Chapter 6

• Xedarri took the knife that Ril’m had given her two years ago. It was made of titanium, light and sharp.
• “It’s lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and has a good appearance, yeah?” Ril’m almost beamed at her, if it wasn’t for the black scarf covering her lower face.
• Xedarri’s hand shook when she accepted the knife. “T-thank you, but I-I’m not sure if I can ever use it. I’m afraid…”
• “It’s alright. As long as you have it, you won’t feel so much fear, and you can protect yourself. Just drive it into someone’s vital points like the neck or eyes, and you’ll be fine,” Ril’m said.
• She could only stare at this “young lord,” who was almost half her age, teaching her how to kill a person. She was a young childless widow who was about to be sold to a brothel by her own in-laws, but thanks to this young one who saved her life that night and introduced her to the local magistrate, so that she could be protected. She had no idea who and how this young lord did it, but she was truly grateful with all her heart and soul.
• She got by through life using her knowledge in tattoos. She was a tattooist before meeting her husband. Too bad he died of a heart attack after her own parents died a few months back. It was so sudden that her in-laws thought she brought such unluckiness to their household; thus, they wanted to get rid of her and at the same time make some money.
• Xedarri pushed the lump in her throat and tried to ignore the fast beating of her heart. She had to stand for both herself and Ril’m, if there were bad men outside their room. So, she slowly walked toward the door. The knife was in her right hand’s firm grip. The “young lord” had taught her how to effectively hold and use it, so she practiced more than a few times, just in case.
• When she opened the door slowly, she saw a figure quietly leaving. She had no idea if he was just a passerby or he had been spying on them. But seeing that the man casually entered the room across from theirs, she thought he must have just lost his way for not being familiar with the inn. She had never seen him before; he was a stranger, so it must be the reason.
• The man turned his head when he felt someone watching him, so she just slightly hung her head and quietly closed the door tight, locking it this time. She forgot to lock it earlier.
• Her client stirred on the bed, so she went back. “What is it?” Ril’m queried.
• “Nothing. Just go back to sleep,” she said. “We’ll just finish later when you have rested.”
• “Alright. Why don’t you lie down beside me, hmm?” Ril’m suggested. “Your back and shoulders must be strained, not to mention your hands and other parts of your body.”
• “You’re right,” Xedarri agreed.
• It was already late at night, anyway.
• “There’s someone listening to us,” Ril’m whispered.
• “Oh, My Lord… Yes, I know.” Xedarri feigned a moan and deliberately shifted on the bed to make some noise.
• Ril’m almost laughed. Xedarri did it a few more times while the young general watched her, almost flushing.
• “Seriously?” she whispered in the widow’s ear.
• Xedarri suppressed a laugh. “One day, you’ll experience it, and you’ll know, My Lord,” she jested with a hint of promise.
• “Come on, are you done?” she asked. Her husky voice was not merely a whisper now.
• “Oh, but I’m still exhausted, My Lord,” Xedarri said, pretending to puff. “Please be considerate to me.”
• “Fine, I’ll give you a couple hours. Sleep.”
• ***
• ‘Wait, why am I even here?’ If he could just kick himself, he would’ve done so. It wasn’t appropriate to eavesdrop. He had never done it before and certainly not in a public place like this!
• Sui could hardly believe what he just heard in that black-garbed woman’s room. If it wasn’t for the heavy breaths and noises as they shifted on the bed, he would not have painted such erotic pictures in his fogging head right now and wouldn’t be turned on like this. He could only curse himself for this self-torture for spying.
• When there was a stirring inside the room earlier, he signaled his bodyguard to walk away, leaving him in a corner where he wouldn’t be seen. For some reason, he regretted why he stayed. On the other hand, he wasn’t really. It was exciting to actually listen to these interesting hot ladies doing something that set him on fire.
• It wasn’t planned. Or was it? But it was a temptation that pulled him to this door when he heard faint groans from across the room. It was daytime for all the Mondealtén gods’ sake! Fortunately, most of the guests of the inn were out and were going to be back at night. With all the noises downstairs as patrons gambled, the faint sounds from the opposite room were camouflaged. But not to his good hearing.
• He found himself thus pulled in that direction and stood in a corner, listening. The two sure had amazing lasting energies while doing something erotic. They just stopped some time early in the evening, perhaps to have a longer rest. And that was when someone noticed his presence.
• And now, he sighed, returning quietly to his own room. His bodyguard waited for him inside, as his master ordered quietly. He quickly reacted when Sui entered the room and shut the door, blowing his face.
• “I need a cool drink, Muvreus. Get me one,” he ordered, his jaw tight. He paced inside the suite while waiting for the bodyguard, who quickly left to get him a cool drink, without even asking which kind he wanted. It didn’t matter anyway, as long as he could cool down.
• He realized the sweet cool fruit drink that Muvreus got him was not enough. He had to dunk himself in cool water!
• ***
• It was two days later when the beauty finally left the room in a different purple robe, carrying her handbag. Sui deduced it was where the woman placed her clothes, accessories, and makeup. He had his bodyguard follow the woman while he observed the room opposite his.
• There were no movements as far as he could tell. It was only a few hours later when the black-garbed woman with her mask on stepped out. He followed her without her knowledge, seeing that she talked to the owner and paid for her stay. Her voice was so low that he couldn’t make out what she said. Additionally, the chatters and curses in the gambling room could be clearly heard. Anyway, he followed her to the stable and saw her riding a black horse. She passed by him, but he casually turned, so that she wouldn’t see his face nor would she think he was following her.
• As she passed by him, he smelled the faint floral scent from her—and something else.
• ‘No, it’s not the beast’s scent. It’s another familiar one.’
• He froze where he stood while following her with his eyes, realizing what it was. The horse and the rider got smaller and smaller. A throng of people blocked his view.
• Muvreus returned, sweeping his hand through his curly shoulder-length chestnut hair. “Your Lordship,” he called out in a low voice. “Are we going to question that beauty?”
• Sui scoffed a little when the subject of his gaze disappeared in a corner. “Maybe you do that some other time, as long as we know where to find her.”
• “Indeed, she’s one of the city’s brothel owners and one of the richest locals. Her place is just two streets away from the inn,” Muvreus informed him, his blue eyes stoic.
• “I see. Interesting woman,” he uttered. Distractedly, he added, “Let’s go visit the Fronduro Border.”