Lespada - Part 2.5: A Castle Life

"Hmm..."

Lurking in the gloom, a figure was stirring under the sheets of a large bed where she was laying. The bed itself was one of the most refined and lavish in the kingdom, it was a work of art that none, even among the wealthiest, could afford.

Moreover, the room in which it was located was huge, so much so that the bed seemed ridiculously small next to it. However, the figure did not care, it continued to wiggle languorously, seeking to store the maximum happiness that this bed had to offer before waking up.

It is then that a second silhouette made moves the sheets. Unlike the previous one, this one was frailer and slightly smaller but had no trouble moving in this giant bed.

The first figure began to yawn. It was a woman, but not just any woman. She had a very special status in the kingdom. No man was allowed to approach or touch her without the permission of the ruler.

"Hello..." she whispered to her neighbor.

The second figure didn't answer right away. She continued to fidget under the quilt as if life was hard to live.

Alyndra approached her and whispered, "Get up, princess... The hour waits for no time..."

"Wait a little longer... I'm so sleepy..."

Alyndra laughed lightly and then straightened up, giving a glimpse of her enchanting curves.

Her red hair glowed in the sunlight like flames while her beautiful ruby eyes sparkled brightly. Her slightly swarthy skin was smooth and firm. There was not a single imperfection to mar this nymph straight from the realm of dreams. Her large bosom was hidden by a light transparent veil which accentuated her beauty and was shaking at the rhythm of her movements. It was released from her a wild, elusive feeling.

The most singular however was not at this place but the level of her ears. Long and fine, they were wagging frantically. Sometimes raised, sometimes lowered, they inspired the fascination but also the fear.

Indeed, Alyndra was an Elven and one of the most beautiful women that the kingdom knew. The second was at her side.

This one straightened up in her turn, the disheveled hair and the spirit still fogged by the night she had just spent.

If Alyndra represented the wild and indomitable beauty, it was released from the second one, total pureness. Her light blue hair was like the waves of the sea, her eyes of a blue so deep that one could get lost in them, and finally her skin of an immaculate white like porcelain. Just like her neighbor, this young woman also had pointed ears.

"Shalia, look at you," Alyndra commented without looking at her. "What would the King say if he saw you?"

Shalia rubbed her eyes then stretched before looking in the direction of her friend who had just gotten out of bed.

"If the King saw me..." she spoke mysteriously.

Suddenly, Alyndra approached and came to sit beside her. She combed her friend's hair a bit before staring at her with a serious look.

"Shalia, you know that we are only slaves, right?"

"Yes..." the latter replied in a sleepy voice.

"Don't forget why we are still alive to this day. Promise me that," Alyndra asked compassionately.

"I promise you," Shalia answered while caressing her friend's hand.

Alyndra contemplated her for a few moments and then ran her hand through her hair before rising delicately.

"Let's hurry then, you know he doesn't like to wait..."

Shalia knew exactly who she meant. He was the only person to whom she owed her life and to whom she owed complete submission. One word from him and their existence would be reduced to nothing. The two Elves were only there for one purpose: to satisfy the carnal desires of their owner.

Yet they enjoyed privileges that even some nobles would envy. Unlike the other slaves, Alyndra and Shalia were not restricted in their movements, as long as they remained in the huge castle. Furthermore, as the favorites of the ruler, they had access to the most renowned treatments, the most delicious food, and the finest beauty products. Finally, they had this one room that belonged to them. Only the king had the right to enter it without permission.

The two women lived a life of luxury, punctuated by huge banquets, city events, and the wishes of the king. The only thing they lacked was their freedom.

Completely submitted to their destiny, they were destined to live locked up in this big golden cage without ever being able to leave it.

The first thing these ladies did when they got up was to go wash. They took their clothes and left the room. When they opened the door, they were greeted by four heavily armed soldiers. The soldiers kept a constant watch on the entrance and had orders to arrest immediately anyone who dared to enter the established perimeter.

