Chapter 241 Stranger
The guards at the Kelleros kingdom gate were on high alert, watching for any suspicious characters attempting to gain entry.
Since the new units were sent to the war with Remi so they can experience the war, only veteran soldiers and generals remained in the kingdom.
They were extra cautious about the security of the kingdom after the assassination attempt on Velian, so they never let anyone enter the city without carefully observing them.
Suddenly, a woman approached the gate and asked to enter as she waited in the line of people that look forward to entering the newly bustling city.
Most of them were either merchants or people who wanted to build a career inside the kingdom, so they had a lot of luggage with them.
The reason that the unknown woman stood out from the rest was the lack of her luggage and she covered her face with a mantilla, showing her job wasn't something that people respected.
As her turn approached, one of the guards approached her and asked,
"Excuse me, miss. What is your business in the Kelleros kingdom?"
Normally, they would have looked down on such people and teased them or in the worst case take advantage of them, but they knew under the new rule if they were caught doing such things, they would have to feel Lady Delviny's wrath.
The woman replied to the guard's words, as soon as she heard him with a timid voice,
"I am a traveller passing through. I have heard much about the beauty of this place and wanted to see it for myself, and if allowed I want to make this body of mine to good use,"
Her words weren't vulgar, but deep inside all of them understood what she meant.
Velian had no prejudice against the prostitutes, as long as they don't spread diseases among the people, so he thought about letting certain companies handle the business.
So none of the prostitutes in the Kelleros Kingdom can just do whatever they want, as they had to join one of these firms to continue their business.
The guards looked at each other, unsure of what to make of her. One of them whispered to the other,
"She looks like trouble to me. What do you think?"
The second guard responded,
"I don't know. She seems harmless enough, and she has the money to pay the entrance fee. We should let her in."
As they were talking, the woman suddenly reached up and brushed her hair back, revealing a face of stunning beauty. The guards were momentarily taken aback, and one of them blurted out,
"Wow, she's gorgeous!"
The woman smiled demurely and said,
"Thank you. I get that a lot."
The guards continued to eye her warily, unsure of what to make of her. Finally, one of them said, but all of them were now tempted to let her in so that they can visit her later when she started her business.
"Alright, miss. You may enter. But remember, we'll be watching you closely. Some try anything funny, if you want help with your business, you should probably visit the merchant guild,"
"Entrance fee is one silver coin," Hearing her words, she put her hand into her breast, and pulled out a coin showing no thief would be able to take money from her without sexually harassing her.
After handing over the money, the woman nodded and walked through the gate, disappearing into the kingdom beyond. The guards exchanged looks, wondering what kind of trouble she might bring with her. Only time would tell.
But they were excited to see her naked body and embrace that beautiful face someday, and if they are lucky enough, they wanted a chance to court her since they knew a woman like that will be popular among the city folks.
The woman walked through the bustling streets of the city, her eyes filled with hatred as she looked upon the happy faces of those around her. She stopped in front of a group of laughing children whole she encountered upon entering the city, scowling at their joy.
"Why do they get to be so happy?" she muttered to herself.
"Excuse me, miss," said a passerby, noticing her distress and her face pale looking.
"Is everything alright?"
The woman turned to face him, her expression cold.
"No, everything is not alright. Do I look okay to you?"
The man looked at her sympathetically.
"I'm sorry to hear that, but you shouldn't let it consume you. There's still a joy to be found in life."
"Joy?" the woman scoffed.
"What joy is there in a world ruled by someone like Velian?"
She didn't stay there for too long as she hated the sound of people happily laughing, so she continued her journey.
As she continued on her way, the woman visited various shops and markets, her hatred and jealousy growing with each passing moment. She couldn't stand the sight of the happy couples walking hand in hand or the groups of friends laughing together.
"Why do they get to be so carefree?" she seethed.
She entered a tavern and ordered a drink, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of happiness. As she sat alone at a table, brooding, a man approached her.
"Can I buy you another drink?" he asked with a smile.
The woman glared at him. "Why would you want to do that?"
"Because it's a beautiful day outside and we should enjoy it while we can," he replied.
The woman snorted.
"I don't see what's so beautiful about it. nothing is beautiful and someone ruined everything for me in my life."
The man sat down across from her, he misunderstood her words as he thought it must be some kind of former relationship, and decided to help her.
"I understand your anger, but don't let it consume you. There's still good in this world, even if it's hard to see right now."
The woman scoffed again. "You don't know anything about what I've been through."
"Maybe not, but I do know what it's like to feel alone and angry. I used to be just like you until I realized that dwelling on the negative only makes things worse. We have to find a way to keep living, even in difficult times."
The woman stared at him for a moment, considering his words. Finally, she nodded. "You're right. I can't let Velian win by giving up on life."
The man smiled at her. "That's the spirit. Now, how about we enjoy this beautiful day together and forget about this Velian?"
The woman hesitated for a moment, then smiled back at him, while she felt the man's hand on her back.
"I'd like that."