Chapter 16 A taste of luxury 1 (1/2)

Living in the sewers was something Lenia couldn't bring herself to understand. Why would her majestic and awesome master wish to live in such a disgusting place? She wracked her brains but couldn't find a suitable answer to the question instead just settling on a lack of money as a potential reason.

And so, with the money they obtained from looting the vault Lenia was ecstatic.

'Now we can find a proper place to live! We don't have to return to that disgusting place! It must be a grand hotel suitable for my master…'

Her thoughts were rampant and she was feeling excited at the thought of spending some time with her master in a more luxurious setting. Even though it didn't seem that Aleks had felt any shame at residing in that dingy room, she felt enough shame for the both of them.

It was still late at night when they stepped out of the headquarters of the former Don Jesef. Aleks watched the night from eyes beneath a mask and ushered Lenia on with haste. There was still an entire day until the play and they would need to be presentable for the occasion.

The theatre where the play would take place was in another part of the city and even late at night, the theatre would never close because many denizens of the city had only just begun their sordid pleasures. In the dark of night, many desires were fulfilled within the sleepless city. Those desires ranged from pleasure to pain, and almost everything in between.

Lenia kept pace with her master without saying a word. There were still patrols to be evaded after all, at least until they arrived at their destination. Aleks was leading her to what was affectionately called, 'The Red Light District'. That wasn't its official title but those who frequented the area had named it that way. It originally gained its namesake because of the red paper lanterns which had lit up the night in a red hue. As time progressed, many other colors were added to the growing atmosphere of the place.

It was a considered a 'charming' place by many where one might be seduced by their darkest of pleasures.

The 'Red Light District' was technically a part of the Commercial District but many considered it to be its own area. It had developed into such a place over time and through being heavily influenced by the underground organizations. Without a doubt, it was certainly an area of the city with its own distinct personality and charm.

While the rest of the city slept, this district of pleasure was only just awakening. The district rested on the eastern side of the Verr River which ran through the center of the city and branched off in various directions throughout. At night, it was lit by a thousand lanterns of a variety of shades of color and many walked the district streets moving from one establishment to another.

Many even walked the streets in masks, although none wore made of solid gold as the mask on Aleks. In this city, masks were quite common so Aleks didn't feel out of place wearing his. His previous accessory of simple cloth which he wrapped around his face was far more out of place.

”Master! Master! Uh… Aleks..”

Aleks glared at Lenia through the mask causing her to remember what he had told her about how to address him.

”Um…. We found a lot of gold in the vault..”

”Yes, several thousand gold and silver Ducats from my initial estimates. What about it?”

”Well…. I was hoping that um….”

”There is no need to hesitate. Tell me.”

”Can we stay somewhere nice? You know.. something better than a sewer?”

Lenia was somewhat hesitant to ask but she finally got the words out through much inner turmoil.

Her tone was almost that of a beggar and her eyes were filled with pleading.

Aleks looked at her and almost laughed but he controlled himself. He didn't want to ruin the persona he had been cultivating for some time now. He felt it was necessary to keep up appearances for this new life who looked up to him with both worship and awe.

Thankfully, the mask helped keep his emotions hidden.

'I almost swore I had gone back to the days when my sister was still alive. How she nagged me, constantly trying to drag me to one place or another. I often hid away in some corner with a book. Those days will never return.'

Aleks took a good long look at the both of them before answering. Their appearance could be considered ragged and Lenia's clothing was covered in splotches of blood. A metallic irony stench mingled with the stink of filth and grime was carried on the wind causing Aleks to wrinkle his nose beneath the mask.