chapter 3

I groggily stepped out of my room in the early morning. today is the day we're resuming our work, but we still had the early morning off. I was only wearing my black lace underwear and bra, a common sight in the brothel. most girls parade around like this or naked. theres no sense in covering up when we hear each other with our customers every night, all night. I entered the dining room and released a small yawn, sitting beside Anna who was in bright pink undergarments.

We all silently ate breakfast, all the girls now present in the brothel. Most of us were half alseep no one noticed who else had entered the room.

"wow, I'd die a happy man if I woke up to see this every morning" a deep voice chuckled

my eyes lazily trailed towards the king who looked around the room of half dressed and naked girls. my eyes then landed on the guard Ryan who was staring directly at me. I looked away and went back to breakfast, too tired to care the king was here. he had been living here over the weekend and today was 'inspection day' as he liked to call it. he was going to pick which girls he wanted to bring back to the palace with him, something many would find an honor. I on the other hand, want nothing to do with him.

His eyes scanned over the girls before settling on me, smirking as he addressed Anna.

"Anna, was it?" Anna jumped at the mention of her name before nodding, " You're a pretty little thing. Would you like to go first?"

"Yes, your majesty" She said, unable to decline even if she wanted to

"perfect, shall we get started?"

Anna nodded before following the king out of the room and into a more private one. My eyes once again connected with Ryan's, who hasn't stopped staring at me. Now that I think about it I get why the Mistress was so hesitant to let him in. He's a royal guard, and she knew the king was comming.

I looked away from him and turned towards the Mistress who was looking over a list.

"Mistress, do I have any appointments today?" I asked, leaning against the table

She hummed, "One is on his way here so you best clean yourself up unless you want one less client"

I jumped up and rushed to my room. the number of regular clients we have affects our pay, the more the better. I entered my room and brushed my hair, changing into a clean pair of lacy red underwear. I then threw on a silver silk robe and fixed my makeup. By the time I was finished my client was here.

"How may I help you?" I hummed, coming up behind him and pulling his jacket off, making sure my fingers ran along his skin

"M-my wife!" he cried

so, he wasn't here for the sex. he just wants a women's company. I guided him to the bed of pillows and sat him down while he sobbed.

"What happened?" I asked softly, gently rubbing his back

"She left me!" he sobbed, " she left me for some rich man named, Timothy Right. She took our children too!"

"I'm sure she's not happy. being married to a rich man might have its perks, but it's a lonely life to live." I offered

Timothy Right... isnt he the kings Duke? his second cousin I believe. Poor fellow, the Duke has taken many wives, none of them last long.

"I miss her so much" he sniffed, hugging me tightly, " she was the love of my life, and to leave me the first chance she got"

"Maybe she had a reason for it. Whatever it may be, we both know a brothel isnt where you want to spend you're night"

"You're right. I was just so angry. and when I got here I just...I couldn't"

"Its ok. She'll realize her mistake. you're a good man, I hope you have a happy life"

"I'm sorry for wasting your time, I'll pay double"

"No need. tell the Mistress Vera said this session was free of charge. if you ever need to talk you know where to find me."

"Thank you"

The man walked out of my room. Another one waiting outside, only this one wasn't just another man, it was the king.

"Vera" he smiled, entering my room

each of his four guards took a corner as he made himself comfortable on the bed.

"Your majesty" I greeted with a polite smile

"I've heard a lot about you. You're young, you're beautiful, your body is the definition of perfect. You have the highest client rate and many of the younger girls here look up to you like an older sister."

"oh, thank you, your majesty" I smiled

"Undress" he commanded

I hid my disgust and allowed my robe to fall from the floor, his eyes raked over me as I slid off my underwear and bra, leaving me fully exposed.

The king got up and circled me. You could tell from his reactions he was itching to reach out and touch me. I was slightly surprised at his self control as he paused in front of me.

he hummed, "I suppose what I heard is true. Now, I'll be taking my leave for the next girl"

I made no comment, dressing myself again as he walked out of my room. A few minutes after he left Anna rushed into my room.

"Anna, what's wrong?" I asked immediately, sending something was wrong

Anna threw herself at me before exploding into tears, "He-he called me just another ugly whore."

I gripped Anna tightly, fighting the urge to show that asshole king how pissed I was. I ran my hand up and down her back comfortingly as she cried, glaring at the door.

"Anna, your the most beautiful and smart girl I have ever met. You're like a little sister to me" I said softly

she sniffed, "Really?"

I nodded, "You're perfect."

She sent me a teary eyed smile before wiping her face on her robe sleeve. She then bounced out of my room as if the king never insulted her.

***

If it weren't for my crazy sleep schedule I wouldn't have noticed the creek outside my bedroom door in the dead of night. I cautiously stood up from where I was seated and crept over to the door. I slid it open a crack to see a glimpse of one of the other girls turn the corner.

I stepped out of my room and followed, none of us leave the brothel often, so its extremely suspicious for one of us to leave in the dead of night.

I peeked around the corner and my blood froze. The girl was one of the older ones, Marryanne. We never really talked much but the scene before me left me shocked. She...has a lover. I turned away before I could see more, this goes against the rules. I would have let it be but with the king around she could get a far worse punishment then being kicked out. I have to tell the Mistress before ths king finds out.

I turned only to see the face of the one man I didnt want to run into. His eyes studied my face before trailing behind me.

"Vera, head back to your room" The king ordered, "Ryan, take her to make sure she reaches her destination"

Ryan's hand wrapped around mine as he forced me back towards my room. Ryan shoved me inside my room before slamming my door shut behind him.

"What's going to happen to her?" I whispered shakily

A gurgling scream cut through the air and I flinched, loosing my composed nature as tears slipped down my face.

I didnt bother to push Ryan away as he wiped my tears with his thumb and held me close to him. I tucked my face into his neck as more screams sounded through the brothel, girls now stepping from their rooms.

I shook in Ryan's arms, The king's voice tearing through the paper walls. Ryan whispered words of comfort in my ear. I sniffed and wiped my eyes, finally coming to my senses.

I stepped put of my room and into the hallway. Anna instantly wrapped around me as she cried. I stared blankly in front of me as the king sliced up Marryanne's pretty face. her lover laid in a pool of his own blood, his throat sliced open.

"The next one of you little whores that think you can go behind my back, you're wrong" the king growled, turning towards us

I held Anna closer to me, her breathy whispers barely reaching my ear, "Please don't leave me"

"I promise" I whispered back, not taking my eyes off the king