Prologue 2: Stunel
The chandelier, its crystals sparkling brilliantly while lighting artifacts glowed here and there within, bathed the rippling Rose Hall in golden light. Men and women dressed in gowns and tuxedos, as if at any noble ball, clustered quietly in small groups. What set it apart from other balls, though, were the colorful masks—straight out of a masquerade—concealing the faces of the middle-aged and older men facing off against young, vibrant ladies.
Beneath the enchanting golden glow, Anika glided toward the center of the hall in a shimmering purple dress that plunged deep at the chest, flaunting the graceful curves of her body with elegant steps. Her entrance hushed the room for a moment, every masked gaze turning toward her.
"Stunel is always open to you. I hope you all enjoy a pleasurable night."
Anika lifted her red lips into a full smile and delivered the nightly greeting she gave every evening as Stunel's madam—all but one day a week. As she bowed her head in salute, the stares that had fixed on her scattered. The Rose Hall buzzed once more with low murmurs.
Anika surveyed the hall with a sociable smile. Middle-aged gentlemen in impeccably tailored, fashionable tuxedos hid their faces behind masks, admiring the fresh beauties of youth on display before them. There were a hundred girls in the Rose Hall tonight. Mins had reported eighty guests so far. Not a bad number. With about twenty more in the Lily Hall where the selections were underway, the take for the night looked promising.
As her slow gaze swept the hall, Anika's eyes paused on a man and woman in the corner. A masked man lounged comfortably in a chair, a brown-haired girl perched on his lap, pressing close to thrust her cleavage toward his chin. The man grinned foolishly, intoxicated by the heady scent of flesh wafting from her pale, deep valley. From the back, Anika couldn't tell who the girl was, so she turned away.
At the far end, a masked gentleman waved his token at an attendant. The girl clinging to his waist was Luvena, a cute blonde with a slim waist and dizzying cleavage as her charms. Guided by the approaching attendant, the pair vanished up the stairs to the second-floor private rooms.
Anika smiled at the sight. Blonde Luvena was free to take guests now that her contract term had ended last month. After the initial contract, girls received 10% of their earnings from clients. The guest's hand around Luvena's waist was adorned with expensive jewelry, his masked face burning with hot desire—if she played her cards right, he'd likely become her next contractor. A steady contract over a one-night transient was welcome for both girl and madam alike.
Contracts at Stunel Castle typically lasted two weeks at the short end or a year at the long, given the transient nature of western continent visitors. Sometimes exclusive to one girl, other times priority booking for multiples. Either way, after membership fees, they were the next best revenue stream, so Anika welcomed them gladly.
Membership at Stunel Castle—the pleasure house dubbed the Castle of Atonement at Eliyum's northeast edge—came at a steep price. Unlimited visits and free rein with non-contracted girls until deposit refund meant 10,000 gold for membership, 50,000 for the deposit. Needless to say, members were few—just twenty or so. But companions entering with them enjoyed equal privileges, drawing a constant stream of high nobles for entertaining or discreet gatherings.
Stunel's hierarchy was marked by token colors: blue for members, purple for companions, green for general visitors, red for contractors. Contractors headed straight to private rooms anyway—no reason to linger in Rose Hall when their custom toys awaited in perfect setup.
Exchanging greetings with regulars as she slowly circled the hall, Anika spotted a man waving a purple token. A companion of a member, no doubt a guest of no small status. She approached with graceful steps and an elegant smile, stopping demurely at his side.
"Is something the matter, my lord?"
The man, his face entirely masked above emerald-green eyes by a silver mask, regarded her impassively. "The madam, I presume."
Young. His voice pegged him at barely into his early twenties, untouched by the patina of years. Anika curved her red lips. Entry to Stunel Castle cost a fortune, so most guests were in life's twilight—successful old men with financial leeway. Young men rarely came to the Castle of Atonement.
"...I've heard there's another hall besides this one?"
At his probing question, Anika nodded politely. "Lily Hall lies opposite. But that place..."
"It's for contracts, I know. I've heard."
Anika's lips twitched upward at the young man's reply. She quickly sized up his attire. A companion likely meant a bigwig, but power didn't always mean wealth in a world that separated the two. Fortunately, the silver-masked man lacked for nothing. His neat tuxedo screamed master craftsmanship from fine cloth, and the large emerald ring on his finger gleamed—a top-grade gem, pure deep green without flaws, cleanly cut. That ring alone would cover a contract. Anika bowed courteously.
"This way, my lord."
