Cries of Salvation (BL)

Returning to her box-like chamber after a short bath, Esei sat atop her bedding, whisking a towel over her long, wet hair in an attempt to dry faster.

The strands stuck to her skin like vines, heavy with water, and the rough cotton tugged at her scalp as she moved. Her knees were drawn close, posture slouched in tired irritation.

Every now and then, she would scrunch up her nose in frustration, and her hand would pause in mid-motion.

'Ah, they're too loud.'

As the walls were paper-thin, she could clearly hear the guttural snores of the others, mainly the cooks and helpers, who had to rise long before dawn.

'How can I sleep if they keep making so much noise?'

She mumbled curses under her breath. The situation once again ignited that old ember of determination inside her to rise above this suffocating place. To earn her way out of this hellhole, sooner or later.

[ ! ]

…

Esei suddenly froze, her hand still tangled in her hair, as the towel loosened from her grip. Her eyes scanned all four walls of the tiny chamber, searching for anything that might explain the strange sound she had just heard.

There was no doubt in her mind. Though muffled by distance, it was real.

She strained her ears to listen in, actively ignoring the roaring snores that were hindering her mission. Sure enough, she could make out what appeared to be frantic footsteps and lots of hurried yells rising from further down the corridor.

Her heart started to beat a little faster.

'What is happening?'

'I should go and check it out, just in case.'

With her breath caught between hesitation and resolve, she quickly set the damp towel aside and tied her half-dried hair into a rough bun.

She then pushed herself to her feet and stumbled toward the door, bracing her palm against the splintering frame as she stepped out. None of the others from her wing seemed to be awake at the moment, making her the only one standing in the dead of night.

Even the moonlight failed to spill into the hallway, leaving it cloaked in near blackness, broken only by the glow of a distant oil lamp. But amid the constant noise of sleeping breaths, Esei could still hear the yells–clearer now, coming from farther down the hallway.

After firmly making up her mind to follow the direction of the sound, she moved forward, her footsteps cautious yet quick, and her chest tight with something between dread and curiosity.

Whatever it was, she had to find out.

Her feet treaded along the creaking floorboards, and took no time to lead her into the extravagant wing of the living quarters where only the top earners of the pavilion had the privilege to stay.

"Woah… I wonder when can I stay in such a nice place."

She whispered to herself with a soft breath of longing, watching with unblinking eyes as she took in the surreal architecture before her, even though she was no stranger to the sight.

After all, she passed this area every day on her way to work. Yet no matter how often she saw it, the carved archways, the lacquered floors, and the gold-inked curtains always stirred the same breathless awe.

[THUD]

"…?"

Her thoughts were quickly distracted by what she saw beyond the curve of the passage.

It was a dizzying view, to say the least.

Several handmaidens were darting about from one door to another, each carrying hordes of ornaments, silk bundles, and trays of cosmetics, vanishing into the private rooms of their respective courtesans with the hurried grace of bees returning to the hive.

'Did an esteemed guest suddenly arrive?'

That was the only reason Esei could think of. But in order to properly satisfy her doubts, she caught one such helper who was rushing past her, nearly hidden behind a tower of folded silk fabrics.

"Um, can you tell me what is happening here?"

Esei asked curiously, stepping in her path, but the helper only gave her a brief glance of annoyance before shaking her off without a word, too busy to spare even a breath of explanation.

"Hah—"

Esei could only scoff as she watched the girl vanish into a room, much like the rest of them.

She stood stiffly, feeling awkward and oddly invisible, as no one seemed to be paying her any attention. They were all too busy feeding someone else's prestige.

'This is hopeless!'

Left to her own devices, she scanned the corridor and wandered slowly through it, eyes darting left and right in hopes of collecting more clues. That was when she came across a door that was slightly ajar, its thin opening like a silent invitation. It immediately caught her attention.

"Don't apply the powder too thickly. I heard those men hate the scent of it."

A delicate voice floated from the cracked door, just as Esei dipped her head to peek in.

Koii, one of the finest courtesans of the Silk Pavilion, sat before her shining dresser, already clad in the most lavish garments.

On the side was her handmaiden, a short-statured girl who was gently dusting her already enchanting face, adding more refinement to what was already considered perfection within these walls.

"Miss, I heard Sir Noha is really handsome. Does that rumour hold some truth?" the girl sang in a cheerful tune, her voice light as ribbons fluttering in the air.

"I believe so. But I have no desire to serve him."

"Why is that, Miss?"

"Because serving him is like a death sentence. One single mistake and you wave goodbye to the world."

Esei gulped hard, unknowingly mirroring the handmaiden's action, as she attentively listened to the topic that was unfolding just beyond the thin doorframe.

"Isn't it dangerous then? You could say you are sick and not go, Miss."

"Unfortunately, we don't really have a say when it comes to guests of that level. But there is one good thing here."

"What could that be?"

Koii smiled seductively, her ruby lips curving in a way that didn't betray a woman well-trained in the art of allure. "Money."

"…?"

"They give hell-tones of money to people they are deeply satisfied with."

"Is that true…?"

"Of course. Once you successfully catch their attention, they'll shower you with silk and gold," Koii quipped, a subtle pride tucked behind her honeyed voice.

But before the handmaiden could get too excited, she gently added, "Alas, the threats are far greater than the treasure. So my goal is to aim for Sir Noha's aides rather than the man himself."

The handmaiden nodded, visibly agreeing with the wisdom in her mistress's words, though her hands still trembled as she arranged the powder set.

What Koii didn't bother to mention, however, was the truth murmured in secret behind drawn curtains: Sir Noha already had someone he fancied. And that person was none other than the blind musician, who was also rumoured to be a nasty Hwarin.

It was a choice that made no sense to anyone but the man himself.

"Damn, those selfish creatures," Koii cursed under her breath, though her delicate face betrayed nothing. Her painted eyes remained serene, almost tender, as if the curse had never passed her lips.

Meanwhile, outside the door, Esei stood silently with an upright posture, her hands folded before her as if she were offering a prayer. She no longer strained to listen to the words behind the wall, but strangely, her eyes were twinkling in newfound delight.

'Finally, my time has come!'