Chapter 25

Maaike held Oris, "It's not our Lady that wants to know our story…"

Their story wasn't something to be easily shared. She detested those beings in their past. Although she doesn't remember who she was, she trusted Oris more than anyone in the world. He would never harm her.

Lai's expression darkened, "Are you saying I used my Lady's name for nonsense chitchat?"

She stiffened at his voice. There was no presence of the usual lively attitude in his eyes. She gripped Oris' arm and hid behind him. The coldness from Lai's eyes reminded the ruthlessness of nobles.

Oris frowned as he moved away from Maaike. The young woman latched onto his arm was no longer a child. They must not offend the people around them, and yet Maaike acted out of line.

He brushed off her look of resistance. Lai followed Oris to the kitchen, a smile painted on his lips. Finally, his curiosity would be watered.

"What does our Lady wish to know?" Oris took a sip of his cup.

"Everything," Lai leaned closer with a smile.

Oris started his story from a young boy working at a farm near the outskirts of his hometown. He was a good neighborhood and famous for being a helper. No matter what trouble that someone would ask him, with the best of his abilities he would help.

The sun showered the ginger-haired boy with a golden light. He headed towards his home, the villagers had a lot of work as the harvest time arrived. Occasionally, they would offer payment, but being raised as someone to help without expecting a return the boy would politely decline with a smile.

"Hey, little Estrell. The noble asked for you, again." Rey grabbed one of his loads. He looked at the tanned boy the same age as his."

"Stop calling me that," Oris sighed, "I don't know why he kept being persistent."

If he had known that he would meet his bad luck, he would've pretended sick instead of going out to the market that day.

"Well, that's on your luck mate," Rey laughed, "This why you should learn to say no."

Oris ignored his mocking. It's been months since a nobleman took fancy of him, at first he would make excuses that he needed an extra hand of workers in his mansion, and then it ended getting worse every time he refused.

There was nothing he could do. He headed towards the noble's gates and as usual, he was welcomed with a smile. An expression mixed with pity and mockery.

A footman led him to his master's study. He felt sorry for the young boy, it was his fault for being born with features that stood out from the rest.

Oris entered the room as casually as he could. Nobles were sensitive when it came to commoners, well, most of them. He pursed his lips if given a choice, he would plow endless fields rather than being in the same room as the podgy old man.

"What does the Lord require?" He asked.

The nobleman grinned and said, "Ah! My favorite boy. The usual."

Oris nodded as he was handed a few coins to purchase this man's taste. He has hundreds of servants to order from but he chose to bully a ginger-haired lad. He would never understand how nobles think.

The night street lit up with crimson color, and scents of perfumes lingered through the air. He despised this part of town as he could see women being taken advantage of. Oris went to the usual brothel the noble wished to enter, but couldn't. None would want such a man.

The familiar ladies greeted him with their sweet smiles. Everyone knew that this young lad never touched any of the products they offered. They only knew that he take home women with looks far from a boy's tastes.

"The temporary, sir?" A woman asked.

Oris gave a nod of approval as he waited for the women to arrive. He never partook of this place's refreshments. Who knows what temptations did they include in it.

A few maidens lined themselves in front of him. All of them could pass as pleasing to the eye, but the one that caught his attention was a young girl. A bud among full-bloomed flowers.

"What lady caught Sir's heart?" The woman smiled. This was the batch of beginners they recently formed. Some were unfortunate beings that their families sent out.

Oris stared at the girl who's at the end of the group. He took the most maidens that relate to the noble's likes.

The night offered an uncomfortable silence for the young ladies. They all have the same thought in mind, "would they die?"

"My master was the one who wishes to receive your work," Oris said as he tried to lighten up the atmosphere, "He's a good man."

He clicked his tongue, a good man wouldn't be ordering a young man to do this kind of things. The youngest of the maides remained expressionless as she gazed at the moon, lost in her thoughts. The carriage rattled and the horses neighed as they stopped at the mansion's back entrance.

"Here are the Lord's requests." Oris gave the tokens of each maiden, "I will take my share now, Phil."

"Of course," Phil smiled and ushered the ladies inside, "Oh, and this will be your last."

He nodded as he watched the ladies disappear with the ashen face man. He could only pray for the poor souls.

A hand reached out to the youngest. She stared at his hand and to his face, she bit her lip. The tears threatened to fall from her eyes.

"Can you talk?" The young boy's voice snapped her out of her trance.

She grabbed his hand and nodded. It was not safe to stay outside any longer, the nobleman might suddenly be interested in the girl in front of him. Oris led her towards the servant's quarters.

The door creaked and a single bed displayed in front of them. He sighed, "I'll send you back home with appropriate pay."

The young girl grabbed his sleeve, "Thank you."

She patted the sheets. It's been long ever since she felt the warmth of bed, much less a room. There were still nice people in this world. She smiled under the covers of the blanket as sleep gradually took over her.

The night passed in peace. A burst of laughter echoed through the room, "You finally got your head out of the mud!"

Oris lowered his gaze, "I thank my Lord for it."

The nobleman's laughter grew louder. His thick shoulders rose and fell as he gasped for air. If only this man would choke from his own laugh. Minutes went by as the man's amusement ceased. He looked at the pretty boy in front of him and grinned.

He was curious who it was that broke this boy's innocence. Phil nodded at his master's look.

"Now, let me see that lady that you adored."

Phil returned with the young girl. Oris widened his eyes in shock, he thought that the little girl went home after he gave enough money. He held his breath as his sight never left her. The young girl smiled at the shocked lad.

A beautiful girl met the noble's eyes. His heart bubbled with envy, this girl should've been his but another has grabbed the opportunity. He looked at Oris with hatred, this was why he hated people with good looks. He wouldn't let people outshine the favored one, in this land, only the blessed must have the best.

Shame clouded his vision, "I'm sure she performed insufficiently," The nobleman gestured Phil to take the girl, "I'll take this chance to teach her."

A cheeky grinned flashed on his face. The young girl's expression dropped, she asked for Oris' help. The latter couldn't do anything while he was being stared by the noble.

"Lord Frei, she did quite well. I request that I keep this one for myself," He bowed.

Frei frowned, dissatisfied with the pretty boy's refusal. He clicked his tongue, 'No, it is final. Your service is no longer needed."

Phil gripped Oris' shoulder. His struggles did nothing as he was pushed away. The young girl stiffened as a hand landed on her head. She looked up at the man with a twisted smile. She backed away and her back met the wall.

None really knew what happened behind the noble's doors; he gave orders to Oris and the latter would do his bidding without question. The fear that commons have for nobles made them forget their beliefs.

Oris stood frozen, staring at the closed gates. He couldn't prevent the misery the little girl would experience. His fists tightened, if only he was born a noble.

Lai raised his brow, he waited for Oris to continue but the young man stood up. He looked at the ginger boy, "What happened next?"

Oris smiled and bowed, "I still have work to do, Sir."

The silence accompanied Lai as his jaw clenched. There was nothing he could get from the story. His questions remained unanswered, the sneaky mouse got out of his trap. Lai laughed and went to report to his Lady.

"Well?" Cailina said without looking up.

"This might not interest my Lady."

Aris looked at the smiling dog, he rolled his eyes. A simple task and yet Lai failed to accomplish. People around his lady must be the best. Cailina saw her puppy's disappointed look, she patted his cheek.

"Don't be like that, it's not his fault," She comforted her puppy, "If a person doesn't want to talk, let them play."

It was fortunate she has stubborn pets, her father would be proud of her.