18. The Lesser of Two Evils Is Still Terrible

Chapter 18: The Lesser of Two Evils Is Still Terrible

The moment I approached the twins, I regretted every decision that had brought me to this point. Lashley and Neralia turned to me simultaneously, their faces lighting up with the kind of fake enthusiasm that screamed, We're only doing this because Daddy said so.

"Well, well," Lashley drawled, his perfectly groomed eyebrows arching as he gave me a once-over. "If it isn't the commoner Gwen scraped off the bottom of her boot. You're the one they're sending with us? This is the Guild's best?"

Neralia snickered, her voice sharper than broken glass. "I suppose it makes sense. You don't send your prized jewels to do a dirty job, after all."

"Good morning to you too," I said flatly, crossing my arms. "Are we done with the pleasantries, or do you need a few more minutes to bask in your own bullshit?"

Lashley's jaw tightened, and I could see him struggling to decide whether I was worth the effort of a retort. He settled for sniffing disdainfully and turning toward the exit. "Follow us, then. Try not to embarrass yourself."

I sighed as they strutted toward the Guild Hall's door, their perfectly tailored cloaks billowing dramatically behind them. For a moment, I considered just walking out and forfeiting the quest. But five gold was five gold, and I wasn't about to let these pompous brats ruin my payday.

Outside, waiting in the street, was a carriage so ostentatious it made the mansion in the middle of town look humble by comparison. The thing was enormous, painted a gleaming white with gold trim, and pulled by a pair of immaculate black horses that looked like they'd been bred in a palace stable.

And then there were the slaves.

Two beastkin, a young man and woman, stood at the side of the carriage, dressed in tattered uniforms and chained at the neck and ankles. Their heads were bowed, their ears flattened submissively, and their tails hung limp behind them.

I felt my stomach churn. Slavery was legal in Rostalio, but that didn't make it any less repugnant.

"Quickly, you mutts," Neralia snapped, clapping her hands sharply. "Get the door for us!"

The male beastkin flinched but obeyed, stepping forward to open the carriage door with a trembling hand. The female stood silently, her eyes fixed on the ground.

"Seriously?" I muttered, glaring at the twins. "They're slaves, not servants. Do you really need to treat them like shit on top of everything else?"

Lashley turned to me with an exaggerated look of confusion. "What's the difference? They're property. Would you get upset over how someone treats their broom?"

I clenched my fists, biting back a retort. Picking a fight with these two wouldn't help anyone, least of all the slaves.

"Come on," Neralia said, gesturing toward the open carriage. "We don't have all day, and I'm not walking just because you're too much of a brute to appreciate fine transportation."

"Yeah, because the ten-minute walk would really kill you," I shot back, but they were already climbing into the carriage.

With a sigh, I followed, squeezing into the plush interior. The seats were upholstered in some kind of velvet, and the walls were lined with intricate carvings of hunting scenes, probably meant to show off their family's supposed heroism.

"Ugh," Neralia said, wrinkling her nose as I settled into the seat across from her. "You're going to get dirt all over the upholstery."

"Don't worry," I said, leaning back and stretching out my legs just enough to annoy her. "I'll be sure to leave plenty of commoner sweat, too."

Lashley made a sound of disgust, pulling his cloak tighter around him as if proximity to me might somehow taint his precious bloodline.

The carriage jolted into motion, the horses' hooves clattering against the cobblestones. Outside, the streets of Torak blurred past, but inside, the atmosphere was tense enough to cut with a knife.

"So," I said after a long silence, crossing my arms. "This big, important quest your daddy sent us on. Care to share the details, or am I supposed to figure it out as we go?"

Lashley smirked, lounging back in his seat like he owned the world. "The ruins we're visiting are of great historical significance. Our family has ruled this town for generations, but the full history of its founding has always been shrouded in mystery. These ruins could hold the key to uncovering the truth."

"And why do I care?"

"Because it's your job," Neralia said with a sneer. "Honestly, do all commoners lack a sense of duty, or is it just you?"

I rolled my eyes. "You're right. How dare I not care about whatever ancient pottery your dad wants us to dig up? Truly, I'm a disgrace to the Guild."

