The Fine Print✔️

Chapter 13

Pity, for the soldier who had dared to touch me had stopped puking his guts out sooner than I had hoped, but I decide to let it go. After all, killing him would be overkill, and I was all about justice, kindness, and all those shiny things.

Anyhow, after the whole thing, the senior guard had looked shook up, and without further adieu, he had taken us to what looked like a well to do home.

He had proceeded to introduce us to the owner, a middle-aged man with graying hair, goatee and protruding tummy called Lung Chi.

Lung Chi told us that he was a the tunnel supervisor (whatever fuck that meant) but the way he had looked, scratch that, leered at Zhan and myself and completely ignored Weredra, made bile rise to my throat.

"You will stay here till further notice." The senior guard had instructed before pulling Zhan out of earshot. The two had spoken for a couple of minutes.

As we waited for Zhan's return, Lung Chi approached me, "Where are you from?" He had enquired, to which I had shrugged, "I am an orphan. I grew up here and there."

"Oh, is that so." He had mused and asked, "Such a delicate-looking boy, I wonder how you survived in the big bad world?"

Smirking, I had replied, "I am good with my sword."

"Ahhhhhhh," He had dragged, looking at my crotch, "Yes, even sheathed, your sword looks remarkable." He had winked and blown a whistle.
His words had rendered me speechless.

How shameless!

In the meanwhile, Zhan had returned with sad eyes and down-turned lips.
Moments later, a young man clad in what looked almost like undergarments, walked out and escorted us to a room.

Just as we were about to disappear inside, I had turned to look at the two men and seen coin change hands.

Did we just get sold to a brothel!?

Fuck!

Even though I was pretty sure I was right, I did not have a choice but to follow the meek young lad inside.
"Please ring the bell if you need anything." The young boy had replied before leaving us alone in a fairly spacious room.

All alone in a room that felt more like a cage than an accommodation, I walk over to Zhan. He had not looked me in the eyes since the time he had wiped my lips.

"Zhan ge, what did he tell you?" I enquire; Zhan steps away, "Nothing." He mutters elusively.

I am not the one to push someone for answers, so I leave him alone with his thoughts and walk over to Weredra, who looks lost in thought as well.

"Hey, what's with the long face?" I ask softly, almost ruffling her hair.

"This place- " She trails off; her brows knit, "When we first met, you told me that you were running away. Is it not?"

I nod.

"What were you running from?" She questions, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, reminding me of my mother.

The gesture, her innocent eyes, and the concerned tone, everything makes me tear up. Choking back tears, I reply, "I was trying to get out of a marriage."

"Why?" She tilts her head slightly, "Did you not like her?"

"Weredra, I was a girl at that time, remember? It was after you granted my wishes that I became this way." I reply, pointing at myself.

Her face contorts like she had bitten into a lemon. "I am pretty sure you weren't. Moreover, if you were a girl, why didn't you correct me when I called you a lad?"