"HUFF HUFFF UFFF! Boss, will she be okay?" Rugged Woman breathed hard as she emerged onto the surface, carrying Zack on her back. His face was growing dangerously pale as he clenched the makeshift cloth bandage on his wound with one hand and held her shoulder tightly with the other.
"AGH! She'll be fine. They're professionals, so I'm sure they will discover the hidden entry very fast," Zack spoke through gritted teeth, grunting in pain with every word that escaped his lips.
"Umm, Boss, we need to treat you fast! Let's go to a doctor right now!" Subordinate Woman looked at him worriedly, her eyes filled with concern as she watched blood seeping through the fabric, staining it darker with each passing second.
"It's okay. Take me there." Zack pointed weakly at some people standing on guard duty ahead, acting as lookouts.
"Mmh, those are..." Rugged Woman followed his gesture and saw them, her eyes widening dramatically. "QUEEN GUARDS?! BOSS, YOU...?!"
Rugged Woman realized something profound. She stood in a daze for a moment, processing the revelation, then shook her head in disbelief and smiled brightly despite everything.
As they got closer, Zack carefully got down from her back and walked unsteadily with the support of Subordinate Woman, who immediately put pressure on his wound to slow the bleeding. Her hands pressed firmly against the soaked cloth, trying to stem the flow.
"Hmm! MASTER ZACK!" Queen Guards spotted them and ran toward him immediately, their faces showing deep concern.
Without wasting precious time, Zack spoke quickly, his voice strained but clear. "Thank you for your hard work these past few days. I've found out their hideout, and Leader Mikaela is probably taking care of it right now. Can one of you go and remove these two ladies' names and my name from the underground tunnel worker registry? Also, collect all the money we've earned there."
He smiled through the pain and spoke again with effort while looking towards both ladies. "Both of you, give him your worker details. You can't really work there anymore since there's a small chance, that they could identify you and harm you." His voice became warmer despite his suffering. "You've done great things for me. Come with me to the Queen Palace. I'll give you all the money you need to pay back your lenders completely. This is the last order from your Boss."
Zack signalled one of the other guards to help him get to the waiting carriage.
"Boss, we didn't help you because of money! We don't wan..."
"SSHHEEE!" Zack interrupted both Subordinate Woman and Rugged Woman's protests with a gentle but firm sound.
He glanced back at them with genuine emotion in his eyes. "I know you helped me despite not knowing anything about me. For that I'm truly forever grateful to you, and I respect you both deeply. The money is just me wanting you to live a safe life away from that madness. So don't reject me."
Zack smiled warmly at them, his expression sincere and kind.
He slowly entered the carriage and looked back at them encouragingly. The ladies nodded emotionally, their eyes glistening with unshed tears. They gave their worker details to the guard, and then climbed inside the carriage to sit with him.
"Woow! Boss, now I truly believe your woman is the Princess! Aren't you a lucky man, claiming the highest-status woman in this entire city?! Hahaha, it's no wonder you didn't bat an eye at us!" Rugged Woman smiled and spoke again playfully, "But that doesn't mean I won't pursue you! Kekek!"
"AGH! My brain hurts more from listening to your talk than from my wound," Zack shook his head with a slight smile.
Subordinate Woman kept her head down and fidgeted nervously with her fingers for a while. Slowly, she calmed down and looked at her Boss sitting beside her, frowning deeply in pain as blood continued seeping out, drenching the seat of the carriage beneath him.
"Boss, please lay down. Here..."
Subordinate Woman moved closer and raised her arms, gesturing toward her lap. The torn part of her outfit revealed her white, soft thighs, the fabric sticking slightly to her crotch area, making her legs appear even more sensual and inviting to anyone looking.
Zack looked at her exposed thighs and felt blood rushing to his face as he frowned harder, fighting his body's reaction. "No, thanks. I'm okay. The Queen Palace is close. I can... AGHH!"
Zack felt harsh, stabbing pain shoot through his side. He barely managed not to fall over completely, his body swaying dangerously to one side.
"BOSS!" Subordinate Woman moved even closer and carefully grabbed the blood-soaked cloth on his wound, freeing Zack's trembling hand. She gently guided him to rest his head on her shoulder, then tenderly held his hand and supported him, letting him finally relax against her soft body.
Zack closed his eyes tightly against the pain, his breathing shallow and labored.
