Prologue: Stunel
After Florna withdrew from the study, Anika spoke deferentially to the man in the silver mask, who wore a languid expression.
"The transfer of the merchandise can take place anytime once the deposit into Stunel's account at Exangton Bank is confirmed tomorrow morning."
But the man's reply was unexpectedly casual, a stark contrast to the brisk transaction they had just concluded.
"...No point keeping her around right now—she'd just be baggage. I'll come fetch her in four days."
In that moment, Anika felt she had glimpsed the man's sexual inclinations. From observing his demeanor earlier, it was clear he harbored no initial interest or desire for alluring women. He merely examined them with the detached scrutiny of an art connoisseur.
Was that what Florna had read in his eyes as well? From the start, this man hadn't come to Stunel for pleasure. He was here purely on business. His true haunt wasn't this den filled with painted faces, perfumed scents, and noble ladies playing dress-up—but the gentlemen's club in central Eliyum, the discreet outlet for noble debauchery.
Once she framed it that way, all his actions suddenly made perfect sense.
As the man rose to leave, Anika asked politely, "Is there anything we should prepare in the meantime...?"
He glanced up at the ceiling for a moment, as if pondering, then replied nonchalantly, "She's fine as is. That'll do."
Anika watched his retreating figure as he departed the study with light steps, guided away by the attendant, and sank into thought. Why on earth would a man of such tastes buy a woman? And for such an exorbitant sum, no less.
Her solitary musing didn't last long. Mins burst into the study with urgent footsteps, reporting the mishap with Boriji.
Gathering the hem of her dress in both hands, Anika hurried toward the northern staircase.
Stupid girl. She should have refused more tactfully.
No, it's not entirely her fault. This is Viscount Lukremore's blunder—the mad bastard's.
Viscount Lukremore had emerged from the room pale as a ghost, frantically calling for a doctor. But when the attendant entered first, he found Boriji slumped against the wall, blood trickling from her lower body, her slender neck marred by vivid, inflamed handprints. Peeling back her eyelids revealed burst blood vessels and no sign of consciousness, so they summoned the doctor and urgently called for Anika.
As she ascended the long staircase to the Winter Chamber, she saw Viscount Lukremore pacing anxiously before the door, his face ashen.
Anika asked the attendant guarding the entrance, "The doctor?"
"Examining her inside now."
No sooner had the attendant spoken than Viscount Lukremore turned to Anika with a frantic expression.
"Madam... I just heard that choking the neck during climax makes the grip down there tighten... I thought it'd be tighter since it was her first time..."
His tiny eyes, barely visible amid the bloated, doughy cheeks, darted about in unease.
Has this pig's brain been overrun by fat too?
Anika shook her head slowly. Among seasoned sex enthusiasts at Stunel, there was a trick whispered about—gently squeezing the neck for about five seconds at the peak of climax to heighten arousal. But to try it on a virgin who didn't even know what climax felt like?
She had overlooked Lukremore's perversions and his obsession with sex toys as mere quirks amid the gallery of humanity that frequented Stunel. But this attempted strangulation was beyond forgiveness.
"Lord Valentis, I'll have to report this incident to the master."
Viscount Lukremore gnawed anxiously at his fingernails, his face draining of what little color remained, as he watched Anika's cold figure vanish into the room.
Following the attendant's guidance, he opened the door to the Summer Chamber where his entourage waited—and was immediately met with a chorus of moans in full swing.
Of all the times to barge in.
The man tossed aside the silver mask that had covered his face. It had grown stifling; now he could finally breathe.
"Jayden, did you find her?"
The brown-haired man, busily thrusting his hips, called out to him as he tried to retreat from the fleshy tableau in the parlor toward the bedroom. The women ahead cast sly, appraising glances at Jayden.
With his striking features and beautiful green eyes, Jayden shrugged his shoulders at the handsome man's question.
"Found her. Fred was right. She was at Stunel—a platinum blonde beauty."
"What color are her eyes?"
"Gray."
"Shame. Purple would have been better. The rarer, the better, right? Or maybe that vivid red that makes you hard just looking at it. Ah... ugh... Red's so lascivious."
Though cousins, Jayden could hardly respect Karl's tastes. He brazenly proclaimed that he only got aroused with two or more naked women, and true to form, he'd ordered a pair the moment they entered Stunel. Something about watching them play with each other to stoke his fire.
Disgusted by the sight of the three cavorting naked and giggling, Jayden left the Summer Chamber for the Rose Hall. But today's agenda had been left to chance—and against all odds, he'd found a rare platinum blonde beauty, untouched virgin at that, amid Stunel's famed selection.
Now all that remained was presenting her to Joseph. The wager had cost 32,000 gold; with expenses, he'd bill Joseph 40,000.
Jayden poured himself a glass of wine from the bottle on the parlor table's corner, a triumphant smile gracing his lips.
Without Karl—who'd been all but exiled from Ashton's Academia for impregnating noble virgins with two bastards before even coming of age—he surely would have lost the bet. Two months into their arrival on the western continent, Jayden had quietly despaired of ever finding a platinum blonde beauty.
Then today, Karl had come back grinning about bumping into an Academia senior who was a Stunel member and would bring them as guests.
"Oh? Who has a membership to a western brothel like that?"
Karl smirked at Jayden's question. "Fred. From a venerable priestly family—even produced a pope, they say. You've heard of them? The Bradford count family of Ashton. Fred swears if she's not at Stunel, she doesn't exist on the continent."
Stunel's entry token wasn't prohibitively expensive, but Jayden had no personal interest in visiting voluntarily. Without Karl and Fred, he'd never have set foot here alone.
Jayden set down his emptied wine glass. This much alcohol would ensure sleep without issue.
"I'm heading out first. Got to meet Ian tomorrow—should take about three days. See you in three."
He scooped up the discarded mask, fitted it over his eyes, and shouted back at Karl as he exited. No point waiting; they wouldn't cross paths again until morning anyway.
Karl gave a vague nod of acknowledgment before resuming his exertions, thinking, Damn, this place is good. Should I get a membership?
But visits to the western continent were rare for him. He'd tagged along this time purely because Jayden was discussing business with Ian; no pressing errand of his own. His family had long written him off, barring him from the business even after adulthood.
Still, these two girls' skills were top-notch today, banishing any gloomy thoughts. Everything felt satisfying.
They really commit to the performance. This is what true pros are made of.
To finish, Karl reached out and gripped the heaving breasts of the moaning, bent-over brown-haired woman.
Florna returned to her room, leaned against the wall, drew her knees up tight, and huddled into a crouch.
A shiver ran through her at the lingering alien sensation in her rear. She had steeled herself countless times in her mind since knocking on Stunel's door, but facing it was another matter.
That man. The cold one with the mysterious green eyes. His speech and manner didn't scream western continent native, but one could never be sure. He'd said to come along—what destination did he have in mind?
Please, let it be the eastern continent...
Florna shook her head fiercely, as if to dispel the dizzying thoughts.
Just a month ago, she had been an ordinary girl from a tiny mining village southwest of Eliyum. Now here she was, sold to the madam of the Castle of Atonement.
Or had she ever truly been ordinary?
Florna's gray eyes darkened deeply.
Yes, there was that incident.
So what happened in the study today was nothing.
Compared to what she'd endured before...