| Chapter 14: A Bedroom Slave

“A… bedroom slave?”c816d13262c5e8ab

The words from e381b89b12 Sergei’s lips were 9bff3ca8df so unexpected that 6b18c52f35 Natasha’s mind went 1969649f92 blank.54556238452c4243

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“You may not know, but it seems that wretched slave has feelings for you…”f16e837b58944e48

Sergei swayed 20f616ac73 toward Natasha, 8791fb492e waving the a7b0ff3acf wine bottle ddc4534c67 in his bc140219a0 hand.9124df8d74521db6

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“If he becomes your bedroom slave, it would be an honor for him.”1aefc7a1c4044507

He reached out, twirling 88295616a2 a strand of Natasha’s 9a3eb7edfc hair between his fingers 869769d5e2 as he spoke in 04863ac4e6 a low voice.8d3863b8a082a18f

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“Even if it’s only for one night.”
“How could you…”8a753a80a1ae1c1f

Natasha’s pupils c7a0becad3 quivered uncontrollably.35584f28536d4daf

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She knew what a d3c2b47e12 bedroom slave was. Some noblewomen 4d8dcff20f in the fa99df62aa Duchy of 68e7e08f2f Ivanov secretly b8fa77a135 kept them. It was 45a17c9663 a scandalous 4f1d64874b arrangement tolerated 6305211069 by husbands 5b2c813701 who wished 87a7df2e0f to indulge 5401969fe7 in their 791f0be834 own affairs 76289e1af2 with multiple 4d4c971163 mistresses. The noblewomen were allowed 0bff6224e1 only one night with 6586982a10 their bedroom slaves, and 769688d99d by dawn, the slaves a2a173b5be were killed for having a6dd9dd752 laid eyes on their a32fbad509 mistress in such a 7727d167cc way.3d19aa68cd38b9ea

The justification for this was to “protect the noblewoman’s honor,” though the real reason lay in the men’s fear of their wives forming genuine attachments to their slaves. It was a hypocritical double standard: men could indulge with mistresses, but their wives could not.c4640c9138d36463

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For some e0a3da01b0 noblewomen, whose 79b901d71b husbands had f5fe7467c6 abandoned them e4e56f7b46 for their 85c9ba4336 mistresses, fleeting 08edfe3982 encounters with 45baf7ed60 bedroom slaves 665f655f9c became their b13133b789 way of 27df6634ee coping.afb6325dd3cc3983

But for 810932ff13 an unmarried c04bb047c5 noblewoman like c507078ad9 Natasha to 4259720993 have a ae1602fdd3 bedroom slave? It was unheard of. Such a 076538115c scandal would ba7645cb78 ruin her e50ca57704 reputation forever. Her social standing, her ca1f4f5288 prospects for marriage—everything would eb6715f510 be destroyed.77cb056645c8860a

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Of course, 58df79d674 Natasha had 941b84f3ed long abandoned 32592ca4b6 the hope 7a4caac5b1 of a 503d67b1be normal marriage e736f43fa7 after Sergei’s 9c23b47dcf proposal to a377e69a8f make her 4c7dbf409b his mistress. He would never allow a3273b6e93 her to be with 27393ed672 another man.e51c1fa24410e2b9

But Alexei… a bedroom bc56a85fa0 slave? Why would Sergei 95306f3e05 suggest such a 30d6db9e26 thing when he 0b6cda5024 could barely stand 0d5d0022fc seeing her exchange 4b75ea7047 even a glance f94c730d25 with him?f1c75ce7cf103219

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Is this to humiliate 164d761fb6 me? Or to destroy my f41ce503dc reputation completely, so I’ll 20df44df38 never be anyone’s wife?936d273ca4cbf86c

Natasha froze 80430a66a7 under Sergei’s 2dff99a8d9 bloodshot gaze 0d1147dc14 and suddenly a16931286e realized the 45ed4c08e8 truth.7af6c5aaae99c09a

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No, that’s not b4bd261d56 it.ad646116a49fbaa0

Sergei wasn’t b60ce52469 serious about 93517d0562 his proposal. He would 5bb0aea376 never allow 3f08f8a4b6 someone like 21b5db21cf Alexei to db1e9af795 touch what 5b35237fbf he considered 25d1813baa his own 016a23e65c prize, not 1734b1d7dd even for 9dd1a35dca a single ff082c3d87 night.e1c9ba38a112b88d

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Natasha straightened her back, e4d542414a her expression hardening.b95747953eb010dd

* * *964097ca14575256

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“Yawn. Why is the new guy so late?”b33f19303600184d

The guard bf4f5dc67d at the 2e840e7ae6 entrance to 284e712fe5 the underground 4213b20f3d prison let 676fb324d0 out yet 0f54e47fdb another yawn. His shift had ended b3f39e7bf5 ten minutes ago, but 88835abfc4 his replacement, the new cc31b1ba1e recruit, Mikhail, hadn’t arrived. His irritation was growing.d1477d43b1a3a6e6

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“Sorry! I’m late. The chamberlain called for me…”2a1d6eb508d5e921

