BLOOD MOON

"Get down from the l," a man in his fifties, dressed in worn work clothes, gruffly commanded as he flung the carriage door open and hollered at us. After what felt like an eternity crammed inside, the journey concluded, and we found ourselves in a captivating new kingdom, bustling with life and adorned with breathtaking beauty.

The kingdom sprawled before us, vibrant lively markets, grand palaces, and busy streets, all surrounded by beautiful gardens and sparkling fountains. Towering spires punctuated the skyline, casting long shadows over the cobblestone paths. It was a place where life thrived in every nook and cranny, an opposite of the confinement we had left behind.

"Where are we?" I asked one of the girls who had shared the cramped carriage with me. They had maintained silence, their faces etched with worries. It felt like a dream, I wish there is a way to escape this nightmare, especially since we had already been sold off for thousands of zen.

For a while, none of them offered a reply, and I let out a deep sigh, turning my gaze toward the window to leisurely take in the splendid view of this new, beautiful kingdom.

"We are in Blood Moon kingdom," one of the girls piped up. She was a woman with short black hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and a killer figure. "Out of all the places we could've ended up, we just had to land in this cursed kingdom," she complained, looking like she was holding back tears.

I peeked out of the window, and honestly, the city seemed pretty normal to me, nothing spooky or out of the ordinary.

I hopped out of the carriage, just like the man told me to, and walked straight into the building in front of me. My nerves were all over the place, trying to figure out what to do next. Stepping into the brothel, it was way worse than I'd ever imagined. The place reeked of booze, and there were barely dressed women covered in bling serving drinks to guys. The joint had this decadent vibe, with dim corners and fancy furniture, like it was hiding all kinds of secrets behind those walls.

In some shadowy corner, there were women who were openly getting cozy with men, letting these creepy guys of all ages kiss and explore every inch of their bodies. I had to fight the urge to hurl right there and then. Seriously, was this my life now? Was I stuck here, forever playing the role of satisfying these dudes in every way imaginable? But it couldn't be real. None of this felt like reality. My physical body was probably back on Earth, catching some sleep or maybe in a deep coma, which would explain why I was trapped in this twisted nightmare. There had to be some logical explanation for this messed-up situation.

As we followed the man, I couldn't help but witness more and more disturbing scenes, but I decided not to dwell on them for my own sanity. Finally, we reached this enormous room, and let me tell you, it was dripping with luxury and grandeur.

This place was like a scene from a period drama or something. There were these massive crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling, casting these mesmerizing patterns of light. The windows had these lavish velvet drapes, and when you peeked outside, there was this moonlit garden that looked like it came straight out of a fairy tale. The furniture was all gold and plush, with cushions that looked like they cost more than my entire life savings.

So, we stood there in front of the woman who had bought us earlier, and it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Then, she got up from her fancy chair and started walking around us, giving each of us a long, hard look like she was sizing us up for a prize. "Looks like I made the right call," she said, her eyes fixated on me. "Get these folks ready. They're going to the big party tonight to entertain the king and his crew. But make this one," she pointed right at me, "as stunning as possible. Someone high up is bound to take a liking to her, and that's going to bring in a boatload of cash," she added, her focus zeroing in on yours truly.

The man and a bunch of women, who looked like maids, quickly bowed and ushered us out of the woman's room. They guided us to this hidden chamber, and I kid you not, it felt like we were about to get the royal treatment.

In there, they gave me this fancy bath with milk and rosewater – I mean, who does that, right? But it felt strangely nice. As they pampered me, I couldn't help but wonder why the five of us bought recently were getting this VIP treatment while the other girls at the brothel got, well, nothing.

Then came the wardrobe change. They dolled us up in these glamorous outfits that left more skin exposed than I'd ever intended to show.

One of the maids, who looked like she'd seen a few decades, chimed in, "You've got quite the assets that'll turn heads among the big men to tonight." She started adjusting my outfit to reveal even more cleavage. Now, I wasn't exactly thrilled about that, but since I'd landed in Ronoki, I'd figured out that keeping my mouth shut was the smartest way to survive – unless I wanted a good beating, that is.

The outfit they dressed me in was like something you'd see on belly dancers back on Earth, but way more... well, let's just say it was a bit too revealing. The material was so thin it might as well have been transparent, and my nipples? They might as well have been blinking neon signs.

