Neirin wasn't naïve to think that such simple words would sway Roxanna. She was the guild master of the guild of flesh for a reason. Roxanna was a person who knew about words well and how they were powerful, especially when a person knew how to weave them. She often used her calculating mind and wits with different men. Hence, she was pretty knowledgeable in this field.
This was why Neirin needed Roxanna's weakness and desperation, even her desires. This way, it might give Neirin an opening. Back in her previous life, Roxanna loves making her potions.
She remembered how this almost cold-hearted woman's eyes sparkled, talking about her dreams and aspirations. It was the first time Neirin saw a young woman who had all her life surrounded by men look eager and excited.
Neirin knew that giving favors to someone won't just tie them down. Hence, she dismissed the topic as though she was only giving suggestions.
This way, Roxanna might think that this was nothing of importance and might let her guard down. It also gives Roxanna time to think about the matter more seriously while minding the time, afraid that if it takes too long, Neirin might forget about it.
So, without dwelling too much on the matter, Neirin shifted the subject.
"Moving on, the very reason why I came here was because of the recent report that I have received. Have you heard about the latest victim, Arthur Liden?"
Roxanna looked puzzled at first. A frown was shown on her beautiful face before changing her expression as though everything in her mind finally made sense. Roxanna stared at Neirin, casually drinking the alcohol she poured. At the same time, she noticed that she wore the most ragged outfit a noble could ever find.
A thought crossed Roxanna's mind.
'Since the headmaster was vocal about the new job given by the royal family, she was dressed in a commoner's clothes because she was investigating.'
Additionally, Roxanna knew about the banquet in the palace right now. The headmaster must have left without any words and wanted to keep her whereabouts unknown for now.
With all of these conclusions, a sudden relief washed over Roxanna.
"Headmaster." Neirin's right brow twitched as she noticed the pitch of her voice change. She sounded very confident now. She was a little afraid and anxious earlier.
Now, it was different.
Neirin smiled a little. She gave Roxanna her assurance.
"Roxanna, remember what I told you before? Choices, Roxanna. Choices."
"I haven't talked to the Courtesans lately, Headmaster, but if you permit, I would ask for the Courtesans who was in charge of Mr. Liden before his body was found."
"Please do so," Neirin gave Roxanna permission. A second that it was uttered, Roxanna left the room calmly without words as she looked focused on the mission the headmaster had given her.
The guild of flesh called women who entertain men for the sake of money, wealth, fame, and position, Courtesans. Their rank goes like this, the best ones were labeled: Lilac, Iris, and Camellia.
These were the top three Courtesans who had the highest rates and knew how to slave men with just their gestures, actions, words, and beauty.
They mastered men based on their observations, acts, and how they wanted attention and praise. They were sometimes even called dolls. They are perfect without flaws and could blend well with any man's ideal type. That was why most men wanted them.
Most of these Courtesans have sponsors that give them money every month just for spending and getting all dolled up. Moreover, these noblemen were required to pay membership fees to avoid losing their ranks as VIPs.
The higher one's rank was, the more important he gets in this guild.
Another was Roxanna used these Courtesans for seductions, information, and murders. These three Courtesans worked under her and acted like her right-hand disciples whenever she was not around. These three Courtesans dealt with private customers, and no one was allowed to see them without any memberships, reservations, or bookings.
This way, people will be curious enough to stir their curiosity and lead to their own downfall.
The second highest was the Courtesans, with the title of Red and Bluebon.
They are called by those with money to spend but not enough to afford the highest three. They were all beautiful. Every woman in the guild of flesh was, but the difference was the amount of experience they had.
Red and Bluebon Courtesans are the type of courtesans who act innocent and lovely. They were suited to a specific kind of man with a different fetish that they were embarrassed to admit.
They target merchants and those who live beyond the sea. They are well versed in arts and even in books and poetry. They knew different cultures and strived to learn more to climb the ranks and become one of the highest three.
And the new ladies who had only started their training were called blossom and lily. In most cases, they have only been in the guild of flesh for less than five years. They were new, and like children, they were taught how to become the best Courtesans and use their beauty to their advantage.
