---- Haruhime -----
Can a prostitute find happiness?
I've pondered this question many times...
Ever since I was sold to Ishtar-sama's family, my fate was destined to be a prostitute.
In stories, the happiness of a prostitute is nonexistent; they are the downfall of those with noble hearts.
They are the villains, the evil that must be eradicated...
I didn't want to accept it...
Why can't I be happy?
Why can't a Hero save me?
Is it a curse that the doors to the realm of the fairies have closed for me?
This is so unfair... I too want to build a family, fall in love with a hero, have children, and live...
But it's a pity... My body is not pure; I've sold it for money...
I want to escape this nightmare, but I can't; my family has cast me aside. Even though I don't hate my family, it saddens me to know that they didn't trust me.
And then there's this collar of enslavement. Even if I escape, Ishtar-sama will find me, all because of this collar. My fate is sealed; this is the chain that binds me to this place, the chain that reminds me every day that my dreams are a fantasy.
Fortunately, I had my seniors—Aisha-san, Lena-san...
Each of them was very kind to me, teaching me many things that were impossible in my old home.
But there were also dark aspects, like the captain. One day, I saw her torturing a man in a secret room.
And the worst part is, she saw me. Threatening me not to speak, I was so scared that I complied. I couldn't refuse her.
But thanks to Aisha-san, I could overcome that unpleasant moment.
Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. The day I was supposed to be sacrificed for Ishtar-sama's sake arrived.
And when all seemed lost, Aisha-san saved me by destroying the Death Stone.
I was so happy... I could keep on living, even though Aisha-san suffered for my sake. I felt so dirty knowing that my continued existence was at the cost of her suffering...
For the first time, I thought I was a bad person; I felt guilty.
And my punishment also came.
I couldn't escape my fate; the inevitable was only postponed.
There were more Death Stones, enough of them...
Fortunately, they were rare, allowing my life to be extended a bit longer.
As time passed, my hopes of being saved diminished. I accepted that I could never be saved... Prostitutes don't deserve this honor.
We don't deserve a happy ending... We are and will always be the downfall of heroes.
"Hello, beautiful lady."
Until I met him...
A human who had nothing going for him—average appearance, even his clothes were normal.
"Would this Arce have the privilege of having a charming night with such a beautiful princess?"
But there was something about him... Something was different; a light shone beside him. The first time I saw him, I even thought I was seeing things, so I blinked, but unfortunately, that light had disappeared.
He was very polite, chivalrous, and for the first time, someone tried to flirt with me...
I was being seduced, complimented.
He told me I was beautiful; it was the first time someone said such sweet words to me. This, of course, made my thoughts wander, so I accepted his request to spend the night. There was no reason not to; as long as he paid for me, I was willing to offer my services.
Although initially, I thought he wanted my body, like all the other clients, I didn't mind that. It's my job, and my duty is to serve them to the best of my ability, but...
I failed again...
I ended up fainting, leaving another unsatisfied customer. However, this was fine...
Even if I faint, the customer might have my body; that happened many times. I'm inexperienced in serving men, but they have my body even if I'm not conscious.
So, I thought he had obtained it too. I was wrong again.
"Huh?... What happened? Is it over already?"
"Well, we never started, so it couldn't have ended."
I was dressed, and my client was having tea...
Although I didn't know where the tea came from, I was more concerned about complaints. Whenever my client didn't get my body, they would complain. I'd end up paying the money, receiving punishment.
But he smiled and didn't care about that.
He didn't complain, nor did he raise his voice. He wasn't angry. On the contrary, he asked me to accompany him.
Honestly, I couldn't comprehend it.
What's so interesting about spending time with a prostitute like me?
Wouldn't it be better to spend it with a woman who deserves it?
I didn't know, but I didn't care either.
After all, I enjoyed talking to him. My likes and complaints, he listened to everything.
Even my wishes...
And although his smile twisted when he heard my humble desire to see the Champion, he quickly recovered.
I love Heroes, especially the one who wrote their stories, the one who gave his life for the world. To me, this is the noblest thing anyone has done. Although I don't know him, I know someone like the Champion is extraordinary. So, my wish was very childish and impossible.
But through all this, Arce-sama kept listening without criticizing my tastes or getting upset.
It was very pleasant, the best night since I started working in this place. Unfortunately, the time to return had come.
I knew that once he was gone, I wouldn't see him again. I felt sad about the reality.
"But, this is not the last time. I plan to keep coming to visit... Would this lady give me the pleasure of accompanying her?"
Contrary to my expectations, Arce-sama returned the next day.
This made me happy...
Conversing with this person and enjoying his company was very warm.
Every day, I looked forward to the night, eager to see him again and praying that the nights never ended.
Unknowingly... I had fallen in love.
How did it happen?
I truly don't know; it just happened...
For the first time, I no longer wanted Heroes or even the Champion; just the man who came to my room every night.
Although he's an ordinary adventurer, I didn't care. He was on my mind all day, more than anything else.
So much that I even yearned for his kisses more and more, wanting to hold him and have him stay by my side forever...
Being a prostitute wasn't so bad anymore, if only because, as long as I was one, he would keep coming.
Although I also worried, being an adventurer is dangerous. I didn't know how strong Arce-sama was, but this didn't stop me from praying for his safety.
"Haruhime... I really like you... Do you want to be my woman?"
But one day, he confessed to me...
I was very happy; I wasn't the only one with these feelings. I even had the urge to accept it; my heart was beating fast, and tears were streaming down.
However, I had to refuse; I couldn't accept it...
Even though I cried a lot when I saw him leave, I had to swallow these feelings.
No matter how much I loved him or he loved me, my fate was sealed.
And I didn't want to see him suffer. I didn't want the man I love to die for me. If Ishtar-sama finds out, it wouldn't be just him who suffers but also his family...
I am impure; I don't deserve his love. He's charming, and I'm sure there will be a woman who accepts his feelings, someone who loves him as much as I do.
But, once again, I was wrong...
He came back the next day; he didn't want to give up on me.
And honestly, I didn't want to see him. My heart ached, but I didn't want these suppressed feelings to resurface. His presence was the cruelest poison, corrupting my soul and making me unable to resist wanting him...
But I had to be strong; I had to reject him again. Even if my heart broke, my greatest wish was for him to be happy.
I would be strong for his happiness, a memory that propels him forward.
"Thank you for this moment. I won't forget your smile. You are the most beautiful when you smile... I love you."
I couldn't...
I couldn't let him go; I didn't want to let him go. I love him so much; I can't bear to see him leave.
"Don't go... Please... Stay by my side forever. I don't want to sell my body anymore. I feel so dirty... Please, accept me... I love you too, Arce-sama."
I knew it was wrong. I knew my selfishness could kill him.
I knew that because of me, he would have to suffer...
It hurts, it hurts a lot, but I didn't want my love to die. So, I surrendered.
-----
TN: Ok 😃👍