A female domestic Servant

He's offering to take me outside the slum, into the rest of the city? Why would he want that? Is this bait? He must be trying to test me right now, wanting to see if I would start salivating about the mere thought of escaping these walls. While I most certainly would, I can't let that show.

Knowing what's beyond the wall is crucial information needed to plan our escape. And if he's sweetening the deal with money as well...

If he's truly offering, I'd be a fool to just accept.

"But Master Jesha, I thought elves aren't allowed to leave?"

"Ah yes, you were born within these walls, weren't you? The richer residents of this city employ elves as house slaves, so the prettiest of your kind do find use within the rest of the city. I was certain—"

He stops himself mid-sentence and breaks into that weird grin of his again. Weird guy...

"No matter. Anyway, you should clean up well enough to be presentable; if you do a few odd jobs for me during that reception, I will pay you for it."

Pay me, huh? I still wonder why they pay their slaves...

"Forgive the question, but why do you pay us? Couldn't you just give out food based on the day's work without any iron?"

"I could; my predecessor even did just that. However, there is a universal truth in this world: money motivates. Even those with no choice work harder when they get choices about how to use the fruits of their labour. I've run tests to confirm that very fact..."

He truly seems proud of himself, having come to that conclusion. A true pioneer in the matter of economics and efficiency, sadly unrestrained by morals of any kind. If only he had a conscience.

"So how about it? I know you won't run. You wouldn't leave your poor mother behind, would you?"

His goofy smile has turned rather sinister, gaining a mocking characteristic. He looks right at me, something he hasn't really done until now. This whole situation gives me a sinking feeling in my stomach, like I've stepped into a trap I can't step out of anymore.

"I haven't seen her around for quite some time, but she's still alive, isn't she? That's why you are trying so hard to make money, right? It's a miracle she's held out this long, I'll say. I thought after he had his way with her—"

He stops talking abruptly yet again, this time clearly to mock me. This fuck knows who my father is. And is clearly dangling that fact in my face. Isha's just about as stunned at this revelation as I am.

"I think I could even arrange for a few medicinal herbs, if you need further encouragement..."

He truly wants me to go out there with him, doesn't he? But what does he gain from this? If the man I've come to know the past 2 years isn't just a facade I've been fed, he must be furthering his position somehow with this. He's even bribing me with medicine now.

"Why do you want me to agree so badly?"

"That is for me to know and for you to find out. You are a smart little brat after all; let this be your assignment for our excursion. Why do I want specifically you to accompany me? If you figure it out on your own, I'll give you a whole bag of cookies."

He's clearly fucking with me now. Alright, I'll take your goddamn bait. Eleanor is going to love those cookies...

After that conversation, working with Jesha became a lot more awkward. That important representative is coming from quite a distance away, it seems. He is expected to arrive sometime next month at best, if his travels go smoothly.

Until then, between work and breaks, it seems Jesha's second most favourite thing to do has become teasing me. Though 'teasing' is too light a word for what he's doing. I am pretty sure he is deliberately trying to enrage me in preparation for that special day.

Is he hoping I'll snap and kill someone for him in anger? It's almost working, I'll admit. I am rather peeved whenever he talks about Rinah and alludes to what he knows. If Isha were in control, Jesha would already be on his way to the next life.

Though this is surprisingly good training for keeping both Isha's and my emotions in check.

That representative was indeed delayed slightly, due to what one of the guards simply described as trouble in one of the northern kingdoms. Jesha and, in turn, I as well had been quite busy with the preparations for the receptions.

So I got more work after all, just like I wanted. He even paid me more for the extra hours.

On one hand the man pays me well, teaches me a language and in general is very helpful. On the other, he is constantly trying to make me commit a hate crime against either him or someone of his choosing.

I truly do not get this man. I thought I did, but I was sorely mistaken.

On the day our esteemed guests were slated to arrive, once we got confirmation from one of the guards after our study session, Jesha led me to another room next to his office. It was empty except for a small basin filled with water.

He told me to wait there until 'the help' arrives and then cooperate with her, whatever that's supposed to mean.

