City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Proofread by Thomas F

Vaseraona Law

“Ungrateful wretches,” cursed the woman not far away from me, looking at a group of women.

I could see the expressions of the five girls change, but they kept walking, protected by the guards, before stepping into the elevator.

They needed the guards to leave due to an unfortunate accident.

A few days ago, some angry girls threw stuff at them. Since then, the guards will escort any girl who is leaving.

A lot of them are leaving. I mean a lot; I heard that over six hundred of them had already left, including the girls who came in just last month.

That is the third of Velvet Garden’s girls.

When I came to the Velvet Garden over six months ago, this place was filled with a symphony of vibrant voices. Now, it is only the heavy whispers.

Many people I know have left. Including the ones I used to share the dorm with. A few of them were friends; they are friends, and I don’t blame them for leaving. They are doing it for their future and life.

However, it saddens me to see them leaving.

I pushed those thoughts away and focused on the book in my hand.

A few minutes passed, and someone sat in front of me. When I looked up, it was my niece.

Like me, she had changed since she came here. Her thin body gained some meat, her pale green skin became radiant, and her coarse hair became smooth and straight.

Even her mother wouldn’t be able to recognise her if she had been here.

It isn’t just the question of her looks, but also the way she talks, walks, and sits. Everything had changed after coming here.

It isn’t just our group, but everyone. One changes the moment they take a step into the Velvet Garden.

“I thought you had a class?” I asked. “The teacher left,” she replied. Hearing that, I couldn’t help but sigh.

Most of my classes had also been cancelled. There is no one left to teach them. That is the reason I am here, reading the book in the library.

“I have received an offer,” she said. It immediately made me stop and turn to her. I could feel her confused searching eyes, looking at me for advice.

“It is your choice; I will support whatever you do,” I stated.

I, too, had received an offer, two in fact. Both were incredible. Better than any other new girl; they have given me the same offer as those who worked in the legacy for at least a year.

It had been barely a month since I had started working in the legacy.

They don’t let anyone work unless they finish the semester of training. I finished it a month ago.

“I don’t know what to do. It’s really a good offer,” she said. I could sense her struggle, and it was natural. It’s a question of life and death, after all.

The undead had stated that they will turn every whore of Velvet Garden into the undead.

It is unlikely to be an empty threat—they will almost certainly act, targeting many of the girls. They rarely interfere with Legacy’s staff, but here things are different.

Lord Silver is also the Lord of the Dominion, who defeated them over and over. They would want to make an example out of him.

This threat is the primary reason why many of them are leaving.

I didn’t say anything in response to her words, except for a smile.

I am not leaving. Yes, I could die, but I have no fear of it. I had nearly died hundreds of times in that hell I had been in. So has my niece and others.

It is why I had noticed. A few members of our group have left, compared to the others.

Not just from our group. Fewer people have left the group that Madam Jenna had brought from her trip to Baxzar compared to the people she had brought from other places.

I love this place. I am already considering my home.

In the past six months, these people have given me so much. I had never thought I would feel something like it. I thought I would die like my sister and many others did in the open brothel.

So, there is not much fear of death.

Most importantly, I will not betray the people who have given me my self-respect. I will stay, even if it brings me death.

“Forget it. It’s a great offer, but my mother didn’t teach me to break promises,” my niece stated flatly.

“I will serve the full term of my contract, even if it brings me my death,” she decided. I didn’t say anything, but I couldn’t help but feel proud of her.

I wish my dear sister had been here to see this. She would have been genuinely proud of her daughter.

She didn’t stay long, leaving quietly while I remained focused on my book—at least until it was time for class. All my other classes had been cancelled, except for one.

I went back to my room, which I have all to myself, something I never had even before the tribes of Baxzar raided our village and took us prisoners.

I opened my cupboard and took out the dress, then changed into it.

I didn’t have to; the one I am wearing was fine, but I like to wear these beautiful clothes—this one I had bought with my own money.

I shouldn’t spend money on these things. Especially in times like these, but I have always liked dresses and want to spend on them now that I have the money.

