Bibliophile Princess: Volume 7 [Parts 1 to 9] by Yui

Author:Yui
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter 4: What Young Alan Witnessed

I swallowed down an exclamation of surprise. The sun had set while I was left to wait in another room, and the chamber to which I was eventually escorted had a dubious air about it. Several layers of a thin, exotic veil hung from the ceiling, obscuring the silhouettes beyond. I could make out several people behind it. They were all sitting on the floor in the same manner foreign performers sometimes did. An expensive-looking animal print rug was laid out over a platform one step above the ground, and a figure was lounging upon it.

Several dim lamps lit the space, and a suspicious scent hung in the air. It was the perfect entrance for the mastermind. I almost had to applaud in the privacy of my mind.

A voice called out to me from behind the veil as I was brought front and center. “You there, boy,” it said in nasally tones. “What is your name?”

I gathered a lot from those few words. This person was in their midfifties. Based on the sound of their voice, they were thin. Probably a picky eater. The raspy edge to the voice suggested a habit of smoking or drinking. Furthermore, the faint rustle of clothes when they moved evoked images of opulent, exotic garments. The breathing of the figures seated around them was that of children my age.

“I’m Alan,” I replied in my usual friendly and cheerful manner.

The owner of the voice laughed, perhaps amused by my fearlessness. “Alan, then. Your performance in the garden was brilliant. The guests were quite pleased. Would you mind playing one more song just for me?”

My trusty lute gripped securely in one hand, I said that I wouldn’t mind. A smile on my face, I chose my next words carefully. “I do make a living off these skills, though. And I accepted your invitation because I was promised an attractive reward. If I perform here, can I hope for a little something extra?”

Laughter rang out from the other side of the veil. The Master behind the curtain said that it was no wonder a boy as savvy as me had lasted so long on Luwak Street. Then they snorted and asked, “What do you desire?” It sounded like they were testing me.

I assessed the mood in the room, hiding my own nervousness. Was now the time to go all in?

Once I’d made up my mind, I smiled and said, “I’d love to become your new favorite.” I added that it would come with lots of perks, and I wouldn’t have to worry about the adults bleeding me dry anymore. I went with a fawning answer because I’d determined that now wasn’t the time to push my luck. It was something of a hunch—a sense for danger that had helped me survive in the backstreets. My instinct turned out to be right, but by the time I had set foot in the room, it was already too late.

The Master behind the curtain chuckled meaningfully, then called my name in a sweet yet sinister murmur.

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