The customer from earlier awoke the same sensation from four years ago causing the young woman to shiver in fear and disgust. Remembering how her owners treated her always brought unwanted memories as a slave forced to do what they ordered. Moving from one owner to another, she couldn't remember when or how much times she was bought and sold.  However, four years ago, a boy, barely that of an adult saved her from her predicament. Despite her rescue, something inside her still eases out whenever a man touches her.

Yesterday night, when she felt a man's hand, she refused to see who it was for fear of being beaten. Half asleep, she remembers how his hand sent shivers down her spine. The perception of powerlessness overwhelmed her ability fight back. Despite her feelings, her attachment of the Alseif prevented her from acting against his actions. She wanted to cry herself to bed that night, but couldn't due to him. How could she cry in front of her savior?

Often times, she feels that maybe she should be treated like trash since she herself feels that she is trash. Aria should've been left for dead four years ago when she still had the chance to die. Even with the most expensive body wash and perfumes she used, she still couldn't wash off their scents. Perhaps everything that happened to her was her fault.

"Aria," Eliza broke her out of her trance, "I called for you like four times."

Aria forced a smile, "Sorry, I was out of it."

From Eliza's gaze, she could tell that the eldest one out of the four of them was worried. Eliza's expression was the same as always, the same one that gave Aria strength to keep moving forward. In her eyes held a tinged of sadness, but a powerful aura behind it. That forced grin that Eliza wore always irritated her due to Eliza's hidden feelings. Nevertheless, what right does Aria have to say that?  She herself often hides behind a facade as well. The two of them are two sides of the same coin, but seeing herself, Aria wanted to keep moving forward.

"Aria," she called softly, "Go get some rest."

"I'm fine. I had a lot of sleep yesterday."

"Please, for my sake," she begged, "and I need to speak to you later."

"Fine," Aria caved knowing how stubborn Eliza can be. She slightly tugged at her apron, pulling it off. Setting it down on the counter, she nodded at Robin. Interestingly, his somber grin seems to give off a vibe of distress, but it didn't look like he opposed to her actions. Going up the stairs, she realizes that Alseif was alone upstairs. Fear crept up her behind her, but somehow, she didn't what it is that tried stop her from meeting him.

Standing by the door, she hesitated from entering the room. A part of her wants Alseif to join her in a union, but another part of her fears him. His particular demeanor, mysterious and calm, worried her. What if this was his plan, to get along with her only to throw her out later? Then again, she herself is trash only to be tossed out. Building up the courage, she pushed open the door, and saw Alseif innocently sleeping at the corner. She grinned.

How could she be thinking that a youth like Alseif is capable of such monstrosity? This man saved her from the clutches of some perverted slaver, and she imagined such horrible things about him?

Using this chance to see his sleeping face, Aria took a careful survey of the surrounding, and began her approach. Taking each step lightly like a snake hunting its prey, she moved slowly. Then she got on her knees slowly crawling towards the dark-haired youth.        Acknowledging his the facial features made the edges of her lips curl into a smile. If he rid himself of his stoic expression and smile more often, he'll make any woman fall for him whether they're older or younger. Blushing as she recalled his dark blue eyes adding to his charm. Maybe because of his cool and mysterious presence, it made it hard for women to approach him. Understanding this, Aria felt grateful that she knows Alseif personally.

"What are you doing," Alseif watched her tiredly.

Realizing that she was reaching to feel his face, she pulled back immediately in embarrassment. The youth stood up rubbing his eyes, and looked out the window. Aria squealed internally as she watched Alseif who seems incredibly mature for his age. The way he watches the streets as if staring out into the distance made him look too mature.

"Morning," she greeted.

"Morning," he turned towards her. "Aren't you supposed to be working?"

"Eliza ordered me to rest up."

"I see."

A man of few words, according to what Robin said every time. Aria often wonders if the reason why he talks so little might be that he's awkward around these types of situations. However, the way he jokes around and converses with Robin make him seem different. Aria wanted to see that playful side of Alseif. Fully acknowledging that she wanted to become closer to Alseif, she went on the aggressive.

"Alseif," she smiled. "I want to understand you more."

Confusion dawned on his face as his brows furrowed, "I thought I told you that I don't want to talk about it."

She shook her head, "I want to know what you like, what you dislike, what you enjoy, or what type of girl you favor? I want to know the one that hides behind that mask of yours."

"This is no mask. This is me."

"There's no need to hide behind that mask of yours, Alseif. You can trust me."

"No I-"

"Let me show you my real self instead," She smiled as she began to undress herself in front of the youth she wishes to understand. Removing the strings around the helms of her skirt, she let it drop to the floor. Loosening the laces on her tunic, she pulled it high over her head and dropped it. After that, she moved to grasp her undergarments and slowly removed it away fully revealing a horrible past.

"This is who I am," she said as she covered her private parts. "Riddle with scars and burn marks. You must think I'm ugly."

