Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Chapter 42

This silenced their disgruntlement. Asael grudgingly accepted this arrangement and held out a pouch of gold, "Get as many willing to come." He said without mincing words, the Incubus was a strange one.

Dulce came over after undoing the buttons of Ruoxi’s coat, crying internally as he took the money. "A-Alright." He agreed, wandering out.

Kath’tan watched the Vampire leave. He always had this dazed air around him, it tempted people to take advantage of him. "Shouldn’t we follow him?"

Asael took one last glance at the motionless Incubus on the bed and shut the door, "Fine."

Unaware of his company, Dulce made his way out of the inn. There was still a short while before sunset, and their inn was just a street away from the red light district.

Streetside vendors tempted him with their wares, candied fruit, grilled meat, steaming bowls of soup. He cast lingering looks at them, but he didn’t slow down, having an important task at hand.

He stopped by a flower shop a short distance from the brightly lit brothels, well, it was more a dowdily dressed lady with a hand-held carriage than a shop. "Hello, kind lady, could you point me to a reputable brothel?"

The florist stared at him blankly, his politely spoken words and his visage stunning her into silence.

"H-Here, I’ll buy some flowers from you." Dulce offered generously, searching his pockets for a silver coin.

Kath’tan caught him by his low ponytail just as he offered the shellshocked lady the coin, making him lose hold of it, the silver coin clattering to the stone street. "There is no such thing as a reputable brothel," He scolded as he dragged him away.

Seeming to know his way around brothels, Kath’tan took them to the flashiest one, and right on the steps of the brothels were perfumed ladies waiting to snag customers.

As neither Demon could really be seen, they all swarmed around Dulce. It didn’t help that the Vampire was incredibly pleasant to the eye, a handful already whispering that they would gladly take him for free.

Kath’tan didn’t let go of him, dragging him into the brothel. The wide doors opened to a grand hall, where there were several stages with dancers, the air heavy with perfume and incense.

The theme was a gaudy red and gold, sofas, chaise lounges, and all manner of comfortable seating arranged on the open floor. One could watch the performances or sit on chaise lounges around a round table with escorts for company, there was even a section for drinking.

It was a busy day for the brothel, the ongoing festival no doubt having something to do with that. But they had caused a bit of a ruckus coming through the doors, so they instantly attracted the attention of one of the madams managing the pleasure house.

"Welcome gentlemen," She invited gaily, a silken shawl over her shoulders, a pipe between her bright purple lips. "What will be your choice of pleasure today?"

"We would like to invite some ladies to our inn room," Dulce said easily, his expression open.

The madam looked him over, her gaze appreciative. "For all three of you?"

"N-Not quite," Dulce corrected, at a loss for how to explain himself. "Just for... me."

The madam beamed at this, recalibrating her opinion of them. Certainly, this had to be some little Lord with his guards, she frowned at the other two men next to him, a faint niggling feeling that something was off about them.

"Why don’t you come in so we can better discuss?" She invited hospitably, gliding across the polished floor.

"There’s no reason for formalities, I’ll take any lady willing to come with me." Dulce stopped her in her tracks.

The madam looked him over, was this soft-spoken nobility trying to run her out of business? Every lady in the establishment would happily go with him, a handful would even forego pay.

"Of course," She bowed lightly, then lifted her head to blow out a plume of smoke. "For a house call, each lady will cost you fifty gold coins a night."

Dulce handed her the pouch of gold, "Send as many as you can." He urged her.

The madam put her pipe aside to properly ascertain the amount in the leather pouch, her smile was even wider, making the crow’s feet around her painted eyes more prominent. "Of course, good sir. Tell me the name of your inn, and I’ll have them sent right away."

"The Belltower Inn." Dulce revealed without hesitation.

The madam was in a great mood as she sent them off with reassurances that their purchases would arrive in no time. It wasn’t often she got such pleasant customers who were rich, good-looking, and accommodating. The handsome noble hadn’t even been picky, willing to take whoever accepted his offer.

She jingled the coins as she made her way up the stairs to make arrangements, the Spring Festival blessings had begun to shine on her.

"You didn’t have to come with me," Dulce said as they made their way back to the inn, more than a little worried about Ruoxi.

"We can’t stay with the Incubus, so what use was there sitting idly by?" Kath’tan said, curious eyes taking in the colorful sights.

Threnval held festivals too, often after a victorious battle, but it was held in glided ballrooms where they wore pretentious masks of civility. The rules were endless, and it was more treacherous than a battleground.

"You can’t?" Dulce noted the disparity; usually, Kath’tan would brazenly state that he wouldn’t do it, can’t wasn’t an often-used word.

"The scent of flowers is an aphrodisiac," Asael said darkly, tempted to wring the wide-eyed Vampire’s neck. "You should stay away too."

Dulce frowned, he hadn’t planned to stay exactly, but he was responsible for the well-being of the brothel ladies, so he needed to find a workaround. "O-Oh." Was all his said, distracted and deep in thought.

When they returned to the inn, Ruoxi was still laying on the bed just like they left him, but now the air was heavy with the scent of flowers. The lotus flower itself had a very light scent, but now it was suffocating, the slightly sweet taste cloying on the tongue.