Chapter 396: Sneaky Business Woman

With her decision made, Nala turned her head and gave a sharp nod to the small band of musicians in the corner. They grinned in response, their instruments already in hand.

Instantly, the cheerful tavern music faded, replaced by a new rhythm. It was a sultry, mesmerizing melody that spoke of shifting sands, starry desert nights, and ancient magic.

The thrumming of an oud laid the foundation, while the sharp, hypnotic beat of a darbuka drum set a pace that made one’s own heart beat in time.

Every eye was on her and the tavern fell into a hushed, reverent silence.

Nala then took a deep breath, glancing at Cassius one last time as if to draw strength from his rapt attention, before she closed her eyes, centering herself.

The flustered girl vanished and when she opened them again, the look in their depths was entirely different.

It was sultry, passionate, and held a fiery confidence that stole the breath from every person watching.

The dance began.

It started with a slow, gentle sway of her hips, her body becoming a living instrument played by the desert music. The movement flowed upwards through her torso in a liquid ripple, a wave of pure grace.

Her arms then rose, her fingers tracing invisible patterns in the air, telling a story only her body knew. Then, as the drumbeat quickened, her hips began to move with a sharp, precise rhythm, the golden coins on her belt creating a soft, hypnotic jingle that was a counterpoint to the music.

She moved with a power and fluidity that was breathtaking. Her belly undulated in perfect, controlled rolls before she locked her muscles and made them pop in time with the sharpest beats of the drum.

Her serpentine tail was not a hindrance but an extension of the dance itself, coiling and uncoiling on the floor around her, a river of silver and shadow that moved in perfect harmony with the sway of her body.

The room was utterly spellbound. Everyone watched with mesmerized expressions, their earlier thoughts forgotten.

This wasn’t just a dance; it was an enchantment, a raw display of feminine power and untamed beauty.

And Nala, the girl they thought they were beginning to know, was the sorceress at its very heart.

Julie’s lips parted, her fork slipping from her hand as she whispered, "It’s...utterly beautiful..."

Aisha’s eyes were wide, fixed on every graceful sway. Even Skadi, so rowdy and loud a moment ago, was silent now, her mouth half-open as her fish lay forgotten.

And Cassius?

He didn’t blink.

He couldn’t.

...Nala danced, and the world around her disappeared as he watched her in a dreamy daze.

—

The last note of the flute faded, and for a heartbeat, the tavern seemed to hold its breath. Nala slowly opened her eyes, her chest rising and falling, cheeks faintly flushed from the intensity of her performance.

Then, thunder.

"So beautiful! Utterly beautiful!"

"That was absolutely divine, Nala!"

"Thank God, I still haven’t gone blind yet so that I can witness something so breathtaking!"

The room erupted in wild cheers, loud enough to rattle the tavern beams. Glasses banged against tables, hands clapped furiously, and voices shouted from every corner.

One of the old men from before was dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief. "I’m crying, I’m actually crying right now! I’ve seen Nala perform so many times, but every single time...I can’t help but tear up!"

"The way she moved...and her tail...there’s no way a human could ever replicate such a dance! It’s mesmerizing!"

Nala glanced around, bewildered, and realized with a start that the crowd had swelled to nearly twice its original size.

Word must have spread the moment the music started, drawing people in from the street, all of them now on their feet, their faces alight with an enchantment she had woven. The sheer volume of adoration made a deep blush bloom across her cheeks.

"It’s alright, it’s alright!" She called out, trying to sound nonchalant but failing to hide the flustered tone in her voice. "You don’t need to praise me that much." She puffed out her chest slightly. "I know I’m amazing. I know I’m beautiful. And yes, I know the dance was mesmerizing."

"...There’s no need to state the obvious so loudly!"

Her arrogant acceptance of their praise sent a ripple of warm laughter through the crowd. Any other girl would be hiding her face in embarrassment, but Nala simply owned it.

What made the scene even stranger, however, was what she did next.

With a deft movement, she snatched an empty wooden plate from a nearby table. A brilliant, almost sly smile lit up her face as she slithered up to the man who was crying and presented the plate to him expectantly.

He stared at it, then at her, his tears forgotten. "What’s this all about, Nala? Why are you showing me a plate?"

"My tips, of course, Uncle Edward!" She chirped, her eyes sparkling. "You didn’t think such an amazing, heart-stopping, once-in-a-lifetime performance was free, did you? Surely after all those tears, you can spare a few copper coins, right?"

The man stared at her for a moment longer before bursting into a hearty laugh.

"Of course, of course! I should’ve known you wouldn’t let me slip away without paying!" He reached into his pocket, the sound of clinking metal filling the air as he dropped a handful of coins onto her plate.

Nala’s eyes sparkled. "Thank you kindly!" She slithered off with a grin, weaving through the crowd, extending her plate to others.

People eagerly dropped coins in, laughing and cheering, praising her while adding to the pile. Some even tossed silver in for good measure.

As she collected, she called out with businesslike sharpness.

