Sitting on the bed, lighting my cigarette, I side-eyed the curly blonde-haired man next to me. Who, noticing my glance, turned towards me and smiled.
"..." I looked over at Octavius, who was lying on his stomach as if he was the bottom here, "You're a real pain in the ass, you know that?"
"Pfft- Hahaha! Well, I was most certainly one in your ass," He teased back, rolling onto his side and biting his lip, "Say…Wanna go for another round?"
My face crumpled at him in disbelief for a moment, thinking that he was out of his mind. If anything, he should be grateful I even did it with him once.
"Absolutely not," I replied coldly, immediately shutting him down, then returning to my cig.
"Huu, well, it was worth a shot," Octavius chuckled to himself, once again turning to lie on his back.
Staring into the empty space of the room, I was reminded of why I even let this annoying bastard fuck me in the first place. As well as why I'll never let this happen again, and will not try to avoid him as much as possible.
"So, was your curiosity quelled?" I asked, turning back to look at Octavius, who was smiling as usual.
"Hmm, for now I suppose so…But I must say, you are much more fit than I thought you'd be, especially for a bottom," Octavius poked, laughing to himself as he sat up and put his hand on my abs.
"What? Are you disappointed because I'm not the skinny, delicate twink you wished I was?" I scoffed, blowing my cigarette smoke into his face.
"Not at all, in fact, putting a man beneath me who has an eight pack is nice for a change," Octavius waved the smoke away and leaned closer, purposefully trying to get on my nerves.
'No wonder he came out of one Thien churches, he's exactly like one would think that god would act, annoyingly unpredictable, not caring if what he does affends the other, since, in the end, it will still entertain him.'
I stared at him for a brief moment, letting him feel me up, even breathing on my ear to try and tickle me, though I didn't let him get the reaction he wanted. I even let him lick my collarbone, enjoying the sight of the taller man trying to please me.
"Haaah, you really can be no fun, Viscount," He sighed, finally rolling away from me. Then, reaching off the bed for his coat, taking out the envelope he owed me, "Here, the fruit of our deal."
I wouldn't call myself a sadist, to be exact, but when a puppy-like man who is taller and larger than I am tries to please me and get a reaction out of me, I can't help but smile smugly at his foolish endeavors.
But then again, perhaps that's my one fault, especially when it comes to Llyr Vellamo. I hate the man, and I don't think I could ever come to develop romantic feelings for him, but seeing that pathetic fool try his hardest to please me…Well, it does in fact put a smile on my face, but not the type he is looking for.
'Hm, it's a shame that this was only a one-time thing.' I silently thought to myself, taking the envelope from Octavius, then opening it to check if the contents were what I was promised.
"So, is it what you were hoping for from me?" Octavius asked slyly, resting his chin on my shoulder, keeping that same smile he was wearing, blush nowhere to be seen on him.
'At least he seems to be aware that this was a feelingless one-time transaction. Haaa, I wish those other fools knew that too…It's all such a hassle.'
"'Info on Praxis Heartborn'…Yes, it seems like you did indeed tell the truth," I acknowledged, nodding and shoving the report back into the envelope, "Good work…To be honest, you have surpassed my expectations."
"What? Were you expecting me to lie? C'mon, give me more credit than that! I am an honest merchant after all," Octavius claimed, making a dramatic gesture by flipping his hair, then once again smiling at me to get a reaction.
"...If you say so," I replied monotonously, keeping a blank expression and turning away from him to put the envelope on the nightstand next to me.
Seeing that no matter what he did, I wasn't going to play to his tune, he simply sighed and gave up. Lifting the covers off himself, Octavius got off the bed to grab his clothes and started to change back into them.
"Well, thanks for the fun, but I should start leaving now. After all, it seems I have overstayed my welcome," He proclaimed, smiling at me over his shoulder as he put his blazer back on.
"Mmm," I expressed, simply nodding him off. Waiting till he left the room, to then listen for the front door to get up and head to the bathroom.
'Ugh, I'm glad he didn't cum in me…Though I do unfortunately have to ask for new sheets now.'
***
A couple of hours had passed since Octavius' visit, and I was now sitting on the suite's balcony, overlooking the evening cityscape while I smoked another cigarette, read the newspaper, and slowly drank a glass of cognac.
I was almost done with the paper and was about to move on to the envelope I had gotten from the annoying merchant when I heard Eveleen coming through the suite's front door.
"Welcome back," I called to her, making her look at me through the waving curtains connected to the balcony door. Folding the paper shut, I started to read the back of it, "How did it go?"
"Oh, hello you!" She sang as she smiled and came over to me, changing her heels into slippers, "It actually went pretty well, in fact, I would say it went smoother than expected!"
"That's good," I replied, finally putting the newspaper down to look at her, "That's a cute dress! Why didn't you wake me up and show me it before you left?"
She was wearing a black velvet dress with puffed sleeves and what some would call a "booba windo," perfectly accessorized with a silver and light gray corset, complementing her complexion and bringing out her hair and lip color.
"Aw, that's sweet of you to say!" But I didn't wake you up cause I didn't want to disturb your rest, it has been quite the stressful last couple of weeks after all," Eveleen exclaimed, sitting on the chair next to me.