Of course, most women who often apply for jobs in the guild of flesh knew what the guild was for. Roxanna doesn't just hire women because of their beauty. Roxanna hired women based on their usefulness and how much hatred they harbored for the opposite gender.
This way, they were more likely to be useful, and Roxanna would not acquire any losses.
It wasn't just that. Inside the guild of flesh, some workers were called Escorts. They are like the Courtesans, but this time, they are men.
They were often hired by ladies in high society to give them attention and love. Like the Courtesans, they rank based on their usefulness, cunningness, beauty, and body.
The first three highest ranks were called diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds. The second highest was topazes, quartz, and the last one, the new to the members, was called agates. They had the same job as the Courtesans, just different gender they were dealing with.
Most escorts provide service in bed. Of course, rules in the guild of flesh prioritized the Escort choices. They will be the ones who will decide if they want to.
After finishing the alcohol, Neirin stared at the door, thinking before standing up and turning to face Adlen, who was quietly standing there.
"Sit," Neirin pointed at the sofa.
"Pardon, Headmaster?" Adlen looked confused.
Neirin smiled meaningfully, "I am in disguised, right?"
"Ah!"
Without even a passing minute, Adlen understood what Neirin meant. He obediently switched position with the headmaster while Neirin stood where Adlen was standing a moment ago.
Adlen removed his coat and acted like a nobleman in disguise. He confidently sat there leaning on the sofa. Neirin glanced at him with a satisfied expression. She was proud of how the guild masters acted perfectly when they were with her.
"Remember, Adlen. There are three things I wanted to hear from the courtesan today."
"What is it, your grace?"
"First, the actions, thoughts, and behaviors of Arthur Liden before his death. The second was if he was with someone, and the third, was if he had met anyone before his death."
Adlen smiled. "As the headmaster wishes. Please trust me."
Neirin gave a nod. She then took a step back and stood there like the servant she was trying to mimick while waiting for Roxanna to arrive.
"Knock. Knock. Knock"
Just like what they both expected, a knock was soon heard. "Come in." This time, it was Adlen who answered, giving a heads-up to Roxanna about the change that happened within a short span of minutes.
The door opened. Roxanna was the first one who greet them once again. Her behavior has changed, taking in the act that Neirin wanted to play.
"I greet the young lord of an esteemed high house of the capital."
"Welcome," Adlen answered casually without any honorifics or respect.
Based on his body language and tone, he clearly was looking down at Roxanna, showing his mockery. This was how noble man acts these days. Especially when they are in the presence of a woman, thinking that their arrogance would woo the woman they fancy.
With empty thoughts, Neirin looked over the figure that was following Roxanna. Neirin wasn't able to see clearly who the woman was.
Thankfully, as they entered the room, with the lights illuminating the figure, Neirin saw a lovely lady with black hair and hazel eyes. She was voluptuous, with her curves all in the right places. She was wearing a little bit of a revealing dress, exposing her shoulders and collarbones.
"He's an important customer. Greet him with respect." Roxanna immediately added as though she was afraid to make any mistakes in front of Adlen. Neirin tried her best not to smile or even grin since she knew, given their relationship, that Roxanna wanted to strangle the hell out of Adlen.
"Yes," the woman's voice was sweet and lovely. Neirin even smiled the moment she heard it.
"I am Aurellian, I am a bluebon Courtesan, my Lord. What matters may I help you with?"
There was a pause and silence between them inside the room. Adlen raised his index finger, tapping the table. He was obviously creating tension between all the people inside the room.
"Arthur Liden," Adlen broke the silence. In that instant, Neirin' eyes stared at Aurellian. She flinched as her fingers trembled right at the very moment the victim's name was uttered. She tried her best to stand up straight.
"I heard from your guild master that you were the one that served him before his death."
"My lord!" Aurellian's eyes quivered as her body seemed like it couldn't lie. Roxanna was a bit disappointed about that. The first lesson in the guild of flesh was about lying. However, in Neirin's case, she was a little glad that the lady was like transparent glass.
Something happened. All three of them concluded without a doubt.
"Fret not. I am not here to point any threat at you. I am merely curious. Would you help me satisfy my curiosity, lady Aurellian?"
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