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“It is market gossip.”

“It is a list of pressures a noble house can exploit.”

Nessa takes another bite of pastry, but she chews without interest. “Everyone already knows Lowtown is angry.”

“Knowing anger exists is different from knowing where to press.”

“He asked about complaints. He didn’t ask me to betray anyone.”

“Not yet.”

Her gaze snaps to mine. “You think I don’t understand the risk?”

“I think you’re frightened for your family.”

“Of course I am.”

The admission emerges under her breath. She closes the ledger again and places both hands over it.

Her fingers tremble.

I reach across the counter, but she pulls one hand away to adjust the spice jars.

“The debt is designed to keep growing,” I say. “The relief is bait.”

“I know how interest works.”

“This is not only interest.”

“What would you have me do? Refuse him and let him take the stall? Let the debt collectors claim our house?”

“We find another way.”

“There is no other way.”

“We can speak to the other merchants. Several families together might purchase the loan.”

“With what money?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“That means no.”

“It means I haven’t solved it while standing here for ten minutes.”

Nessa shakes her head. “You cannot make every problem in Lowtown yours.”

“Watch me.”

That earns the briefest laugh. It also leaves moisture bright in her eyes.

She looks down at the ledger. “The merchant said the questions were harmless. He wants to understand the mood below the keep because trade suffers when people become desperate.”

“A Varrus-backed merchant does not care whether desperation hurts human trade.”

“K’sheng care about profit.”

“Yes. House Varrus cares about power. If the merchant serves both, his interest in our grievances is not charitable.”