Book 8: Chapter 5: Brooch (1/2)
”You really have no flesh at all. I don't know what kind of situation you've been in, but don't worry, our store will feed you well. And even if you have a skinny body, you can still give a man a lot of pleasure if you use it right! Listen, our job is to please the customers, but they would get excited if they get a woman moaning and screaming by their hands, so you have to make yourself feel good too. For example, around here and here… also, touching here will make you feel good…”
After Doris thrust her hand groping into her clothes, Monica's memory was cut off from there.
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*kiss* A soft touch on her cheek brought Monica back to herself.
”Ah, a cat's paw…”
Nero must have touched her on the cheek with his soft paw. Monica thought so, but when she looked around, she found herself neither in her mountain cabin nor in the attic, but in a room decorated with red and gold that was a sight painful to her eyes. She then turned to her left where the paw(?) had touched her cheek and found Felix was looking at her with an indescribable look on his face.
”Have you come to your senses?”
”Yo!? Yo-yo-yo-yo…”
When Monica was about to say ”Your Highness” Felix presses his forefinger against her lips.
Monica broke out in cold sweat and darted her gaze at her surroundings. And realized that she was now sitting on a luxurious couch leaning against Felix, with Madame Cassandra sitting across from her and Doris by her side. She then met Doris' eyes, who gave a bitter smile as she was fiddling her amber hair with her finger.
”Well, I'm sorry. I thought you were going to be sold to our store.”
”………….”
That's when Monica finally noticed what she was wearing. It was Bordeaux's dress that looked like flimsy underwear—the one that Doris had forced her to wear after being dragged away earlier.
*achoo* Monica sneezed, to which Felix took off his jacket and put it on her.
”Doris.”
Felix looked at Doris reproachfully, and Doris smiled wryly.
”Yeah, I'm sorry. I'll lend her some warm coats. And she might need some gloves too.”
”Um, I… I just want my clothes back, that's all.”
Monica hurriedly stood up and shoved the jacket over her shoulder back at Felix.
”I'll return this to you…….*achoo*”
As she sneezed, her dress, whose shoulder straps had slipped out, fell to her feet. Since she was not wearing any kind of corset today, her dress came off easily, leaving her upper body bare. After that, she crouched down to pick up the dress, pulled the shoulder straps over her shoulders, then carefully checking the hem of the dress to make sure it was not dirty.
Watching such a scene, Felix and Doris were dumbfounded.
”…………”
”…………”
Madame Cassandra raised her eyebrows at the unfazed Monica who put more concern over the stains on the dress rather than by the fact that her dress had just slipped off in public.
”What a strange girl.”
”Um… Can I have my clothes back?”
”Doris, give her back her clothes.”
When Madame Cassandra pointed with her chin, Doris answered, ”okay,” and beckoned Monica over.
Monica hesitated and Doris looked troubled as she scratched her cheek.
”Don't worry, I just want to give you your clothes back this time.”
”O-Okay…”
”Though If you want me to teach you how to please Sir Baron, I can teach you in secret.”
Monica shook her head furiously, and Doris giggled happily in response.
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After Doris returned her clothes to her, Monica borrowed a warm fur coat and gloves. Having never worn a fur coat before, Monica was surprised at the hefty weight of the coat at first, but once she put it on, she found it to be very warm and windproof.
If I had this, I might don't need to cover myself up with a thin blanket when I'm writing on a cold night, thought Monica as she was secretly impressed, at which Felix gave a smile.
”Yup, it looks good on you. You look like a little animal when you put on a coat fur.”
”P-Please stop calling me little squirrel…”
”I won't, Monica. Now, let's get going.”
Felix said so as he held out his left arm to Monica slightly.
As Doris had taught her earlier, the proper way to handle this situation is to wrap her arms around him. However, the height difference between the petite Monica and the moderately tall Felix was too great. Monica agonized over it and pinched Felix's cuff with her fingertips. This way, she didn't have to worry about losing him. And Felix didn't rebuke at her gesture.
”Now, there are some stores I want to visit, but let's stroll around a bit. I think it's more fun to check out the stalls and street vendors first.”
Having said that, Felix started walking, taking a street that has many stalls and street vendors on.
While most people would expect to find stalls selling grilled skewers and juice, many of the stalls in the entertainment district at night sell accessories. Apparently, stall owners who sell food and drink during the daytime rent their stalls to those who sell accessories during the night.
”Hey there, mister. Why don't you take a look at my booth? You'll find all kinds of accessories that women will love. The girls in the brothel will be very happy to have this as a souvenir. How about some pretty bracelets for the young lady over there? We also have some earrings.”
”I guess looking a bit won't be hurt.”
As Felix stopped to look at the accessories on the stall, the shopkeeper was rubbing his hands.
”Our accessories are very special. After all, they come with the blessings of a famous magician.”
”Oh, you have magic tools?”