Today's Guest is a Lady
The next morning, Luciel woke up with a splitting headache.
Fragments of the previous night flashed through her mind—drinking and laughing with the other girls, and making an absolute fool of herself in her drunken stupor.
The memory of her weeping and wailing about her client was particularly vivid, sending a wave of intense heat straight to her face.
Aaargh! What on earth did I do?! I've gone and made another legendary embarrassment of myself! And in front of everyone, no less!
Luciel pulled the blanket over her head and kicked her legs in agony, thrashing around on the bed.
Not a single shred of my dignity as the Emperor remains! I wish I could just get amnesia and forget everything!
She wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and die. Just then, a soft knock sounded, and Miren stepped into the room. In her hands was a bowl of steaming hot soup.
"Are you awake, Luciel? How's your stomach? You really went wild last night. I brought you something to help with the hangover. It's made with some healthy herbs, so it should settle your stomach."
Miren approached with a warm smile. Luciel squirmed beneath her blanket, unable to bring herself to show her face.
"Ugh... Miren Eonni... Did I... did I do anything... weird last night?"
"Hoho, why are you acting so surprised? Everyone gets a little strange when they drink. Besides, your drunken antics were actually quite cute. Especially when you started wailing, 'The great and mighty me!' Hoho. Anyway, don't be too embarrassed. Everyone will understand. All the girls here have been through something like that at least once or twice."
Miren set the soup bowl down on the bedside table and gently wrapped her arms around the blanket-wrapped Luciel. Her embrace was warm, carrying a faint scent of cheap cigarettes that brought an odd sense of comfort.
"It's alright, it's alright. It's in the past now. Don't take it to heart."
At Miren's gentle reassurance, Luciel finally peeked her head out from under the blanket. Before she knew it, she buried her face in Miren's chest and began to sniffle.
"Sniff... Eonni... I'm so embarrassed, how am I supposed to look at the others now?!"
"Oh, my sweet girl. A grown adult crying like a baby. Come on, dry your tears. Let's go get some food. Skipping breakfast will only hurt you. Besides, I bet the others are already waiting."
Miren patted Luciel's back soothingly. Luciel seemed to calm down a bit at her words. She slowly lifted her head from Miren's embrace and wiped her tears.
In the dining hall, the other courtesans were already gathered, eating breakfast.
When Luciel walked in, they greeted her as they always did, acting as if nothing had happened—or perhaps as if they had already forgotten about last night.
Luciel felt a lump in her throat once again, deeply touched by their consideration.
"Alright, now that everyone's here, let's give it our all today! If we want to survive in this dreadful place, we've got to stick together and cheer each other on, right?"
Bruka shouted in her characteristically boisterous voice, lightening the mood. The other women laughed and chimed in. Luciel joined in their laughter, albeit a bit awkwardly, and began her breakfast.
She thought that, perhaps, she really was adjusting to this place, little by little.
While they were cleaning up after the meal, Madame Tana entered the dining hall, wearing a purple dress that was even more lavish than usual. A mysterious smile played on her lips.
It was the smile of a predator that had spotted its prey—dangerous, yet strangely captivating.
"We have a very special guest today. Luciel, this is a client for you. She is a highly esteemed individual, so serve her with the utmost care. This will be an excellent opportunity to show what you can do."
At the Madame's words, Luciel set her dish down, her body tensing. The phrase "special guest" always carried an ominous foreboding.
"The Countess. Countess Carnelia."
Madame Tana spoke the name slowly, as if savoring Luciel's reaction.
"What? A Countess? But if she's a countess... isn't she a woman?"
Luciel asked in bewilderment. A female client instead of a male one was something she had never even imagined.
"Yes, she is indeed a woman. Very beautiful, immensely wealthy, and... possessing rather unique tastes."
Madame Tana wore a knowing smile.
"Countess Carnelia grew completely disgusted with men after her husband died of a sudden heart attack on top of another woman in their bed. Whether it was due to the shock or an innate preference, she is now deeply engrossed only in relationships with other women. Apparently, she particularly favors partners who are beautiful and seemingly untainted, yet possess an untamed charm—just like you."
Luciel clicked her tongue inwardly, marveling at the sheer variety of eccentrics in the world.
Is there not a single normal person who patronizes this place?
"So, what exactly am I supposed to do?"
Luciel asked, her voice laced with anxiety. Along with her fear of the unknown client, she felt a tiny spark of curiosity.
"Hoho, that is for you to figure out. Have some faith in your own talents. In any case, go to your room immediately and prepare to receive your guest. The Countess absolutely detests being kept waiting. And tonight, you might just discover another hidden potential within yourself. Fufufu."
With those parting words, the Madame turned on her heel and swept away. Luciel let out a deep sigh and stood up. What kind of ordeal awaited her this time?
Back in her VIP room, Luciel waited anxiously until the door finally opened, revealing today's guest.
Stepping into the room was a middle-aged woman who was, by any standard, exceptionally beautiful. She possessed voluptuous breasts, a slender waist, and luscious golden hair.
Her deep blue eyes were profound and soulful, and a gentle smile graced her lips. A lavish gown adorned with expensive jewels further accentuated her innate elegance.
Luciel thought to herself:
To cheat on a wife as beautiful as this... that husband of hers must have been blind or completely out of his mind. Good riddance. He got exactly what he deserved for failing to appreciate such a beauty.
A servant following behind the Countess set a large wooden chest down in the center of the room before quietly withdrawing.
For some reason, a sweet yet dangerous scent seemed to waft from the chest.
The Countess, Carnelia, approached Luciel and gently caressed her cheek.
Her touch was warm and delicate. It was a tender gesture, almost like a mother comforting her daughter, yet beneath it lay a thick, simmering desire.
"So you are Luciel. You are just as lovely as I heard. I quite like the look in your eyes. Don't worry too much, my child. I don't care for rough play. And I'm not some vulgar snob who only enjoys being served, either. In fact, I much prefer teaching. Introducing a new world, that is. I want to grant you a very special experience."
Carnelia offered a knowing smile as she opened the wooden chest left by the servant. Feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension, Luciel peered inside.
The chest was filled with an astonishing array of devices.
There were various dildos of different sizes, shapes, and materials; a bizarrely shaped double-ended dildo; a leather strap-on dildo designed to be worn around a woman's waist to mimic a man; strange leather straps and chains of unknown purpose; soft feather whips; and even cold, metallic, magic-infused vibrators and other bondage gear.
Luciel couldn't help but blush at the sight of these raw, obscene objects.
W-What on earth is all this...?!
As Luciel stared wide-eyed into the chest, Carnelia chuckled playfully and picked up an amethyst dildo that looked exceptionally smooth and enticing.
The dildo glowed with a beautiful purple hue, appearing cold yet strangely alluring to the touch.
"Hoho