Entering into the house which looked more like heaven than a house. It appeared utterly luxurious to the core. The interior designs were amazing.
As they both walked amidst the small corridor, "Westley, I hope you aren't really planning to give me to this Lord Abraham you speak of?" Noelle asked, feeling quite dreadful as she remembered those hard stares which the Guard at the entrance gave to her. Although she felt that it wasn't the case, but still she had to ask just to make sure.
"Of course not, Noelle. Why would I do such a thing? It was just a scheme to get him to let us in. And luckily my beautiful best friend's beauty here could allure everyone. It's like you're some kind of mythical creature which everyone can't simply resist."
Knowing that she was, Noelle hastily objected, perhaps guilty conscience.
"You know that I'm not!"
"Relax Noelle, I know you're not. Anyways we're almost close to the living room so try to be on your best behavior, stay close to me, and also let me do all the talking, okay?" Westley warned.
"Okay, noted," Noelle replied obediently. Now staring at the luxurious mansion's inwards view, as it looked extremely beautiful. When unexpectedly, something caught her attention, it was a sound probably coming from the living room which they were approaching;
"Do you hear that Westley? So much noise! And also look there's so much smoke coming from there, is the house on fire or something? Should we call for help?"
"Noelle you're so innocent. I know this isn't a place for someone like you," Westley shooked his head to the beautiful mermaid's meekness, "Anyways, let's go in. You will see for yourself in just a few minutes."
"Okay…" Noelle trailed. Still feeling uneasy, especially after hearing what Westley had to say.
Upon arriving at the living room. Noelle couldn't help but cough brutally, waving her hand in the air to clear the overwhelming smokes a little. And Westley didn't even seem bothered a bit by the smokes.
'Arghh! Why is there so much smoke?!' Noelle thought inwardly. Already having a bad feeling about this creepy place.
Clenching even tighter onto one of Westley's arm defensively, as though he was her shield from trouble. Although she couldn't see anything yet due to the heavy smoke, however as they went farther in, she was now starting to see cleanly and clearly.
Now realizing something.
'Oh… so they were the ones smoking cigarettes and causing so much smokes. Such shenanigans!' Noelle thought disgustedly, almost wanting to spat on the floor at the gruesome sight of what she was seeing. Indeed this wasn't a place for her at all.
Frontwards them were three men, dressed in luxurious attire, although two of them appeared quite young, perhaps in there early twenties, while the other man seemed to be someone in his late forties, and he seemed quite funny looking too.
Causing Noelle to reason that the man which was in his early forties was Lord Abraham, and perhaps the rest were his men.
While, surrounding those three men were multiple pretty young ladies, probably prostitutes who were there to satisfy their thirst for fun. The three men were all gulping down their wines happily in satisfaction as the ladies caressed their bodies seductively, with their laughter emerging the air.
'So they were the ones making those loud noises also.' She finally realized.
Noelle swallowed seeing them, of course she had never seen such a thing all her life. This was the first time. Partly because she had lived underwater for ten years, and partly because she was formerly a princess, and being a princess meant that she would never be allowed to go out as she pleases, not to talk of witnessing such disgusting things.
Reaching there, and as instructed, Noelle kept quiet and composed herself not letting her gut feeling get the better of her. While Westley did the talking just as agreed, he bowed slightly;
"Greetings Lord Abraham!"
Upon percepting Westley, Lord Abraham frowned. Placing down his cup of wine, he moved away from the seductive ladies who were obstructing him and didn't want him to leave them so soon.
"I'll be back," Lord Abraham said to the ladies and also to the two men. And the ladies eventually let him go.
Moving hastily towards Westley. He took the both of them to some corner.
"What do you want in my house? I can't believe Nathaniel really let you in that easily! You must really think that we've become friends because I decided to forgive you for stealing from me that day! Or are you here to steal from me again?" Lord Abraham scowled angrily.
Noelle who was once hiding at Westley's back, decided to show her beautiful face. Which led to Lord Abraham instantly fixating his gaze and whole attention on the mesmerizing beauty before his eyes.
Switching his words, "So beautiful…" Lord Abraham couldn't help but mumbled under his breaths in awe of what he was percepting.
"Excuse me, Lord Abraham…?" Westley who thought Lord Abraham was talking to him twitched his eyebrows.
"Idiot! I wasn't talking to you," Lord Abraham grunted. Staring at Noelle's body.
"Oh…" Westley realized.
Noelle could feel herself immediately almost wanting to dash this boorish man a slap and run away from him, after looking at her so maliciously. She hated his gaze, especially knowing what was on his mind.
"I came because of her, Lord Abraham," Westley admitted. "I know there wouldn't be anyone better whom I could go to that would help her like you, Lord Abraham."
