Rubin regained his senses and his hands shook realizing what he had done, he moved his hands away from her neck and noticed the red mark that had been left behind by his strong grip around her neck, I- I am sorry, are you ok? Your neck , I didn't mean too, he said as he touched were the red mark was now present.
Someone is at the door , she spoke softly wanting his attention to b elsewhere.
Rubin looked at her and sighed as he stood up ,the next time you call out to anyone, I shall treat you as I treat the other women in the brothel, as I said earlier, you will have your new guard in the morning, as he walked to the door to see who had interrupted him.
Belle slowly sat up, she needed to get back to her room, before the customers started to come in or he will make her accompany him, from were she sat , she could see the open door.
At the door she saw the foreigner she had met from the previous night, Zenon lazily looked from Rubin who could not stop smiling to the woman who was sited on the bed, as he noticed her worn out look and the way her eyes were teary.
General, Rubin said, moving to the left to block belle from Zenon's view, I was busy you see, one of my girls had fainted earlier so I had to look after her and didn't have the time to make preparations for you, and you arrived rather early.
Rubin was looking forward to the kings men visiting his brothel that night , and he didn't need either side getting upset with one another and causing a disaster in his sanctuary.
Zenon noticed how Rubin was so desperate to get his attention, why do you smile so much like the women that work for you, do you also entertain your guest as well? Zenon asked in a tone full of mockery.
Rubin was fed up with trying to please Zenon, watch how you insult me, you are only a general and your title as a prince holds no grounds after all you are only an illegitimate son, I am trying to be nice , but you seem to want to mock me every chance you get, You are also aware that the kings men will be dining here this night, but so you chose to come , I do not want any fight of any kind tonight.
Once again I warn you not to look at my woman for she is my property, Rubin couldn't hold up the act of trying to be nice in front of Zenon, for he had irritated him to much, or do you wish to steal my woman from me.
What is it that everyone one assumes on what I will do? I did not come here to fight, I came here for a room and drinks for the men that accompany me, am I not allowed to request for such or I should go elsewhere, Rubin said.
Rubin didn't like Zenon for one second but he liked the money that came with him, why go somewhere else when you are in the best brothel in town, and no other place can give you the information you seek, I shall make arrangements for rooms, drinks and women-
No women, Zenon said, he didn't want to get associated with the women that worked for Rubin, the rooms and drinks would be fine and most importantly I would like to continue our conversation from last night.
Of course! Rubin took a glance of belle as he looked over his shoulder, he closed the door behind him.
Zenon snuck a glance at belle before he closed the door and noticed how desperate she was to live the room and how relieved she was that he was leaving. He was curious as to why she wasn't put to work like the other women in the brothel, but he also didn't want to stick his nose in anyone's business.
Belle stared at the door as it had been closed, she slowly stood up from the bed as she still felt the throbbing pain in her birthmark and it seemed like it got more painful with every second that passed, she needed to get to her room quickly before Rubin or any of his other guest would come back to the room.
She felt very weak ,from the striking pain she felt from her back, she had to quickly leave Rubin's quarters and make it to her room as soon as possible.