After 5 minutes or so, an older human woman entered the room with a set of folded clothes and something metal. An iron collar, no doubt.

"Alright, get naked; I'm supposed to scrub you clean."

That would be what the basin's here for, I assume. Oh well, it's not like being shy here is going to do me any favours. I rid myself of my shabby clothes.

"Oh."

She looks at my disrobed figure, appearing rather surprised. I wasn't under the impression that I had any deformities that would warrant a reaction like that.

"But why would the purse give me girls' clothes..."

Jesha, I will make sure you will never sleep soundly again! Does he know? Is he doing this on purpose? He always just referred to me as 'child' or something of the like, but he does know I am a boy, right? RIGHT?

I step into the tub; the water's pretty warm and has been standing here for some time already, I assume. She scrubs me down without any regard for my comfort, hurting me in places all over.

This was to be expected, though. She does, however, use a rather fine-smelling soap, better than anything I've scrounged up so far. I think that's the scent of lavender, though I am not sure anymore. It's been so long since I last smelt something that used to be so familiar to me.

Reminds me of home...

"Did being mistaken for a girl again truly shake you to your core?"

Isha picks up on my feelings of melancholy almost instantly. While I do not miss my old life, I truly had it better back there. No slavery, no slum, not even a war or anything. Compared to this, my life back then was laughably easy and comfortable. Yet I couldn't truly appreciate that until I had to live the inverse, like I do now.

"I'm fine, Isha. Thanks for worrying about me."

"And no, I'm not sad because they mistook me for a girl."

The older lady, being done with my body, has now started cutting my hair, though she seems a bit unsure what exactly is expected of her. Jesha has thoroughly confused this poor woman, quite unlike the man I've primarily come to know for his efficiency in all things.

"Just cut it like you would a girl's; if Master Jesha wishes for a girl, a girl he shall receive."

She nods and with newfound conviction starts cutting my hair into a nice girl's cut. Isha's really getting a kick out of this; I can feel it.

After my fresh haircut and a quick rinse, I am dried off with a towel. Now, let's see those girls' clothes I am to wear.

A maid outfit. Why yes, of course. What else? It's the only sensible thing really. JESHA!!

After a quick mental breakdown, I resigned myself to my fate, indeed putting on the maid outfit. With a little help from the lady, it goes rather smoothly.

I highly assume by now that I am supposed to be shown off to someone during this reception; that's why they are dolling me up this much. But I'm not quite sure how Jesha plans to profit from a pretty, cross-dressing, half-elven boy. He's not going to sell me off, is he?

I should always keep my eyes open for possible escape routes...

Now that I am washed, have got a haircut and am dressed immaculately, only one implement brought to this room still needs to be attached to me. That iron collar. Those most likely are to immediately tell who's a slave out there.

It's polished very well, though; I can see my reflection in it. The lady attaches it around my neck, snapping it shut. While not exactly comfortable, I'm sure I'll manage.

"Please go back to the Factor's study; he will pick you up there."

With these parting words, the lady starts cleaning up. I move one room over; while waiting, I can check out how I look right now in the mirror.

Taking a peek, my hair is once again at shoulder length, but a lot tidier and cleaner. The servant's dress looks immaculate; I don't think anyone else has had the pleasure of wearing it before me.

Going by what I was told about the slaves in the city proper, only the pretty ones are used there. So I certainly get forcing them into outfits easy for the eyes.

"You look just as pretty as I expected."

I shoot the man responsible for this entire situation a look that could kill a lesser man. He too has put on some rather nice clothes.

Not to say his usual clothes aren't opulent already; this, however, is a clear cut even above that. That black robe with golden accents sure does suit him, though I think it'd look even better on me.

"Let's get going; we've got to get to the master's residence before the delegation arrives."

With that, we step onto the market. The guards there appear truly confused as to who the hell I am supposed to be, clearly not recognising me at all. As we approach the gate, Jesha gives a small gesture to those guarding it. Not unlike he'd cast a spell of sorts, the gate opens without any further action from him. Being in charge is truly a magic of it's own.

With the gate opening before us, I step foot into the rest of this merciless city they call Lun’roco.