When the soldiers saw the two nymphs appear, their gaze went to their features. Shalia winced slightly. Despite the years, she still couldn't get used to them. These men had only the lower part of their stomachs as brains. Feeling their lustful looks made her uncomfortable. On her side, Alyndra did not pay attention to it for a long time. She had got used to it and used it sometimes to her advantage. By far, she was the only one to have completely acclimatized to her new life.

Without hesitation, she led her friend to the baths. The baths were specially designed for them, and the only people allowed to help them were women. And they were all slaves. This was also one of the other privileges they were granted. Apart from that, it would have been inconceivable for slaves to have servants. But, of course, they were not just any slaves.

The hallway they used was located in the west wing of the castle. Few people wandered freely through it. The only ones allowed were the king, a few nobles, and them.

Outside, the sky was bright and they could hear some birds singing. These sounds soothed the hearts of the two women, for whom the forest was sorely missed. Despite the years of subjection, it was something they could not forget. It was a bit like when one stops breathing, it was a vital notion for them. Moreover, it was also where their kins were.

Shalia was missing the forest the most. She was a nature lover and felt continuous homesickness. Before coming here, she lived with her brother and sister at Eschenesra, a village located in Neremyn, also known as the "Bewitching Forest". This forest, which was located west of Lespada, had several Elven villages including those of Shalia and Alyndra. Shalia's dream was to become an herbalist. She preferred to spend her days with flowers and plants, concocting potions and discovering new varieties of plants, rather than chatting with other Elves. As a result, she was always more comfortable being alone than being gathered with others.

Before long, the women arrived at their destination. The hallway was sumptuous, as were the rooms in this area of the castle. They could walk barefoot without ever catching a cold. The outside was visible through large windows and gave a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding area. The sunset on this side and offered a sumptuous spectacle on spring and summer evenings. The only negative point was that there was no greenery at this place. Being located on the heights, this part of the castle had been built on the side of the cliff and was protected from possible intrusions.

Unsurprisingly, the followers were standing impeccably lined up in front of the entrance. One was an Elven, but the other was different.

A mix between a fox and a human, she had more similarities with the animal than with the human being. Her extremities were covered in dark red fur while her torso was that of a grown woman. On her slightly elongated face, two large yellow eyes were shining like amber stones while small canines could be seen on the beginning of her mouth. Her large ears were spread out on her head and seemed to be on the lookout for the slightest noise. At its back, her large red tail was standing like a cobra ready to pounce on its prey.

Although she was not very tall, she seemed to be able to reach anything by simply jumping. Her charming appearance was deceptive and many Elves were wary of her. Indeed, there was antagonism between the two races, so that when they crossed paths, conflict frequently broke out. However, in the castle, things were going pretty well... At least, apparently. Here, all the slaves had the same status... all but two.

This distinction of privileges generated a lot of jealousy and many of them envied the fate of their sisters. All of them hoped to live in a safe environment, having a room to themselves, clothes, and attention. Some of them were even willing to kill to get there, but the King was not interested in them. Besides, they knew that if something were to happen to Alyndra or Shalia, they would pay with their lives immediately.

So, the only way they could vent their frustration was to slander them behind their backs. They couldn't afford to lose what little privilege they had.

"Hello Alyndra, Shalia..." announced Jae-Walan concisely.

"Good morning, Jae," Alyndra replied in a curt tone. "Still on time I see."

"Of course, I wouldn't want to displease His Majesty after all," the Yeonjah replied mischievously.

Alyndra knew perfectly well what Jae-Walan was attempting to do, but had no desire to play along with her. She just ignored her and immediately went to the bathroom. Shalia followed in a hurry before being taken to task by the next girl, who knew how to take advantage of her lesser strength of character to intimidate her.

Jae-Walan watched the two nymphs rush into the room before squinting. She didn't like those two. Their princess-like behavior and their casualness completely disgusted her. Moreover, she had been in the service of the King for three years now. She was getting tired of waiting.

