Ariel was left alone, looking rough and haggard, when suddenly two guys appeared out of nowhere and walked up to meet her.

"We are here to kill you, but we won't because of who you really are to me - the nice princess among the princes and princesses in the palace. We can offer some help by advising you never to return to the kingdom. Take that way out of the entire kingdom, never to be seen here again, and never reveal your royal identity. Queen Sarah will not stop until she ensures your demise. Please leave now while we return to the palace and inform her we've completed our job because we were paid for it," one of the guys said. Princess Ariel recognized him as her friend who had taught her sword fighting and combat skills.

With tears, Princess Ariel nodded and turned to walk out of the kingdom as instructed.

While walking along a narrow road, exhausted and sorrowful, tears streaming down her face, she didn't stop until she reached the end of the road and a main expressway, with no passing cars.

Feeling fatigued, she needed to cross the road to find a hiding place to rest for the night. As she was about to cross, she noticed a car approaching rapidly. She ran towards it, waving her hands, but then blacked out.

She slowly opened her eyes to sounds of voices, realizing she was in a room with distressed-looking women. Sitting up, she scanned the room, trying to recall how she ended up there when a woman in her early forties entered, looking elegant and beautiful in a long gown.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"Get up," she said to Ariel, who arose slowly, feeling puzzled.

"Don't just stare, fool. Follow me now," the woman instructed as Ariel trailed behind, confused about her situation and why she was being called names.

They reached an empty room where the woman told Ariel to clean herself before they talked. After cleaning up, Ariel was given a black gown to wear, though uncomfortable, she had no choice. The woman then disclosed that Ariel was bought when the guys brought her in, as they sold girls to her for various uses like slavery.

Ariel was taken aback by this revelation. The woman informed her of an impending sale to a customer and instructed her to prepare. Feeling scared and lost, Ariel reluctantly accepted her fate.

Led to a spacious sitting room, Ariel met the powerful and dangerous-looking Mr. Christopher, the intended buyer, known to be the toughest ruffian in New York City.

Upon affirming Ariel's identity, Mr. Christopher instructed his men to take her to his room. The journey continued to his mansion in New York City, where Ariel was ushered into his room.

Ariel was guided to Mr. Christopher's room, finding him smoking and sipping wine in an intimidating manner.

"Hi," she greeted softly.

"I don't need your 'Hi.' Just get over here, girl," he harshly replied.

Displeased by the insult but controlling her anger, Ariel approached him, to which he complained about her smell. This prompted Ariel's thoughts about his irrational behavior.

His name was Jack and he got me for reasons beyond my knowledge. While struggling with myriad emotions, she was dismissed from his room, meeting an elderly woman behind the door.

Instructed to follow the woman to her room, Ariel pondered her fate as a potential sex slave.