"And don’t just stand around gawking! If you’re inside my grandma’s tavern, you’d better order something! Get a drink! Buy a plate of fish! If you don’t, you’re loitering, and that’s not allowed!"

Her shameless entrepreneurial spirit made the crowd roar with laughter. Yet, as if on cue, dozens turned toward the bar and began shouting out orders for ale, stew, and dried sardines.

Wanda, from behind the counter, smirked proudly.

"That girl..." She muttered. "...always thinking with her purse."

By the time Nala finished her rounds, the plate was practically overflowing with coins. She hugged it close to her chest, grinning ear to ear.

"Hehe, what a good haul tonight!" She whispered to herself.

Finally, her eyes drifted back toward the table she cared most about. Her steps slowed. Her smile softened.

Cassius.

She slithered up expectantly, her heart fluttering in anticipation of what he thought, whether he’d been enchanted, whether he’d liked it. She had, after all, poured everything into that dance for him.

But when her gaze reached the table, she froze.

Julie was there, sipping from her mug with flushed cheeks. Aisha sat neatly, her hands folded, and Skadi was already licking her fingers from the fish she had wolfed down.

But Cassius’s chair was empty.

The grin slipped from Nala’s face. For a moment, she thought he had simply...walked away.

That he had missed it.

That the entire performance, the embarrassment she endured, the effort she put in, had all been wasted.

Her chest ached faintly, disappointment rising like a bitter tide.

Still, she forced a bright smile. If Cassius wasn’t there, she would use this opportunity to go forth with the ’business venture’ she planned. Her eyes sparkled as she slithered over to the Holy Guard trio.

And the instant she arrived, Skadi sprang up, nearly knocking her chair over. She grabbed Nala’s hands with a rough, eager grip.

"That was amazing! Absolutely amazing, Nala!" Her eyes were wild with excitement. "I’m flexible, sure, but there’s no way I could ever move like that! I’m in awe. You have to teach me some of those moves!"

Nala beamed, her tail flicking with delight. "Of course, Miss Skadi! Of course! It’d be an honor!"

Skadi wrinkled her nose. "Oi, don’t call me ’Miss Skadi’ or anything fancy. Just Skadi’s fine!"

"She’s right." Aisha chuckled softly, dabbing the corners of her lips with a napkin. "There’s no need to call a mutt like her ’Miss’ of all people."

Skadi shot Aisha a glare, but the cart girl only smiled sweetly, making Skadi huff.

Then Aisha turned her eyes back on Nala.

"Truly, though, it was a breathtaking performance. Not only your movements, but the way your garments flowed with the dance, enchanting. Where did you get them?"

"Oh, this?" Nala preened, puffing her chest out with pride. "I made it myself! Bought the material and stitched it all together on my own."

Aisha’s eyes widened slightly before she let out a soft chuckle.

"You truly are talented in so many different ways." She then glanced sideways at Julie. "Our captain here could learn a few things from you. She’s just started trying to make clothes out of yarn."

Julie’s face flushed a brilliant red.

"Be quiet, Aisha! Don’t embarrass me in front of everyone!" She coughed to clear her throat, regaining her composure. "It truly was a wonderful performance, Nala. My eyes were on you the entire time. I became your fan instantly."

Nala’s eyes widened, her cheeks glowing with excitement.

"R-Really? The captain of the Holy Guard herself says that? Oh my god! Today really is the best day ever!"

She wiggled happily before leaning closer to Julie, eyes shining.

"Actually, I’m your fan too! I didn’t get to say it earlier, but...could I ask you a favor?"

Immediately, Wanda’s voice cut in sharply from behind the bar.

"Nala! Don’t you dare get sneaky with them! Don’t treat them like you do the villagers!"

But Julie raised her hand calmly. "It’s alright. What is it, Nala?"

Nala whipped out a small bundle of papers and a pen, thrusting them at Julie with a pleading smile.

"Your autograph, please! I’ve heard all about your achievements, you’re incredible! I idolize you! Please sign your name for me!"

Julie blinked, then smiled warmly. "Of course." She scribbled her name and handed the paper back.

But no sooner had Nala taken it than she held out another sheet.

"This one too, please!"

Julie hesitated, but humored her, signing again.

And then Nala slid forward another page.

"And this one as well!"

Julie finally frowned. "Do you really need so many? Are you truly that big of a fan?"

At that moment, Wanda came forth and smacked her granddaughter’s tail with her cane.

Whack!

"OW!" Nala squealed, coiling up.

"Don’t believe her, Miss Julie." Wanda gave her a flat look. "She’s not stockpiling out of devotion, she’s stockpiling to sell them later."

"...That sneaky girl’s a businesswoman through and through."

Julie’s jaw dropped, Aisha covered her mouth in disbelief, and even Skadi burst out laughing.

Meanwhile, Nala rubbed her tail with a pout. "Grandmaaa, don’t expose me like that..."

But the mischievous sparkle in her eyes betrayed her. She had been caught red-handed.