Especially now—with just over a week until the attack.. That’s why I went shopping yesterday, picking up dresses, jewellery, and a few other essentials.

I looked at the yellow dress, it’s simple, but beautiful. Yellow is a cheerful colour, and I don’t usually wear it. Not for the type of class I’m going to, but I want to feel cheerful in this sullen environment.

I looked at myself in the mirror one last time before walking out of my room.

A minute later, I was out of the hostel and walking toward the college building.

I could see the girls around me walking in the garden. Some are sitting under the tree, reading books and doing other things.

Yes, things have changed with so many girls leaving, but many things have remained the same.

The girls still roam and study in the garden, swim in the pools, and admire the beautiful flowers, among other things.

More will leave, but not all of them. Many had openly stated that they wouldn’t go. They are with the Velvet Garden till the end.

Both the leaving and staying had their reasons—survival, financial, loyalty, among others.

Soon, I reached the academic building and entered. Like the hostel, it also feels empty.

Usually, at this time, I would see girls walking through the hallways to their classes and out of them, with classrooms filled with girls.

Now, most of the classrooms are empty. Those that were still running didn’t have as many people as they used to.

Soon, I reached the room, which is one of the protected rooms with guards on both sides. It’s essential seeing the things taught here.

I walked inside and saw that three girls were already waiting. They looked at each other and raised their brows, taking in my beautiful, bright dress.

“I wanted to feel cheerful,” I replied with a smile. “I wish I had such courage,” replied Vela with a sigh.

Soon, one more girl had arrived. Now, only the teacher and subject remained.

She stepped inside right at twelve, and as always, she was not alone. With her is a man in his early fifties, with thick green hair and a handsome face with high cheekbones.

He is of elf blood. Likely a quarter elf.

“Miss Dawnstar,” we greeted the beautiful and most powerful woman in the Velvet Garden, in levels.

She is the only Lv. 40 in Velvet Garden and the whole of Greltheaven. However, it is said, a half-orc from the Hidden City of the merchant state is at that level as well.

However, hers is a verified level.

I am surprised that she didn’t leave. It shocked many. She isn’t some wretched whore, that Velvet Garden had saved and would feel grateful toward it.

She had saved herself, and one of few whore’s in the continent over Lv. 40, but she is still here.

Though she might leave, there are still a few more days before they seal the city entirely.

“Girls,” she replied before turning to the man beside her. “This is Mr. Lanysivor; he will be the subject today,” she introduced the man beside her.

“I hope you all will show mercy today,” he said, and we all laughed.

This is Carnal Choreography, the practical course. I have this class every week, taught by Miss Dawnstar. It is an honour to be in her class.

There are five more teachers of this subject; she had trained them herself. Two of them had left.

Soon, the class began with Miss Dawnstar teaching every aspect of it.

This is carnal choreography; she wants the girls to make every moment of their patrons’ visit memorable. So, there should be no flaws.

From the sound one makes to the movement one does, everything needs to be perfect.

Like everyone, I didn’t think. I would need this class. I have been in the business for decades, but after the first lesson, I realised how much I still have to learn.

It would be better to say that I don’t know the right way to fuck as a whore, despite doing that for a decade.

It’s said that since she had begun the lessons, the earning of the whores had increased further. I don’t know if it is true, but mine is very good.

I don’t sleep with every patron. Only the ones I like, because here, it didn’t matter if we slept with them or not, we get paid by each patron and by the hour.

And there are always patrons in the Velvet Garden.

Three hours later, the class ended, and the man looked utterly spent—like the life had been drained out of him. Then again, three girls had taken turns having sex with him, again and again.

He wouldn’t have lasted this long. If not for Miss Dawnstar, her skill had filled him with vitality after every burst, and now he was fully drained.

However, despite that, there is a smile on his face.

“Next week, same time, girls,” said Miss Dawnstar, and we nodded as we walked out.

The following week will be completely different. It will be the day they will fully seal the city; I wonder how many girls will remain here by then.

It didn’t matter to me. I will be here.

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