Elwin backed away slowly, after the frenzied beating had subsided, guiding Prin with his arms around him. He tried to act casual, not draw attention to them.

The man who had been beaten moaned and twitched on the ground, alive, but Elwin didn’t see someone coming back from that. He was just finishing his business, as Elwin’s mother had used to say about a butchered animal who seemed to take too long to die or struggle more than most. It’s only a matter of time, son, he’s just finishing his earthly business.

Prin allowed himself to be pulled along without protest, but after stepping backwards a few feet Elwin felt his back hit something solid. He turned his head slowly around, and gave a weak smile to the person standing there.

This time it was a woman, tall and frowning. Her hair was in a bun and her manner of dress was no nonsense pants and a jacket. She looked as though she had to be prepared to give just as much of a beating and a chase through narrow streets as any of the men, if not more so.

“Come with me, please.” She said.

The prince finally reached up and removed his partners hands from his eyes. He turned around to face the woman, giving her a smile, or at least a much better approximation of one than Elwin had been able to come up with.

“Where are we going?” Prin asked her.

“I said, come with me.” The woman had no malice in her voice, but it was clear there was no argument to be made. She was stating a fact, and if you didn’t agree to it. Well, let’s just say you would be coming with her one way or the another.

Prin and Elwin exchanged a glance. There was nothing for it but to go, hoping that the fact they had done nothing to anger Mama Kris (hopefully!?) would shield them. Even if she was angry for some reason, there was no getting away from the tall woman and the two thugs.

The boys followed the tall woman into the pink house.

Prin had eyes that seemed a little too eager, and Elwin could almost read the curiosity to finally meet the infamous Mama Kris in his eyes. He wondered if the prince remembered what curiosity did to the cat.

The front of the brothel, as opposed to the kitchen entrance they had seen before, was made for company.

The door opened directly into a large parlor, tastefully decorated in shades of pale green and pink, with gilded lamps and other décor. There was a huge painting of ships on a stormy sea, and also a piano. It didn’t actually look like a room that would be out of place in any rich person’s home. It looked like a party was just gearing up, and most of the guests had yet to arrive. There was a bar counter on the opposite side of the room from the piano, with rows of bottles on a shelf behind it, ready for the choosiest client.

There were a few girls milling around, nicely dressed, but none with the attention to detail and finery that Aster had. Elwin didn’t know a whole lot about clothes but he could recognize that much, and credit where credit was do, he supposed.

The girls looked over at Elwin and Prin with smiles, but quickly looked away and busied themselves elsewhere when they saw who was escorting them.

“Are we in trouble?” Prin wondered aloud, although he didn’t seem afraid, merely wondering.

Gods, I hope not. Elwin didn’t speak it out loud, there didn’t seem to be any point.

The tall woman led them down a hallway. A couple of the doors were open and games tables were set out with cards and die. One of the rooms had men milling about with their drinks, perhaps feeling out the competition before the next round started.

She led them to the end of the hall, where there was a staircase on one side and a final door on the other. The woman knocked at the door.

There were some scuffling sounds from inside the room and a muffled laugh.

“Just a second.” A voice called. A moment later adding. “Alright, come in.”

The tall woman’s face had ever so slightly soured, a barely perceptible crease of the brow, downturn at one solemn corner of her mouth.

Elwin wondered what this meant.

She opened the door and ushered the boys in ahead of her.

The first thing you saw when you entered the room was a huge wooden desk, behind which sat the most fantastical creature. For a human.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The person had several waist length blond braids, and a striking face. Although not one that could be considered pretty or cute, it was attractive none the less. They sat cross legged behind the desk, wearing high heeled patent leather boots and a dapper suit of a shimmering green fabric. The shirt beneath the open jacket was a flowery silk thing with a double row of pearl buttons down the front that were currently undone.

Elwin could not tell whether they were male or female, and not only that, but which one were they trying to present?

The person stood up, and the height, especially with the assistance of the boots, was intimidating.

All the attention in the room was soaked up so thoroughly and completely, that Elwin failed to notice that they passed someone on their way in. That is, until she spoke.

“Ah! It’s these two again!” The laughing voice, friendly seeming, yet full of mocking amusement, was familiar.

Elwin tore his eyes away from the person at the desk to look behind them.

Lounging on a sofa by the door was none other then Devil Dru, the misbegotten niece of Captain Thompson. Her clothes were disheveled, and she was buttoning her vest while smiling broadly at them.

“You know them?” The person at the desk asked.

“Sure! They work for my uncle.” Dru said matter of factly. “Freshly. As of today.” She stood up, not in any big hurry, and stretched.