They went all out, decking my hair with shimmering jewelry and crafting it into these seriously fancy hairstyles that I've gotta admit, made me look like a million bucks.

So, after what felt like a marathon of primping and preening, the night came creeping in, and we were ushered into a carriage, destination unknown. I couldn't help but instinctively hug myself, trying to hide my almost-naked body. I mean, I'm not the type to flaunt that much skin, and let's just say this whole getup had me feeling seriously out of my comfort zone.

After what felt like an eternity of silent carriage ride, we finally rolled up to a scene that screamed "party" or maybe even "fantasy festival." The place was buzzing with energy, like it had its own heartbeat. Fireworks lit up the night sky, and the air was alive with the sounds of music that made you want to dance.

Now, let me paint you a picture of this fantasy bash: Picture enchanting lanterns hanging from tall, ancient trees, casting a magical glow all around. There were these elaborate banners with creatures straight out of legends, swaying in the breeze. Folks were dressed in these elaborate, vibrant get-ups that felt like they'd stepped out of a medieval carnival.

Our guide gestured, and we followed along without a peep. The lady who'd bought us, well, she was leading the charge, chatting it up with the guards, who had these friendly grins plastered on their faces as they talked to her.

The guards politely stepped aside, and we entered the heart of the party, which looked more classy on the inside compared to outside which appeared chaotic

Tables sagged under the weight of a feast fit for kings, and goblets brimmed with wine that seemed to never run dry. Performers, dressed in outfits that defied gravity, dazzled the crowd with their jaw-dropping acrobatics and talents.

Amidst all the revelry, there were these sex workers I assume from their appearance strutting their stuff. Yep, they were half-naked, serving up platters of delicious food and pouring wine like it was going out of style. It had a brothel vibe, but way less chaotic. People weren't getting openly intimate; they were content with watching the half-naked ladies dancing and serving them food. Laughter echoed through the air, mixing with the scent of wine that hung thick.

I was burning with curiosity, itching to understand the purpose of this extravagant gathering. Still, I bit my tongue, feeling that people in my position weren't supposed to speak, especially at times like these.

Then, out of the blue, this older man strolled in, casually addressing the woman who had bought us as "Eleanor," or Mistress Eleanor, as she was known. He leaned in for a genteel kiss on her cheek before turning his attention to me, wearing a smug expression that oozed arrogance. "You never disappoint, Eleanor," he quipped, his eyes narrowing as he locked particularly onto me, his smile stretching into a sly grin. "That one there," he said, voice dripping with an unsettling desire, "she piques my interest. It'd be a delight to have her in my company tonight," he added, his intense focus and words making me uncomfortable, like a trapped animal under inspection.

"That one shall remain off-limits for now," Mistress Eleanor declared, referring to me. "I've reserved her for more esteemed gentlemen, no offense, Matteo."

Matteo flashed a polite smile and replied, "None taken, Eleanor," all while his unwavering gaze continued to bore into my skin. I couldn't bear to meet his eyes, feeling uncomfortable by the intense scrutiny.

Mistress Eleanor shifted her attention, scanning the surroundings. "I thought His Majesty might grace us with his presence today," she remarked. "I don't see the king anywhere."

Matteo chuckled, shaking his head. "We all know the king doesn't usually mingle in these festivities. He's got a lot of mistresses at his disposal already. If it weren't for us, the king's loyal subjects, having reason to celebrate, he wouldn't even be here. For now, he's in one of the chambers here, taking his rest, he might appear later."

"I see," Mistress Eleanor replied, mulling over the idea. "Should I send one of my girls? Perhaps he'll take an interest in one of them."

Matteo shook his head, a knowing smile on his face. "They're lovely, no doubt, but I highly doubt the king's tastes align with them. You know he has a soft spot for Mistress Coraline's girls; they're, well, more to his liking, I'd say. I'm certain Mistress Coraline will arrive soon with one of her stunning ladies, and then we can send one her girl's to the king's chambers."

Mistress Eleanor forced a tight smile through gritted teeth and retorted, "Well, I suppose we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?" She turned to us and addressed us, trying to control the anger on her face, "Come on, girls, there's plenty of work ahead tonight, and you need to ensure I get every zen I spent on you."

We nodded silently as we followed Mistress Eleanor into the heart of the party. We made our way to the area where food and drinks were being served, with Mistress Eleanor assigning us the task of carrying wine and offering it to the male guests.

