The Courtesan

Chapter 27

The way his eyes raked over my body made me shiver. He came closer and my body responded by curling in.

“Are you ready to talk now?”

“I don’t… I don't know… what you… want from me…”

“You’re still unwilling to admit you’re Queen Moriah spy.”

“I don’t… even know what… she looks like.”

I wasn’t lying. All I caught was a hazy silhouette with the basic lightning from the fire.

“The locks on the door were expertly picked.”

“I just… wanted to save… Prince Miyon.”

“There was no sign he was ever kidn*pped. We cannot believe you that easily.”

“Believe what you will. I swear on my father’s grave that I’m not anyone’s spy.”

“... Fine. We’ll keep observing you. We’ll wait till the king returns. You can escort her back to her quarters.”

“Yes sir!”

**

It looked like there was no end to my suffering. In the first place it was my fault. What possessed me to go after Prince Miyon? He was the son of the man I hated! Just because he behaved like my deceased younger sister didn’t mean we were family!

I was crazy! Insane to do what I did. The filthy hands that touched me and forcibly brought pleasure, I cursed those hands. And, I cursed myself.

I don’t… want to do this anymore.

I want to run away from here.

I don’t want to be touched again. I don’t want to see the depraved look on the face of a man anymore. I just want to go home.

But… where is that?

“Ellie…”

“Your highness, please not today.”

The raised toy was slowly lowered and he slinked over to a corner. I normally would go after him but I was too wounded to care. I also curled up in a corner and silently cried. Disgust was not an emotion I had the right to muster. It had become a custom for me to throw myself into situations like this where my dignity became compromised.

Why did I become a courtesan? Why did I come back? Why didn’t I listen to Prince Kalvin? Why did I take care of Prince Miyon? Why did I think I had the ability to take revenge of my own accord? Why was I so… foolish?

My slump lasted for longer this time and there was no Amelia to cheer me up. Thinking of this, I remembered Amelia’s letter. I brought it out and read it.

“Hello my dearest Elayne, I never knew you were one for gossip. I am always willing to help you out anytime! So, the King has three wives; Queen Kierra, Lady Vanessa and Lady Java. He has four concubines; Lady Cassidy, Lady Anya, Lady Ralia and Lady Isla.

From what I hear, there are three main colonies in the King’s harem. Queen Kierra and Lady Vanessa are one with Lady Cassidy as their supporter, Lady Java from the mountain tribe is in alliance with Lady Anya and Lady Ralia and finally Lady Isla, who was said to support the old Queen Moriah and supposedly still does.

Queen Kierra has the support of the General of the East since she’s his daughter. Lady Java’s tribe has allied themselves with the King so she has considerable influence, not as much as Queen Kierra does though. Queen Kierra and Lady Java often clash so I think you should be careful about getting in the middle of that.

Lady Isla has the support of the Horps Duchy. There’s barely any information about the duchy because the servants are sworn to secrecy but it is well known that the one in charge of the Duchy is a woman.

Lady Isla is said to have a good image in public but many of my clients complain about her when the topic is brought up. Be careful, it’s a battleground there.

Happy holidays! It’s not the same without you here. Casella day is not complete without our midnight drinking. Well, I’ll just drink for you. I miss you and love you.

Your best friend, Amelia.”

The emotions I choked down bubbled right up to the surface as I dearly wished I stayed in the house. It was a hard life but at least I had an ally. In the palace, everyone treated me like some kind of germ. It slowly broke my mind down.

Andrella was right. Life in the palace was indeed worse. The man I wanted to kill wasn’t even here and only the gods knew when he would return. The prince too. I thought I would be able to use the other man but now… I wasn’t too eager at the thought of being touched by another man, even for my benefit.

That left Lady Geraldine, my self proclaimed friend. I could reach out to her and get closer to the King or at least glean information from Lady Isla. If she was anything like the other women of the harem…...I wasn’t too keen on meeting her.

I stood from the corner I shut myself in and not too far from where I was, the young prince had fallen asleep on the cold floor. He was shivering as he slept, trying to find a good position to sleep. I carried and placed him into his cot padded with blankets.

After that, I stood in the middle of the room and looked up.

“Are you there? I want to talk to your master.”

There was no response for a long time and I ended up feeling stupid. There was no way a man could just be casually hanging in our roof. Sighing, I put on my coat and walked outside. There were guards in front of the Cold Palace this time so the option of breaking in once again was out. This time, I was also being watched.

Going back to the barracks… was not an option.

I was just going to tour the west quarters. Since they could come search our room at any moment, I needed to find another hiding place for my father’s ring. Under no circumstance could they get their hands on it.

As I walked past, I could hear voices in the distance. Rarely did people pass through the west entrance so if anyone did, it would be for a good reason.

“I really hate walking through here,” a feminine voice came from the far end.

“We have no other choice. We don’t want anyone to see us,” a masculine voice replied.

“Fine but only this one time.”

“We can’t do it again anyway. The King is returning in a few days. The Queen has ordered us to prepare for the ball.”

A ball? Interesting.

“I hope it’s not like last year. They always spill blood at these balls. I don’t want to be close to that ballroom.”

“You can stay with me this time. I'll prot...”

The voices faded out. The King returning and there being a ball was good news. That way, I would see the King’s harem and proceed with my plan.

“His majesty has returned!”

Close enough to hear the sounds, a tremor went through my heart. With all I heard and know about him, there was no joy in seeing him again. However, everyone had to present themselves to greet him.

“Come your highness, let’s go greet your father.”

We gathered outside and saw the other inhabitants of the palace already gathered, waiting for the King. Queen Kierra was looking particularly elegant and beside her was Lady Vanessa.

There was a visible distance between her and Lady Java, who gave a visceral reaction when she saw the Queen. For two people who share the same brain cells, it’s surprising how they hate each other.

The golden carriage came to a stop in front of the crowd and more maids sprinkling flowers danced in front of the carriage.

As someone who worked in the industry, I could see their tiredness from their strained smile.

“Pardon me my lady. I have less than a few minutes to tell you what I am about to say so please pay attention.”

The voice was not familiar but from his next words, I could tell who he was.

“My master told me you know nothing about the royal family and wants me to tell you who is who. She says if possible, you should avoid Lady Isla.”

“I thought she was her only supporter?”

“Lady Isla is the reason why my master is where she is right now.”

“What?”