"Patience... Soon..." she muttered grimly.

When they arrived in the bathroom, the next one assigned to Shalia approached her and helped her undress while Jae, who was assigned to Alyndra, was taking care of the latter. However, her movements were abrupt and showed her dislike for her.

"Could you be more delicate? These clothes are expensive!"

"Please excuse me, Princess... I have a little difficulty controlling myself when you fidget so much," Jae-Walan persisted.

"I guess that kind of treatment is to be expected from a Yeonjah..."

"What did you say there? Say it again and see!" shouted Jae-Walan, her eyes bulging.

However, Alyndra did not flinch for a moment and continued to undress without paying attention to the next one who had become hysterical. For their part, Shalia and her follower acted as if nothing had happened. This comedy had become a daily occurrence, so they had learned to live with it.

Once the two bickerers had finished their scene, the situation quickly calmed down. While Alyndra and Shalia washed up, Jae-Walan was watching the scene with an evil eye. The next one had stepped aside and was waiting in silence.

When the Elves had finished, they were wiped and pampered. Despite Yeonjah's reluctance, she tried hard not to be criticized by her colleague. If there was one thing she hated, it was that her enemy used her mistakes against her.

Now ready, Alyndra and Shalia were looking as gorgeous as ever. All they had to do now was fulfill their duty.

They usually slept with the king, but there were times when he wanted to be alone, though it was very rare. On this occasion, the king did not feel in a lustful mood and sent them back to their apartment.

Over the years, both women had learned to guess the king's thoughts and anticipate his desires. Alyndra was the one who knew how to do it best, maybe it was her natural dominant temperament or maybe it was an innate talent? She couldn't tell. Shalia, on the other hand, was more reserved than her colleague, but she had other assets. Her clumsiness particularly excited the king, and she knew exactly how to use it.

To get to the king's room, the slaves had no choice but to be escorted. Although they were free of restraints within the castle, they were not allowed to walk down the royal aisle on their own. This was the only place where the restriction was enforced.

The royal quarters were located on the upper floor and were closely guarded. It was the most guarded, but also the least accessible place in the kingdom. It was used to receive emissaries or welcome prestigious guests, such as members of the Table. The entire floor was patrolled by elite soldiers, who scrutinized every move of anyone who entered the place. It was impossible, even for a mouse, to sneak up there without permission.

When they arrived in front of the huge door, accompanied by two soldiers with an impressive frame, the two nymphs silently entered the room plunged into the darkness. It was always a delicate moment for them. Either the king accepted them warmly, or he simply ignored them. When this was the case, it was better to leave than to stir up his anger.

With hushed steps, Alyndra and Shalia made their way into the huge room where their master was sleeping peacefully. The atmosphere was almost suffocating, but they were used to it.

They approached the bed and each of them came to stand on either side of it without the other suspecting anything. After getting up the courage, they slipped under the comforters and crawled up to his head. His big, fat body was moving to the rhythm of his breathing, like a fattened pig. It was a repulsive sight to anyone who knew the nature of this vile and unscrupulous being.

Yet neither of them was repelled by it. They caressed the ruler's carcass with their slender fingers and then moved delicately up his torso and finally to his face.

"Hello my King," Alyndra whispered in the hollow of his ear.

"It's time to get up, Your Majesty," Shalia added languidly.

The sleeping Monarch stirred, then sighed deeply before yawning until his jaw dropped. Then his thick hands naturally reached for the two Elves' hindquarters as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Each one of them pushed a small laugh while feeling their buttocks being palpated lasciviously then, Shalia started to deposit some kisses on his big face while Alyndra was caressing his hairy chest.

"Um... Sorry, my beauties for last night. But I wanted to be alone, do you understand?"

"Don't be, my good King," Alyndra replied in a suave tone. "A man as good as you must think of himself first..."

