Chapter 36: Embarassment The stranger’s mouth opened and closed like a landed fish. Twenty years of casual prejudice warred against Noah’s pressure and his friend’s glaring disappointment. "I-I... I apologize." The words came out strained, directed toward the floor rather than his intended recipients. Noah wasn’t satisfied. He turned toward his employees, voice gentling considerably. "Do you forgive him?" Alissa nodded quietly, her natural grace preventing any scene. Grix bobbed his head eagerly, desperate to avoid conflict. Kip glared at the stranger until his sister’s elbow found his side. He glared at him one more time before reluctantly nodding. ’Good enough.’ The shop’s atmosphere remained thick with tension, but crisis had been averted. Noah’s message was clear: his employees deserved respect, regardless of species. ’Anyone who can’t handle that can shop elsewhere.’ Woodrow stepped forward, relieved that the situation had de-escalated. "I’m really sorry about this, Noah. Had I known he was still stuck in his old ways, I wouldn’t have brought him here." Noah shook his head. "It’s not your fault. Don’t worry about it. Besides, he already apologized." Though it took some coercing. Woodrow nodded gratefully before requesting his usual order. A loaf of bread. Noah’s gaze shifted to the other man, someone he hadn’t bothered asking for a name. "Do you want anything too?" The stranger nodded eagerly, clearly desperate to make amends. "Sorry about earlier again. It’s just an old man’s grumpy attitude—didn’t mean to offend. Could I get a loaf of bread like my friend here?" At least he’s trying. Noah retrieved both loaves from the shelf, placing them on the counter. "Anything else?" Both men shook their heads. "Paying together or separately?" The unnamed stranger stepped forward, clearly wanting to improve the mood. He placed six golden coins on the counter. As he reached for the bread, Noah’s hand shot out, stopping him mid-motion. The man’s eyebrows climbed. "Is something wrong?" "What’s this?" Noah gestured at the coins, then back at the customer. Confusion flickered across his face. "That’s... the price for both loaves?" He turned to Woodrow. "Isn’t it three gold coins per loaf?" Woodrow nodded, equally puzzled. Noah presented an innocent smile. "Three gold coins was the old price. The new price is four golden coins." "What? Why?" "Inflation, supply chain issues, you know how it is." Noah shrugged, knowing full well they understood none of those terms. "If you don’t want it, I can return them to the shelf." ’Let’s see how badly you want that healing bread. To learn a lesson you need to pay a price. You would be dreaming if you think i will let you go without extorting some extra cash’ "I want it, I want it." He sighed, taking out two additional coins. "Excellent choice." Eight golden coins clinked onto the counter. This time, Noah made no move to stop the transaction. The bread moved to their hands while Woodrow shot Noah one final apologetic look before they departed. [Your idle income has been updated!] [Daily Revenue: $1,400] ’Four gold coins per loaf. Beautiful.’ Behind him, his employees watched with varying degrees of awe and amusement. Even Grix seemed impressed by the casual way Noah had made the man pay extra. The door closed with a satisfied chime, leaving Noah counting his unexpected windfall. After the door closed, Kip exploded like a dam bursting. "Sir Noah, you’re amazing for making that old hag pay more! He deserved it!" The young cat-boy’s tail bristled as his yellow-green eyes blazed with satisfaction. Alissa’s eyes narrowed with maternal disapproval. "Kip, don’t be rude." "He deserved it!" Kip’s voice cracked with emotion. "Did you hear what he called us? Stray kittens! His hairline is astray because I don’t think anyone here saw it!" Noah barely controlled his laugh that almost escaped without his consent. He masked it with a quick cough. Kid’s got a good joke. I will give him that. "Still." Alissa reached over, stroking the fluff between his ears with her gentle fingers. "You’re better than that. That’s not how you’ve been raised." The familiar gesture worked its magic. Kip’s bristling fur gradually smoothed, though his scowl remained firmly in place. "She’s right," Noah agreed. "But I appreciate your defensiveness." Nothing wrong with a little righteous anger on behalf of his sister. Noah reached into his coin pouch, producing two golden pieces. He placed one in Grix’s startled hands, then offered the other to the siblings. "What’s this for?" Alissa’s ears twitched with confusion. "Your share from the old man’s money," Noah’s grin turned mischievous. "Consider it a customer service bonus." Grix stared at the coin like it might vanish. "For... for Grix?" "For all of you." Noah nodded. "If that old man knew you guys took his money, he would’ve puked a mouthful of blood." The image hit them simultaneously. Kip’s sullen expression cracked first, a snort escaping his attempts at dignity. Alissa covered her mouth with her delicate fingers, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. Grix’s wheeze turned into full-blown cackles. "Old master turn purple when angry! This man probably turn green!" "Like a sick goblin!" Kip added, dissolving into giggles. "Kip!" Alissa scolded, but her own laughter betrayed her. "That’s terrible!" The tension from earlier melted away completely. Their small shop filled with the sound of genuine mirth. Noah watched his employees enjoy their unexpected windfall. A few hours passed by before the familiar chime announced their next customer. "Do you miss me?" Princess Elara swept through the doorway, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Her lips curved in a knowing smile, one eyebrow arched in inquiry as she awaited Noah’s response. ’That expression screams trouble.’ Noah thought, staring at her. "Oh?" Her face flushed crimson as reality crashed down. Multiple pairs of eyes stared back at her—not just Noah, but his entire collection of employees arranged throughout the small shop. ’Way to make an entrance, Your Highness. Noah grinned. But the embarrassment lasted exactly one second before her gaze locked onto Kip. "So cute!" The princess practically floated across the floor, stopping directly in front of the young cat-boy.