*WARNING. This chapter contains graphic content. Proceed with caution.
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* **
The late morning call of roosters echoed in the now peaceful brothel. Everything was now but a shell of the lavish party of last night. The servants had been busy first thing in the morning, the cleaning started while the guests prepared for their departure.
"Aha! Solumon, did you enjoy last night's escapade?", the old gentleman greeted his accountant as soon as he saw him exiting his room. It seems he had been the one who woke up late seeing how everyone else was already gathered at the yard with the caravan and their horses. The little girl's tea had worked exceptionally well.
Solumon sighed and forced a smile. "Of course, Sir, it was delightful"
"Oh? Is that so?". The gentlemen were in awe of something.
"If you had enjoyed it that much, we could have bought her for you. Hahaha!",the geezer laughed mockingly. The poor adviser had just noticed the servants who exited his room with his mattress and blooded blanket visible to the other gentlemen. He clenched his fist, the girl had been right.
"And risk a scolding from my Missus? Hahaha!",he clutch his stomach and laughed. Led by his joke everyone laughed as well. Ignorant of the malignant rudeness of their humor.
By the time he pays off the debt he owed his benefactor, he was never sitting foot inside this country with his family again.
Before leaving, by the courtesy and hospitality of the madame, they were offered a free breakfast for their long journey. The men feasted and excitedly gossiped about last nights events, most of them still obviously hangover. Solumon mingled but merely sipped his tea quietly among them.
When time came for them to finally take their departure, he could finally breath a sigh of relief.
For the last time, he looked back far in the distance where they had been. Wondering if the little girl he freed had successfully ran away. He could have easily refused the old man's gift last night but he doesn't know as to why he endured such a thing at that moment when he knew the intention was to make a mockery of him. The thought that he had played along to such a circumstance made him feel ashamed, he felt he was not fully himself.
But as he looked up at the sky once more, he saw a dark cloud of smoke coming from the brothel. While it may have looked ordinary to the others, he somehow had a gut feeling that the little girl may have had something to do with it. He shook his head and smiled to himself, shaking off the funny feeling.
........
It had only been dawn since she was allowed any sleep after serving, she had planned to rest for the day as soon as her last customer left but her rest was interrupted by the loud ruckus outside of her room. By their screams alone, everyone seemed to be so panicked, so she grumbled her way out of her room with a robe and a terrible hangover and walked towards the area of the commotion. Errand servants were running around desperately carrying buckets of water. And some ladies were huddled up near each other crying, some even wounded.
"Hey! What's going on?", she grabbed one of the errand boys who was running close by.
"T-there had been a fire! A big one!", the boy answered quickly in between breaths before resuming his run.
"What?! Where?!",she yelled.
"The madame's office! "
"Oh Lords!", her eyes widened as she gasped and followed the boy.
When she got there, it took her by surprise how big the fire was. It wasn't just the madame's office, the fire had taken up almost the entire building. But luckily it was put out before it reached the building next to it. The madame was in wreck, crying helplessly on the ground. Her makeup running down her face making her look like an old ghost.
Everyone had questions, and according to the ones present, the fire had already enveloped up until the second floor before they noticed. It must have started earlier while most people was still asleep early in the morning and the rest accompanying the madame and guests for breakfast prior to their departure. They all agreed that the fire had most likely started inside the madame's office. Their speculation being that she left something lit inside until it burned out and the fire spread. Everyone was hungover, no one cared enough about the smell of wood smoke because it was pretty common in the mornings.
"You fools! Put out the fire already!", the madame yelled derangedly. Seeing this the harlot rushed to her side in aid.
"Madame, please pull yourself together", she tried putting some sense back into the old hag but it only made her break down worse.
"My jewelry!---My money had better not been stolen!", she gasped in between sentences. She continued to throw a tantrum in front of her poor disciple who found it most irritating to watch. Just as the night had been a bliss of fortune, bad luck struck them the very next day.
All she could do was roll her eyes while pretending to be helpful to the madame but in doing so she accidentally spotted her spawn in the distance, carrying a lantern while running in this late morning. Her eyebrows frowned even more as her gaze followed the child sneaking into the kitchen in suspicion. What could the little bug be up to now?
* **
The very moment I was pardoned from my duties by the kind foreigner, I immediately went for my escape. It was my last day in this goddamn place. However, I maintained alertness for his presence in any and every suspecting person I encountered because I can never be too careful. Even if the situation was for the butt of a joke of him teasing me against my wits end.
First, I needed to change out of this awful dress before I suffocate from all the perfumes they've put on. I sneaked back into the children's quarters to steal some clothes since I knew that only the younger children are there, fast asleep. There was only a few hours left before the sun rise, I want to get out of here as soon as possible.
Thinking of my great escape, I thought of an opportunity and went back to the madame's office. Seeing as how literally everyone is busy, no one would even notice me sneaking around. I can steal her money and--*click*.