"Just keep your mouth shut and do as you're told," Lashley said, his smirk widening. "We'll take care of the important work. You're just here to lift heavy things and swing that oversized sword of yours if necessary."

I leaned forward, meeting his gaze with a grin that didn't reach my eyes. "Oh, don't worry. If anything does need swinging, you'll be the first to know."

The tension hung thick In the air as the carriage rolled on, the mansion looming closer with every passing moment.

The ride through town was a reminder of just how much the twins' family owned everything in sight. The carriage rolled smoothly over cobblestones that were better maintained here than anywhere else in Torak. Merchants bowed as we passed, their eyes lowering like they were afraid to even glance at the carriage for too long.

Eventually, the buildings gave way to a high, sprawling wall that enclosed the estate. Calling it a "wall" didn't really do it justice, though. This thing was a fortress—thick stone topped with sharpened spikes and patrolled by guards in polished armor. The gate alone could probably stop a battering ram in its tracks, and the guards stationed there snapped to attention as we approached.

"State your business," one of them barked, though his tone softened the moment he recognized the carriage.

Lashley leaned out of the window, his tone dripping with practiced superiority. "Open the gates, you fool. It's us."

The guard stepped back immediately, barking orders to his men. The gates groaned as they swung open, revealing the estate beyond.

I couldn't help but whistle low under my breath. "Damn. Overcompensating much?"

Neralia shot me a glare. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, commoner."

"Jealousy?" I laughed, leaning back in my seat. "Nah, I just didn't realize a town this size needed its own personal military compound. Makes you wonder what your dad's so afraid of."

She opened her mouth to retort but seemed to think better of it, her cheeks flushing with annoyance as she turned away.

The carriage rolled through the gates and into the estate grounds. If the wall was a fortress, the mansion was a palace in everything but name. It sat at the end of a long, tree-lined path, its massive stone façade gleaming in the midday sun. Dozens of windows reflected the light, and the towering spires looked like they were built solely to show off how much money the family had.

I couldn't help but stare as we approached, the sheer size of the place bringing back memories of some of the grandest buildings I'd seen on Earth. It was bigger than the White House, more ostentatious than Buckingham Palace, and probably worth enough to feed a small country for a decade.

"Back home, this would've been a tourist trap," I muttered to myself, shaking my head. "Or a movie set. Maybe both."

"What are you mumbling about now?" Lashley asked, his tone exasperated.

"Oh, nothing," I said with a smirk. "Just marveling at how subtle and understated your family's taste is. Real salt-of-the-earth stuff."

"Don't mock what you'll never have," Neralia said sharply.

"Trust me," I said, grinning, "I wouldn't trade places with you for all the gold in this mansion. Can't imagine waking up every morning and realizing I'm still you."

Lashley huffed, but before either of them could respond, the carriage came to a halt in front of the main entrance. The doors were opened by the beastkin slaves, their chains clinking softly as they moved with practiced efficiency.

"Finally," Neralia said, stepping out of the carriage like she was descending from the heavens. "I was beginning to think we'd never get here."

"Yeah, I can see how the whole fifteen-minute ride might've been grueling for you," I muttered as I climbed out behind her.

The mansion loomed above us, its sheer size even more intimidating up close. Massive stone columns framed the entrance, and the double doors were carved with intricate designs that probably took a team of artisans years to complete.

"Welcome to our home," Lashley said, gesturing grandly. "I know it might be a bit overwhelming for someone of your… station."

I snorted. "Overwhelming? Sure. Overcompensating? Definitely."

Before they could respond, a butler appeared at the top of the stairs, bowing low. "Master Lashley, Mistress Neralia," he said in a deep, even voice. "Your father is expecting you in the study. Shall I have refreshments brought up for your guest?"

"Oh, he's not a guest," Neralia said with a laugh. "He's our escort. No need to trouble yourself."

The butler glanced at me, his expression perfectly neutral. "As you wish, Mistress."

"Wonderful," Lashley said, clapping his hands together. "Come along, Kaizen. Let's not keep Father waiting. After all, we wouldn't want to deprive him of the opportunity to bask in our brilliance."

I sighed, following them up the stairs and into the mansion. The sooner we got this over with, the better.