My dress trails behind me, picking up mud from the street. Not that it mattered anymore, as the dress had already been ruined by the river water. Even though our heads had not been submerged, our hair was still dripping. At least our wet appearance did not look out of place, as the rain fell in stripes.

The old gate where the river flowed through the wall had been rusted shut. We had pushed and pulled, but it barely moved. Fiddling with the gate while standing in the cold water felt like needles on our skin. At last, we did get the gate to open, but only enough to get through. With all of the noise we made, it's nearly miraculous that no guard caught us. The security has a significant need for strengthening. Even though no intruder would use this way. Since only a few people know this old rusty gate exists.

I feel nauseous from the walking, and Valor has a quick pace that's difficult to keep up with. My teeth are chattering, my body is shivering, and the wind is frigid. I wouldn't be surprised if I awoke with a cold tomorrow. "Valor, please slow your tempo, I can not keep up."

He stopped and turned around, giving me an angry glance. "This Is why I didn't want you to come!" 

When he spotted my trembling body, his enraged look changed into one of guilt. "I am sorry Malika. But we can not stop. It's crucial we get there. if I lose her. I won't be able to keep living like this. I rather die than live with this curse."

The gravity of his words hit me in the gut. I had no idea how badly the curse affected him. He has been acting as though he had everything under control. I've been too distracted to realise how it's tearing him apart. I take a few steps forward till I am right alongside him. "Let us continue, just try and walk at a pace I can keep up with."

The silence of the city is eerie. It's the perfect time for a couple of criminals to rob someone like us. But it seems luck is on our side tonight, as the few people who are out, are avoiding us. 

"How do you feel about Teival? Do you want to marry him?" Valor asked out of nowhere.

"What sort of question is that? Of course I do. Besides it doesn't matter if I do not wish to marry The Duke. I do not have the option to reject him."

"I do not like him," Valor says.

"Why do you not like him? He has been nothing but kind." Teival has been reasonable in all aspects since I first met him.

"That is why, since he came, he's been too kind. He has agreed to everything for the wedding, with no demands. He has no opinion of his own. He even agreed to marry in our church, not one of his own religion. "

"That was his own suggestion, as he has no ties to the city and felt it should be in our home of faith rather than somewhere unfamiliar to both of us." I defend.

"Do you not find it strange that he follows all of his religious laws to the letter? But getting married under his God apparently doesn't matter.-" Valor stops for a moment to kick something on the ground. "I fear it's all an act. He needs this wedding. He will not risk anything to compromise it."

Perhaps he is correct. After all, I've only known The Duke for a week, and it's easy to put on an act. Teival does stand to gain a lot from this wedding. But even if it is an act, I still have no say in this wedding. "It doesn't matter Valor. He could be the worst man alive, but even so, I can not go against Father's wishes."

Valor does not reply, and I don't want to continue this conversation. In silence, I follow him along a street that appears shady. It is narrow and irregular to walk on. My nose caught a putrid smell, that with every step seemed to get stronger. "Are you certain this is the right way? After all who wants to keep their establishment in a place like this?"

"I forgot to tell you, didn't I? Malika where we're heading..... well its-" He turns to face me, hand on his neck, hesitant to speak. "It's a place where women exchange favours for money" 

Favours for money? The sentence is in my thoughts for a few seconds before it registers. Oh! he doesn't mean that, does he? "Are we going to a brothel?-" As the words left my lips, Valor's eyes widened.

"We can not go to a place like that, it's ungodly, it's disgusting, it's... it's. Valor, why are we going there?!" If I had known we were going to a place like that, I would not have come. 

"How do you know what a brothel is?" Valor asked, completely ignoring what I just said.

"I may be a sheltered princess. But even the bible talks about such places. And I heard talk about it, in the village -" The village we snuck out to when we were studying at the Monastery. "Why did I come? This is ridiculous. I should have gone to Father."

But I couldn't, and I know why. Guilt, that's why I came. "Let's just get going, it should be on this street," Valor says. And as much as I want to turn around and walk home. By now, I can't.

I almost walked into Valor, when he stopped abruptly and said, "I think it's here." The building we're in front of is sleazy. On the door hangs a sign that says MeNs blissfuLL menDeRs, the person who made that can't have had a proper education. I cross my arms trying to shield myself. I don't want to enter that place.

"Please, God, let her be here," Valor pleads, knocking on the door. A woman with long black hair opened it, she was only wearing a breast bag and a torn skirt. We must have looked quite shocked after viewing her appearance.

"Is this your first time here, love? Do not worry, we will take good care of you." She touches his shoulder while flashing him a smile. When she looked my way, she scowled, "I must say, it's rare we get couples." 

I gasped, "Oh no, we're not, he's not."

Valor interrupts me and talks in a shaking voice, "We are not here for anything, we are to meet with someone." 

She moves away from the door. "So you are the ones our guest is waiting for, he is upstairs-." She winks at my brother and says, "But you know, handsome, if you want to have a good time, come find me afterwards ." Her offer makes me want to throw up. 

"Your offer is very generous." Valor mutters, his face painted with fear.

The nausea I have, gets worse when I touch the ladder, it's covered in dirt and sticky to the touch. "We should split, to find them faster," Valor says. 

