I have very few memories of my childhood, but the hardships I endured in my impoverished family are etched in my mind. I may not recall the details, but the constant gnawing hunger remains a vivid memory. I cannot picture the faces of my parents, but I do remember having a younger brother. As an adult, I now comprehend the immense struggle that besets impoverished families as they strive to provide for their children. However, I cannot find it in my heart to forgive them for selling me to a procurer who whisked me away to the dark confines of a brothel. At that tender age, I had no understanding of what that word meant until the moment the procurer introduced me to that wretched establishment.

During the following two years of my life in that place, I received an education in reading and writing, and my hunger was finally satiated. As days passed, my once skinny frame gracefully transformed into that of a young maiden. Gradually, the meaning of the unknown words I had been taught started to take shape in my mind. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I was being trained to observe and learn from the senior courtesans as they worked to captivate their patrons. It was all part of the preparation for my own future role.

I served my first patron as a courtesan when I was 13 years old.. It was agonizing. It was repulsive. I yearned to rebel, to escape. But ultimately, I was powerless. I came to realize that I was no different from a doll, a mere object to be used and discarded. Furthermore, I discovered that I was not the only one in the establishment; there were several other young individuals, like me, who were treated as nothing more than dolls. I remembered that some of them made the decision to end their lives, while others chose to bury their own feelings, just as I did.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

When I reflect on it, perhaps it would have been a better choice to end my own life, but I wonder why I didn't. The answer was revealed to me when I saw some brothel's bouncers disposing of the body of an old courtesan who had passed away. Witnessing the sight of her decaying body, ravaged by disease, provided me with the answer. It became apparent that such diseases could affect both courtesans and patrons alike.

Feeling a wave of queasiness wash over me, I came to a stark realization. Despite despising the life I was trapped in, deep down, I still yearned to live. The thought of ending my life abruptly, left alone and discarded like trash, filled me with despair. Tears streamed down my face as I grappled with the helplessness of my situation. However, to my surprise, a brothel bouncer, despite his intimidating appearance, offered me words of solace.

"It is a testament to your resilience that you still hold onto hope for tomorrow. Do not let go of that feeling. One day, you will find your salvation," he kindly consoled me.

He offered words of encouragement, advising me not to lose hope and to patiently await the arrival of an opportunity. And when that opportunity finally presented itself, he urged me to seize it with all my might and give it my best effort. His comforting words stood in stark contrast to his menacing appearance. It became evident that he, too, did not wish to remain in this establishment indefinitely. The burden of disposing of countless courtesans' bodies in the fiery pit had taken its toll. The only reason he continued to endure was for the sake of money.

My opportunity has already come, and I'm proud to say that I've managed to claim it. After being liberated by Sir Geoffrey, I was introduced to work at Pixie Blessing. Later on the brothel bouncer left his position and ventured to open the Rusty Dagger tavern, where he became the tavern master.