“And he trusts them? Hey, where are you going?”

“I have a game to get to anyway. Don’t want them to start without me.” Dru said. “Kids, see ya tomorrow.” She winked at Elwin and Prin. “And Jules? Maybe later.”

Jules made a slight sound of displeasure. “If I can’t keep you then.” They frowned at Elwin and Prin.

And Elwin hoped they wouldn’t be made to pay for spoiling the date. Not that it had been their fault they were dragged in here.

Dru waved before casually exiting the room.

Prin was watching her go, and Elwin really wished he knew what he was thinking. He would have to ask him later. If they even made it to later.

Jules smiled at them, like a light switch flipping. A smile that was both beautiful and terrifying. All teeth.

“So-o, you witnessed a little disturbance out front? I would like to extend our fullest apologies for any inconvenience. And maybe some free drink coupons?” Jules suggested.

“Where’s Mama Kris?” Prin wondered.

“Why? Do you have business with her?” Jules narrowed their eyes. “She’s out. I’m in charge in her absence.”

“No, I just wondered.” Prin said.

“What were you doing here anyway?” Jules asked, a note of suspicion creeping into their voice. “Sit down.” They gestured generally in the direction of chairs and the sofa, there was plenty of seating. “No, don’t tell me. I already know. You are the two boys who have been staying rent free in the back of our property. Aren’t you? With the illustrious Aster.” Their voice laid emphasis on the word boys, as though disparaging their youth. There was a lot of that going around.

Prin took a straight back wooden chair and pulled it up closer to the desk. “We are!” He said. “Aster is my friend.” He smiled at Jules in a friendly manner. Elwin knew he was pretending that everything was cool and fine and hunky dory. But if you didn’t know Prin, and didn’t know better, you might think he was just that naïve and had no idea they were in any danger or in the presence of dangerous people.

“Your friend, huh?” Jules asked. “Who, I wonder, told Aster that he had permission to have friends?”

Elwin sat down after a stern glare from the tall lady who had escorted them, but he left the chair right where it was. He knew they had no chance of running away from here if things got bad, but he felt a little safer closer to the door.

“That’s –“ Prin tilted his head to the side like a puppy. His eyes flashed, but his expression didn’t change. “Everyone needs friends. Maybe you could use one yourself.”

Jules looked startled for a moment and then laughed. “Are you volunteering?” They leaned across the desk closer to Prin.

Elwin had the sudden fear that this strange person was preparing to bite Prin, like a snake getting ready to strike. But, to be fair, it was more likely the other way around.

“Of course.” The prince said. “I can never have too many.”

Jules laughed again and leaned back. “Just friends then, huh? Alright, I’ll take your word for it. See, I like Aster. Aster is good for business. Aster is charming and the customers love him. Not only that, but he makes the others want to up their game. If you know what I mean, to compete. Aster is very, very good at what he does. I know this from personal experience.” He smiled at Prin, a thin smile with a cruel little edge, as though expecting this line might hurt him, and watching for it. “However, Aster Rose is sneaky, conniving, volatile, demanding, vain, and spoiled. In other words, a pain in the ass.”

Prin bit his lower lip, biting back whatever it was he wanted to say in a literal fashion. “I think Aster is kind and generous.” He countered.

“Perhaps a side I have never seen.” Jules said dismissively. They leaned back in their chair. “For some reason Mama wants to give Aster an extra long leash, keep him happy, but I disagree, I say a long leash is only for dogs that you want to see hang themselves. And who wants to see that happen to one of their favorite bitches? But it’s not my decision to make. I just wanted to advise you against getting in the middle of any schemes or scandals around here. If Aster comes to you with any, bring them to me. Got it?”

Prin was silent for a long moment. “I can’t imagine what you mean.”

Jules narrowed their eyes at Prin. Assessing. They pinched the fabric of their shirt. “Hey, do you like this shirt?”

“I do.” Prin said agreeably. “It’s very pretty.”

“Aster made it!” Jules said. “Talented on top of everything.”

“I’ve seen the dresses, so I’m not surprised!” Prin said. He leaned closer to examine the shirt, now that he knew Aster had made it. “You do like Aster, don’t you.” Prin said, more of a declaration than a question.

“I already said I do.” Jules said. “I would even say we’re friends, of a sort.” He put his hand on the back of Prin’s head and pulled him closer, until their eyes were locked. Just inches away.

Elwin tensed in his seat, like his spine had turned into a solid steel rod firmly planted in the ground.

“However, if Aster decides to take that leash and hang himself with it, no amount of friendship, not mine, and not yours, can save him.” Jules said.