Delighted by the honeyed words he heard, Gaius turned his head and his bulging eyes watched the woman facing him. Then, as animated of an uncontrollable palpitation, his lips moved until coming to stick on those of his interlocutor, triggering some accentuated moans.

"This pig is so manipulable," thought secretly Alyndra while answering to the drooling kisses of his master.

She did not like how this man appropriated her body, how he treated her like a vulgar toy. Despite everything, she did not let anything show and continued her little game of actress.

"Maybe I should get into acting," she said to herself with a touch of irony while inserting her tongue into his mouth.

"Don't forget me either, Your Majesty..." called out Shalia with a slight pout.

"Oh, my beautiful Shalia, I'm not forgetting you, of course!" the king retorted while turning around.

As for her partner, the king hastened to kiss the thin and colored lips of the Elven. Then, his hands went up along her spine to attract her more towards him. The other hand came then to palpate her breasts without any restraint, forcing Shalia to let out a small cry of surprise.

"Since my King is in a teasing mood this morning, perhaps I should punish him?" whispered Alyndra while coming to seize the faithful royal club.

The King froze immediately and cast a distraught look at her before letting out an ecstatic moan. He suddenly got up and got on all fours like a little dog while staring excitedly at the two imprisoned Elves. These looked at him with small eyes and a face slightly reddened by the excitement.

"Oh, my beauties, how exciting you are this morning... Let me... Answer your call!!!" he moaned fiercely.

The two women watched the man face them with some anticipation. Yet, under the sheets, their hands could be seen intertwined with force.

An hour later, the door to the royal bedroom opened, revealing Alyndra and Shalia disheveled and tired. Their clothes were unkempt and stinking of royal semen.

As they entered the hallway, the guards present felt their lower parts suddenly harden at the appearance of the two Elves. The Elves didn't bother to find out what they were thinking and simply headed for their apartment. At the same time, several maids rushed into the king's room to prepare him for the hard day ahead.

"Is everything all right, Shalia?" the older of the two asked as she stepped into the hot baths.

"Yeah, this time was quieter, wasn't it?" questioned Shalia while undressing.

"Yuck... I got it all over... Why did he have to cum on my clothes!" grumbled Alyndra while putting on a look of disgust.

"I had some in my hair, consider yourself lucky..." added her friend, without much energy.

They washed again with meticulousness and took advantage of it to change. They had no desire to keep any trace of this disgusting man on their bodies.

Once they were completely refreshed, they were brought food by their followers and took the time to eat. While they were being served, they learned that Lieutenant General Elizabeth had returned the day before and was accompanied by a strange-looking Human. They could hear this kind of conversation every day, so they didn't pay much attention to it.

"Another Human, like there are in this city, what's so exciting about that?" wondered Alyndra while tasting her slice of bread.

Jae-Walan, for her part, said nothing but this news made her ears perk up. She was interested in everything that had to do with Elisabeth.

"I wonder what kind of Human it could be," Shalia asked innocently.

"Nothing good, if you ask me," replied her friend nonchalantly.

On their side, the next two were enjoying a snack as well. Although it wasn't time for them to eat, it had become a kind of ritual and neither Shalia nor Alyndra seemed to be bothered by it. Even the presence of Jae-Walan did not affect the quietude of their meal. The latter, although unfriendly towards the Elves, did not envy their wild riding parties. Imagining this man putting his hand on her was enough to make her nauseous.

The morning wore on and in the middle of it, the two Elves were summoned by the king.

"Are you ready Shalia?" asked Alyndra as she combed her hair.

"I'm good to go."

"Then let's go."

They walked out of the room and headed to the room they were least likely to see in the castle: the throne room. They didn't go there very often because when they found themselves in the presence of the King, it always ended in an orgy. The king was unable to control himself when he found himself with these two beauties near him.

When they arrived at the place, they saw the king sitting on his seat, looking radiant. However, they did not forget to note that the bottom of his toga was erect, betraying his perverse desires.

