Reincarnated as the Only Human

I nodded and showed her the box, placing it just beneath my abundant breasts and ensuring they jiggled a little as I said ”That is indeed correct, Miss Hertanc! I am but a hopeful jeweler hoping to find myself someone to sponsor me!”

The Horsekin nodded and peered down into my cleavage, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips before she eventually gestured for me to place the box on the table, her eyes flashing with amusement as she said ”Go ahead then, make your case.”

Laying it down and gently lifting the lid, I revealed the three separate rows of jewelry to her, relishing how her teasing smirk faded slightly as it was replaced with something a little more serious, and not in a bad way.

Since she asked me to make my case, I began to do just that as I leaned over the table and rested my finger just above the silver rings, starting at the lowest valued jewelry and ensuring that - should she require it - my breasts were dangling just in sight.

”I went ahead and spent the last two days getting this little showcase together just for your eyes, Miss Hertanc. These are rings made from pure silver, treated properly in a mana enhanced flame to ensure their pristine shine and a durability that many would appreciate. As a rule of thumb all of my bands are thick enough and wide enough to support any efforts to improve them going forwards, be it through me or someone else.

Each of them are identical and treated with the same care, and as we move onto the golden rings you can see that these too are identical. Durable, shiny, perfect for someone wanting a simple piece of jewelry or someone looking for just the right base to create something unique for themselves.

Finally, I have the ones that I am proud of, and they are these three here; a garnet, turquoise and peridot set into these gorgeous bands with these simple and clean quartz accents to give them that pop. I made this as a display for you to peruse at your leisure and as a hopeful offering to secure myself someone with the money and knowhow to make this a worthwhile endeavor...”

The Horsekin was gently lifting each ring out of the box as she appraised them, her eyes sharpening as she brought them closer and studied them from all angles before moving onto the next one, and the only sign I had that she heard me was the twitching of her velvety ears.

A minute or two passed in relative silence as I gave her the time to appraise all of them, and by the time she was looking at those final three rings she finally looked up at me and asked ”You desire a sponsor to sell your jewelry, correct? Someone to put your pieces on display to the masses and someone with connections to those with the hunger for beautiful artistry?”

”That is also correct, Miss Hertanc. I want someone who can appreciate the talent I have and someone who can make us both money, be it from public sales or private commissions.”

She nodded slowly at that, and her eyes briefly flicked towards my breasts as I stood up, though she reined in her lust for now as she asked ”Why this store, and why me? Why the Hertanc Family?”

Her eyes held something hidden that I couldn’t quite recognize, but there was also anticipation and desire in them that made me quite happy - not a desire to fuck me, but a desire to get to know me and forge something with me, and that was what I was here for.

”Coincidence, asking questions to the right people and some of my own knowledge. The Hertanc Family is known for their jewelry and wealth, this store is a well known, reputable business that brings in merchants, nobles, and of course has a sister store that caters to the more average person.

As for why you in particular, it just made more sense to find someone with the range compared to the... ’quality’ that other stores strive for. This is a high end store, yes, but like I said before the presence of a sister store is invaluable too. These silver rings on their own would make a nice display in that store, no?”

Miss Hertanc was smiling again, but this time it was just as sharp as her gaze had been as she nodded and replied ”It would indeed. But let me ask you this, Miss Astra...”, leaning closer and once again showing off her size and overall presence as she loomed over me, casting a slight shadow onto my face.

”Do you believe me a fool?”

”Pardon?”

I was rather shocked at that sudden question, only to smile wryly beneath my veil as she instantly said ”I know who you are. Most of us in the Nobility know who you are to some degree, Miss Astra. The Duchess Poinset’s new secretary; her new pet. So let me ask you again... Why me?”

Looking up into her eyes, I bit my lip and thought it through as quickly as I could, wondering what angle to take here that would deescalate this situation and what I could say that would get me out of this without any damages.

”I...”

Her eyes were hard, but there was no malice or anger in them, only serious curiosity that made me swallow down my first answer, which had been to act as a hopeful gold digger that was only with the Duchess for the money and power.

”If I said there was no hidden agenda and that this store was simply the best one available that wasn’t aligned with the Duchess - and as such providing a flawed, biased opinion on my works - would you believe me?”

Miss Hertanc remained silent as I gave her a half truth, staring at me closely before chuckling as she said ”No, I wouldn’t. Not fully. I think you want something from me or my family for your Duchess. However, I also think that holding grudges based on politics that neither of us are truly present in is idiotic.

My political beliefs, Miss Astra, align to whatever earns me the most money. What earns me money gives me political clout, and that clout gives me contracts and agreements for even more money. So, I ask you this; can we work together as people looking to earn a boatload of coin, or are you going to try and stab me in the back? Because if so...”

She got even closer to me, and I suddenly felt a bit of pressure as her mana leaked from her skin; it wasn’t terribly potent on its own, but the control she showed by only letting a little seep out and fill the air between us and nowhere else was telling.

”Then let’s make a whole lotta money, Miss Hertanc. That’s why I’m here, I promise... amongst other things too~!”

That made her grin, and she nodded as she pulled away, the Horsekin chuckling as she said ”My manager told me after I pressed her about it. Quite the persuasive method, I must admit. A good thing those rings sold for 9 Gold each, or else she would’ve been fired for buying them that high.”