"Did Sir Geoffrey's statements hold any truth?" I asked calmly, seeking confirmation from Cordelia herself.
"And what exactly did Sir Geoffrey say about me?" Her voice remained steady, devoid of any signs of distress or defensiveness.
"You were once a courtesan at a renowned brothel. You made the decision to retire, with Sir Geoffrey as one of your clients. He assisted you in securing employment at Pixie Blessing. However, he said that you are still continuing your old work. This is the extent of what I have gathered thus far, from his words" I relayed, attempting to provide an accurate summary of the details shared with me.
"It is true, except for the last part," Cordelia confirmed, her voice carrying a hint of sadness.
"When I was just 11 years old, my parents sold me. I was thrust into the world of the brothel, where I learned the art of seduction and became skilled in my performances. I became quite accomplished in my role. At that time, I believed that I was destined to spend my entire life there, resigning myself to my fate and relying on the establishment to take care of me."
Pausing briefly to take a sip of her drink, Cordelia collected herself before continuing her story.
"Until one day, I witnessed the tragic demise of one of the senior courtesans from a dreadful disease," Cordelia continued, her voice tinged with a mix of sorrow and unease. "I watched as the workers callously disposed of her lifeless body in the burning pit."
Pausing once again, Cordelia collected herself, her expression betraying the turmoil within her heart. I maintained my patience, giving her the time and space she needed to gather her thoughts and continue her story.
"It was during the disposal of her body, carried out in the burning place, a sense of terror overwhelmed me. I realized at that moment that I did not want to meet the same fate, to be left alone and discarded into a fiery pit like mere trash! I was determined to free myself from that wretched place, so I approached the procurer and inquired about the possibility of my release. He informed me that I would need to gather a significant sum of money to cover the costs associated with my upbringing within the brothel—a sum that I did not possess!"
As Cordelia's hands clenched tightly on the table, visibly trembling, her voice grew more bitter and her breath quickened. Sensing her distress, I instinctively placed my right hand gently above her shaking fists, offering a wordless gesture of comfort and reassurance. In response, her gaze met mine with a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability. Taking a deep breath to regain her composure, she composed herself and resumed her narrative, ready to continue sharing her story.
"I was 23 years old, and as the younger girls arrived at the brothel, they quickly became the new favorites of the patrons, leaving me with a dwindling number of clients due to my advancing age," Cordelia shared, her voice tinged with a mix of resignation. "I relied solely on the gratuity money provided by the patrons as a result of my services. Thankfully, the brothel I worked at did not intercept or withhold the gratuity money intended for the courtesans."
Pausing momentarily, Cordelia shifted her hand, allowing her fingers to subtly intertwine with mine. She seemed hesitant to let go, creating an intimate and affectionate illusion between us. Others might perceive us as a couple immersed in an enjoyable moment. Her playful touch on the back of my hand sent a shiver down my spine, awakening unexpected sensations. Nonetheless, I mustered every ounce of self-control, drawing upon the experience of a seasoned merchant who had interacted with people from all walks of life.
"I desperately collected gratuity money from my patrons, but it proved to be a futile endeavor, like trying to fill a barrel using a mere tankard," Cordelia confessed, her voice laden with frustration and exhaustion. "I endured this struggle for two long years until the fateful day when I crossed paths with Sir Geoffrey."
Cordelia paused, her eyes fixed on my expression, silently inviting me to speculate on the next chapter of her story. Understanding her unspoken cue, I ventured a guess.
"He took pity on you and made the decision to intervene, rescuing you from the confines of the brothel," I suggested, awaiting her confirmation.
Cordelia erupted into laughter, clearly amused by my assumption. "Hahahaha! Of course, he would tell you that!" she exclaimed, her amusement evident.
YOU ARE READING
The Merchant and Tavern Master
FantasyIn this world, there are adventurers, knights, mystical races, magic spells, and treasures. But this is not stories about them. This is just a story about a humble man working as a traveling merchant who dream to become rich to support his family. O...
