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23. Beggar Siblings – Lena’s Story

“What can you do?”

Kasia entered the room and sat on a small chair. Her long skirt brushed against the floor as her legs crossed towards Lena.

“Why?”

“It seems like you’re struggling too much because of me, older brother.”

“Well, that’s for sure. But did he ask you for help?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

“I hate that my existence is making my brother suffer. I want to help in some way.”

“What difference would it make if you worked and earned money? You don’t even know what your brother wants to do!”

“……”

“Just study as your brother tells you. That’s helping him. Plus, you’ve never learned any skills.”

Lena was at a loss for words at her sister’s remarks.

Kasia was right. All I’ve done was rummage through the trash a bit; I didn’t really know how to do anything. Even if I earned some coins, nothing would change.

The education I was receiving at home was expensive. I couldn’t even afford half of it with the money I might earn, and my brother wouldn’t be able to quit his dangerous job.

And I didn’t even know what my brother wanted to do.

He was working to earn money for me, but he had never said what he wanted for himself.

However…

“I want to buy a house.”

After much contemplation, Lena finally spoke out her deepest thoughts.

“It’s my dream to live in a nice house with my brother. But he said a lot of money is needed to buy a house. I want to contribute too.”

Kasia, twisting her hair, looked at her and said sharply.

“So, you’re saying you want to do this for yourself rather than for your brother?”

Kasia’s words hit the mark.

Lena didn’t want to just stay the way things were. This was definitely something different from merely wanting to help her brother.

“But if we buy a house, I’m sure my brother will like it too…”

“Aah, I’m not trying to blame you.”

Kasia waved her hand dismissively. She uncrossed her legs and leaned towards Lena.

“I’ve also blindly helped someone for my own sake before. The outcome wasn’t good, though…”

Lena remained silent, and after a moment of contemplation, Kasia continued.

“Alright. I’ll introduce you to something you can do. If you want to earn a lot of money.”

“…Thank you.”

Kasia rummaged through the wardrobe and found a hooded outfit to put on Lena.

It was a thick and dull outfit. It was slightly too big for Lena, and the hem dragged on the floor.

Kasia and Lena stepped outside. It was already dusk, and the leather street was bustling with small business owners hurrying to close up.

As Kasia made her way through the street, she crossed the avenue and looked for an alley on the opposite side. To the right of the main road was the South Gate, and far to the left, the Royal Palace glimmered brightly.

Kasia led them to the sixth dark alley. A few thugs were loitering outside the alley.

As they entered the alley, red lanterns hung here and there. Lena was scared of the red-lit alley and flinched, but she kept following her sister. The air had a sour smell. Lena couldn’t tell what it was.

Under each lantern, men were smoking cigarettes or drunkenly chatting, their gazes lingering on Kasia.

– Whistling!

Men whistled as they passed by Kasia. She didn’t seem to care at all.

As they walked further into the alley, which felt narrow due to the darkness and the red light, a long shadow loomed over Lena.

“Who’s that?”

A man with a rough appearance stood with his arms crossed in front of a large door, blocking Lena and Kasia’s way. Contrary to his fierce look, his clothes were neat.

“Can’t you tell? She’s the girl I brought. Just open the door.”

“How can I know with her all covered up? Come in.”

The large door opened smoothly without a sound, and from inside, a murmuring noise echoed.

Kasia stepped in without hesitation. As Lena followed her sister over the threshold, the damp air clung to her. Lena gulped nervously as she stepped into the dark red hallway.

The wide hall at the end welcomed naive visitors.

Some areas were bright while others were completely dark. The mingled smells of meat, cigarettes, strong alcohol, and something tantalizing filled the air.

The hall had many tables, each with a door behind it.

In the center of the hall, a half-naked woman was playing an instrument on a small stage while neatly dressed boys scurried around serving drinks.

Every table was indulged in drinking. Fresh-looking fruits, golden-brown roasted meat, and elegant-looking bottles of alcohol.

However, those couldn’t grab the attention of the seated patrons. Everyone was deeply engaged in conversations with those beside them.

Every time the women nearby flirted with an alluring tone, laughter erupted from the men everywhere.

As Lena stood stiff as a statue, someone brushed past her.

Startled, Lena saw a naked woman walking by, with even the parts she covered becoming transparent when the light hit them. As she approached a table, rough hands reached out towards her.

Lena, who was lost in thought, was turned around by Kasia grabbing her shoulder.

“Come this way.”

Without even glancing at the hall, she led Lena up the stairs. The thugs guarding the stairs recognized Kasia and stepped aside.

Lena followed her sister, hunching her body as they passed among the thugs. The thugs’ gaze was fixed on Lena from behind.

Kasia reached the top of the stairs, knocked on a door, and opened it without waiting for a response.

“Come in. Oh, Kasia! You’re here early today…”

“Don’t call me ‘Miss Kasia.’”

“Right, Kasia. It’s just a habit that’s hard to shake off.”

A middle-aged man with graying hair welcomed her in a room furnished with a dark red carpet and peculiar sculptures.

He quickly stood up, pulling a chair forward for her to sit down.

He also prepared a chair for Lena, confirming that both were seated before returning to his own seat. His polite demeanor eased some of Lena’s fears.

“Who is this?”

“This is the girl I brought. Will she be able to work here?”

As Kasia took off Lena’s hood, her pretty face was revealed, drawing the gaze of a stranger.

The middle-aged man’s eyes widened in surprise. He sat deeper into his chair, tapping his cheekbone with his forefinger as he spoke.

“I don’t know where you brought this girl from… but that’s not allowed.”

“Why not?”

“It’s too much of a waste to have her work here.”

“Then what?”

“I think you need to see the Master.”

