Dessert Goddess

Anything for you, My Lady

Charlene’s POV

The drive to the Colosseum was not exactly a long one. However it always seemed to take forever. I sat in the carriage, fumbling with the hem of my dress as I looked out the carriage window. Recently one of the neighborhoods close to my castle had fallen into a bit of disrepair. I had altered my route to take me through it so I could see and confirm for myself the help it needed. This was the first trip through. Hyun-ho made himself visible through my right side window.

“We are nearly to the Hermain neighborhood, My Lady. We will slow our speed to afford you the look you desire.” He spoke to me through the window. He leaned down on his horse to make eye contact with me.

“Yes, thank you.” He quickly sat back up and moved out of sight again. The rambling carriage slowed almost instantly. I returned my attention out to the street. Just moments before we were in Windam neighborhood. Windam was very well lit, with very nice dwellings and pristine landscaping. That was not what I was looking at now. Hyun-ho’s horse cut through my sight as he moved about in full security mode. I turned to look out the right hand window. A dirt pasture with maybe 30 ragged looking horses and cows crammed together was the sight that greeted me. It was small with no grass to speak of. Every animal looked worked and tired. Some were on the skinny side. All but one. One of the horses was much bigger and shinier than the rest. Her brindle coat shone in the shady overtone of the neighborhood. Her eyes sifted around her surroundings but her body was relaxed. She had an air about her. You know she was different just glancing at her. Rippled muscles sit lax. Her tail swished in an almost perturbed manner.

She was a beastwoman. Not a regular horse at all. She stood in the center of the pen. Movement around her shoved her this way and that but she refused to budge an inch. Why was she there? Beastwomen were often used by more affluent members of society since they looked better and behaved better than regular animals. She bared her teeth at a colt trying to play before going back to doing absolutely nothing. The carriage lumbered along as I took in the depressing sight. The dwelling next to the pasture soon blocked any other view I had of them. I swiveled my eyes away, focusing on the next dwelling in line. A sign escaped as I listened to the hoofbeats around me. All of the buildings seemed to be about to fall down. They were made poorly with poor quality materials. Broken pieces of everything imaginable littered the roadway and every dirt yard on the street. This was more than simple disrepair.

“This is outrageous.” I commented as Hyun-ho appeared in front of me. The carriage stopped.

“Ma’am, this is Hermain Circle. The center of the neighborhood.” What this was is surely not a neighborhood. This was a dusty round-about with a tattooed fountain that did not seem to be turned on, smack dab in the middle of ancient ruin-like structures. Evidence of fighting and violence was everywhere. Pieces of architecture were fragmenting off with weather and destruction. Nothing looked nice. Not even a single flower or blade of grass left mark of its existence here. “Shall we continue out of the neighborhood and on towards the Colesseum? You are running late.” Hyun-ho reminded me. He was keen on making sure I got everywhere on time. I am pretty sure it bothers him more than it does me if I am late. I switched my thoughts over to the tasks ahead.

“Yes, lets go. I have a plan to make.” I said determinedly. My thoughts took off at warp speed. I cant allow a pocket of my city to be so poorly kept. There were several ways in which I could approach this issue. I could throw money at it, rebuild or repair buildings, have things like grass delivered and get the fountain working. But then would they just destroy it again? Or be inspired by my actions? Or I could create some kind of incentive for them to clean up their neighborhood themselves… But that’s to say they can afford to. If this is where the poor have decided to congregate then almost any incentive isn’t going to help. If I figure out a way to pay all the people more, will they use it for the neighborhood or for personal gain? I have so much to think about. The swaying of the carriage easily lulled me into thought as I watched the landscape around me change, not actually seeing any of it. As I worked out a plan, I was unaware of how much time had passed.

“My lady?” I hear a voice faintly penetrate my thoughts. “My lady.” It said a little bit louder. I turned towards the sound, still out of it enough to not see what was in front of me. Could there be a way to resolve this that im not thinking about? Is it something the people need? Or something they don’t… “My Lady!” This time it was very loud and right next to me. I blinked a few times before my eyes focused on the brown eyes in front of me. Hyun-ho was very close. My entire vision was filled up with his beautiful face. I felt a pull to grab onto him and take him right in the carriage. Subconsciously, my face betrayed my thoughts as I bit my lip slightly.

“Yes. Ahem. What is it?” I said cutting my thoughts off before they went too far.

“I apologize ma’am for startling you. We have arrived.” He made no attempt to say anything else before swiftly exiting the carriage. Awe he was worried about me.

“I was deep in thought I am afraid. Please don’t mind me.” This was simply to set his mind at ease. One of my employees came over and took Hyun-ho’s horse. I watched the black beast walk away. I had offered to find a beastwoman willing to be his horse and he turned me down. He was fine with his normal horse. I could see the charm behind using a real animal. Plus it spoke to his patience and intelligence. He trained his horse all by himself, which is not as common these days. Very few have the ability to train the animals around here. Luxure was a melting pot of different beasts and yet Hyun-ho still impressed me so much. He turned and held his hand out for me to depart the carriage. I scoot over to the door and place my hand in his outstretched one. Lifting myself into a crouch I duck out of the carriage door before righting completely. One step at a time I descend.