"Come, my beauties! I couldn't wait for you anymore!" he exclaimed from his pedestal.

The huge oval-shaped room was empty at that moment. For Shalia, being in this place gave her a certain quietude but also a form of loneliness that she could not explain. With its paintings, sculptures, and large windows overlooking the outside, she compared herself to a nun in the holy places of the church. However, there was nothing religious or holy about what she was about to do.

Alyndra and Shalia quickly approached the king and he lifted his robe, revealing his proudly erect sex. The two women looked at each other for a moment and then knelt before him.

A few minutes later, they heard the door open and a woman dressed in black armor accompanied by a strange-looking human approached them. However, the King had only one desire at the moment and he hastened to make it clear to the two Elves.

Just as he was about to come, Shalia was grabbed by the head and the king thrust his club down her throat, nearly choking her at the same time. It is only at this moment that he released his royal seed in her. Not being able to fight, not being allowed to fight, Shalia did her best to bear the horrible sensation.

"It will pass," she told herself. "The sooner he's done, the sooner we can get out of here..."

When he was finally done, the King released his hold on Shalia, allowing her to extract herself. With a wave of his hand, the King motioned for the two Elves to leave, and they left immediately. They did not want to be humiliated like this any longer.

As they left, they met the human's gaze and were surprised to see that the anger in his large black eyes was not directed at them but the king. Shalia stared at him for a moment before walking away, accompanied by her friend.

Finally, in the middle of the afternoon, the King burst into their room, looking quite angry. The two resting Elves saw a threatening aura emanating from him and hesitated to approach. They knew the king was violent at times like this and had no desire to be beaten.

However, he did not threaten them and came to rest while grumbling on their bed. Seeing that he was not showing any inclination, they moved closer to him to comfort him.

"What's the matter, Your Majesty?"

"If we can be of any help to you, don't hesitate to tell us..." submitted Alyndra while coming to embrace him from behind.

Suddenly, the King stood up and exulted in rage while banging his fist on the table.

"This savage dared to raise his hand on my august person! How dare he?" he cried, his face flushed.

Shalia and Alyndra looked at each other with a certain joy that was difficult to control and then came to the King while reassuring him.

"Don't mind him, my King. Come and enjoy yourself with us instead..."

"Think no more of that insolent man, your Majesty."

"Hmm! Thank goodness you are here, my beauties!" replied the king in a lustful voice.

They then lured the Sovereign to their bed and there followed a moment of pleasure that lasted a good hour.

As the Sovereign rested while embracing the two Elves, Shalia tried to get some information out of him.

"Your Majesty, what have you done with this miscreant? Did you chastise him?"

"Hmpf! I was going to have him beheaded, as he would have deserved. But that damned Elizabeth asked me to spare him..."

"Indeed, this is very strange, Your Majesty. Why would such a woman fall for such a scoundrel?"

"If I only knew... But I showed I was a good person, so I only asked for a hundred lashes. Let her do with him as she pleases, it is no longer my problem!" he growled.

"Your Majesty, how merciful you are!" she said, emphasizing every word. However, her thoughts were miles away from her words. "I'm sure he doesn't even know the meaning..."

"Of course I do, sweetheart! There is no one more merciful than me!" Laughed the king while embracing her.

For her part, Alyndra was listening to the conversation while thinking, "It seems that not all Humans are as malleable as I imagined... On the other hand, being indebted to that bitch, I don't know if it's the worst or best idea..."

If the king knew what these two women were thinking, he wouldn't believe it. And especially regarding Alyndra.

No one would have believed that a woman as frivolous looking as she was could have such thoughts, especially after spending so many years at his side. Alyndra was very smart, but her misfortune had led her to this place. She would never have imagined, even in her worst nightmares, that she would become the plaything of a perverted Human, and their ruler.

