feiniaonovel Chapter 236: The Bunny, The Wolf, and the Art of the Export
Chapter 236: The Bunny, The Wolf, and the Art of the Export
The coastal beast-kin market at the base of the Warlord cliffs was usually a loud, bustling hub of merchants, fishermen, and travelers. It was a place of tough negotiations and heavy coin.
It was absolutely not prepared for Clover.
The Warlord carriage rolled smoothly into the market square, flanked by two heavily armed Warlord guards. The door opened, and Vali hopped out first. The silver wolf-cub puffed out his chest, his bright pink eyes scanning the crowded market for potential threats. He was wearing a tiny, perfectly tailored Warlord vest, and he looked incredibly serious.
"Perimeter is secure!" Vali barked, reaching a hand back into the carriage.
Clover stepped out daintily, smoothing down her pale pink dress. The bunny-cub’s long ears twitched as she took in the sights and smells of the market. She looked like a sweet, helpless little sugar-drop. But tucked securely under her arm was her leather ledger, and in her small hands, she carried a polished wooden box.
"Thank you, Vali," Clover smiled, her nose twitching happily. "Remember the protocol. We are here to establish a trade route for the avian sanctuary’s silver feathers. Be professional."
"I am the most professional Alpha in the North," Vali promised, marching exactly half a step behind her as her sworn Head of Security.
They approached the largest, wealthiest-looking merchant stall in the square. It was run by a massive, gruff-looking Bear-kin with thick brown fur and a gold chain around his neck. His stall was draped in expensive silks and rare gems.
"Excuse me, sir," Clover called out sweetly, standing on her tiptoes so her chin could just barely peek over the edge of his counter.
The Bear-kin merchant looked down, completely bewildered. "Are you lost, little rabbit? Did you wander away from your mother?"
Vali’s pink eyes flashed. He immediately stepped up next to Clover, planting his boots firmly on the cobblestones. He didn’t bite—he had promised Clover no biting—but he let out a low, rumbling growl from the back of his throat, his silver tail bristling.
"Show respect," Vali commanded, puffing his chest out. "You are speaking to the Chief Financial Officer of the Warlord Treasury."
The merchant blinked, looking from the growling wolf-cub to the Warlord guards standing silently a few paces away. He quickly cleared his throat, leaning down to take them seriously. "My apologies, Miss... CFO. How can I help the Warlord estate today?"
Clover smiled, instantly dropping the sweet-little-girl act and slipping into pure merchant mode. She set the wooden box on the counter and clicked the latch open.
"I am seeking a distribution partner for high-grade, ethically sourced avian dander," Clover announced smoothly.
She turned the box around. Inside, resting on a bed of dark velvet, were ten flawless, shimmering silver-tipped flight feathers.
The Bear-kin’s jaw dropped. He reached out with a thick, trembling hand, his eyes wide. "These are... these are from the legendary silver-winged Duck-kin. Nobles in the Capital will pay a fortune to put these in their winter cloaks. Where did you get these?"
"I am the exclusive supplier," Clover stated, tapping her charcoal pencil against her ledger. "And I have fifty more bundles just like it back at the estate. I am willing to offer you the regional distribution rights."
"Fifty bundles?!" The merchant’s eyes practically turned into gold coins. He rubbed his hands together. "Well, little lady, since you are so young and inexperienced, I will do you a massive favor. I will buy the entire box right now for... twenty copper coins."
It was a blatant, insulting lowball offer.
Vali didn’t even wait for Clover’s order. The wolf-cub slammed both of his hands onto the counter, baring his small, sharp fangs.
"Twenty coppers?!" Vali howled, his pink eyes glaring daggers at the massive Bear-kin. "Are you trying to rob my business associate?! I will chew on your ankles! I will summon my father! He has a very large axe!"
"Vali, down," Clover ordered gently, placing a calming hand on his arm.
Vali instantly stopped growling, sitting back on his heels, though he kept a lethal glare fixed on the merchant.
Clover turned back to the Bear-kin, her sweet smile entirely gone. She looked exactly like a ruthless mastermind closing a trap.
"Sir," Clover said, her voice dripping with ice-cold politeness. "The market value for a single silver-tipped feather in the Capital is two silver pieces. You offered me twenty coppers for a box of ten. That is an insult to my intelligence, and an insult to the Warlord pack."
The merchant broke out into a cold sweat. He looked at the Warlord guards, who were now casually resting their hands on the pommels of their swords.
"I... I misspoke!" the merchant stammered, backing away from the counter slightly. "A slip of the tongue, Miss CFO! I meant... I meant twenty gold pieces for the box! Plus a ten percent cut of all Capital profits!"
Clover’s nose twitched. She tapped her pencil against her chin, pretending to think about it, before giving a sharp, definitive nod.
"Acceptable," Clover agreed, sliding the wooden box across the counter. "Have the gold sent to the cliffside manor by sundown. We look forward to a long and lucrative partnership."
The merchant vigorously nodded, looking like he had just survived a natural disaster.
Clover turned on her heel, her pale pink dress swishing, and marched triumphantly away from the stall. Vali trotted right beside her, his tail wagging so hard his entire back half was vibrating.
"Did you see me, Clover?!" Vali barked excitedly as they walked back toward the carriage. "I intimidated him! I was a very scary wolf! I protected our empire!"
"You were terrifying, Vali," Clover giggled, the ruthless merchant facade melting away completely as she looked at him. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small bag of candied almonds she had saved from breakfast. She held it out to him. "You earned your bonus, Alpha."
Vali took the bag of almonds like it was a Warlord medal of honor. He puffed out his chest, his pink eyes shining with absolute devotion.
"I will negotiate all your contracts forever," Vali promised fiercely.
As the carriage rolled back up the winding road toward the cliffside manor, carrying the two victorious cubs, Clover neatly recorded her very first massive profit in her ledger. Vali sat beside her, happily eating his almonds and keeping a strict, protective watch out the window. The Warlord pack was expanding, and the future of their treasury was clearly in very, very tiny, capable hands.