City of Tarakat— Once part of the Kingdom of Kuwalid, this city fell under Imperial control eighteen years ago after the end of a civil war in that nation.
The entire El-Arami dynasty, the rulers at the time, was executed. However, no one knew that one of the Sultan's wives had managed to escape the country, presumed dead before the war's peak.
That wife of the Sultan was my mother—Raheema.
I was three years old at the time, and my sister, Umaya, had just been born. We were too young to understand anything, so I followed my mother to this city to evade Kuwalid's intelligence units. If they knew that any remnants of the El-Arami dynasty were still alive, we would surely be hunted down to the ends of the earth.
When I turned eight, my mother passed away, leaving us alone. Two orphaned children in a city filled with people with ill intentions. We were unfortunate enough to fall into the hands of a syndicate here.
We had no choice but to survive, and they were willing to care for us if we worked for them.
At first, we were assigned to scavenge at the garbage dumps outside the city. But when I turned twelve, they placed me in a brothel filled with lecherous men.
It was the worst experience of my life.
Being forced to serve men twice, three times, even four times my age felt like living in the hell my mother had warned me about whenever I disobeyed the teachings of Goddess Diana.
But does the compassionate Goddess really exist in this world? Why didn't she help us when her devotee was in need, trapped in suffering? As time went on, I forgot the Temple's teachings that my mother had taught me.
Nine years have passed since I began working here, where men treat women however they please.
"Woahh! Aliya is here!"
"The number one dancer and entertainer in this place!"
Currently, I work as a dancer here. But at night, I am merely a woman hired to fulfill the desires of the men who pay for my services.
As I step onto the stage, the music fills the room. I start swaying, moving my body to highlight every beautiful curve for them.
The men fall silent, staring at me with lustful eyes, like animals. But I'm used to this by now.
Why must I live like this?
Once, I read a book about a princess who was saved by a prince. Reading it made me laugh.
This world isn't a fairy tale. There's no gallant prince on horseback ready to save you. You have to seize happiness yourself if you want it in this world.
But not everyone can do that. I am just a fish carried by the current, unable to resist the fate that befell my family, unable to change my life of suffering.
I am no princess from a fairy tale...
After entertaining the guests, I rest in a room provided by the syndicate.
It has a comfortable bed, a complete vanity, and nice clothes. At first glance, it looks like a cozy room, and the syndicate appears to be a benevolent employer for providing such a place for its workers.
But to me, this is the place I want most to leave and forget. It is the place where I was violated at twelve, where I serve those repulsive men, where they touch my body to satisfy their vile desires.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Sister, it's me, Umaya."
Hearing that familiar voice, I push away the negative thoughts crowding my mind.
"Come in, Umaya."
The door opens, revealing a young man with black hair, tan skin, and golden eyes like mine. He is the only family I have left.
He steps inside and sits on the bed.
"Sister, I've officially become a syndicate fighter," my brother says, his voice serious. "I'll earn enough money to free you from here."
His words make me smile. He is truly the only person in this world who genuinely cares about me.
"Hee~ You're acting all grown up now, Umaya," I tease him. "You've grown so big and are becoming a real man."
Umaya's face flushes. "Oh, stop it, Sister Aliya. Why do you always talk to me like that? I'm officially a man now, you know."
"Hehe… You're right; you're even taller than me now," I say, ruffling his hair. "But Umaya, don't push yourself too hard. Promise you'll come back safely, okay?"
He just nods in response. It feels strange seeing my only family, who once depended on me, grow up and become independent.
"Aliya, Umaya, are you two in here?"
I hear another familiar voice.
A muscular man enters my room, and Umaya stands up, placing himself between us.
"Boss, do you need something?" Umaya asks.
Indeed, this is the man who took us in, starting me on this life of suffering.
"Why are you being rude to the one who saved you, boy?" snaps the man, grabbing Umaya by the collar. "If I hadn't found you, you and your sister would have died on the streets and become dog food!"
Umaya struggles to break free, but his smaller frame is no match.
"I apologize, Mr. Boris! Umaya didn't mean to be disrespectful! Please let him go!" I plead, desperation in my voice.