Coming from the same place as Shalia, but further south, she was leading a peaceful life with her parents and little brother. She had imagined herself as a Guardian to protect her village. She would be returning home after a hard day's work, seeing her family and her future husband. She would be greeted by the daughter and son she had had a few years earlier and seeing their smiling faces would fill her with joy.

Unfortunately, things had decided otherwise. One day, Human poachers attacked her village and took her away. Her family was scattered throughout the region and she never heard from them again. She hoped they were alive somewhere and still thought of her from time to time. That was a long time ago now.

"Alyndra?"

Shalia's question snapped Alyndra out of her musings and she, seeing that the king's head was elsewhere, quickly stroked his greasy hair while staring into the distance.

Once the king was calmed and relieved of all frustration, he left as he had come.

"Do we have any more of that product?" asked Shalia while wiping her private parts.

"You mean this product, specifically?"

"Yes, I do not wish to bear this man's child."

"I'll get it for you, just wait for me."

When Alyndra returned, she was carrying a container with a product with contraceptive properties. It was a mixture produced by mixing several plants that the woman had to smear in the womb so that it would reject the future embryo. However, the effects were not completely guaranteed. There were risks that the fetus would still develop, but it was better than nothing.

After doing what she had to, Shalia came to sit beside Alyndra who was lying in bed.

"Do you think this Human will survive?" she asked worriedly.

"I don't know," she replied while looking at the ceiling. "But sometimes there are things worse than death itself," she added thoughtfully.

"I hope he pulls through," Shalia then announced while dropping into the bed.

Alyndra turned to her partner and looked at her in surprise.

"I never thought I'd hear that from you."

"Neither did I, but..." murmured Shalia as she took her partner's hand, "I have a good feeling about him."

The two Elves fell asleep peacefully in each other's arms. What they didn't know was that an event would link their destiny to this human.

A few days later, a full-scale military exercise would be held in the training area. King Gaius had organized this event in order to impress the few emissaries who had come from the great cities of the region.

Located within the city, the area consisted of a large enclosed space where soldiers trained. Covering several hectares, the area had all the necessary infrastructure for the recruits, but also large wooded or swampy areas that made the exercises more realistic.

No civilians were allowed to be there, but it was possible to watch the training from the balconies or the steps of the castle. This galvanized the patriotic spirits of the onlookers and strengthened the cohesion of the inhabitants within the kingdom. Besides, it was a way to impress visitors and remind them of who they were dealing with.

Secret military events, on the other hand, were held in other places, out of sight.

Since the King was in the presence of other politicians, he did not bring his two slaves with him. So they were free to do as they pleased until he returned.

Shalia had opted for a light blue ensemble, revealing her generous forms.

It consisted of a large half-transparent dress that covered her shoulders to her ankles. Her arms were bare and wore beautiful necklaces set with gems. Her bosom was generously revealed and was swaying to the rhythm of her steps.

Her hips were emphasized thanks to a small leather belt and her feet were protected by fine wicker sandals. It emanated from her a pure and crystalline beauty.

On her side, Alyndra was wearing a flamboyant outfit and perfectly tuned to her temperament.

It was about an outfit in two parts, the one covering a part of the torso while leaving its bare arms as well as the stomach. The indentation of its top also let its generous breasts be admired in the open air.

The bottom was retained by two fabric straps that came to join in its undressed back. The skirt split into three parts until her ankles and revealed her long slender legs which ended with wicker sandals also.

The two Elves were shining in the castle as two jewels and let float in the air a sweet smell of flowers on their walk. Wherever they went, people looked at them. No one could ignore them because they were so striking and many Lespadians secretly had a passionate admiration for these two nymphs.

In these cases, the presence of their followers was not necessary. They could go about their business as long as their services were not required. However, one of them insisted on being present.

"It seems the mood is right," Shalia exclaimed, glancing around discreetly.

"Indeed, however, there is one thing I don't understand," Alyndra replied sullenly. "What is she doing with us?" she added while pointing at the next one standing to her left.

