"I want to take you somewhere tomorrow, you should rest, you must be hungry, already you're been unconscious for the past two months now"
Corvina was shocked, she asked in a doubtful tone "Two…Months?"
Floria readily confirmed her question though not in the mood to explain her current situation, she continued her bath well aware of Corvina's gaze. On her exposed body.
Food was prepared, table was set, eating commerced but the awful silence in the room was depressing especially for the young Corvina, who already missed her birthday.
"I'm sixteen…?"
"I'll take you out tomorrow…" that was the only words said by Floria as she left the dinning table.
This side of Floria was something Corvina never wished to see, as she missed the cheerful and calm Floria of the past. but deep down, she was look forward to where Floria was taking her.
After the dinner, Floria did the dishes as night covered quickly, unsure if it was due to excitement. Corvina suddenly found it hard to fall asleep, feeling like she forgot something.
Early the next day,
Corvina being a morning bird woke up early, despite her insomnia last night. Quickly taking her bath, she dressed up neatly with the clothes provided for her in the wardrobe.
Floria came forward to braid her hair and style it with the cheap accessories she could afford. While staring at the mirror, Corvina couldn't help but remember the past, where Floria will braid her hair every morning and her mother will personally come to have a walking with her in the garden.
However, what was gone was gone, life continues. Taking her time to doll Corvina up. Floria was deeply satisfied with the results, though the hairpin and bangles where cheap, the still did the job. only enhancing Corvina's beauty as she couldn't help but smile at the almost well developed woman in the mirror.
"We should go now…!"
"Yeah" Corvina hummed.
Walking along the busy perdestrian road, as horses and carriages rode by. Corvina was deeply excited, even in her home town, she wasn't this free, though the road was busy, she enjoyed the feeling of being in the midst of people.
"Where is this place Anut Floria…?" Her voice, happy like that of a child who way having fun, as she gazed at the stalls at the side of the road, each selling different foods.
'If only she was this free back then, I won't have to worry, but then it's not her fault'
Floria made sure to comply with Corvina's request, as she let her try a lot of food and snacks.
"We're here" Floria declared, as she pulled Corvina into what seemed to be a restaurant, crowded with people both men and women, who wore luxurious accessories, one could tell there where noble men and ladies.
"Mid-night Brothel…!" Corvina mumbled almost quietly as she walked in hand in hand with Floria.
'What kind of place is this?' unsure of who to ask, as everyone gave her weird gazed making shivers run down her spine.
Floria on the other hand ignored those gazes walking boldly into the place.
"Welcome Ma'am may I help you…?" A sexy waitress came to Corvina with a flirting smile.
"She's with me…!" Floria immediately interfered as the waitress smile steeved she walked away not in the least bit discouraged, or acting positive.
On reaching a private room, Floria stepped in followed by Corvina, who was still puzzled. Pulling Floria by the sleeves, Corvina demanded an explanation.
"Anut what's going on, where is this place…? !"
"Corvina it's a long story…but I'm going to tell you, I have no intention of hiding it from you" Floria pulled her to the table, as she poured her some water inside a cup.
"I and you Mom are sisters, I own this place"
"What…!" Corvina panicked
"Don't worry Vivi, we're sworn sister not legitimate…" as if waiting for Corvina to take in what she had said, she continued.
"Everyone knew your mother was not a noble Lady"
"I…thought it's just a rum…" Floria cut her off.
"Corvina, you remember what happened in the forest right…?" Floria's sudden question made Corvina gasp, as she slowly nodded her head.
"In that Two Months you where in a coma, I was deeply worried everyday, but when I saw you open your eyes, I promised myself that I'll protect you, no matter what…" She gently touched Corvina's hand.
"Please don't run off like that again…?"
"What?…are you talking about?..."
A smile appeared on Floria's face as she happily said "Forget it, I was just kidding"
Knock…knock
A knock at the door interrupted the two women in the room, as Floria excused Corvina, to talk privately with her guest.
"Ma'am…"
"Don't worry, I was just trying to find out if she remembered anything from last night" Floria affirmed.
"How will she remember Ma'am, you wiped her memory, she even thinks she was in a coma for Two Months…?"
"I know, but Corvina had always been a strange child since birth, I was just confirming, but everything is alright now…!"
"Cythera…!"
"Yes Ma'am"
"Watch Corvina, and make sure she never ends up in a situation like last night"
"Yes Ma'am, I will watch over her and protect her…"
"Make sure she doesn't see you, Else she will get to the bottom of this, and then she will never trust me again" Floria calmed tone gave Cythera a feeling of lost and worry
"Yes Ma'am, Is servant will do as you say"
"Ma'am, Instead of watching her in the Shadows, Why not appoarch her as a comrade…?" Cythera puzzle look astonished Floria.
"It's possible, but it's even risker"
"I won't be surprised if she just plays along with you, she is way smarter than you…!"
"Ma'am, I'm willing to take on the challenge" Her voice filled with determination.
*********************
Outside Floria's room,
In the restaurant
Corvina turned to the waitress who spoke to her first, but was surprised and confused as the waitress avoided her gaze,