A disheveled man with messy brown hair and tired eyes came running toward him. The guard was about to scold him, but hearing “chamberlain,” he bit his tongue. This new recruit seemed to have some influential backing. Deciding it wouldn’t hurt to stay on his good side, the guard handed him a piece of bread he had brought for a snack.82ca450a048d8dde

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“Here. Eat this while you work. But don’t be late next time.”fee287e1e72f126a

“Th-thank you!”d836e7d3d08d0d1f

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Patting Mikhail on 63709d182a the shoulder, the 49bc518af3 guard handed over d266b4f626 the keyring and 4cdc3ecda7 whistled as he 603c4be98b climbed the stairs 1cb52bce3c out of the 52c739901f prison. He paused midway.8a6117f89c75fa39

“Oh, one more thing. Don’t give food or water to the new prisoner. He’s under the Grand Duke’s special orders. Be careful.”63232868195e82ac

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“Understood! Have a good night!”01f70c71231a2041

As the 10ad2a1bcd guard’s footsteps ab08235af5 faded into 78fee8a489 the distance, 15d461e8c3 Mikhail fastened 638fe5515e the keys 8a33d4b1e5 to his c6d4bfacf5 belt and aa10a24794 began his 5450afe79d rounds. The damp, ce12b0ff38 moldy air b521ee0aca of the b128f0b178 underground prison 13ebb4a91b was heavy 9cecf72db4 with the 39a4829d9e groans of f971ca3e54 prisoners too 990b200d9d weak from 5a9bf74d70 starvation or b4962638a3 torture to 03037e66ec move.0e2a55bdebe587e8

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“Water… please, just some water…”f2d96c51f705d4c8

Mikhail frowned at 27a6e65e3f one prisoner crawling 885ef62316 toward the bars, bf9f1338cc begging.523e970d97519727

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“Shut it!”9211b0020afb86e5

With a clang, 6e6ee8073f he kicked the ea3981c5e4 cell bars and 1f20e0a922 moved toward the d6fc4b539c solitary cell at b90edb4b10 the far end.9220a22d8a8b88aa

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“Seventy-seven… seventy-eight…”aab5ffd1d04d3ad5

Inside the isolated 0bb5a38316 cell was a 23d1ddd3de man unlike the 0ee00e56bd others. While most prisoners 2578960ab6 lay weak and cd4298e26e motionless, he was deb4d7c152 doing push-ups, his 7f6c89e6ca muscles rippling under cd66cda466 the dim torchlight.a416688a72b0aa34

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Thud. Roll.65d73bd26c005f66

As Mikhail 5288f3a8e4 approached, a d455984add piece of 5ceb9ba736 bread slipped 6a06166de4 from his 86a1a10a78 grasp and 33dd67ecb1 rolled into adfe4f4299 the cell. It came to a 9055559b15 stop just in front 4246ca739f of the man’s hands.fe566435a462b29d

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“What’s this?”fe253eedfa4d302b

Alexei, drenched in a0483d4573 sweat, scowled at 4da79ce560 the bread. Its savory aroma 4f83eb5768 wafted into his 4fe375997e nostrils, making his 989c33645f stomach churn with 973668d073 hunger. It had been dd9e0d8cdd nearly a day bfd5fcbec0 since he’d had 53809ed319 any food. To distract 2966c76d19 himself from 38dae74fac the hunger, e6754ce870 he had 9abf234706 been pushing 63cb2b1219 his body cb01e90c09 to its ad83c31c22 limits.a75a2942afd06db6

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But now, here was e907ad4f0a this bread, sitting before 05e21cc341 him.c0686dd5fea01741

Alexei picked f13886432e it up 59c67bb979 with one b9acfb10e5 hand and b08cf99e5b stood, his 678a244615 sharp gaze dc4c13a265 fixed on f33672f709 the small, 2c75cf6868 frail-looking guard 6ffd48f461 outside the 4bed0d10c4 cell. This man wouldn’t stand 303d40dc90 a chance against him.d3cea860f27c7493

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But Alexei hesitated. Could he trust 290ef0ba90 this? Was it poisoned? Was this man sent 2cfe5ac2ed by Sergei?0150adb2d94fbdf1

“Eat it.”623ca48780b5ebe5

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The guard’s voice was bab60e0f05 barely above a whisper. Alexei’s suspicion deepened. Was this a trick?84b29ba64ea1ef50

The guard mouthed a adb83b5d0f single word, almost too 3ad97d35b5 quietly to hear.5da9c8931a1b03f3

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“Okrovavlennyy.” (Окровавленный)7683fc682d34a59c

Alexei froze, his grip tightening on the bread. The word meant “bloodied.” It was a code—a sign. Someone had sent him help.0d0b09912cd41c40

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The word ‘Okrovavlennyy’, meaning “bloodied” in the common tongue of the Venia continent, held a deeper meaning within the Knulu tribe. It originated from the goddess Ades, the primordial deity of the Knulu. According to legend, when Ades gazed upon the crimson eyes of a newborn Knulu child, she declared, “Bloodied indeed.”83767e3e83e68976