Rugged Woman also relaxed in her seat, touching various parts of her body and feeling pain radiating from many areas where she'd been struck during the fight. She smiled warmly at both of them, then closed her eyes as well to rest as the carriage rolled closer to the Queen Palace.
.
.
"AAA! I WANTT TOO SLLEEPPPP!" A tired young voice sounded through the clothing shop, taking support from a female mannequin.
"Gloomy! Don't touch the woman inappropriately!" Mother Ariana scolded with mock sternness.
"GAH! She's not real, Mother Ariana, and I'm tired!" Gloomy pouted as he reluctantly released the mannequin and walked sluggishly, his shoulders sagging and his face exhausted.
"KKYYYAAA! CHIEFTESS ANIHOA, YOU'RE LOOKING BEAUTIFUL IN THESE CLOTHES!" Sasha spoke excitedly as Chieftess emerged from the changing room wearing a cute Lurvi-inspired pajama set.
"LURR LURR!" Lurvi also approved enthusiastically as she sat perched on top of Sasha's head, her little body bouncing with excitement.
"Really?" Chieftess asked with delight, turning to check herself in the mirror. She felt satisfied with what she saw, a smile crossing her face.
"Yes, Chieftess, you're looking very beautiful!" Maid Nima spoke while checking other outfits nearby. "But what's the use if you don't have a boyfriend?"
TAK!
"Shut up, stupid Nima!" Chieftess glared at her friend while smacking her head lightly.
"Haha! Chieftess, it's okay to not have any lover at your age! Don't feel agitated and hit your poor friend!" Miss Evangeline laughed gently while carrying Tyra in her arms as he cutely wagged his two tails.
"TTYRR TYRR!" Tyra also seemed to agree with her assessment, his voice cheerful.
"Ummm, our stock is mostly finished. I think we should close the shop and focus on advertising it outside," Mother Silja suggested as she emerged from the back, covered in loose pieces of fabric and clothing materials. She spoke gently but with professional authority.
"I agree with Madam Silja. Since there's still a crowd present here, we could just display the remaining outfits for people to check out. With help from us maids, we can each take a kid individually and advertise around the area, then meet back here after some time," an older maid came forward and spoke professionally, her experience showing in her confident demeanor.
"Hmm... fine. You're right, Head Maid," Sasha said, nodding in agreement. She then turned to address the group. "I'm truly grateful to the maids and butlers of Oliver House for coming to help. And I sincerely apologize for putting Gracie, and everyone else who chose to help us today, in danger."
Sasha bowed deeply, her gratitude unmistakable in every line of her body.
"Miss Sasha, we did this because the Young Master treats us like family," one of the butlers replied warmly. "As members of House Coghian, we wanted to support him. Thank you for allowing us to be part of this family."
The maids and butlers bowed respectfully in return, their movements synchronized and graceful.
Smiles spread across the room as Sasha straightened and turned toward Miss Eva. "Hmm, Miss Eva, I think you should head back now. They're probably waiting for you....And Please take good care of Lurvi and Tyra, also make sure you don't put yourself in danger. I don't want my new friend getting hurt because of me."
She gently lifted Lurvi from her head and placed the little creature into Miss Eva's arms. Miss Eva smiled warmly. "Don't worry, Sasha. I'll take good care of these little ones. I'll do my best to make up for breaking everyone's trust. My husband and I are truly sorry."
She bowed apologetically, as Lurvi perched on her shoulder and Tyra cradled in her arms.
Everyone simply shook their heads with soft smiles as Sasha stepped forward and hugged her warmly, the embrace filled with forgiveness.
"LLURRR!"
"TYRR!"
Both creatures squeaked happily, wriggling with delight at the affection.
Suddenly, Sasha paused while remembering something. "Hmm... Miss Eva, weren't you standing in line for animal registration when we first met? But I don't remember seeing any animals with you."
"GAH! A-Ahem! Well, you see..." Miss Eva laughed awkwardly, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I thought I was standing in the line for buying a creature but it was for….registration, ha ha ha."
Laughter erupted around the room.
"Miss Eva, you're surprisingly clumsy, aren't you?" Mother Ariana teased with a playful grin.
"NO! I AM NOT!" Miss Eva protested, puffing up proudly. "I am a perfect lady in my field, hmph! My name is known far and wide where I live!"
"Yeah, yeah, sure," everyone laughed again, the sound filling the shop with joy.