"Aria, stop it," Gray warned.

She pointed to her breast, "This is where a noble from the Kingdom of Gregare bit, scarring me with his teeth marks. Here, around my thigh is where my all my owners burned their mark onto me."

"Aria..."

She turned around, revealing her back full of scars, "I've been whipped so much that I lost count."

Alseif looked away, "Aria..."

As if noticing his waning gaze, Aria swiftly moved towards Alseif hoping to hold onto his sight. She embraced him tightly, feeling his warmth against her bare skin. Out of everyone she knows, Alseif is the only she didn't want to look away from her. Did she love him? Perhaps, maybe, she didn't understand her own feelings. What difference does it make if she understood it or not? But she realized one thing though, she didn't want to separate from Alseif.

"Please don't look away," she sobbed. "Not you. No, I don't want you to look away."

"Aria," she felt his warm arms wrap around her. Funny that she didn't dislike it like last time, but now she wanted more from him. Perhaps she simply wants his warmth. No, it is more than just his warmth. She finally realized what she wants from him, and she hoped to send her message across. Aria wanted his scent, the taste his fluids, and she wanted all of him to herself. Despite all of her reason, all she ever really wants is to erase her memories by making new ones.

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His scent would erase her owners' stench, and his fluids would clean her mouth. If he sleeps with her, it would erase her memories of constantly being assault by her owners, and she would accept his everything. For her own selfish needs, she wants to appease Alseif for her own sake.

"Please," she begged, "Give me your seed."

"I can't," he added more force to his embrace. "I'm sorry."

"No, you're not," she shook her head in sorrow, "I know I'm trash, but you're not at-"

"Aria!" His gaze pierced deep into her eyes like a ray of light breaking through the shadows. That's right, Alseif wouldn't let her say such a thing. He's far too kind, too soft, too friendly, too broken to allow her to say a horrible thing about herself. Perhaps he caved in for her sake, or maybe he really did feel something for her? Either way, she wanted to use the chance that Alseif have given her.

She flew into his face smacking her lips onto his, twisting and turning her tongue to taste him. Feeling a slight movement from Alseif, she knew she had broken his balance from the surprise. Surprisingly to her favor, she used her own weight to push her savior down slamming him onto the floor. Hopefully, the noise from downstairs would prevent everyone from hearing the fall, but whatever, she could care less if they heard.

"Aria," he muttered as he pushed her away. Judging from the strength he used, he didn't want hurt her, but this further strengthened her resolve. So gentle for someone like him; to be together with him for the rest of her life is more than enough. Even if he chooses to leave her, at least she could still care for something of his.

"No," she moaned and stuck her tongue into his gaping mouth swirling it inside. Tasting his saliva made her feel aroused, and only Alsief could satisfy her now. Pulling the knot on his neck made his cloak fall off, creating a perfect blanket for the two of them to use. Pulling away from his lips with a pop, she straddled him between her thighs as she sat up revealing her ugly body to him.

"Please, don't do this," he begged.

Why does he keep rejecting her? Does Alsief not like her? What is she doing that is so wrong for him to push her away? Don't men love women who allow them to do as they please with a woman's body? Perhaps he just needs time to become aroused and treat her like his woman.

"It seems the beast inside you has yet to awaken," she whispered as she reached for his trousers.

"You..." Alseif turned his head to the side, "I was wrong. You're no different."

Confused, she frowned. "Who's different?"

He didn't say who he meant, but maybe that's because he didn't wish to hurt her feelings. No, Robin always mentioned that when Alseif speaks, he means more than what meets the eye. Who exactly did he mean by different?

Her eyes widened in shock, "I'm sorry, I thought I..."

That's right, she was no different from them. Forcing herself on someone like Alseif by means of showing off her body to him was no different. Her means of the melding of two bodies was no different from them. Indeed, she had attempted to share a body with Alseif without his consent. She had attempted to rape him. She was no different from her owners.

Alseif smiled sadly, "Aria, I'm sorry..."

"I... I thought I was different," she cried. "That I had left all that behind me."

"It's not your fault."

"But it is my fault," she said as she wiped her tears away. "I intentionally tried to rape you!"

His hands flew to her buttocks and squeezed it making Aria squeal in pain. However, deep down she enjoyed how he fondled her, and perhaps he might even play with her breast. But, Alseif wouldn't do such as thing with her since he isn't that type of person. Interestingly, he lifted her up causing her to grab onto his shoulder to prevent herself from falling.

His lips flew around her mouth and stuck his tongue inside, swirling it all over her mouth. Touching all corners and crevices within, she returned the favor by pulling his head in. Before she noticed it, her back was already at the door. Their lips parted with a pop, and the two of them panted heavily.

"It's fine if I consented then, right!?" he voiced full of fury. "Please stop treating yourself like trash."