"It's nice that you were so considerate, but unfortunately, it wasn't as stressless as I would've liked," I announced, causing Eveleen to tilt her head in confusion.
Handing her the envelope from right next to me, I saw her face change from many different emotions just by reading the contents. First, confusion, then curiosity, confusion again, and lastly, surprise.
"Lev, how did you get this?!" Evelenn questioned, looking at me with wide eyes.
"Mmm, let's just say that I got some help from the merchant we met when I first saw Viscount Zisel," I smiled at her, never wanting to admit to her that I practically sold myself for information.
"Heh, well, you got much better information than I did," She chuckled, handing the envelope back, then brought out a notepad from her dress pocket.
"Let me guess, the only thing he spat out was something along the lines of 'I don't care where the bastard went, I was done with him!' Am I right?" I scoffed, tiredly taking a drag while raising my eyebrow.
"Yes and no. Sir Zisel is aware of who he sold him to and where the trader was headed, but he didn't know much else," Eveleen explained, writing something on her notepad then handing it to me, "That is the name of the man whom the Viscount sold Praxis to, as well as his goal location."
'Kal Natrona - Eleos City…Hm…'
"...That's not too far from here, only four days' worth of travel," I noted, then closed my eyes to think for a second, "I think with this information, it is safe to say that Kal Natrona didn't originally intend to buy Praxis from the Viscount."
"I was thinking the same thing," Eveleen added, taking her notepad back from me, "If he was planning on picking a 'purchase' up to trade, Natrona wouldn't have done it so close to his end location."
Eveleen was right on point, making me wonder if the same had happened to her, and was why she became a Rusalki. Though that thought also made me regret bringing her along and letting her go see a Viscount who was notorious for his perversion all on her lonesome.
"...Yes," I said, pausing and looking down, putting my cigarette out and resting my forehead on my knuckles, then sighing.
"..." Eveleen carefully examined me for a moment before leaning over to touch my arm, "Is everything alright?"
"...Madame Eveleen, the reason why you are now a Rusalki…is it because you were involved in the slave trade?" I asked, sitting up with a sorry expression on my face.
She looked surprised for a second, but sat back with her hands folded in her lap with a soft expression. A smile full of remembrance, not of fond memories, but of ones she knew got her to where she was today.
"Yes, I was…Those aren't exactly fond memories, but I cannot help but remember that time, after all, it's because of those memories that I am fond of my home and willing to help those in need of salvation and escape…like you," Eveleen smiled, fidgeting with her hands.
"...Alright, then, Madame, when I say this, it is not to hurt you, but because I respect you." I stood up, walked over to her, and kneeled in front of her.
"Huh?! What's this?" She exclaimed, surprised when I placed my hand over my heart and looked her in the eyes with a serious gaze.
"Madame, I swear on the Andraste name that anytime you need the help of my estate and family, just as you have helped me, I will return the favor tenfold," I swore, surprising her and myself at my sudden and abrupt declaration.
"Wh-Why the sudden oath? It is not like I have helped you that much…and please don't do this because of the pity from hearing about my background," Eveleen expressed, her soft smile turning into a displeased frown.
"Heh, it is not because of that. I simply feel as if I owe you at least this much," I added, pausing to take a deep breath and stand up, "Mostly, because this is where our journey together is going to end."
"... I see. So in other words, you felt bad about dragging me this far along only to have us part when we got a lead, no?" She questioned, so annoyed that her eyebrow was twitching.
"Yes, that is correct," I admitted, keeping my face straight, while also keeping my nervousness down.
Eveleen was silent for a moment, crossing her arms in thought, deciding on what to say next. A moment or two passed before she finally sighed and looked me in the eyes, having made her decision.
"If that is how it's going to be, then I will only accept your oath so long as I can accompany you to the next village," Eveleen announced, firm in her decision, clearly not going to accept anything less than that.
'...I'm guessing she feels that that would make my oath fair…I suppose I can understand and get behind it.'
"Alright, if that would make it seem more even to you, then I will agree," I declared, putting my hands on my hips, "But only to the next village. We separate from there."
"Hehe, Understood, Lieutenant Colonel Lev Andraste," She agreed, nodding, standing up, and shaking my hand.
***
The next morning, Eveleen and I finally checked out of our Inn. As we were leaving and heading to a place to buy horses, I spotted a familiar figure sitting at a cafe in front of us.
There, Octavius Arymyne was, smiling his signature annoying smile and waving at me. Of course, I ignored him and kept on walking, hoping Eveleen didn't notice him, though even if she did, she didn't say anything.
But as the two of us walked past, I could feel his lingering gaze on us. Making me feel like he was going to end up as some sort of stalker, which I suppose would fit his 'mysterious character' role.
In the end, I never figured out what his deal was, but that was probably for the best. After all, I didn't want to get involved with any more figures that could influence this world without directly having to do something.
"Oh, looks like the stable and city gates are just up ahead!" Eveleen announced, pointing up ahead and dragging me from my thoughts.
"Hm, huh, that's closer than I thought it'd be," I commented, looking in the direction she pointed at.
Around half an hour later, we had gotten the horses and passed through the city gates. Onto the first village on our list of stops for each night, Connery Village, home to a tribe of werewolves…at least according to the novel and what information Eveleen got from a client.
'Great, even more stuff from the novel to get tangled up with. Ugh!'