Nicholas wasn't very involved with magical business, and had decided to perhaps change that. It was a tricky market, though. Food and supplies needed a stamp of approval, and his company's stamp was a benefit to vendors, vut witches didn't care as much about it. They knew what they liked and went to the shops that were up to their standards. Even the shops weren't keen on partnering up with a big company such as Nicholas'.

That didn't stop him from trying though. He was at the Toil and Trouble that day. He was speaking with the owner in the back.

"I just don't see the benefit, Lord Beaumont. Your stamp of approval means little to us, and we would have to give a percentage of our profits to you? I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline."

He had expected it, but it was still a slap to the face. "I understand, my lady." He stood and smiled at her. Then he left her office and walked back into the store. It was then that he saw Dezembre talking to the the lady behind the counter. Dezembre was his wife's cousin, but they didn't know each other well. They didn't have a lot of family parties.

"Now I understand why you don't want that stamp", he said to the owner, who had followed behind him. If the toppers didn't sit right, the product wouldn't be approved by Nicholas at all.

"I didn't know you knew so much about witch supplies", she remarked dryly. She thought Nicholas shouldn't speak on things he didn't know anything about. He couldn't even make a potion if he wanted to.

The owner of the store was becoming increasingly annoyed. "No, my lady", she said, looking at Dezembre. "Our store doesn't work together with the Beaumont company. Nothing here has a stamp of approval, because the witches supply stores have refused to work with lord Beaumont."

Nicholas was just enjoying the woman battling to explain why her products weren't approved by the Beaumont company. There was no need for them to be because they weren't working together. Their products hadn't been inspected by his team either. They just preferred to stay independent. "Like you said, you know what to look for. The lord here isn't a witch, he wouldn't know what boxes the supplies need to check to be considered good products." She smiled at Dezi, hoping the woman would understand what she was saying.

And Nicholas still didn't say anything. He crossed his arms and smiled at everyone in the store. But it was good to hear that his cousin-in-law say that he knew what he was talking about.

Dezi's response made the owner bite her tongue and nod. "Yes, my lady", she said. Nicholas smiled and took a step closer to Dezembre.

"Thank you, lady Chaudhari. I'm sure the lovely ladies here would be more than willing to give you a discount on these flasks, if you're still interested in purchasing them", he said, looking at the owner and the clerk. They nodded, not happy with Nicholas.

Nicholas laughed kindly at what she said and gently placed a hand on her arm. "It's quite alright, Lady Chaudhari. They have made it clear they are not interested, and I won't force them. I can't, I don't have that authority, and I wouldn't wish to either." He smiled at the owner, then looked back at Dezi. "It wouldn't be a good foundation for a partnership, and could hurt my business in the long run, so I will take it somewhere else."