"Shit!"
The door is locked!
I tried pushing and kicking the door several times but what strength do I even have.
This totally killed my excitement, I slumped down with my back against the door and messed up my hair. Maybe the lack of sleep is getting to me, I feel a bit stressed. At least I kept the accessories I had on, perhaps I can sell these. My train of thought was interrupted by the familiar sound of a girl crying a midst all the sexual noises and realized that other than the younger children and the boys, I'm probably the only girl left to be a virgin still. Then I lifted my head and another idea struck.
The fire from the torches and the lanterns on the pillars looked alluring the longer I stare at them. So, the next moment, I found myself holding one. I gawked at the windows of the madame's office from outside looking for an entrance. If I could fit through it then the plan proceeds but if not then what a shame, I'd simply have to burn this place. One of the windows came loose but just enough for my hand to squeeze in so I took the lard from the lantern and threw it inside, then I grabbed a torch and let go of it, unleashing a small fire inside. Upon impact it ignited and soon, the whole place well be enveloped by flames.
….…..
My initial plan was that I will take my leave after my silly trick but my body was so exhausted from the stress of the night before that I ended up falling asleep. I found myself snuggling next to a bag of potatoes in the kitchen storage. I was gonna steal some food and run away.
I ate my fill until I got into a food coma after I've successfully stacked food. Now, I'm ready. So I carried the sack of food behind my back and began sneaking out but then another thought struck me midway out the door as I recalled how mother looked the night she sold me off. She must have thought that I was going to make her rich.
Glancing at the still lit lantern above me hanging by the kitchen door made me smirk sheepishly. Even with the thought of looking forward of this day ending without any more nuisances, I keep feeling like something is holding me back from leaving as I pranced my way back to the kitchen. I too might be currently influenced.
I put down my food supply and went back. Carefully sneaking until I reached my mother's sleeping quarter. This could just be Lupa's grudge taking over me but if it gives me any bit of satisfaction, I'll gladly do so. If I don't end all of these distractions, it's going to drag me and meddle with my meeting with the protagonist.
Luckily her clothes are cheap thin, so it saves me the effort. I simply poured the lard from the lantern on her dirty pile of clothes and lit it then a fire started. After that, I exhaled a sigh of satisfaction as I pranced my way back to the kitchen.
Lost in my train of thoughts, I had just gotten out the back when I heard a loud bang coming from the kitchen. And when I turned around, cold sweat swept through my body. I wouldn't have felt this way if it really is her that I am facing but it is his influence that loomed over her presence. A scene is being played but of what sequence? I did not get to read my manual today.
Has she found me out?
With her messy appearance and constricted pupils, in my eyes, she looked more threatening than she is supposed to be. Maybe it's because of the look in her eyes which was similar to father's during that time but I knew then that this is another moment that can cost me my life. And how fast my heart is beating isn't helping my anxiety in any way.
It took a split for me to abandon my supply and ran for the wall. But I am just a few steps away, the kitchen was an easy leap for her so the next moment she had already grabbed my foot as I was about to jump over to the other side of the wall. Threat ensued and I all I can do now is do my best to survive it.
Despite me kicking my hardest, she just as easily dragged me down from the wall. I winched in pain as my back embraced the impact of the cold hard soil. I think I even hit my head. Without a moment to lose I got up and tried to ran but she caught unto my hair and pulled me with it causing me to trip. She did not let go since and used it to drag me back into the kitchen. My nose is now even bleeding.
"You…ever since I gave birth to you, luck had forsaken me and bad things kept happening one after the other", she knelt down to my level and gritted her teeth as she yelled. Her tight grip on my hair is pulling on my scalp, but it didn't hurt as much as how she then repeatedly slapped me.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!", I cried out as I try to get her hands off me. I must find a knife! Anything sharp so I can get away from her and protect myself.
"Was it you?! It must be you! ---You're the one who started the fire didn't you!? You little shit---", grabbing my face with her left hand.
"You even lit my fucking room on fire!". My jaw aches with her tightening grip so I bit her hand. "Arh!"
There's no talking sense into her, you can't argue with a barking dog. Although she finally let me go, it only made her more furious. She kept on yelling curses at me and even started aggressively shaking me by my shoulders but I'm too busy trying to find a way to escape with but there was nothing on the ground that could help. Then she grabs a wooden broom and tried to hit me with it but I ran under the table. When she got down and tried to reach me, I already ran for the door. An attempted near escape before she caught me by my dress and pulled me back in. If I keep moving, she won't be able to hit me as hard even if I bump unto the surrounding furniture.
But then I was met with a harsh backhanded slap to my face which knocked me over to the ground and almost broke my neck.
"After everything I did for you, this is how you treat me? While I am trying to be a good mother and provide you with a future---you keep on ruining it!", as I am cornered against the walls of the dirty kitchen, crying as I cope my numbing cheek, she catches her breath and continues with her sermon.