"Come on, don't tell me that my presence bothers you," Jae-Walan replied sarcastically. " You would see me sorry..."

Irritated by the Yeonjah's nonchalance, Alyndra clicked her tongue as she sought to retort when Shalia suddenly stopped, drawing the attention of the other two.

"Alyndra!"

"What's wrong?" wondered her partner with a curious look. "Have you seen someone who arouses your interest?"

"It's him!" she exclaimed enthusiastically while pointing at a man a few dozen meters away from them.

Alyndra turned her head and frowned slightly. Facing her was sitting a man dressed all in black and wearing a strange leather coat. A chain was hanging around his neck and constraining his movements.

Jae-Walan did not fail to observe in detail this individual who aroused so much curiosity of his colleagues.

"Hmm..."

Shalia then advanced towards him in the hope of speaking to him when she was struck by a man who was busy conversing with his partner. The girl, carried away by her momentum, fell backward, almost hurting herself at the same time. When Alyndra saw the scene, she understood that things were going to turn badly. And, indeed, her instinct did not betray her...

"Damn it! Can't you watch where you put your feet? Dirty Elven!" shouted the man.

The people around them immediately turned around and seeing the scene, immediately turned pale. They knew only too well what it cost those who attacked this woman directly. Little by little, people moved away, pretending not to have seen anything. They didn't want to get involved in this story. On his side, the man seemed unaware of the mess he was in.

However, the man was not just anyone. He proudly wore his badge indicating his origin: The Merchants' Guild. It was a very powerful consortium that was established in all the major human cities and villages and enjoyed great wealth.

Being aware of the influence of these people, Shalia did not retort immediately but the behavior of this man was despicable. Alyndra was about to retort to the man but was caught off guard by Jae-Walan who stepped in between the two people.

"Please excuse us, my lord, we will be careful next time," replied the Yeonjah in a humble tone while making a bow.

However, the merchant did not seem to want to leave it at that. He puffed up his chest like a rooster and from the top of his six-foot height, he glared at the frail and small Animal Woman.

"Do you even know who you're talking to, marauder? Were you never taught manners?"

Jae-Walan longed to slaughter this nobody, but that would ruin her cover. She gritted her teeth and forced herself to smile as best she could.

"Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way, my lord..."

Alyndra had crouched down and was making haste to check her friend for anything. The man seeing that he had been simply ignored by the two Elves focused his rage on them.

"And you, you tramps, do you think you can get away with this?"

"Do you even know who you're talking to?" retorted Alyndra scathingly.

"Hmpf! Most certainly low-class prostitutes! Just by looking at your attire, I can already tell that all you can think about is opening your thighs like filthy pigs!"

As the discussion got out of hand, the few people still present couldn't help but look dejected.

"He just signed his death warrant," they all thought.

His sidekick, standing behind him, saw the defeated faces of the spectators and had a bad feeling. He quickly moved closer before things got out of hand.

"Hectorus, I think you should stop right there," he said in a whisper.

"Not until I teach these little bitches what I'm made of!"

He approached menacingly while glaring at the two Elves.

"Please, My..."

"Get out of my sight, you monster!" he shouted while violently pushing Jae-Walan.

The latter thanks to her skills, managed to keep her balance, but she could see that the situation had passed a point of no return. Alyndra and Shalia turned pale as they saw this beast approaching them. They may not have been weak, but they knew they wouldn't stand a chance if this man started beating them with all his might. The man approached Shalia and grabbed her arm with force, nearly twisting it in the process.

Shalia writhed in pain as the man was about to slap her.

Suddenly, a shadow ran across the palace square and the man felt his body being swept violently to the ground. No one immediately understood what had happened, but one thing was clear: the previously threatening man was now lying on the ground, his head bloodied, convulsing frantically. Jae-Walan, for her part, was in shock. She had not missed a single detail and what she had seen had stunned her.

