𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒' 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐃𝐎𝐆 | 𝘷𝘢𝘥𝘵𝘥 𝘹 𝘔.𝘺/𝘯 |

(32) A Sleep Deprived Callisto.

୨⎯ " (Ყ/ɳ)'ʂ ΡσƲ " ⎯୧

Frustration gnawed at me.

The slaver... of all people... showed up even before the sun peeked over the horizon, demanding his pound of flesh.

"Ugh," I muttered, the sound barely a whisper. "Is he still out there?"

Hans, his normally cheerful face etched with worry, gave a curt nod.

"Yes, Your Grace."

Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I pushed myself up from the chair with a smooth, practiced grace.

There was no time for dramatics - this had to be dealt with swiftly and quietly.

"Give him whatever he wants," I ordered firmly.

"But Your Grace..." Hans started to protest, but I cut him off before he could get another word out.

"Just do it."

His brow furrowed in concern, but he bowed his head and hurried out, leaving me alone with Callisto in the tense silence that had settled in the room.

His gaze held mine with an intensity that felt like an eternity before he finally spoke.

"Back to your cryptic ways, are we?" he mused, his voice low and thoughtful.

"Hmm?" I feigned ignorance, unsure exactly what game he was playing.

He let out a soft chuckle, a mix of amusement and something else I couldn't quite decipher.

"Never mind."

His eyes, those captivating crimson pools, gleamed with mischief.

"Did you by any chance purchase a small kingdom on a whim?"

I couldn't help but let out a light chuckle at his question.

"No, not a single plot of land,"

I replied, my voice leaving no room for further inquiry.

'Gods, the man's curiosity will be the death of me,'

I thought, silently vowing not to reveal my midnight excursion to the slave auction.

The conversation stalled for a moment before I decided to steer things towards a less... sensitive topic.

"Speaking of matters requiring immediate attention," I said, turning towards Sandra, "how goes it with Alissa?"

"Has the tailor shown up yet?"

I inquired, my voice clipped with impatience.

The tailor still hadn't arrived, leaving Alissa in her tattered clothes for far too long.

Sandra shook her head gently but firmly.

"No, Your Grace. He's on his way, though, and should be here within moments."

"Good,"

I sighed, relief washing over me at the thought of Alissa being properly dressed.

"That will be all for now,"

I added, dismissing everyone except Callisto.

With practiced efficiency, the maids and servants bowed before exiting the room swiftly.

I offered them a polite smile as they left, masking the whirlwind of thoughts battling within me.

'Why weren't they surprised about the blood on my clothes?'