He couldn’t take his eyes off Lena.

An incredible asset had just appeared out of nowhere. Even with his extensive experience, he had never encountered one like her.

“…Can’t even decide something like that? Didn’t the manager handle all the inquiries for the job?”

As Kasia provoked him by leaning forward, the manager’s pace of tapping his cheekbone slowed. However, he didn’t readily speak up. He couldn’t come to a decision until the filtered melody coming from below finally ended.

As his indecision lingered, Kasia waved her hand dismissively.

“If it’s not needed, then forget it. There are plenty of other places to go.”

“Kasia, wait. I just want to offer this girl better conditions…”

Kasia cut him off firmly.

“She’s not going to sign a contract.”

“…Then what?”

“Just let her deal with only decent clients. She shouldn’t have to be tied up here like I was for years.”

“Hmmm… Miss, what would you like to do?”

His dark gray eyes turned towards Lena.

Quietly listening to the conversation, Lena lowered her head to avoid his gaze.

What I can do.

I’m not exactly sure what kind of job Kasia has introduced. It’s just clear that it involves exposing my body and appearance, like the women outside.

Lena clenched her fists tightly. Her brother is dealing with dangerous sword work. If it’s something I can do, I have to do anything.

Lena’s lips quivered as she answered.

“I’ll do what my sister tells me.”

“You haven’t heard anything from Miss Kasia, have you?”

“……”

“Miss Kasia, then I…”

“Drop the ‘Miss’ already.”

“Alright, Kasia. Then what do you want me to do?”

Kasia gathered her thoughts while looking at Lena, who had her head down.

“One client per day. No one with a bad reputation, and if possible, polite ones. Don’t make her do troublesome tasks. You decide the price…”

“A girl like this only taking one client a day would actually be more miserable. Make it three.”

The man firmly drew the line.

“Is there really a man who could handle a girl like this three times a day?”

In response to Kasia’s question, the manager showed a gentle yet cruel smile.

“Kasia, you still don’t understand this business.”

“…”

He laughed at Kasia, who frowned with confusion.

He had watched Kasia since the day she first stepped into this place to the present.

While she considered herself worn out, to him, Kasia still appeared as a young girl.

“A girl this size can attract a hundred clients in a day. Don’t worry. I can make it three a day based on the price. Just like you said, only good clients. Ordinary ones.”

Then he smacked his lips as if feeling a bit disappointed.

“If I speak to the Master and finalize the contract, we could bring in bigger clients… but there’s no helping it.”

He looked back at Lena with a gentle smile.

The girl Kasia had brought.

Beautiful enough to be molded into anything if he set his mind to it.

He thought about ignoring Kasia’s request. Depending on how he used her, she could sway the Oberg.

If it hadn’t been for Kasia… the person who brought such a girl would have buried their bones in this place.

But a small sense of sympathy for Kasia made him reconsider.

He decided to heed Kasia’s wishes. It seems she wished for this girl not to end up like her.

Fine. I’ll help her earn appropriately and leave cleanly.

“Will she start working today?”

“…Yes.”

“Do you have any experience?”

“What?”

As Lena was unable to answer, Kasia stepped in.

“None. No matter what.”

“Understood. Kasia, please take this girl to the private dressing room.”

The manager jumped up and pulled out the chairs for Kasia and Lena.

Kasia waited as if familiar with the routine and then stood, asking, “Alright then. What about the clients?”

“I’ll see to that. I should be able to find some in a few hours. Just wait in the dressing room. I’ll clear that room for you today so you can use it freely. Oh, by the way, what’s your name, girl?”

“It’s Lena.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Lena. I am Brestin Zauer. It’s a pleasure to work with you.”

“Thank you.”

Lena carefully took the manager’s outstretched hand.

“Whenever you come in, please stop by here first. I’d appreciate it if you could also drop by when you leave. I’ll settle things then.”

“Okay.”

He elegantly kissed the back of her hand. Despite the formal exchange, Lena quickly withdrew her hand.

His hand was as cold as ice.

She was led by Kasia into a room surrounded entirely by mirrors. The lights pouring from the chandelier dazzled her eyes. A sweet fragrance tickled her nose.

Lena entrusted herself to the women who followed her.

She was dressed in a flashy gown. A pale white dress with a light red hue had so many jewels hanging that it swayed pathetically. Standing before the mirror, Lena transformed into an even more beautiful version of herself under the women’s touches.

“Oh my goodness… How beautiful she is…”

“Really lovely. So exquisite…”

The women adorning Lena gasped in admiration.

Kasia quietly stood guard in the dressing room, comforting Lena every time she came in and out.

That day, Lena received four clients.

*

Lena walked back with Kasia in the early dawn.

The dawn streets were messy and dirty from the night’s activities.

Lena walked with a lifeless expression, and her face resembled Kasia’s a little.

In her hand was a handful of gold coins.

The payment Lena received. Most of it went to the establishment, and she held only a small portion in her hand.

Artisans were opening shops on the leather street as the two women silently passed through the busy street, each preoccupied with their own tasks.

The shoe store they arrived at was as quiet as ever.

The two sat side by side at a table.

“Just wait a minute. The water wagon will be here soon.”

“Okay…”

Lena stared blankly outside.

The store was blocked by a wall and couldn’t see anything, but the obstruction oddly provided some comfort.

– Creak

As the water wagon passed by, Kasia stepped out to pay for the water.

Lena received the water bucket from Kasia.

“Wash up first. I didn’t work today.”

“Okay…”

Following her brother’s instructions, Lena tightly closed the door.

When Kasia sat back down at the table with her chin resting on her hand, sobbing echoes erupted from inside.

And Lena took longer than usual to wash up.

Just like Kasia.