I remove my cloak, letting my silver hair catch the luxurious lighting of the room. Walking over to the kneeling boys, I stand before them.
"I have just one question for you, and I expect an honest answer," I say, locking eyes with each of them in turn.
"I'll be frank with you," I continue as I squat down in front of them. "I spent a considerable amount on you three. It was rather impulsive, I must admit."
Rising to my feet, I walk back to my seat and continue munching on the delicious pastries. "You may think you're invaluable, but I'm royalty. I can easily replace you. What's a few gold coins to me, after all?"
"I'll give you an hour to decide," I say with a shrug. "If you wish to stay with me, you're welcome. If not, feel free to leave. I won't hold it against you. I'll consider it my loss." With that, I grab the tray of pastries and head into the bedroom, leaving them to ponder their decision.
Lost in the comfort and indulgence of the luxurious room, I lose track of time while enjoying the delicious pastries.
Suddenly, a soft knock on the door startles me. Has it been an hour already?
"Come in," I beckon as the skinny, purple-haired man enters and kneels at the edge of the bed. His posture suggests he's a trained slave, a fact that doesn't sit well with me. However, I'm drawn to the intelligent gleam in his eyes. I make a mental note to address his status later.
Tapping on the space beside me, he climbs up and settles next to me.
"So, have you made your decision?" I inquire, looking at him intently. He nods in response.
"Words, little one," I prompt, wanting to hear his voice.
"I wish to go with you," he says.
"Hmm, but why? You could be free," I question, genuinely curious. As I reach out to tuck a stray strand of his purple hair behind his ear, he blushes, which I find endearing.
"I don't really have anywhere else to go. The most likely outcome is I'll be caught as a slave again," he explains softly.
"You have the potential to be a mage, though. You could seek refuge at the mage tower," I suggest, noticing his initial fear before it subsides.
"I just want a home. I feel like you could be my home," he confesses before drifting off to sleep. I gently pull the covers over him, his light frame making it an easy task.
Just as I'm helping the purple-haired man into bed, the green-eyed beauty walks in.
"I didn't want to intrude," he says softly. I gesture to the space beside me on the bed, and he joins us.
"I need to go with you," he says urgently, the word 'need' sticking in my mind.
"You cost me over a million gold, the moment we made eye contact, you were mine, princess," I reply with a smile, knowing the gravity of my words. He smiles back and soon drifts off to sleep.
After they are both asleep, I quietly leave the bed and send a pulse of divinity into them. It's a power granted to me by the goddess, a unique advantage as her saint. This power allows me to put them into a peaceful slumber among other things.
Thinking back to my conversation with the Pope and the threat I subtly made to the Emperor, I can't help but smirk. It seems being the goddess's chosen one has its perks.
I leave the room and close the door with a thud. As I walk down the hallway, I notice the raven-haired boy sitting on the floor, looking lost and forlorn. Why is he sitting there like some homeless man?
"I thought you left," I say to him, stopping in front of him. He looks up at me, then down again.
"You know the hour is up and done, right?" I sit down next to him, feeling a pang of sympathy for his situation. He looks at me with desperation and vulnerability that tugs at my heart.
"I... I don't know," he finally admits. I remain silent, letting him gather his thoughts.
"I have nothing to offer you, nothing to offer anyone, but I'm too greedy to leave. So I don't know," he says, his voice cracking with emotion.
I sigh, feeling the weight of his words. "I get to decide what is useful to me, okay? So what do you want?" I ask, looking at him directly.
"I just want somewhere to rest. I dare not wish for more," he says quietly, his gaze dropping.
I reach out and gently lift his chin, meeting his eyes. Using my divinity, I send him to the bed to join the others, giving him the rest he desires.
I look at those peaceful sleeping faces, I may have been way in over my head I sigh.
I look at them and realize, they are people with trauma, fears, thoughts and opinions. They've never had anything, taking advantage of them leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
Whatever will happen, will happen. This is a realm full of handsome men, I'm sure I can manipulate I mean convince men into being my harem, I think evily.
As I close the door behind me, I can't help but feel like a mother hen. I never expected that having these men would mean I'd be the one taking care of them, not the other way around.
I might have gotten myself into something troublesome, but at least they'll be nice to look at.