Page 68 of Royal Lies

Great and there goes my good mood.

I plastered a placid smile on my face.

"You probably shouldn't kill the man though, we do need him alive for what we want to get," I ignored her words, earning an eye roll from the Princess of Tails.

"Yes, yes, I know. You understand we could’ve already been reunited with them if we didn't have to get this." Akasuki smiled knowingly.

Blushing a little I understood what she meant but I needed this. Trying to change the subject I turned to the frightened little girl. She couldn't have been more than what, twelve? I frowned at the small little bruises popping up from the place the man had grabbed her. The small sticks the girl called her wrists looked so feeble I could crack them with one snap. I sighed at the purple blotches around her arms and legs. Any part of her skin not covered in dirt was sprinkled with bruises and cuts.

"Where are you from?" I asked, walking slowly towards the frightened girl. I felt like a predator as I walked closer to the fragile girl. It was like I was trying not to send my dinner fleeing. No doubt still traumatized by the man we'd just taken care of, the girl trembled in her tattered shoes. I watched as Akasuki placed a calculated jab at the man's thick neck, he was practically like a pig with how big he was. Not soon after her calculatedmove the bloated nuisance dropped like a cow ready for the slaughter.

Turning back I noted how the girl looked up at me with such adoration I nearly felt sick to my stomach. I looked away hoping to just send her away so we could get back to our task, "T-Thank you so much I-I wasn't sure if-if I would- if I would ever get to see my family again." The girl sniffed snot was nearly dripping down her face, her eyes reddening with no doubt true fear. Smiling my regular mask I tried not to show my disgust at her rags and hopeful eyes.

In a way, I suppose I could relate. I don't know what I would do if I never saw my dear Everetta again, but I wouldn't let that happen, not again. Perhaps it was because of this pity I felt for this little woman that I patted her shoulder, hoping to give my condolences to her sorrow. However, I didn’t invite her to hug me. Her slender, bruised arms wrapped around my body, seeking more comfort than I was willing to offer. Not sure what to do, I patted her back. Trying not to stiffen against her sudden touch. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Akasuki shaking from laughter. I frowned, narrowing my eyes on her, pleading with gaze to my master, although truthfully I shouldn't be, to come and save me. After all, servants didn't ask the master for help;theyhelped the master. Akasuki shook her head, making mehaveto endure this torture a little longer. I swear if she gets snot on my shirt I will end her. Or burn the shirt, most likely both. I frowned as I felt the wet stain from the girl's tears seep through the fabric of my clothing to my skin.

Okay, no.

Just as my fingers started to pry the girl apart she pulled away on her own, thank the lords. I mean she was dirty, a tainted commoner. Even if I was a servant now I won't be for long.

"I-I'm so sorry, it's just been so long since anyone's ever helped me." She carried on, a bit of an exaggeration if youask me. She sniffled, again. I rolled my eyes inwardly annoyed with this little disturbance of my time. I could have been at the auction by now if this ragged stick of a thing moved out of my way. Still, I beamed down at her regretting ever helping this thing.

"Yes, of course. I completely understand." I sympathized, smiling warmly down at her, hoping she would just leave. For lords sake, I was not some teddy bear she could hug. By the shadows, I could see the splotch of snot on my white silk. Well fuck. I guess I’ll be taking an extra hour-long bath today.

"I just, well I was once told that well- umm-" The girl started fiddling with the hem of her ragged dress. I narrowed my eyes, my frown growing deeper. She wasn't- was she? No, she simply wouldn't be so foolish as to-

"Umm- I-" The girl continued as I stared in horror, all while trying to keep my utter disgust from crossing my face. It was taking everything in me to remain smiling even as my stomach was turning inside out. I was so over these games.

"I'm so sorry, but we really must get going-" Akasuki looped her arms in mine. Thank lords she’s finally deemed it merciful to help me.

The girl's sobs seemed to stop as she frowned, blinking, looking at our intertwined arms. No doubt figuring out the little plan Akasuki hoped to sell. I smiled nodding firmly but gently. I still have an image to keep up.

The girl seemed to have uttered a silent "Oh.” as she realized her little blunder. "I-I am sorry, I-I didn't know," she stuttered again. I rolled my eyes inwardly once more. She was so annoying, and I was completely over this.

Smiling outwardly, I pretended otherwise. "Of course, you wouldn’t have. Now, if you don't mind, we do need to go unless you need assistance returning home?" I asked as charming asI could be, wishing she'd just tell us to go. As much as I was annoyed by this girl, she did seem innocent enough.

Weak but innocent,stupidbut innocent.

"Oh, I-I-I can find my own way, you've already helped me so much. I-I am so sorry," her face flamed with fire as she spoke. Still, judging by her statement, she seemed to be a Wolf descendant, as if her blue hair didn't say enough. The darker the hair, the more distantly related but still a Wolf. So, I took out a stash of gold coins and tossed them to her. Hopefully, this might help her and her family not wither away too quickly. Having had enough of this I turned. Akasuki's arms still looped around mine, her body shaking with laughter as she covered her petite light pink heart-shaped mouth.

"I hope you enjoyed that," I muttered bitterly with a smile still frozen on my face, my words like frost coating the windows.

"Oh yes, most definitely. It’s always so fun going out with you." Akasuki playful swatted my arm with her free hand, rolling into another fit of laughter.

"I'm so glad I could amuse you so much,"

I couldn’t help but laugh along with the annoyances that leeched onto me just because of the little kindness these women see.

It used to be fun, though, before Everetta came along, to help them, to watch them be charmed by my looks and status. Then I'd use them, whether it be for pleasure or something else. I’d make them fall for me so hard that they can't think straight. I always tested my aphrodisiacs on them as well. Once their hearts were mine, I'd drop them, crush them, and watch their desperate little faces completely break. Ahh, it was so fun. Plus, I was able to gather good information by using them. I guess old habits die hard.

I'll be honest when I first saw Everetta crying, I had the same intention, to just have fun with her, but lords, she saw througheverything. Aside from my family, she was the only other fae to see through my smile.

"I swear, just because someone comes along to help doesn't mean they're looking for a future marriage partner," I bitterly tossed out, recalling all the encounters I've had in both the fae and spirit realms.

"True, but not all fae have the pleasures of growing up in a castle as us." She was referring to all the women in my life. My sister, my love, and my master, for now.

"Either way they shouldn’t just jump the bones of every ‘knight’ they see. Perhaps that is why so many men would deem them an easy lay," I shrugged, earning a frown from my master.

"Fletcher! How dare you, just becausesomewomen are easy doesn't mean they should be taken advantage of. I would expect a man such as yourself to be more open-minded. I mean, shouldn’t men feel the need to protect the weak instead of feasting on them like that pig, especially you Wolves? I thought they were the strongest in the realm, both the men and women." Akasuki glared, reprimanding me, wrath visible in her red eyes.

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