I look up at the sky, one hand reaching up and the other facing down. I took a deep breath in and released it slowly before straightening my body. With this, my dance is finished. "That was the most elegant and refreshing dancing drums I've ever seen!" Merchant Thorne said as he clapped loudly.
I bow. "Thank you." Din held her hand out and helped me off the drum. "You did good." She said as she handed me a handkerchief. I wipe my sweat and sigh softly. "It's finally over." I whispered.
"It's not. Thorne is telling his guest that he wants you to serve him tonight." Fear gripped my throat as I grabbed Din's arm. "Don't panic." She hissed. "Then she'll serve-..." I stepped forward to refuse, but the guest cut him off before I could.
"She'll serve me tonight." I look at the guest, but Sen caught my eyes first. She shook her head slightly. That meant I didn't have a choice in the matter. "Take her to wash up." The guest said to the maid that escorted me earlier. She bowed. "As you wish, Master."
I thought her master was the merchant. Seems like he had this plan from the beginning. Rei and Sen stood up. "We'll wash her since this is her first time." Rei said to the merchant. "Very well." He agreed.
"Ruby. Let's go." Sen motioned for me to walk towards her. Din nodded and walked behind me as I stepped off the stage. I reached Sen quickly and she placed a hand on my lower back, pushing me forward slightly.
Something tugged on my sleeve so suddenly that I lost my balance. I turned to grab onto Sen so she could help me steady myself, but I was pulled harder which made me fall quicker.
Instinctively, I closed my eyes upon impact, but it was something hard but warm that I fell onto. My eyes shot open when I felt a hand on my hip. My eyes met a light blue and gold pair of eyes. Then I saw the mask. "Don't wear any clothes once you've finished washing up."
I quickly push myself from his embrace while gathering the sleeves so I wouldn't be subject to this action again. He chuckled softly and just watched me. I quickly moved towards Sen and the others.
When we got to a courtyard, a bath was already set up with warm water. The act of getting undressed, washed and dried off was paired with silence. Sitting in front of the mirror, Sen was combing my hair while Din and Rei were readying the bed.
"If you think you can make this chance you have work, then do it." I look at her reflection in the mirror but didn't respond. She didn't say anything more either. I intended to make this night my last but she's discreetly telling me that there was another path in front of me to take.
It seems she already knew my plan. No wonder she suddenly gave me a dagger all of a sudden. A knock sounded on the door. "He's here." She said as she placed the comb down. I stood and followed her from behind the screen just as the door opened.
They bowed to him and he gestured for them to leave the room. He kept his eyes on me as I watched the three leave the room. Din was the last out and she closed the door with her eyes down.
This extremely thin fabric barely left anything for him to wonder about, even though it's tied tightly. He walked towards me and traced a finger down my cheek. It moved slowly down my neck, over my chest, down my side and stopped at the tie of the robe.
He stepped back and held his arms out. "Undress me." I did as he said. Just as I hung up his robe, he wrapped his hands around my waist. He untied the robe and pulled it off my shoulders, kissing the bare skin. "I'll be gentle, the first time." He whispered before kissing my shoulder once again.
"Why are you doing this?" I whispered, holding back my tear. "What am I doing?" He pulled my hair over my shoulder and kissed my neck. "Buy my freedom." I stated after getting my emotions in check. "Why should I?" He paused his kisses on my skin. "Because it's unbearable for me to stay in this prison any longer." He chuckled.
"You don't sound like a woman from the brothel." I didn't answer. "How will you pay me back if I do?" He turned me around to face him. I kept my eyes down. "What do you want me to do?" I asked.
"Whatever I tell you to do. No questions." He hooked a finger under my chin and pulled it up. My eyes widened at the handsome face, I thought he was ugly. Who knew. "Surprised?" He asked with a smirk. I look away from his face.
"Be my woman willingly and I'll buy your freedom." He walked towards the bed and sat down, looking at me and waiting for my decision. This is someone I didn't want to do but now in order to survive, I have to move from a manipulative father to a mysterious man who could take me regardless of my say so.
Instead of forcing himself on me, he's telling me to make a decision between being his woman for my freedom or continue down this path and he'll take me anyway.
"Okay. I'll be your woman." I paused. "But I want to leave this Kingdom." He nodded. "In three months. I have business here that will take that long." Three months... Will that be too long? If he comes for me, I can still kill myself with that dagger I have hidden in the room.
"Ruby." I look at him, "Yes?" He held his hand out to me. "Come." I walk towards him and placed my hand in his. He pulled me onto his lap. "Don't leave this mansion at any point within these three months. Do you understand?" I nod.
"Good girl."