"Alseif!" She cried out as she pulled his head in, sucking on his tongue once more. The two of them shifted their weight causing them to fall onto her bed. Panting and desperate for his attention, she wouldn't allow him to move away from her passionate kiss. Sucking as hard as she can, she straddled her legs around his waist, pulling him in closer to her than ever.

Losing strength in her arms, she let them drop lifeless as she panted alongside Alseif. He moved his arms away from her bottom and fondled with her bare breast, Unable to help herself, she moaned, tightening her legs around his waist. She wanted him to suckle her breast like a child would and overwrite the scar she got from her owners.

While Alsief unbuckled the leather belt around his waist, she unbuttoned his black leather vest. Kissing and touching each other every here and then; she couldn't wait until he fully undressed himself. Sharing a bed with him would be the best gift she would ever receive. Aria readied herself for what comes next. 

***

Damn it! Gray cursed himself as he found himself fondling her succulent breast. Bite marks and scars riddled around her body as if she had been tortured for an eternity. Why did things have to be this way? Why is he comforting her in such a way? He didn't understand what he was doing this whole time, but he couldn't bring himself to push her away.

What he noticed from his previous conversation with Robin was that she has yet to be saved. The memories from back then still haunts her to this day as her mentality still belongs to the past. Aria has yet to move forward from such memories, and Gray could see it in on her face.

Remembering what kept him alive all these years out in the wild is due to his ability to read even the smallest details that people carry. The way they act, the way they look, the way they smell, or the way they carried themselves. Three years of this godforsaken realm made him realize humanity's true ability. The ceasefire from the five Kingdoms twenty years ago was mainly due the reason that the losses outweighed the gains. Too many people died, deserters from armies turned to banditry, the land in ruins, and people fought every day to survive. Even fiends are of a lesser threat than humans are. A child had to grow up fast in order to survive in such a world.

Over the past four years of traveling all over Grandaius, he's seen lots of damaged people like Aria. They often blame themselves for what happened to them, and the way their eyes wander around as if they're yearning for something. In truth, they're not yearning, but the shock and disbelief that such a thing happened to them. Unable to put it the experience into words made it hard for others to understand and help.

Lost in thought, he didn't realize that she had cupped his face and dragged it in for a kiss. However, for some reason he wouldn't feel aroused as he attempted to fondle her breast as a means to trick himself. Trick himself? Why was he tricking himself in the first place? While pondering, she pulled him in.

"Release your seeds inside," she moaned. "I want your child."

Keep away from her, he recalled Robin's words from earlier. Shocked, he couldn't help but feel horrible at himself. She was unintentionally using him as a means to escape rather than facing the problem head on, and he was giving her the means to escape instead of helping her. This is doing nothing to help her move forward.

Immediately forcing her legs off his waist, he buckled his belt back on. Unfortunately, Aria noticed his sudden change in mood and tried to undress him at the same time. The two of them struggled between dressing and undressing. Aria pulled and clawed at his trousers as he struggled to free himself from her legs.

After a couple minutes passed from the ongoing struggle, Gray furiously pinned both her arms down with his left hand as he swiftly buttoning up his black leather vest with his free hand. Panting after he finished putting his clothes back on, he noticed the fear on her face. The color on her face paled as she stared into his eyes, and her body began to shake uncontrollably. Looking away from her, he scowled knowing that he had revived memories that rather be forgotten. That's right, it's impossible for someone like him to heal her scars. For he has some scars of his own that needs to be healed, and someone like Aria can't heal it. At the end of the day, the two of them are just licking each other's wounds. Softening his grip, he moved over to his cloak and threw it at Aria.

"Cover yourself," Gray ordered.

"Why? I thought we both-"

"Enough!" Gray growled, "I believe your break is finished."

Tears beamed down her eyes, "You couldn't bear to see such a gruesome body like I thought."

"You're needed elsewhere," Gray ignored her.

Throwing his cloak onto the ground, she didn't dare touch it for some reason as if she didn't want to taint it with her filth. The sight her treating herself like a piece of filth pained him. But what else could he do to help a damaged person? At this rate, avoiding her seems to be the best option from now on, and Robin knew this. Slowly, she began to dress herself.

"Aren't you even going to tell me to turn away?" Gray asked.

"What's the point?" she wiped her tears away. "For someone as dirty as I, there is no need to hide my filth."

After she finished dressing up for work, she opened the door and took a glance back at Gray. Confusion and longing hidden deep within her eyes, and Gray could do nothing about those feelings. She smiled sadly with her bloodshot eyes.

"Sorry for everything," she apologized and closed the door. Once he couldn't hear her footsteps anymore, he cursed himself. Aria didn't deserve being sold as a merchandise, and would probably be living a good life if not for the traders. No, no one deserved to be treated such a way, and Gray knew that best. After all, he himself experienced it partially as well.

"Fuck!" Gray roared and kicked the leg of the bed snapping it.