Finally, the hour arrived for the merchants to collect their orders.
As the sun dipped toward late afternoon, the once-quiet road leading to Leon's home filled with movement. Wagons creaked under their own weight as they rolled in one by one, hooves thudded against packed earth, and the chatter of impatient traders carried through the warm air.
Inside the newly cleared yard, long rows of crates and neatly stacked bundles of candles were arranged in perfect order — the result of Melina's relentless supervision and the workers' steady hands. The subtle scent of wax floated in the breeze.
Leon stepped outside just as the first merchant arrived, adjusting his tunic and lifting the ledger in his hands. Kara stood to his right, Melina to his left, while Nicole and Sandra handled the receipts and packaging behind them.
It was time.
Kara jogged toward him from the workshop, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Everything's ready," she reported. "Candles are sorted, packaged, and counted. Mother double-checked everything twice."
"Good," Leon said, rolling his shoulders as he glanced at the waiting merchants.
He stepped forward, the ledger tucked under one arm, and nodded toward the gate where the first wagon was already creaking to a halt.
"Let's begin," he said.
"Welcome, everyone," Leon called out, his voice firm enough to cut through the hum of chatter. The gathered merchants shifted, turning their attention toward him. A few nodded respectfully; others simply adjusted their coin pouches with barely concealed anticipation.
"Thank you for your patience. We'll process each order in the sequence you arrived at. Please have your receipts ready."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the small crowd.
The first merchant—a stout man with a graying beard and a vest stretched tight over his belly—hopped off his wagon with surprising agility.
"Master Leon," he greeted with a broad grin. "I've been lookin' forward to this batch. My customers nearly fought over the few samples."
Leon chuckled, shifting the ledger under his arm. "Then you'll be pleased. Your order is already counted and wrapped. All that's left is the payment and collection."
The merchant's grin widened. "Efficient as always," he said, fishing out his pouch of coins. He handed it over, the weighty clink echoing faintly in the yard.
Leon accepted the pouch, feeling its heft before passing it to Nicole. She loosened the drawstring, and together with Sandra began sorting the contents with swift, practiced motions.
Gold pieces glinted in the late sunlight, silvers chimed softly as they were stacked, and the coppers rattled into neat little piles atop the wooden table.
Melina marked the payment in the ledger while Kara directed the merchant's servants to the correct bundles. The exchange moved so smoothly it almost felt rehearsed—each of them playing their part without a single wasted moment.
Another merchant stepped forward, drawn by the efficiency, and the orderly rhythm of coins and crates continued.
"Master Torben, please wait a moment. I need to speak with you," Leon called out just as the merchant was climbing back onto his wagon.
Torben paused mid-step, his boot hanging in the air before he turned around with a bright smile. He had been hoping for a chance like this—an opening to build a closer relationship with Leon. Until now, he hadn't found the right moment.
"Of course, Master Leon," Torben said warmly, stepping down from the wagon once more. "How may I be of service?"
"I remember you said you have ties with the mayor?" Leon asked as they walked further away from other merchants who took this time to socialize.
Torben's brows lifted with interest, the smile on his face sharpening ever so slightly. "Yeah, that I do," he replied. He lowered his voice as they reached a quieter corner of the yard. "My son serves as a clerk in the mayor's office. Word passes through his hands before it reaches anyone else."
Leon nodded, pleased. "Good. I was hoping you will help me make an arrangement to meet with the mayor."
Torben blinked, a hint of surprise flashing across his weathered features before he leaned in with renewed focus. "You want a meeting?" he asked quietly. "A private one, I assume."
"Yes," Leon confirmed, tone steady. "And discreet. I don't want the Chief catching even a whisper of it."
Understanding clicked immediately in Torben's eyes. He rubbed his chin, considering. "My son can make that happen. He handles the mayor's schedules and incoming requests. If I tell him it's important, he'll push it through."
Leon inclined his head. "I'd appreciate it. I have something to offer the mayor—something that will interest him greatly. Don't worry I won't forget you."
