Deposed Courtesan

"Alright then, I'll see you tomorrow, Yula," I said goodbye to her feeling tired. I just wanted to rest for the night now.

"Ah alright, if you need someone to talk to just know, I'm here," she told me.

"Thank you," I expressed my gratitude.

 I then made my way through the many sections of the brothel going deeper until I got to the small annex behind the building. The place where my mother and I stayed. Once my mother became sick and couldn't work anymore Kona put her in the back here so no one would see her. However, at the same time she wanted to keep my mother close since she was in debt.

 Near the cottage's entrance was a large guard. He kept an eye on my mother, making sure she never tried to escape. I'm not sure why Kona bothered anyway; it's not like my mother could go anywhere. Unless she was worried, I would carry her and try to run away.

I entered the tiny cottage like section of the brothel that served as my mother and I's home.

The cottage comprised of just two tiny rooms. The one that served as the kitchen and dining area, and the second room which was for sleeping. Madam Kona talked about having taken care of us for all these years and that I should be grateful to have a place to stay when we barely had walking space in this room. It was more like a prison than a room.

"Mera is that you?" I heard my mother's shrill, weak voice ask me.

"Yes, mother it's me," I responded as I walked further into the cottage and entered the room where she lay. She came into view and I went to kneel beside her on the bed. She put away what she had been knitting and gave her attention. My mother was bedridden and had been for the last four years due to her failing health.

"Hello," I greeted her with a wide smile.

"Hello," she responded as well with a weak smile.

My mother had long dark hair, big brown eyes, and full lips. and slightly. My features were very similar to hers. People told us all the time that we looked alike and could pass for sisters. That is however until now looking at my mother only filled me with worry. Her once strong and healthy and strong body was now thin and weak. Her complexion was pale and lifeless, she had dark circles under her eyes. It looked she was slowly withering away. 

"Are you alright?" my mother asked me as she stared observantly at me.

I then realized that my sad expression must be showing on my face. I had to get rid of it before she worried and asked too much. "Yes, I'm alright sorry I'm just tired from work as usual," I lied to her.

My mother looked concerned as she stared at me. I didn't want to tell her about what Madam Kona had said yet. Not until I figured things out. So for now I wanted put thoughts of Kona aside and focus on my mother.

"But let's not focus on that. Yula said she had dinner with you so let's take a bath and prepare for bed," I told her.

Because I spent all day at work, I made an agreement with some courtesans. They would check and take care of my mother on my behalf until I got back.

She nodded in agreement. I prepared us to go I helped her out of the bed and supported her since she couldn't walk. I carried her on my back as we left our little cottage and made our way to the brothel bathhouse,

Once we were done, I carried her back to our room and placed her back on the bed. Something then caught my eye that was on the bed.

"you're done making it?" I asked my mother, noticing the knitting material on the bed. She was always knitting something, this time around she had been making me a traditional Amaru dancing outfit.

My mother nodded. "It should fit you. It just needs some beads, so it rattles as you dance."

"Let me try it on then," I said taking the dancing outfit. It took me a moment to put it on.

"You look lovely," my mother said as she inspected her work.

I felt odd in the clothing since it was more revealing than I was comfortable with. The cleavage of my breasts was on display and the curves of my hips were accentuated. I usually wore slightly oversized clothing to cover my body. However, this was the traditional clothing that my mother's tribe used to wear, and these were the kinds of outfits she wore when she was a courtesan.

My mother used to be a part of a tribe known as the Amaru, a nomadic group that existed 3 decades ago. It was known for its rich culture, such as the traditional dances. However, the tribe was broken up by invasions by other empires. My mother was taken as a slave and brought to this empire.

My mother used to be a high-end courtesan at the brothel, like Yula. The difference between a high-end and a regular courtesan is that high-ends' have a talent they offer aside from their bodies. Yula played an instrument, and my mother was an Amaru-style dancer.

"Would you like me to show you a few moves?" I asked her if she wanted to see me dance.

"No, you must be tired," my mother told me.

"Don't worry about it I'm as energetic as can be," I tried to reassure her.

"You have to wake early I don't want you…" she tried to deter me.

"Trust me it'll only be for a little while," I begged her.

"Alright, then," she finally and reluctantly agreed.

Honestly, whilst I was so exhausted and wanted nothing more than to sleep but at the same time I wanted to spend time with my mother. I was barely at home so I wanted to cherish any time I could have with her. Even if it meant having less sleep time since I had to wake up early every day.