"That is a horrible idea, do you know what we could find behind these doors."

"I know it is not safe, but the sooner we find them, the sooner we can leave this nasty place. I am going with this side." He says, moving to the left. For a moment, I close my eyes, and just breathe. I can do this. Just go in and out of each room.

The first room I look into, there is no one to see, so I move to the next hole in the wall. This one has a curtain drawn. Taking a deep breath, preparing myself for what I may see, I draw back the curtain. 

All I see is a dark room. I am about to turn to leave. When I feel an arm around my shoulder. In a swift motion, I am forced up against the wall. A hooded figure is all I can make out in the dark. I want to yell, but it is as if my voice has stopped working.

"What are you doing here?" The feeling of something sharp and hot is on my cheek, did he cut me? Not knowing what to say, I stuttered out the first thing I could think of. "I am looking for my brother."

My heart pounds against my chest, it feels so loud that I wonder if he can hear it. This man, his body is so close to mine, I can feel his heat. An odour of wet grass comes from him, strange as his clothes seem dry. His face is hidden behind a cloth, all I can see is some blue eyes that intensely stare at me. 

My gaze shifts to the knife at my cheek. He pulls it away, letting go of my arm. "A charming girl like you shouldn't be in a place like this. Go home your brother will return when he has finished his business." He does not need to tell me that again. I hurried away from him, not stopping until I reached the ladder.

There was no sight of Valor. Brother or not, there is no way I am waiting here. As I put my foot on the first step, a familiar voice comes from below. It can't be, what would he be doing here? Putting my head through the hole, I search for the owner of the voice.

I cannot believe this. I hadn't been mistaken, Governor Brewer is here, in a brothel. That he would seek such company. How can he do this to his wife?

"Here is your money," A woman with golden hair is handing him what looks like different currency. Why is she giving him money? I won't claim to know anything about these kinds of places, but isn't he the one who should pay? 

"For once, you are paying the full amount. Has work picked up?" He replies with a chuckle. 

"We barely scraped by. You need to lower the rent and protection fee, this place can't keep running. We can barely afford food." 

Protection fee? Those are illegal, the city guards are the only ones who are allowed to protect in this city, and their fee is paid through taxes. How can an official man act in such a manner? He won't get away with this. I will make sure Father hears about this.

"Maybe you should consider taking more money, for your services, Ashley."

"Look at this place, no one would come if we cost more."

"I know why the others are here, they are an ugly mess, but a pretty thing like you could easily find work in a nicer establishment."

"You have your money, so leave."

Hearing footsteps, I look up, hoping to see Valor, but it's a woman. While running past me in the narrow hall, the fabric of her chemise touches me for a brief moment before she disappears into the room where the man is.

Looking down the hole once more, I see the governor leaving out the door. Good, then I can leave. Halfway down a woman asks, "Who the hell are you? Who let you in?" 

It's the blond woman who spoke with The governor. The Black-hair woman is also present. A man in rags has his arm around her shoulder, and I notice now she has bruises across her face. 

"Is she not one of them our guest is waiting for?" The black hair woman asked. 

"You knoooow. I think a raaather want heeer." The man says in a slurred speech, while stumbling towards me.

"No, you do not touch her. She is not a worker. Clearly, she is lost." The blond woman steps in between the man and me. 

"Doon't teeell me what to..to do slut." He grumbles. 

"Mr, I think it's best you leave." She holds up a flat hand.

A short Asian man I hadn't noticed approached them. He is dressed in clothes that are too large. "You heard her, leave." 

The drunk man turns and laughs. "Whaaat are you gonna do... shorty." The drunk man swings his arm in a wobbly fashion. The other man grips the arm and in a swift motion, forces him to the floor.

The inebriated man yells some derogatory words, but the man who is holding him down does not appear to be moved by them. 

"This was unnecessary." The blonde shook her head. Then she turns to me and asks. "What are you doing here?" 

I gaze down at the floor, avoiding their stares. Should I yell for Valor or tell a lie? "I..am." My voice is practically silent.

"Speak up." The blonde says, but I don't get a chance to do so, as a loud thud is heard. 

The sound of loud thuds from outside makes her turn towards it. A bang is heard in the room as the door is forced open. There is no mistaking the uniform. The royal guards are standing by at the entryway.

The Eastern man who is holding the drunk scrambles to his feet. But before he can get up, a guard tackles him to the ground. The new Captain steps into the house, Is it Basil he is called?

I pull my hood further down to try and cover my face. If they find me, I am in so much trouble. But how can I possibly get out of this situation? Valor, where are you?

"We heard that this place housed three deserters, it appears to be true-" The Captain kneels down to look at the Eastern man, who has been restrained to the floor. "Good evening Narin, where are the others?"

"Eat dirt!" He spits. The Captain stands up, his face scowling. "Search the place," he orders. 

One of the guards approaches me. "You. Let me see your face." he doesn't wait for a response before pulling my hood down. "Princess Malika!"

Shocks and gasps are being uttered, while the guard starts to ask for forgiveness for being rough. But the Captain pushed him to the side and stared intensely at me. He looks at me with such anger, which is usually followed by a violent punishment. "What are you doing here?"