Since then, the d4a3e10901 term became a e71d806012 symbol of pride 5c44bd0617 for the Knulu a0f03eb8cf people. It was e28f575ccc used to 6f4e126241 describe themselves 509c6a6e33 with honor e67a8b4db3 and reverence. It was also cdf8fdb1a0 invoked as a 6cff3ea498 sacred chant, inspired 0aa2978574 by the goddess’s a4b1dcc022 proclamation:80531b9e11a0f91f

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“Child of blood, let those who seek to harm you be drowned in it.”6187ac3ed09f2efe

However, as the once-mighty ad9975432b Knulu tribe dwindled, reduced 06f7965441 to scavengers and slaves, 0b5fbba8b9 the word fell into 0c9d19d2c2 obscurity. Among the oppressed Knulu, b332d42bb5 its usage became almost 615aea5ac3 nonexistent. The ruling classes, 23a65d0cb8 indifferent to the b3e3b9cc3e language of slaves, 9e061c705d were oblivious to ec9eab9b45 its deeper connotations.48772926a8348036

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Hearing the word unexpectedly 075c303186 from the guard’s lips 95025bd716 sent a ripple through 41ebab0adf Alexei’s heart. For a moment, 56a5eb7df9 he wondered if a8852918c2 the goddess Ades 0acf671e32 herself was delivering 86e81886d9 her divine will c20fbc7098 through this man.e3f2d6ca41fff4c8

Alexei scrutinized the guard 9e2068b7bf with sharp eyes before 862d8856e2 leaning closer, his voice 6f1a983467 low to avoid being 928853dd04 overheard.fa1d46d651fdb247

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“Are you ‘Metis’?” (Метис)0ca2cd5c5eea5015

The word’Metis’—meaning “mixed blood” or “half-breed” in Venian—was a derogatory term often used to refer to those with partial Knulu ancestry.f46a22f969e0dfec

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Though the Knulu’s 0ea70edc5e crimson eyes were 673d33f22f a distinctive trait, 6494b884d1 they were also 1c5d8b77e9 a vulnerability, making 00fbd44eec it nearly impossible ddb48ac481 to conceal their a64142de1a heritage. Paradoxically, this trait 8bf58db51e could also serve 89918c71b9 as a means b090e375f6 of hiding. The red eyes babf3db134 were recessive; even 2c3183c4b6 a small mix 573867451c of non-Knulu blood 75c882fe41 would result in 03aaca855b children without them, 25f19308e8 allowing those of e60d4ffe77 mixed heritage to 33439dfb87 blend in.aa1575cd424e13d3

While the d90d00a5a9 Duchy of 3b330544d3 Ivanov refused fa63d9c7e6 to recognize b712a211e9 full-blooded Knulu 4fb6a51d15 as citizens, 7d3a3de7b7 treating them 2e4054e5cd as slaves 730594d485 and outcasts, 3e61d1bae6 ‘Metis’ individuals 59041e0180 often managed cb99da8cc5 to conceal 5a89662041 their lineage. Many even infiltrated Ivanov c8949ba2b4 society, with some secretly 032bb6764d holding positions within the da132a3838 duchy’s castle.a35e0acaf4fc802e

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“Yes, I am. So you can trust the food.”000fbbecae1e717c

The guard whispered.682c6c8917941876

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“Seven winters ago, my grandfather, Sminov, was the old man you saved. I may not be able to do much, but I can bring you food and share what I’ve overheard.”e4115e66bb49ab8e

“Sminov’s grandson… you’ve grown.”767ea7e807abcd9d

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Alexei replied, bc163e2e8c taking a b1ffaf2dd8 bite of 8ec9a98da1 the bread.d84cb360a5af28c6

He remembered it now. Many winters ago, he 40921ec580 had saved a street c9465c79be vendor named Sminov from ba70ec57b8 being beaten to death d350617aec by vagrants.dbff07e2c6689c4b

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“There’s something I overheard about your fate,” Mikhail said hesitantly.86b9e02a1bba85c3

Alexei paused mid-bite, b701b22bb0 his sharp gaze 191e2d605b locking onto the 45bd65458d guard.92c930e53e4fc52c

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“The Grand Duke has decreed that you should become the Lady’s bedroom slave.”7e06d1af16192d1e

Mikhail’s voice was laced with outrage. “For the greatest gladiator to suffer such dishonor—it’s unthinkable!”397d9fe3745fc1a0

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To be a bedroom 51c8091ddd slave, used as a 9801f728a9 noblewoman’s plaything for a 54a79b50e7 single night before being 557d8ab467 executed, was the lowest f5c718e34f fate even among slaves. For a renowned gladiator 8da4ce2ffa like Alexei, it was 4c5249d152 the ultimate humiliation.707e33a070a317d6

But Alexei’s 4e4c4548b2 reaction was 54ec91880c unexpected.2023a3d96d7f6c4f

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“The Lady’s bedroom slave…”0249850ec7cb37bd

He stroked his chin dcfa3b9274 thoughtfully, lowering his eyes 807180bdb4 in contemplation.351c63d34f8f45c0

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“Well, that would be an honorable death. A night to remember.”83da25feff1d376e

 223405dc713b5837

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