Chapter 99: Chapter 99Rose couldn’t remember when it became her duty to feed Zayne the scones they had packed up but she did it without any complaints. After a quick meal at the tavern, the group headed out to arrive at their new camp before nightfall.

    The town was a lot bigger than the town they had just travelled from with most of the land being governed by nobles. Though they were now in the capital of the kingdom, they were not close to the palace.

    Rose overheard from the soldiers that the king was still keeping them an arm’s length away because he was scared. Now, they were staying on the land belonging to a lord but it was close to one of the markets in town.

    Rose broke the last scone in half and reached up to place it by Zayne’s mouth. He was cruel to accept each bite, not allowing her to eat the scones as she wanted.

    "I am a little scared to eat from you when you hand me food with a glare," Zayne said, but still he leaned down to accept the scone from her hands. He was tired of them but he got to enjoy Rose being jealous of him eating them. "You can have the last bite."

    Rose couldn’t be thrilled since Zayne had enjoyed the last three by himself. Next time, she would pay for her scones so she could eat all when she wanted. Rose placed the last piece in her mouth. It was no longer warm but she still enjoyed it.

    "Are you pouting?" Zayne asked. Her head was down like she was sulking.

    "I am not pouting. I am a little tired and it is getting cold. Why are all the homes so far away from each other?" Rose asked as the space was being wasted.

    All the homes in the market had been close to each other even the ones she saw on the ride there with Janice. It was only Zayne’s camp and home that did not have anyone nearby but Rose thought it was because no one wanted to be near an outsider.

    "Have you never seen where the nobles or wealthy reside?" Zayne asked as this was a normal sight.

    Rose shook her head. "I have not and I never wanted to. The other women only saw those places if they were sent to a party and I knew it was not for dancing. I have not seen much of that town. I was only allowed to walk through the market and that started two years ago. At least I think it was two years."

    "He did not let you out of his sight? What about when you were younger?" asked Zayne.

    "It is hard to remember but at the beginning, we were all forced into a tiny room where there wasn’t much light. We only went outside for a little while to do work and then we were rushed back inside the room. I cannot remember where that was. I was there before I was taken to the brothel after I tried to run away," Rose said, thinking of this part of her life for the first time in years.

    "I didn’t like the dark because of that room. When I first went to the brothel, Graham’s father was the owner. I was given as a gift to Graham for him to watch over after my failed escape with my friends. I was to be prepared to be the brothel’s main lady when I came of age. When Graham’s father died, I was only to entertain Graham."

    "Graham wouldn’t let me leave my room since customers started to request me and there were a few more attempts to run away so I wasn’t allowed to leave for the market with the others. It was only after a few years that he let me go with the others but I had to take a personal guard. My last one died," Rose said, remembering the chilling screams.

    "Well, now I know why it would have been so hard for anyone to find you. With Graham keeping you out of sight and the town guards not helping, anyone searching for you would not have succeeded. Those guards might have been paid off by Graham or someone else who benefits most from that business," Zayne concluded once more.

    Men like Graham and Kurt were normally puppets for someone who helped shady businesses like the brothel and selling slaves to thrive.

    "I would bet that it is one of the few men with money in that town," said Zayne.

    "Graham always boasted about having friends in high places. That is why everyone was so afraid to go up against him. I hope it is over now. I hope there isn’t a relative to continue that business," Rose said, crossing her fingers. No one else should go through what she had to.

    "Since they have ignored people without money going missing, then am I safe in that town when you leave? I do not want to end up belonging to someone again. Would it be better that I work in the capital?" Rose wondered.

    The capital was far richer than where she came from according to Zayne. With the royal family here, surely they wouldn’t allow anyone to be taken and would not search for them. Who would be so bold to steal someone here?

    "There are bad people everywhere among the rich and the poor. Most of the time, the rich are the ones to stay away from as they have the money and power to hide their deeds."

    "Is your kingdom like that?" Rose asked.

    "My kingdom is not perfect but we do get rid of those who hurt the innocent. Nobles would be stripped of their titles and beheaded if they were to sell people in secret. Slavery is frowned upon where I am from," Zayne replied.

    "I see. If it is not a big secret, can you tell me why you would visit the brothel to see Graham? What did he have that you needed or were you there for the others with you to be with women-"

    "No," Zayne stopped Rose before her theories ran wild. "You mustn’t share what I will say or I will remove your tongue."

    "I like my tongue so I will not speak," Rose promised.

    "The brothel was the best place to gather information about the king’s army. I planned to get close to Graham and have him tell me of the king’s movement. That is all. None of my soldiers entertained women from the brothel and if you saw any, point them out," Zayne said, his arm going around Rose while she was distracted.

    "I did not leave my room at night to see anyone," Rose replied. Even if she did, she would not point them out to be the reason Zayne punished anyone.

    "Don’t be scared of them. You should only be scared of me. I am your employer," he reminded Rose before she misunderstood.

    "Oh, right. I truly do not know if anyone from your army went there. I am not lying," Rose added as Zayne did not seem convinced.

    "I know that you are not. You have been quite honest with me from the start," said Zayne.

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