We remained wordless as I exited slowly. He retained his hold on my hand as we walked towards the Colesseum. The massive structure loomed over us, cutting out sunlight behind it. It was laid out like a modern day venue, in an oval with seats going up. The exits were hidden amongst the seats and rows. Many overhead lights that could be moved as needed. The edges of the oval were then turned into squared off edges for food and other things to be done during the fights. From outside it was a six story circle with four corners jutting out like a giant X had been placed over the building. Surrounding the main building we had a giant wall made to resemble the actual Colosseum in Rome on Earth. It was a 10 foot span to house all kinds of tables and concessional type stations. The entire thing was open minus a covering at the top of the wall. Walking through the outlying wall was when Hyun-ho decided to speak.

“Are we going to your office, my lady?”

“Yes, indeed. First task on the list today is to choose sponsors. I will need my lunch delivered at exactly 1:30. I would like grilled Cloyfish and Poyan tossed in cherrynut oil. With itaple juice. I am planning my break at 3:00 following my lunch. I want cookies and tea delivered at promptly 4:00.” I thought through the process of the day. Sponsors always took up a large amount of time. Days even. And with so many applicants this year, I would go through a week's worth of Inflow in a few days. “After tea, I will lay out the plan for the Hermain neighborhood. After that I am going to try and send my response to General Beirman. I should finish up around 6:30 or so.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He confirmed for me. I knew he would have everything done on time. He had been consistently reliable the entire time he was under my charge. I know he cares diligently for me, even if we can't give in to our primal desires.

“I am expecting a bird in today so leave my office window open. Place the perch by the window. Herit will need to rest. He wont be able to deliver much longer and I want to do what I can for him to keep his purpose. Also, I need for you to send a bird to Nadia. I would like to see her soon and wish to invite her over. I will draw up the request once we arrive at my office.” Nadia was my best friend. She was a noble in the Reth neighborhood. Each neighborhood had started back before time as individual villiages. Luxure had grown so much that eventually they all touched. Reth was about six neighborhoods away. This would be a few hours travel on Earth.

“Of course, my lady.” Hyun-ho smiled at me. I could have melted right there. I slipped my arm through his and clasped him too me. It was about all I could allow myself to do. I needed to respect his culture. I could see this heat in his eyes when he looked at me though and it took everything I had not to press for more. As if reading my thoughts, he stopped and turned to me, placing his opposite hand on my cheek. His eyes searched my face and I could see flashes of pain cross his features. He looked like he was at war with himself. After a long moment he kissed my forehead. "Anything for you, My Lady." We resumed walking as he let his hand drop. My heart was in my throat. Golly that was so damn romantic. My mind scrambled as we entered the main building. Hyun-ho escorted me to my elevator.

"I shall see you soon." he bid me farewell as the doors closed and I was lifted up towards my office. This elevator was mine. it went to my office at the top of the building. Off limits to patrons and guests. The doors parted for me and I was greeted with a large office. the entire west and south walls were glass. A balcony surrounded the corner, with multiple glass French doors. The natural light was blinding. After flipping a switch by the door, the shades began to draw closed. I walked over to my desk and fired up my Inflow monitor. Time to scroll sponsors and see who fit the bill this year. The sound of the Inflow as it flowed filled the air, bringing the system to life. The screen that flicked on in front of her glowed purple from Inflow. The screen itself was transparent. I tapped on the screen; opening the systems I needed.

I drug my finger across the screen as I moved my background checking program over to the left side and shrunk it to fit in the space I needed it to. Next was the address logs for the background. I needed tax programs also. So many parts of a sponsors life need checked before they can be approved. Finally I loaded the obituaries. Going into the program, I began running Ning names and searching family trees one at a time. Soon enough I compiled a list of sponsors that passed all the basic tests. now to go to the next level. I looked up at the clock. Hyun-ho would be here soon with lunch. As I looked around the room, I noticed the Bird window in the back was open and a perch was set up. Just as i had asked. I always got a warm feeling when he did things for me.

Hyun-ho knocked quietly on the door to announce his arrival. More time had passed in the blink of an eye. I beckoned him inside. As he entered he held a silver tray laden with everything I had mentioned. It was perfect. He gracefully approached my desk and sat the tray down I front of me.

"Your lunch, My Lady." he said properly. He bowed to me and turned to go.

"Wait. You don't have to leave. I would enjoy your company, if you want." I added the bit at the end. No matter what privileges I had here, I still wasn't going to force someone to spend time with me.

"Of course, My lady." he got down on one knee and took my foot in his hand. Skillfully removing my shoe, he ran his hands up and down my leg. I watched as my belly caught fire. He began gently massaging my foot. I sunk back in my chair, spooning Poyan into my mouth lazily. "How far have you gotten, Ma'am?" he asked gesturing towards the screen.

"I'm about to start the personality and sin look over." These had to be looked over one by one and could not be screened like the tests prior. I reached and arm up over the arm rest and onto my desk. I had sunk so far down my butt was barely in the chair. I moved the mouse in my desk to operate the screen. Clicking up the first applicant. "hmmm." I mused to myself. A soft moan escaped me as he hit a particularly good spot on my foot. "Level 3 Bear beast... good levels except some elevation of anger levels... oh... well he shows tendencies of Envy. this could lead to jealousy or stalking. I think not. Next." I spoke mainly to myself. Hyun-ho listened intently as I muttered to myself. He stayed there until my lunch was gone and with feet had been tended too. After replacing my shoes, he grabbed my tray.

"It is currently five after two. Do you require anything else of me until your break, My Lady?"

"No, Hyun-ho. Thank you for everything." I smiled up at him. His eyes were searching me again. He leaned forward towards my face. My heart jumped thinking he may kiss me. My cheeks flushed in anticipation. He suddenly veered off. I could immediately feel his hot breath skitter over my ear.

"Anything for you, My Lady."