"Quite an intriguing group of women you've brought today, Eleanor," remarked an elderly man in his sixties, or so I guessed, as we placed his wine on the table. "If you keep this up, you might just surpass Coraline in terms of having the finest girls in the brothel."

Mistress Eleanor responded with a smile, saying, "Lord Firestorm, there's no competition, as I already consider myself the best." She beckoned for us to step forward and added, "We have a delightful selection of girls here tonight; I'm certain you'll find one of them quite captivating."

The man's eyes roved over all of us until they settled on me. He scrutinized me from head to toe before he spoke, "This one looks rather intriguing. That hair of hers is unlike anything I've seen before," Lord Firestorm commented, while Mistress Eleanor beamed.

"I couldn't agree more; this one is truly special," she affirmed. "You can have her all to yourself tonight, but it may come at a price of a few thousand zens."

"For a beauty like her, I'd pay millions of zens if need be," he exclaimed with a chuckle and an unsettling lick of his lips. "Tell me, is she a virgin? That's what I desire tonight."

Mistress Eleanor took a moment to assess me before saying, "I can't be sure about this one's virginity." She then shifted her attention to another girl and continued confidently, "But this one here, I'm quite certain she's a virgin. You can have her."

I couldn't help but notice that it was the same woman who had spoken to me earlier, the one who had mentioned the kingdom's name and the curse. The expression on her face revealed her fear and shock, and it was clear she was struggling to hold back tears that were welling up.

"Well, I suppose I'll take this one for tonight then since it is a virgin I desire" he declared before shifting his focus squarely onto me. "Please, reserve this beauty for me, as I may summon her at any time in the near future."

"Yes, my Lord," Mistress Eleanor replied with a respectful nod, ushering the woman to approach the elderly man and settle onto his lap. She couldn't meet his gaze and kept her head bowed as the man wasted no time in exploring her body with his dirty old hands. My heart went out to the girl, it was undeniably distressing to find ourselves in this situation, selling our bodies without being able to say anything about it.

Although I felt relieved that I wouldn't be the one bedding this strange old man, my heart ached for the poor woman who had preserved her innocence, only to have it stripped away in such a degrading manner.

Mistress Eleanor soon departed from his side, instructing us to serve more wine to other elderly gentlemen who seemed incapable of keeping their hands to themselves. They had no problem touching parts of my body that should never be touched without consent.

Mistress Eleanor called me aside to a secluded spot, entrusting me with a tray of wine. She leaned in, her voice hushed, and said, "You're going to have an important task tonight." She cast a wary glance around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. Just then, a man who appeared to be a guard approached us and spoke.

"I can find my way into the king's room, but whatever transpires afterward is your concern, Mistress Eleanor," he stated, glancing around cautiously before returning his attention to us.

I couldn't be entirely sure I'd heard him correctly – the king's room? Did he mean the king of this kingdom? I struggled to comprehend the gravity of his words.

"You don't need to be afraid about that," Mistress Eleanor reassured, turning toward me as she noticed the scared expression on my face. "What I need from you is to serve the king some wine and attempt to seduce him as much as possible. Having one of my women spend the night with the king would be a significant step for my business and I can finally be the best brothel owner, not that stupid Coraline. You possess a unique beauty, so perhaps you can capture his attention."

My heart sank.

"If she fails to capture his attention, she'll face death for daring to enter the king's room," the guard declared, causing my heart to skip a beat and cold sweats to trickle down my forehead.

Did he just mention death?

I could be killed if I failed to catch the king's eye? This couldn't be real. Was this how my life was going to end?

Mistress Eleanor's stern gaze bore into me as she continued, "And if she succeeds, my business will flourish. You must give your best in seducing him if you wish to survive. The King is very picky, but if luck is on your side, he might just take an interest in you."

Until now, I'd believed my worth as a woman was the only thing on the line in this wretched trade. But suddenly, my very life was hanging by a thread.

If I failed to have intimate relations with their probably ancient and wrinkled king tonight, my life would be forfeit.

I didn't even know what he looked like. What if he turned out to be a monstrous creature? An ogre, perhaps? Or worse, an unsightly man?

He could be anything under the sun, and now, if I couldn't succeed in bedding him tonight, death awaited me. Was this truly the end?

Could this be how my story concludes?

If this were a dream, I needed to wake up, and I needed to wake up now.

Was this it?