Peony's Blade

Chapter 7

When Rejin said they were headed to the place of the Shadows’ business, a pleasure house was the last thing Serielle expected. She supposed that was precisely the reason the House of the Golden Sun was their choice of establishment to hide behind.

Even so, she had never stepped foot in a pleasure house before, and it was mortifying to see boisterous activities around her. Serielle pulled the hood over her head to hide. If anyone recognised her, it would be an absolute disaster.

Fortunately, it was Rejin who got most of the attention. The courtesans flocked around him, offering him their services. Serielle had to squash the annoyance that arose. They weren’t here to play and Rejin seemed to be enjoying the attention way too much.

“I appreciate the offer, truly,” he was saying. “But I’m afraid I’m here strictly on business.”

“Oh?” one of the girls said. Seeing that she had his focus, the others dispersed. “Business, you say? Have you an appointment?”

“Ah, see. Now that’s the tricky bit. It’s on such short notice I’m not quite sure we can reserve your best.” He dug through a satchel tied to his waist to bring out something wrapped in a piece of cloth. He gently unravelled it just enough to show the courtesan, and her eyes widened in awe.

“Indeed,” she said, covering her lips with her sleeves to give a respectful bow. “My name is Suki, at your service. I shall find a proper room for you, but please understand your request may be denied.”

“Understood.”

“Follow me.”

The courtesan took charge, her bright red dress fluttering behind her. Rejin started after her, and Serielle nearly stumbled over her feet to catch up.

“You seem quite comfortable here,” she couldn’t help but remark.

Rejin shrugged. “It’s a pleasure house. It’s designed to make you comfortable.”

“You deliberately misunderstand me.”

“Is that what you think? I wonder why.”

His smug tone sparked a flame of irritation inside Serielle. She bristled and chose not to continue with the pointless conversation. A suffocatingly sweet smell of cheap perfume permeated the establishment, and the loud, raucous laughter that threaded through every room made her head spin.

The first few rooms, if that’s what they were, had no doors but were enclosed behind curtains. Some were slightly parted to reveal the activities taking place in the room, and though Serielle was relieved to see there was nothing explicit, she was curious as to what kind of entertainment the courtesans provided in these rooms. Based on the soft music she heard and the glimpses between the curtains, she gathered there were a range of things courtesans could do to keep their guests happy.

Suki led them to a room with a door that slid open and ushered them inside. With another bow, she informed them of the various services they could request while they waited for her to pass on their message.

When the door slid shut, Serielle pulled back her hood and gave Rejin a long hard look.

“Tell me, Rejin. Are we meeting Blade here?”

Rejin had his arms crossed over his chest. He shrugged and took a seat on the cushion set on the ground.

“I can’t guarantee it. It’s up to him whether he wants to meet us or not.”

Serielle calmed her breathing to stop the anger from bursting through her composure. The last thing she wanted was to demand her wishes be granted as if she was a spoiled, hysterical brat. She was a princess of Paeonia. She would get what she wanted with the poise and grace worthy of her title.

“We won’t be leaving before I meet Blade,” she asserted. “And if I find that you played a part in Blade’s absence, I will have you flogged.”

Rejin gazed into her eyes, completely unshaken by her threat. “I wouldn’t dare.”

Satisfied with his answer, Serielle took a seat across from him. The silence stretched on, and the minutes ticked by slowly. Serielle kept her back straight, her chin up, her hands on her lap. She was curious about what Rejin had shown the courtesan but asking him would be giving him interest. That was something she could no longer afford.

Rejin drummed his fingers against the low ornate table between them. Neither of them said a word, but the air around them was full to the brim with unspoken memories, almost bursting at the seams with what they could never say aloud. Serielle kept her mouth tightly shut, and her heart locked away in the deepest part of her. She would not be the one to release the torrent of their messy past. Never again.

“I never imagined I’d ever bring you to a pleasure house,” he said.

Serielle made sure her stony mask remained on her face. “We’re not here to play. Don’t forget that, General.”

“What will you do if we can’t hire Blade?”

“I don’t think you understand. That isn’t an option I can accept.”

Rejin blew out a breath. “You’re hardheaded, I’ll give you that. It’s something I’ve always admired about you. But right now, I find it quite difficult to handle.”

“If you’re trying to insult me, you’re failing miserably.”

Rejin fell silent, perhaps sensing that Serielle wanted to avoid any conversation about their past. A few more minutes of silence passed before the door slid open. Serielle was glad for the distraction. The stillness was getting stale.

Suki bowed before speaking. “My deepest apologies. Our elite service is unavailable. Would you like to meet another?”

Serielle’s jaw clenched. Her eyes met Rejin’s and he inclined his head towards the courtesan as if to say, ‘What’s your move?’

“Perhaps we weren’t too clear,” Serielle said. “We won’t settle for any less. Our business is of utmost importance.”

Something flashed in Suki’s eyes, but it was gone before Serielle could decipher it. “I’m afraid that’s not possible at this time. If it’s not too urgent, might I suggest you return in another month? You must understand you aren’t the only one to seek out our services and on such short notice…”

“I’d like to meet him,” Serielle said. “Let us meet him first, then we can decide if we’ll proceed with his service.”

“My lady…” The courtesan glanced at Rejin. “We have other options.”

“Your call,” Rejin said. “What do you wish to do?”

This was not at all what Serielle was expecting. She let out a sigh. “Very well. We’ll meet one available. Why don’t we have some tea while we do, yes?”

Suki bowed, relief evident in the way her shoulders relaxed. “Of course. I’ll arrange for someone right away.”

“Before you go,” Serielle glided towards the courtesan, “Would you mind showing me to the toilet?”

“As you wish. This way.”

“Rejin, wait here.”

“Of course.”

Serielle followed the courtesan through the pleasure house, passing the curtained rooms. She noticed a sturdy staircase leading upstairs. Curious, she asked, “Are there more rooms upstairs?”

“Yes, my lady. For our guests who spend the night.”

“I see.”

The courtesan paused at a narrow hallway hidden slightly near the stairs. “Right this way.”

“Tell me,” Serielle said as they made their way down the empty hall. “Is Blade even here?”

Suki’s steps faltered. She glanced around, looking for anyone within earshot. “These conversations are reserved for private rooms, my lady.”

“If he refuses to come to me, perhaps I could go to him. Tell me, where can I find him?”

“Please.” The courtesan stopped in her tracks but didn’t turn around. “I advise against that. If you value your life, I suggest you follow our rules. A client must never be the one to seek us out. Request for who you desire and they shall come to you.”

“The one I desire has not shown up.”

“Then other options are made available.”

“I’m afraid that’s not going to work for me.” Serielle weighed the information in her mind. It seemed the Shadows were allowed to kill their potential clients if they became too much of a nuisance. She needed to tread carefully, but she was quite confident she’d be able to convince Blade to work for her if she could just meet him.

“I understand your warning,” Serielle said. “Tell me where he is, Suki. Should meeting him result in my death, you may feign ignorance. All you did was show me to the toilet. Nothing more. Bring another option to my room where my escort awaits me. If I die, it is because I foolishly wandered to where I wasn’t supposed to be.”

Suki sighed. “Very well.” She turned around, her crimson lips set in a perfect smile. “The toilet is at the end of this hall. Once you are finished, you may return. The room you seek is on the second floor in the farthest room marked by a crescent moon. It’s reserved only for our highest paying customers.”

“Thank you, Suki.” Serielle nodded. “I can find my way from here.”

Suki gave another bow. “My lady.”

Once the courtesan’s footsteps faded back into the main house, Serielle turned away from the toilet and headed towards the stairs.