Marceline gave Rex a price that he thought was below market value, probably as a favor to Helena. Helena paid right away, counting out coins like someone who didn't care much about money but found it useful.
She turned to Rex and said, "There we go."
"You're paid through the end of the season."
"Marceline here will take care of anything you need, and I'll be staying with Mother at her estate on the Academy grounds, but you can reach me there if you need something."
"Thank you, Helena," Rex said, and he meant it. "This is very kind of you, and I don't know much of how to repay that kind of stuff."
"Oh, come on now, Rex. Don't act like a stranger with that talk," Helena said, but her face was warm. "You'll be going to the Academy, so you'll need a place to sleep and study nearby."
"This is the perfect place, and I'll let Lily hang once in a while." Helena giggled with a teasing look.
