V1: The Young Vixen (5)

The young masters partied till the morning before reluctantly leaving the tender attentions of the courtesans. As soon as they left, as if someone had flipped a switch, the women's jovial smiles left their faces and with a tired stride, they regained their respective boudoirs.

Willow observed the change and shook her head. No one was here because they wanted to. That was a truth that one inevitably understood as long as one stayed in the brothel after sunrise. Following their lead, Willow also left for her quarters. The only difference was that she wasn't tired, it was as if she didn't spend the entire night awake.

Looking at her one would think that she just woke up from a nap. The brothel was exquisitely decorated. There were small trees, fake rocks, and mountains as well as ponds filled with colorful fishes. It could truly make one forget about the nature of this place. At this hour, Willow only crossed paths with gardeners and cleaning ladies. Each time she would greet them politely and make small talk.

They were her sources of information. Thanks to them she knew the latest news, various snippets, and gossip. Willow came from the era of information explosion, she knew how critical information was. If she was well informed how could she not have seen that her parents were gambling addicts or that they were planning to sell her?

Although the information they brought was not always accurate, it was good enough. With Willow's brain, she could infer many things with very little. As she went past the matron residence she met someone unexpected.

He was a tall youth. He was handsome in a soft way and was holding a fan with various obscenities depicted on its surface. A devious smile hung on his face as if the entire world was a play and he was the director. His long hair was bound with a dragon-like hairpin.

"Oh? Who do we have here, isn't it little Willow?" A sardonic voice left his mouth.

Willow's expression barely changed, only her right eye twitched slightly before she curtsied and said, "Good morning, young master. I hope the day finds you in great shape." Her voice was sweet but distant. She gave him a very fresh feeling.

The youth, young Master Nomir, nodded appreciatively to himself. He had the look of a collector finding an antic.

Possession. Naked possession. His eyes exuded such intent.

Willow noticed but didn't comment. After all, it was not the first time his lecherous eyes settled on her. She didn't want to get tangled so after the quick greetings she tried to bypass him.

Just as she was about to pass him, his hand firmly grasped her wrist. Willow suddenly paused. She slowly turned, her eyes fell on him then on the rude hand. Nomir acted with familiarity as if it was only right for him to touch her like so.

"Little Willow, are you in a hurry to leave? We've barely said a few words." He had a sad expression.

Willow smoothly shook her arm freeing her wrist from his grasp. She then gracefully took a step back and smiled demurely. "Of course not, young master, I am just tired after entertaining some guests." She purposefully looked at the matron's residence.

Nomir narrowed his eyes at her evasive gesture. "I see it's normal to be exhausted at this hour, I was inconsiderate. You may leave then." A bored expression settled on his face.

"Well then, good day, Young Master Nomir." She bowed and turned to leave. She only took a few steps when she stopped.

"Young master, did you hear the commotion yesterday? It was in the entrance hall."

Nomir went mute temporarily. "No, why? Did something big happen?" His eyes were cold. Although Willow couldn't see his face, she definitely felt the cold stare.

Not suspicious at all, Willow thought inwardly.

"No, nothing big. It seemed that an old man was mistaken about our establishment. Big sister Bloom sorted it out." Willow answered casually.

She left after saying this random piece. Nomir stayed fixed, staring at nothing for a couple of minutes, seemingly deep in his thoughts. Willow's comment wasn't anything special but the fact that she was mentioning the incident to him was. Nomir shook his head, he didn't leave any trace. How would this little girl know what he did?

Willow cursed under her breath when she returned to her chambers. The arsehole definitely did it. Willow was sure of it after their interaction.

Is she being kept here in the brothel? Or somewhere else… That or she is already dead. Willow thought grimly.

Nomir didn't have a good reputation within the brothel or in the outside world for that matter. He was known as a perverted tyrant who did bad things under the cover of his mother's influence. Clearly, being the son of the owner of the richest business and the most connected individual in the city was great. Willow had doubts when she first heard of the lawless kidnapping but now she was more than sure.

The bastard did it. He was more than capable of such a heinous act.

Still, it wasn't any of her business. She should concentrate on finding a way to slip out of the brothel, not getting involved in other people's business. However, in the back of her mind, she seemed to hear a middle-aged man telling her,

"I understand your indifference to other people, I truly get it. But if you don't make an active effort to get involved and mix with other people, you will find yourself alone. Though, knowing you, it wouldn't be a bother at all. True, your very nature makes you incapable of sympathy. Still, I want you to do something for me, whenever possible, try to do good, help people." this lecture was followed by a drunken laugh.

Willow came back from the memory just as she reached her place. Settling in a comfortable chair with fragrant tea in front of her, she closed her eyes and leaned back. She wasn't tired, she was thinking.

"Fucking Old Scammer! " She suddenly cursed.

Her right hand went through her silky hair. She reached with her hand and brought the cup of tea close to her mouth. The fragrance seemed to lighten her thoughts. She spent a few minutes like this, almost like she was meditating. Finally, she sipped the tea, slowly.

A moment later, she put the cup back on the table. It was empty. She crossed her legs and gently tapped the armchair with her beautiful finger.

"Well, no hurry. Let's see how things play out. If I can help, I will. If not, Old man, wherever you are now, you can't blame me!" She suddenly spoke to no one while glancing at the ceiling.