Sold For My Body

Chapter 8.1: First Job

“Thank you, Ivy.” Canary whispered to the woman before we went out of the room.

After that, we wasted no time and hurriedly left the Casino. With how tight she was holding my hand and how heavy her steps were, I can tell that Canary wasn’t pleased with the outcome as well. But we were more or less able to accomplish our task, so I guess we’re allowed to go home now.

But still, I am worried about the woman she called Ivy earlier. I wonder if she will be alright in the hands of Mr. Martin? After seeing how short tempered that man is, there is no telling what he would do to her if she presses the wrong buttons. I hope she’s alright there. 

As we walked a short distance, I looked at the Casino once again. Even though it’s almost midnight already, the place is still brimming with visitors and its lights are still shining brightly. I stared at it in disbelief. I can’t believe noblemen would spend their nights and waste their money in useless places like this.

Canary told me to stay still while we waited for the carriage. She said she had to go out for a while because she needed to do something quickly. I silently nodded and chose to stay next to a huge tree while waiting for it to arrive. Looking from this distance, the lights from that building are quite pretty. But despite having a beautiful, elegant appearance on the outside, this place is actually trash. Just imagining what disgusting things could be happening there as I sit here made me grimace.

As my grip tightened, I realized I was still holding the letter from earlier because we didn’t have the time to burn it. I couldn’t help but get curious about the contents, so I decided to open it. It was a little crumpled because of Mr. Martin. I had to unfold and flatten it out to read it clearly. I stopped when I heard someone coming towards my direction so I quickly hid behind the tree.

“Your highness! Please let’s go back. You will get yourself in trouble if they notice you’re missing again!” I heard a worry-filled voice from a man, together with a pair of footsteps. I could hear them getting clearer and louder.

“I told you not to call me like that out here.” I heard another man respond angrily. His voice was clear and dignified, and it made me feel a bit of fear. It will be difficult to explain to those two gentlemen if they find a lady hiding behind a giant tree at this hour. 

“Your Highness?” My heart started beating faster after remembering something. From the short briefing I received from the other ladies last time, I was warned about the royal family because they are enemies of the organization. After all, the monarchs of this empire are tasked to maintain order and justice, while the black organization does the complete opposite of that by doing everything for money and power. I was told that I could get killed if they ever find out that I was working under them. I need to get out of here. Quick.

“Stop.” I heard the man order his companion and they both halted. I am well-hidden behind the tree, so it’s impossible for me to see his face or to know if he’s looking my way. But I have a strong feeling that he was able to sense me somehow.

There was a moment of silence and I refused to move. My hands are sweating as I tried concealing even my breath. It would be a mess if they noticed me. 

After a few more minutes. I peeked behind me a little. I saw no one behind the tree, and the nearest person I saw was a random noble on their way to the Casino. I feel relieved that they left and they did not notice me. I sighed, releasing the stress I built up from a while ago. But I was shocked when someone grabbed my arm!

“Ahh!” I screamed in panic.

“Shh! It’s me, Sheena. We need to go.” Canary’s voice was impatient and anxious. “Someone told me that they have spotted the prince around this area.” She whispered as her eyes lingered around with caution. My eyes widened. So it is true! The man that went by a while ago was the Prince. I don’t know why he went here all of a sudden, but it’s a good thing I did not get caught.

“I-I heard him. The Prince went by just before you did.” I said, causing Canary to make a shocked expression.

“That’s it. We need to go.” She said before grabbing my arm and pulling me away. We spotted the carriage we used earlier and it was waiting for us nearby. We quickly went in and ordered the chauffeur that we needed to leave. As soon as Canary and I went inside the carriage, we both sighed in relief. I don’t even know if I could even call this my first mission, because I feel like it took years off of my lifespan. This night was very tiring, and I just want to lay on my bed and rest.

“What’s wrong with having the prince around?” I asked curiously. I thought it was normal for powerful people to visit the Casino for fun, so I don’t know why she’s so anxious.

“Unlike the other nobles, the crown prince wants to take down that Casino.” She shook her head in disbelief. “I’ve seen him before, despite having a handsome face that looks like it’s carved by the angels, his personality is the opposite. He hates that place along with the nobles who worship money; he’s a little bit complicated.” Canary said and I nodded in agreement. It’s very hard to come across nobles who don’t have an eye for money and pleasure.

“Recently, I heard that he was assigned to hunt down illegal transactions by the Emperor. You need to be careful around that man.” She added with a stern face.

“Wait, isn’t that a good thing?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” 

“Maybe the prince could help us take down the dark organization.” I suggested enthusiastically but Canary just sighed heavily.

“I don’t trust nobles! That man is cruel. Even if you tell him that you’re there to help, we don't know what he’ll do if he finds out you are part of the organization. It’s too risky to trust him, Sheena.” She explained, her voice was full of bitterness. “That man screams danger. I heard he kills his enemies mercilessly even if they cooperate with him. If I were you, I wouldn’t risk it.” Canary rolled her eyes before looking at the view outside.

I only heard his voice a while ago so I did not have a chance to take a glimpse of his face. Canary might just be scared of the prince because of the rumors about him, but there’s still a chance that he can stop the illegal actions by the dark organization. If he really despises the greedy nobles who participate in those disgusting activities, that means he has a good sense of justice and that he can be a good ally. But the question is, can I trust him?

I shrugged those thoughts away. Thinking about how I’ve just started to gain experience in this place, it’s too early to think about those things. Right now, we only need to prioritize going home and reporting directly to Miss Ava about our findings.

“Where’s the letter? Did you manage to burn it?” Canary suddenly remembered about our unfinished business.

“It’s here.” I said and immediately handed her the letter. I failed to read it because the Prince suddenly walked by a while ago, but I can’t just read it in front of Canary.

She put the paper inside the lamp and I watched it as it burned.The lamp was put inside the carriage for lighting purposes, but its flame was enough to burn a part of the letter.The fire easily spread around, and Canary let go of it before it touched her hands. 

Her eyebrows suddenly furrowed before looking around. “Where is the cover of this letter? We need to burn that too.” She asked and I remembered about the paper that enveloped the letter when Miss Ava handed it to us. I tried to look for the cover but it was gone.

“I think I dropped it.” I said nervously, knowing I was the last one who held it.

“What? Where did you drop it?” She asked with a startled voice.

“I don’t know. Maybe back where I was hiding before. Should we go back and search for it?” I suggested. We ‘ve already finished the hardest part of our task, I can’t let us fail just because of a single paper.

“No. It’s too risky, it’s just the cover anyway.” Canary shrugged and brushed the thought away. “Just remember to be careful next time, and don’t ever mention this when we report back to Miss Ava.” She warned me and I nodded.

“I understand.”