Just as the merchant was about to strike, the man in black had managed to tear off the chain that was holding him and had run with all his might before striking with one end of the harness that was holding him.

"How did he do it?" she wondered.

Alyndra and Shalia were still petrified by the horror, they had not yet come to their senses when the Man in Black approached them, which made them react.

Shalia nearly fainted when she saw the human's bloody face approaching her.

However, against all expectations, this one smiled warmly and leaned in their direction. Alyndra, seeing this man approaching, hastened to protect her friend. However, the Human did not react as she expected. He stretched his hand towards her and spoke to them in a strange language.

The two Elves did not understand what he was saying, but the tone of his voice was soothing. For a moment, time froze around them. Despite the somewhat horrifying appearance of this man, they could discern a kindness they had not known for a long time.

"He's different," thought Alyndra.

Suddenly, Shalia reached out and grabbed her savior's hand. He drew her towards her gently and then helped her sidekick to get up as well. Shalia observed this man, the slightly pink cheeks, with an expression tinted of admiration and enchantment. Alyndra had a bad feeling and hastened to draw him towards her. The man looked at Alyndra and nodded. The latter thanked him warmly before taking Shalia away.

However, as she was about to leave, the merchant's sidekick grabbed a knife he had on his hip and, while threatening the Man in Black, approached with the intention of killing.

It was then that an icy voice rang out, paralyzing everyone present.

"May I ask what you are doing to my slave?" she declared.

The man, who had been enraged a short time ago, became as livid as a corpse. The two Elves instinctively stepped back as they recognized the approaching woman. Her eyes were cold as ice and her aura was deadly. The merchant knew exactly who the woman was and didn't dare retort for fear of being cut down on the spot.

Elizabeth approached the Man in Black and looked at his wounds. Her eyes became even more frigid and her dreadful aura grew stronger. When she saw the two Elves with the Yeonjah, she frowned.

Shalia and Alyndra swallowed heavily. They knew that this woman would do nothing to them, but all they wanted to do at that moment was to get out of there as quickly as possible. Even Jae-Walan, trained as she was, was sweating profusely.

"This woman is dangerous," she thought. "I must get away from her at all costs..."

"I believe I asked a question," she reiterated in a more serious tone.

Her hand was on her sword and was about to draw it when the man approached Elizabeth and said "Okay! No problem!"

Suddenly, the murderous aura dissipated and Elizabeth's expression metamorphosed. The ferocious tiger became as gentle as a sheep, in front of the astonished eyes of the onlookers.

"Are you all right? You're not in pain?" she asked while watching him with concern.

The man didn't answer her, but that didn't seem to affect her interlocutor. After checking that all was well, she turned around and said: "Get out of here now! There is nothing to see!"

Immediately, the surroundings emptied and the three slaves left the place. However, Shalia could not take her eyes off the unknown man. The still unharmed Libercio merchant took his colleague lying on the ground and disappeared as well.

When they returned to their apartment, the two slaves locked themselves in to recover from their emotions while Jae-Walan was dismissed and went about her business, but it was clear that she too had been affected by the brutal confrontation.

While Alyndra undressed, Shalia sat on the bed, her mind in the clouds. Seeing that her friend was in a state of trance, Alyndra reacted and came to face her.

"Shalia, can you hear me?"

"Yes... What are you saying...?" replied the interested party with an uncertain tone.

"Listen, you must not fall in love!"

Hearing these words, Shalia blushed more and categorically denied her friend's allegations.

"I don't know what you're talking about! Falling in love? Me? That's impossible... Impossible..."

"Look at you, my sweetheart. Your head is already in the clouds, wake up! You're in danger of losing your feathers!"

"But I don't even know his name..." muttered Shalia completely lost. "What to do Alyndra? My heart keeps pounding when I think about him..."

Seeing that her words were going nowhere, Alyndra sighed in spite and shook her head. There was nothing more she could do for her at this point.

"I just hope she doesn't see him again anytime soon..." she said as she looked out the window.