They left the golden-lit splendor of Rose Hall for a wide, long corridor. Their shoe heels echoed softly on the cool marble floor. Past the corridor, they reached the pure-white double doors opposite, flanked by two knights who snapped to attention. Anika nodded, and the heavy white doors swung open.
In the dimly lit hall, a circle of masked men already sat gazing forward. Their eyes fixed on the tall stage at Lily Hall's center. Two women stood there in sheer white slips that revealed everything inside under harsh white spotlights. Perky nipples jutted above slim waists, number tags affixed near subtly outlined hips. Anika guided the man to an empty seat at the back. He leaned into the plush cushion at an angle.
She bowed quietly to leave after her guidance, but his hand shot out, grabbing her wrist.
"As you see, it's my first time."
Anika smiled politely and sat beside him. Up close, his masked profile wasn't bad. Without the mask, he might be quite handsome. Yielding to the subtle urging in his green eyes, she spoke softly.
"Tonight's selections feature thirty-nine items total. Excluding the special, they'll come out in pairs on stage, awaiting their first contractor. As you see, all are beautiful, pure girls guaranteed by Stunel. Contract fees vary per girl but usually range from 2,000 to 10,000 gold. Initial terms are six months. We'll cover details at signing. Note that additional requests beyond the basics incur extra fees. If one catches your eye during selections, raise your hand to signal the auctioneer. Contracts are non-refundable even partially after the first night, so choose wisely."
The man watched the stage with evident interest as she explained. A white-masked auctioneer stood to the side. At his gesture, two girls in thin underdresses that exposed every contour turned around. Under the bright lights, the soft cleft between taut, upturned buttocks gleamed through the slip, framed by straight waist hollows.
"Next."
The auctioneer called out, facing the guests. The pair stepped down and vanished behind the front curtain. Silence fell briefly. Rustling sounded as the curtain parted, and a long-haired woman ascended the stage. Like the others, naked beneath a slip, but no number tag on her hip.
She took center stage, and platinum-blonde waves—nearly silver—cascaded to her waist. Her skin was white and flawless, her matching body hair enhancing her purity. Deep gray eyes graced a youthful face: porcelain-smooth cheeks, straight nose, delicate jaw, pink lips, large deep eyes—all captivating. She stood straight, expressionless, staring ahead.
"Tonight's special item: Florna."
At her name, Florna curtsied in noble fashion. Her full breasts formed a deep valley as she bowed, her slim waist seeming even narrower. Straightening, she thrust out her flat belly and pronounced hips, standing tall like a haughty goddess. Low gasps rose from seats around the stage.
"Florna starts at 8,000 gold."
The auctioneer announced the price. The hall fell utterly silent. At his signal, Florna turned. The auctioneer approached, gathering her flowing platinum hair forward to bare her back. Her sculpted buttocks and waist curve gleamed starkly. Murmurs of admiration swelled.
Suddenly, a hand shot up from the front row. Another followed from the middle seats. Hands rose here and there. The auctioneer grinned. A frenzy. Excited guests bid competitively.
"As our special item, Florna draws high interest. Straight to auction."
No sooner had he spoken than the front bidder waved again.
"Eight thousand five hundred."
The middle seat countered. The auctioneer called.
"Nine thousand."
Bids climbed relentlessly. At last, past 10,000 gold, the middle bidder dropped out. Rubbing his hands in satisfaction, the auctioneer spoke.
"Ten thousand five hundred. Anyone higher?"
"3."
The countdown began.
"2."
Then—the silver-masked man beside Anika raised his hand, spreading five fingers wide.
"Fifteen thousand!"
The auctioneer scanned the room carefully, then nodded with a pleased smile at the lack of counters.
"3. 2. 1. Special item Florna is closed. On to the next."
Florna descended the stage and slipped behind the curtain. The silver-masked man, eyes lingering on her to the end, turned to Anika. His green eyes curved slyly.
"By the way, madam."
"Yes, my lord."
Anika replied deferentially. With his vast wealth revealed, she braced for tricky add-ons.
"That girl's contract is six months, right?"
"Yes, my lord."
Six months for 15,000 gold. His fee topped even membership costs. Commoners scraped by on less than 1 gold a month; a noble housemaid earned 1 gold monthly. Fifteen thousand was immense.
"Hmm. But I doubt I'll linger in the western continent that long."
Anika pondered his words. His crisp, fluent accent marked him high noble—no trace of the Corethian old Koalton imperial tongue (Koalton now split into Ashthon and Templton). Ashthon? Templton?
"Contract starts from signing, six months regardless of withdrawal."
"That's why I'm asking."
His green eyes, straight through the mask, fixed on her.
"How much to buy her out of here entirely?"