Torben's chest seemed to puff with subtle pride at that last line, the promise of future favor landing exactly where Leon intended.
"I'm glad to hear it," Torben said, his voice lowering into something more earnest.
Leon offered a measured smile. "I value those who stand with me. And I reward loyalty generously."
Torben nodded, visibly satisfied. "Then consider it done. I'll reach out to my son tonight. If the mayor's in town—and he should be—you'll have your meeting arranged before the end of the week."
Leon clasped his forearm in a firm, respectful grip. "I'll be waiting."
Torben returned the gesture and released him. "We'll speak soon, Master Leon. And… congratulations. Seems your star is climbing higher every day."
After receiving Torben's assurance, Leon felt a quiet surge of determination. The next step was securing the Chief's approval, and he knew he had to present everything perfectly.
Back at Nicole's house, the women were already coordinating the preparations for the second workshop. The new space was larger, with room for more workers and wider tables to accommodate bulk production. Nicole oversaw the organization of materials, while Melina directed the workflow for the current workshop, ensuring that it was cleared and ready for the Chief to send his men.
"It is time to inform Horace that we are ready to start immediately." Leon said as he motioned for the girls who were ready to go to the market to come closer.
"Pass by the chief's house and inform Horace we are ready." Leon instructed.
The girls nodded and quickly gathered their things, Kara leading the way with a brisk step. Leon watched them go, as they disappeared down the cobbled street, the morning sun casting long shadows behind them. He stayed where he was for a moment, letting the anticipation settle in.
"You've been avoiding me."
Nicole's voice cut through his thoughts, pulling him back as he turned to see her fidgeting with the hem of her dress, trying to maintain a calm composure.
Leon couldn't meet her eyes. Slowly, he looked down, nervously tracing patterns on the ground with his feet. Since their last conversation, he had no idea how to act around Nicole.
He was torn—she was his mother, not by blood, yet he would be lying if he said he wasn't drawn to her in another way.
From the moment he first saw her he was entranced but kept it to himself as she was his mother but from their last conversation he realized he still did not understand this world as well as he thought he did.
Leon shifted uneasily, the tension in his chest growing heavier with each passing second. He could feel Nicole's gaze on him, patient but probing, and it made his heart pound in ways he couldn't fully name.
"I… I just…" he began, his voice faltering.
He swallowed, trying to gather the right words, but the weight of unspoken truths pressed down too firmly. "I've been… thinking. About everything. About us."
Nicole's eyes softened, a mixture of understanding and concern. "Leon," she said quietly, "when he left us, I made it my mission to give Clara and Elise a better life. With our situation, no one was going to marry them—or if they did, it would have been to old or mentally unfit husbands," she paused before continuing.
"You love them, and they love you too, so we thought… if they could marry you, they would be happy." She paused, carefully watching Leon's reaction.
Leon froze, the words hanging in the air like a weight he hadn't expected. His mind raced, trying to process Nicole's confession.
"Then I saw what you were doing with Melina and Sandra, and I couldn't help but want the same," she continued. "I could see how they had changed… how happy they were. So I thought… I wanted to be part of that too."
Leon's chest tightened, a storm of conflicting emotions—shock, disbelief, and an undeniable, unnamed pull—rushing through him.
Seeing him remain silent, Nicole's gaze faltered slightly. "You don't have to answer me right now," she said softly. "No matter what you decide… Mom will always love you." She wiped at her tears and hurriedly walked away, leaving him standing in the weight of his own thoughts.
Leon stood frozen, the sound of her retreating footsteps echoing in his mind. The cobblestones beneath his feet felt heavier than usual, as if the world itself had pressed pause.
"Mom… Mom…" he called, his voice trembling.
He broke into a run, desperate to catch up, only to be stopped by Melina.
"Take your time while she cools down before you sit and have a proper conversation." Melina advised as she led him back to the house.
Should Nicole join the harem or not?Vote in the comments!
✅ Yes, she should
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