As arrogant as the claim was, no shouts followed. Everyone just waited as the Merchants Guild's representative and Grace studied each other.
Honestly, Liam felt he was seeing double. Much about the Merchants Guild's representative reminded him of Grace. She definitely wasn't an opponent he could handle, not with words.
Eventually, the blue woman made the announcement that steered the meeting away from the stalemate it had been stuck at.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Grace, Master Black Qi," The blue woman announced. "I'm Colleen, Chief of the Merchants Guild. By my authority, I declare the Merchants Guild interested in doing business with you."
That was public acknowledgment the other Guilds couldn't deny. Now that the Merchants Guild had announced its interest in the couple, the latter had also earned its protection, at least passively.
