Prince of Gluttony: Born from Betrayal

Jayden narrowed her eyes, suspicious now. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Cain lifted his head from his hand, forcing a neutral expression. "I'm fine. Just… sudden headache."

Mira didn't look convinced, but she waved it off with a shrug and leaned back against the wall. "You're weird, but I've had worse customers."

'See? She's already tolerating your nonsense. A great sign in a future partner.'

Cain internally screamed.

'Besides,' Gaius added, his voice annoyingly thoughtful, 'you need a smith in your corner. One who won't rat you out, one who won't break under pressure. Plus you will need an excuse for when metal starts disappearing to feed your growth. That girl's already stared you down topless with a hammer in hand and didn't flinch. She's got backbone. You like backbone, no? And hips. Hips are good'

Cain thought about flinging himself out the nearest window.

Instead, he stood a little straighter and turned back to Mira. "Thanks for the info. Those swords though... would you ever consider letting someone like me take a look?"

Mira followed his gaze to the back wall where the twin blades hung like silent guardians. Their curved, fang-like design gave them a cruel edge, the sort of weapons meant for tearing, not sparing.

She scoffed. "Not a chance. Those aren't for sale, and they're sure as hell not for play. They belonged to my ancestor, and just because he didn't forge them doesn't mean they're not valuable."

"I'm not asking to buy them," Cain said calmly. "Just to use them. Temporarily."

She stared at him like he'd grown a second head. "Why in all the goddamn hells would I let you touch something like that?"

Cain didn't flinch. "Because in exchange, I'll sponsor you. Your forge. Your work. Everything."

Mira's eyebrows drew together. "Sponsor me? What, you looking to slap your name on the side of my shop?"

"I'm offering to hire you. Officially," Cain said, voice even. "You become my personal blacksmith. I'll provide funding, connections, protection. You get access to the materials you need, and the reputation boost that will come eventually when you are tied to my name."

Her eyes narrowed even further. "Tch. You think just because you're handsome and throwing around big words, I'm gonna jump at the chance to spread my legs?"

Jayden nearly choked on air. Cain blinked, then grimaced.

"No," he said firmly. "This is not about that. This is business."

Mira crossed her arms, but her posture shifted. Not quite so guarded. "I've had a lot of creeps with coin wave offers in front of me. They think because my shop's falling apart I'm desperate. Think I'll drop to my knees if they flash enough gold."

"And would you?" Cain asked, tone dry.

Mira's glare could have bent iron. "I'm a virgin, asshole. Not some cheap fuck. If I were gonna whore myself out, I'd be doing a hell of a lot better than some broody customer with a migraine."

"Then prove me right," Cain said. "Take the deal. I'll put your name back where it belongs."

She hesitated. Arms crossed tighter, lips pressed into a line. "Even if I believed you, you're still just some guy with fancy clothes and an attitude."

Kingdom."

Mira didn't blink. Didn't laugh. Just stared at him like she was trying to burn through his skull.

Then she clicked her tongue and turned toward the swords.

"Fine," she said. "You can use them."

Cain blinked. "Really?"

"But if you so much as chip one of them," she growled, rounding back on him, "I will have your head. And your balls. In separate jars. Understand?"

"Crystal clear."

She nodded, as if confirming to herself that she meant it. Then she exhaled through her nose, long and tired, and looked away.

"I was going to say no," she muttered. "Would've kicked you out like the rest of the bastards who think they can buy me. But... truth is... I was only a few days away from having to sell more than swords to keep this place alive."

Jayden flinched slightly, but said nothing.

Mira didn't look at either of them as she added, "So, yeah. I took your offer. Because I'm desperate. Because I'm tired. And if flirting with my new boss keeps coin in my hand and coal in my forge, then don't expect me to act like some blushing maiden."

Cain didn't respond. Neither did Jayden.

Mira finally looked up again, smirking faintly. "Unless you're into blushing maidens. Then maybe I'll fake it."

Still, no one said anything.

Jayden's arms crossed tighter, her jaw just barely tightening. She kept her face neutral, but her gaze lingered a little longer on Mira than it should have. Cain noticed. He wisely chose not to mention it. Frankly because he couldn't really understand why.

Mira, either oblivious or enjoying herself, turned away and headed toward the back. "I'll grab the blades. Try not to drool all over yourself."

Cain exhaled once she was gone.

Gaius chuckled in his head. 'She's going to be fun.'

Cain didn't have long to enjoy the brief peace before Jayden spoke up.

"So that's your type, huh?" she said flatly.

He turned to look at her. Her expression was unreadable, arms crossed, shoulders tense, lips in a faint frown.

"My what?"

Jayden's eyes narrowed just a bit. "Big hips. Loud mouth. Talks about selling herself and you don't even blink."

Cain stared. "I didn't do anything."

"Didn't have to," she muttered.

He blinked again, genuinely confused. "How does that make me the pervert? She's the one who said it. And what concern is it of yours anyway? I was here to pay off a debt. That debt's done."

Jayden didn't answer. Her mouth flattened, and for a second something like a pout flickered across her lips before she turned away. She stormed off toward the exit without another word.

Cain watched her go, baffled. "What the hell was that about?"

Inside his head, Gaius burst into laughter.

You really are hopeless. My poor disciple. You are so incredibly stupid when it comes to women, it is actually painful to witness.