It dragged on until she must have gotten tired of yelling, for the most part I could not even hear her anymore because of the ringing in my head. After it, when she realized she wasn't getting through me, she messed up her hair and slumped to the ground in front of me and started sobbing like a child.
"Why can't you just let your mother be happy?!", when her voice changed into a defeated tone, I almost lost my breath.
Then the next thing I know she is smiling right in front of me and caressing my face with tears in her eyes.
"What's gotten into you recently? Why can't you be a good girl? Hm?", she sounds concerned but her expression is relaxed-- even too relaxed.
Then she suddenly gave me a hug. "You never listen to me", her voice sounding just like how an injured puppy would whine.
"Please just do what mother tells you so we can go back to being happy together"
What?
I only just realized what this was.
"I'm sorry for yelling. I only ever want what's best for you". Her hug is cold, and his overwhelming presence feels of rot, he is completely in control of her.
He does not know that I am aware of this. I'm getting goosebumps as mother rubs my back.
I never 'listen to her', but I've always been dedicated to both my parents, I serve them earnestly. At least father openly despises me while to this one, I am merely an advantage. My stomach is squeamish, as I am her, I feel what Lupa must have went through. That poor character.
While this exact scene didn't happen there's a similar scenario to this in the story. She didn't get beat up because of the fire (like I am right now), but for refusing her first service. She wasn't auctioned like I did because she ran away on the day of and today was probably the time her mother caught her and brought her back . But because a scene is played out, it'll have the same or similar end as the story. And right now, they are both using it against me, they've successfully cornered me. That cunning bastard.
I know this scenario would happen eventually but there's no calendar of the events for me to prepare for its exact course. But at the very least, in this life, this time I am aware, I wouldn't have to be so paranoid of what's upon me. I knew this couldn't be avoided. I am only going to be looking forward after this, I'll be at the final step to meeting the protagonist.
In the story, Lupa was described to indeed be a beauty that was one of a kind at such a young age.---- 'But one day she would get into an argument with her mother that would change her fate forever. She had merely uttered a single word that caused her mother a fright and changed her overnight'.
"...Whore"
Her body froze in stupor and quickly pulled from the hug and looked at me but I had already been staring. Her once dilated pupils constricted and her lips began to quiver. At this moment, I'm curious as to how she is perceiving me. One might think she is about to cry again but her expression turned from being surprised to cold, perhaps confused. She slumped back to her knees, her shoulders hang low and defeated.
I couldn't see her face because her head is bowed so I took this moment to catch my breath until an eerie silence passed us for what felt like a very long time. Despite it being the afternoon, the kitchen feels darker and a cold breeze is felt even when indoors. A cold sweat fell from my forehead as I stared at her fist-up hands, I never noticed that I had gotten the same habit from her until I saw her nails dug deep into her palm and bled the same way I do whenever I am frustrated.
But when I looked back up at her, I'm met with the most disturbing image I have yet to see in this life. I froze, and for the very first time I feared something else that felt greater than death. A mother's wilting. I fail to even describe the horror of her expression.
So ominous, it was as though her soul had left her. My shaking body pushed back against whatever surface was behind me instinctively, cowering as I am a child. I did not know it would be this terrifying to the point where I've gotten every single reaction Lupa made right, even down to her wetting herself from fear.
Then her eyes slowly moved from me to whatever was making a metalic rumble. I had failed to notice that what was directly above me was the burning stove where a pot had been boiling. My eyes widened, so that's what its for. I ignored it the last time I came back because I knew that somebody must already be using the kitchen by then for the chores.
As her eyes were focused on the pot, she slowly got up and when she did, my heart threatened to explode, as with my trembling limbs I crawled desperately to get away. As if though time had paused in this very moment where everything felt menacingly slow in the eyes of a child, I saw every bit of movement she made. From the moment she grabbed unto the pot handle with her bare hands, disturbingly numb to awareness as I saw it burn her palm. To the moment… where she threw the boiling water at me. I did my best to brace it, had I at least expected it but upon impact time ran fast again but I am now burning in hell.
The agony was instantaneous. From a burning sensation to a lubricant feeling of texture came from my skin as I began to feel it melting. A steam of hot smoke enveloped me and I could no longer see her clearly. But panic didn't stop there. Before the heat could fully settle into my flesh, and even while stumbling, I dared not to mind the pain as I raced out of the door and desperately crawled to fit into a small hole I found in between the bamboo walls. I kept looking back to ensure and with my dizzying vision, I saw her simply standing there with a soulless grin before she grabbed her head and started squealing. I had never been so terrified of anyone in this life as in this moment even more so than surviving father. And her eerie cry somehow gave me the more strength to run away as fast as I cowardly could into the woods.
….…..
-----'The very first time he met Lupa Bricallis, he had never seen someone with features so grotesquely abnormal'.