City. I will pay you a wage, or if you prefer, I can pay you in wheat."
"This... we need to go back and discuss it with Lady Bella." Nancy didn't have the authority to make such a big decision; it would involve far too many people in mining. Plus, she wanted to go back and study this saltpeter herself.
"That's fine. As long as you mine it and bring it here, I'll take all of it," Lucas said. He wasn't in a hurry; summer was still over a month away.
"Understood," Nancy nodded. She turned her gaze toward the cow-girl and said to Lucas, "Lord Lucas, I have a request. Lady Bella hasn't seen Miss Ayesha in a very long time. I would like to ask that Miss Ayesha return to the territory with us this time."
"Nancy!!!" Ayesha shouted, jumping to her feet. She pouted, her purple eyes glaring at Nancy. This was essentially forcing her to go back.
"Forgive my rudeness," Nancy said, bowing her head. She wanted to put everything out in the open so Ayesha wouldn't have a chance to avoid it.
"Hmph, you're doing this on purpose," Ayesha snapped, tossing her long purple hair. She stole a cautious glance at Lucas, only to see a faint, playful smile on his face.
"Mina, take these two to handle the goods," Lucas said softly, his black eyes fixed steadily on the cow-girl. "Ayesha, stay behind. I have something to say to you."
"Yes, My Lord." Mina gave the bewildered cow-girl an amused look before leading Nancy and Obi out.
"Annie, you all should head out as well," Lucas said calmly.
"Fine, I was just about to go check on the perfume production anyway." Annie stood up, winked at the cow-girl, and left with the wolf-girl in tow.
"Mas... Master, I..." Ayesha said timidly, her hands nervously clutching the hem of her clothes.
"I understand," Lucas smiled warmly. He knew exactly what she was worried about.
"Huh?" Ayesha was dazed. She hadn't even said anything yet. She took a deep breath and blurted out, "Master, I want to go see the Big Sister, but I don't want to leave... Sedona City."
In truth, she wanted to say she didn't want to leave him, but the words changed at the last second.
"Go ahead. You and Bella haven't seen each other in a long time; it's only right that you visit your sister." Lucas nodded with a light smile. He wasn't some autocrat who needed to keep everyone tethered to his side; that would make them no different from puppets. Everyone had family, and it was perfectly natural for her to want to see hers.
"Wait, you're willing to let me go?" Ayesha stammered, staring at him blankly.
"Of course. It's not like you aren't coming back." Lucas stood up and placed his hand on the cow-girl's head.
"Of course I'm coming back! Everyone is here!" Ayesha's eyes curved into crescents. And the Master is here, too, she added silently in her heart.
"If you don't come back, I'll send people to snatch you back myself." Lucas took his hand off her head and gave her cheek a playful pinch and a tug.
"Heeheehee..." Ayesha giggled foolishly, feeling a profound sense of peace at that moment.
Looking at Ayesha's exquisite, smiling face, Lucas's heart skipped a beat. Seeing the blush creep up her cheeks made her even more alluring.
"Master, is... is there something on my face?" Ayesha's eyes darted around shyly. The Master's gaze was so intense it made her face feel like it was on fire.
"There is," Lucas said, his lips curling up. A shy Ayesha was a rare sight indeed.
"Ah? What is it?" Ayesha panicked. No woman wanted to look like a mess in front of the person she liked.
"Don't move, let me get it for you."
Lucas leaned in slowly toward the cow-girl. Ayesha's eyes trembled, filling with a charming mist as she stared at him. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her blush deepened, spreading all the way down to her neck. They could both clearly hear each other's breathing. Finally, Ayesha closed her eyes in bashful anticipation, her hands gripping her clothes in knots.
Lucas leaned down and kissed her. He could feel her intense nervousness, but under his guidance, she began to respond to him with a clumsy, raw passion.
A minute later, Lucas pulled away. He looked at the cow-girl, who was so tense she had forgotten to breathe. If he hadn't noticed in time, she might have actually fainted from lack of oxygen.
"Haa... haa..." Ayesha clutched the fabric over her chest, gasping for air as beads of sweat broke out on her forehead.
Lucas smirked. This version of Ayesha was too cute; it made him want to tease her even more.
"Master, I... I..." Once she caught her breath, Ayesha licked her lips. So this was what kissing felt like?
"What's wrong?" Lucas raised an eyebrow, sliding an arm around her waist to pull her tight against him.
"Can... Can we do that again? P-please?" Ayesha whispered, her head hanging low in shame.
"Sure thing." Surprised by her sudden curiosity, Lucas hooked a finger under her chin to tilt her face up and leaned back in...
"Mmh!"
"..."
"One more time?"
"Alright."
"..."
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