When they finally arrived back at the shop after their leisurely exploration of Esta, Noah was surprised to find a crowd already gathered outside. The nobles themselves—Duke Ashford, Marquess Ravenswood, Viscount Thornheart, and several others—were waiting patiently with servants carrying various containers, chests, and wrapped packages that presumably contained the items they intended to barter.
Noah approached them with an apologetic smile, genuinely not expecting them to return so quickly. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I didn't realise you would all be back this soon. I thought you'd need more time to gather your trade goods."