Boris throws Umaya across the room, slamming him against the wall. My brother groans in pain, clutching his head.
"Tch, lucky for you I'm in a good mood," he says, turning toward the door. "Both of you, follow me. An important guest wants to meet you."
At those words, a sense of dread fills me.
The "important guests" Boris refers to are usually nobles who want to hire me for a few nights. But why would Boris want Umaya to join me this time?
I don't know, but I have no choice but to go along.
Umaya and I follow Boris outside the building. A carriage is parked and ready to go.
"Get in, both of you," orders Boris.
Umaya and I climb into the carriage, followed by Boris. Once inside, the carriage begins moving, leaving the place behind.
"Mr. Boris, where are we going?" I ask, curious about this unusual situation.
Boris lights a cigarette, taking a drag and exhaling a cloud of smoke. The smell of tobacco fills the carriage.
"You're going to meet an heir of one of the Empire's high nobility," he replies casually.
High nobility? The highest rank below the Emperor here is that of a Duke, isn't it? If it's an heir, he must be young.
Before long, we arrive at our destination. We enter an inn and make our way to a room on the third floor.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Lord Raul, it's me, Boris Fernando," says Boris respectfully. "I've brought the two of them."
"Come in, Boris."
Boris opens the door, revealing a young man with black hair in academy attire, writing in a book.
---
He looks very young… Maybe around Umaya's age or even younger.
"Lord Raul, I've brought them," says Boris, bowing. "Aliya, Umaya, introduce yourselves to Lord Raul de Garcia."
Umaya and I step forward, and the young man glances at us.
"My name is Aliya, my lord. My profession is an entertainer," I say, bowing to show respect.
"My-my name is Umaya, a fighter," Umaya stammers awkwardly.
The young man nods and says, "My name is Raul de Garcia—the sole heir of the Garcia family." He gestures for us to sit. "Now, Boris, you can leave us. I'd like to speak with them alone."
"As you wish, Lord Raul." Boris bows and exits, closing the door behind him.
"Alright, let's get to the point," Raul says, clearly about to question us. "Where are you both from?"
"Kuwalid—Amrani City under the rule of Emir Bardak, leader of Clan El-Dawudi," I answer smoothly.
"Impressive knowledge of your hometown," he says casually. "Not something you'd expect from a typical entertainer."
His comment irritates me, but I keep my expression neutral. Of course, my answer was a lie.
"What do you think of the El-Arami dynasty that oppressed Kuwalid's people before the Revolution?" he asks again.
Why is he asking this? What is his purpose? I can't read his intentions from his expression. "I wouldn't know; I was very young when the war happened," I answer.
"What about the current government of Kuwalid?"
To be honest, I don't care about the nation that abandoned our family. The people there branded us as traitors, and I have no reason to care about them.
Now, I only want a happy life with Umaya, free from anyone trying to control us.
"They're rotten."
The voice beside me catches my attention. Umaya suddenly speaks, revealing his deep resentment toward those who abandoned us.
"Their economy has remained stagnant since the war, with some regions being seized by other countries and dwindling supplies of water and food causing many citizens to leave the nation," Umaya explained, describing the current condition of Kuwalid. "The war was a huge mistake, created by those seeking power at the expense of the common people. The government only appears just on the surface, but it's corrupt when examined more closely."
It seemed Umaya still hadn't forgotten or forgiven them. She was still trapped in the past and the history of our family.
"Is that so?" murmured the man, his gaze now focused more intently on Umaya. "If you had the power to change that country, what would you do?"
"Of course, I'd want to change it and punish those corrupt officials!" Umaya exclaimed passionately.
"Alright then, starting now, the two of you will work for me," the man said, explaining his purpose for meeting us. "The pay will be far better than what you're earning now. Your sister will work at the entertainment venue I've built, and you will join the security team there."
In the end, my fate didn't change. However, at least Umaya wouldn't have to do dangerous work to earn money. With a better income, perhaps she could start a family and find happiness.
"Pack up your things and give this paper to the driver waiting outside," the man said, handing a slip of paper to Umaya. "He will take you both to the Imperial Capital—Terragon, where you'll begin living as of tomorrow."