Now seeming a bit calm, "Help, you say? What does she want from me? As long as it's not you who needs the help, then I guess I could consider. But first, tell me what she want so that I'll know if it's possible or not. And remember, there's always a price I'll demand for every help I render."
Westley sighed tiredly, "Okay fine, Lord Abraham. Be rest assured that we would be able to pay the price. Anyways that aside, Lord Abraham, what my friend here seeks is a Maidservant job at King Axel's castle. Would you be able to help with that?"
Lord Abraham gasped. Staring even more penetratingly at Noelle, wondering about so many things. He then chuckled, "That's going to be a difficult thing to do for her. However, it's not impossible either. She's very beautiful, so the likes of her are what are needed in the castle anyways."
"So what are you saying, Lord Abraham," Westley asked anticipatingly.
Lord Abraham sighed, "What I'm saying is that I would be able to help her get the job. One of my friends works as a butler in the castle, so getting her into the castle shouldn't be as difficult as impossible."
"Thank you, Lord Abraham. You're too kind," Westley appreciated.
"Shut up Westley! The favor isn't for you. So let the beautiful lady herself appreciate me instead!" He said turning towards Noelle. And almost immediately Noelle heard this, she made a curt head bow sweetly with a forced, and delicate smile.
"Kind-hearted Lord Abraham. Thank you. It is an honor to receive your help," said Noelle's alluring mermaid voice, which further moved Lord Abraham.
"You're welcome darling," Lord Abraham praised with a malicious smile. Moving closer towards Noelle which further made her nervous, "I like you already, you'll be a nice Maidservant. You have a sweet voice my darling. What's your name?"
Noelle could almost feel herself getting aggravated at the man calling her darling. How dare he call her his darling!
"My name is Noelle, Lord Abraham," Noelle replied glancing downwards to avoid unnecessary eye contact with the man's sinistrous eyes, not even realizing that the man was already inching further to her.
"What a wonderful name you've got there. Say, Noelle my darling, why don't you work for me instead, uh? I'll make sure to even pay you more than they would pay you at the castle. I promise," Lord Abraham offered, wanting to touch Noelle's silky black hairs.
Unfortunately, his hand was caught in mid air by Westley's hand with a curt frown blessing his good looking facials as he spoke;
"Lord Abraham. Please respect yourself," Westley requested as polite as he could. Causing Lord Abraham to snatched his hand away from him with a frown as he averted his gaze from Noelle's frame. "And also Lord Abraham, please move back. You're too close."
"Don't you dare touch me Westley! Remember that next time," Lord Abraham stated angrily as he moved backwards embarrassingly as instructed. "Anyways, for the favor you're asking me of. I'll give you two options to pick from as my compensation. It's either you pay me a hundred silver coins, or you let me sleep with her. Choose wisely," pointing towards Noelle.
Noelle could feel her heart accelerated. There was no way she was going to sleep with such an underserving man who thinks women are only tools for fun. Ain't no way that's ever happening!
Taking the words right out of Noelle's mind, Westley spoke;
"She doesn't need to sleep with you, Lord Abraham. We'll pay you the hundred silver coins you've ask of in cash when next we come. And you better dare not try to trick us."
"Westley. Let the lady speak for herself! Would you? You aren't the one who is going to sleep with me! So why talk for her?" Turning towards Noelle, Lord Abraham smiled persuasively, hoping to win Noelle's trust, "My darling Noelle. What do you have to say?"
"Lord Abraham, what Westley said," Noelle replied casually. Still glancing down. How dare he kept calling her his darling!
Lord Abraham grunted.
"Fine. Ungrateful souls! Whenever you're ready with the hundred silver coins I've demanded as my compensation. Then you can come back, I'll speak to my butler friend on your behalf. Afterwards I'll send a carriage to come pick you up and take you to the castle. Deal?"
"Deal!" Westley confirmed, holding his hand out for an handshake.
"Take down your hands. I'll never shake a stinky little thief like you. And by the way, how's the girl related to you, Westley?"
Bringing down his hands which were deprived of the hand shake embarrassingly. "She's just an old time friend of mine."
"Oh… Well… what a gem of a friend you have there with you Westley," Lord Abraham praised, and glared at Noelle who was clasping Westley's arm apprehensively. "And remember Westley, you can always decide to choose the other option. I won't object it."
Possessing Noelle's hands, "Indeed I would remember your humble request, Lord Abraham. But I'm afraid we might never need to choose it, you see…. Well then, Lord Abraham if you could please allow it, we shall take our leave now."
"Come on, Noelle let's get out of here," Westley instructed, not really awaiting Lord Abraham's permission. Noelle immediately bowed slightly towards Lord Abraham, then hastily followed Westley as instructed.
Lord Abraham watched them as they went. Then soon returned to his fun, as he went back towards those pretty ladies, he sat back amidst them happily.