While still laughing, Miss Eva departed with Lurvi and Tyra, accompanied by several maids and butlers who were going their own way. Everyone wished them good luck as they hurried off, their footsteps fading into the distance.
Sasha then turned back to the others, her expression becoming more serious. "I'll return to the Queen's Palace to check on them and make sure no one is hurt. Finish things here, then meet me there. After that, we'll head to the First Rock."
Her tone was calm but determined, carrying the weight of what was to come.
"GAH! I ALSO WANT TO GO TO FIRST ROCK UNDERGROUND AREA! WHY ARE YOU STOPPING ME?! I COULD HELP YOU GUYS!" Gloomy suddenly felt energized and jumped in to speak his mind, his tiredness momentarily forgotten.
"Huh? Why are you so eager to go there? That place is not for kids. Just stay here and look after the shop," Mother Ariana spoke firmly while patting his head affectionately.
"NO, NO! I WANT TO GO! I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO VISIT THERE! I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE WOMEN HAPPY!" Gloomy spoke loudly and earnestly, his young voice filled with innocent enthusiasm.
His innocent words made all the women present turn bright red with embarrassment, their faces flushing deeply. Only Chieftess and Maid Nima looked at them confusedly, not understanding the implications of what he'd said.
"Mother Silja, remind me if he is still underage or not?" Sasha asked while rubbing her forehead in exasperation.
"Umm, he is." Mother Silja paused, then asked worriedly, "Son, why do you want to learn those things right now? And why do you think women there are happy?"
She was concerned her son was heading in the wrong direction.
"Why?????... They're not happy? Why not? Aren't they doing the same thing as Mommy did there? I saw you look happy when..."
THUP! SHEEWW SHEeww!
Mother Silja swiftly covered his mouth with both hands, her face turning completely red with shame and embarrassment.
"IT WAS JUST ACTING, GLOOMY! MOMMY WAS JUST ACTING! WOMEN DON'T GET HAPPY BEING TREATED AS A THING! SO DON'T BECOME LIKE THOSE MEN!" Her voice cracked slightly with emotion. "YOU HAVE TO CARE FOR A WOMAN'S HEART MORE THAN HER BODY, OKAY?????!"
Mother Silja spoke with desperate embarrassment as she looked straight into Gloomy's eyes, making sure he understood the gravity of what she was saying. Her hands trembled slightly as she held his face.
Hearing this, Gloomy thought silently for a while, his young face serious and contemplative. He nodded slowly, processing the information, then removed her hands from his mouth.
"If you weren't happy, then why did you do it, Mother?" Gloomy asked with genuine confusion, his innocent question cutting through everything like a knife.
"AGH! Because I... I... because I..." Mother Silja stammered, unable to find the words to explain such a complex reality to her young son.
"BECAUSE SILJA WAS LOST AND TRYING HER BEST TO STAY ALIVE!" Mother Ariana stepped in, saving Mother Silja from the impossibly difficult question. "YOU KNOW, RIGHT? THOSE PEOPLE ARE CRUEL! YOUR MOTHER FOUGHT ALL ALONE AND STAYED ALIVE AND PROVIDED YOU WITH FOOD AND SHELTER!"
Mother Ariana smiled sweetly, as some pain lingered in her own eyes remembering her past as well.
Gloomy, in his usual thoughtful gloominess, spoke again. "Then don't go back there. Why are you going there when you weren't happy?"
"Yes! That's what I was saying! No need to go there, Silja! I'll manage alone. In fact, Sasha doesn't have to come either!" Mother Ariana supported Gloomy's question wholeheartedly, relief evident in her voice.
Mother Silja smiled gently and spoke with quiet strength. "Because I know that place. If Mommy goes with them, then it will be much easier to finish the job. Don't worry, my son. I'm happy now. That's why I'm going with my friends to support them."
Mother Silja smiled warmly at Mother Ariana and politely rejected her suggestion, her decision firm.
"Yes, yes! Don't belittle me!" Sasha puffed her cheeks defensively, but slight fear could be seen flickering in her eyes. But subconsciously, she brought her hands in front of her crotch, covering and shielding it as if protecting herself from some remembered horror.
"Umm, what's going on here?" Chieftess finally got a chance to ask, completely confused by the heavy atmosphere that had settled over the room.
"Oh, don't worry about us! Right now, why don't you help us advertise our new business?" Sasha's mood shifted instantly, the darkness fading from her expression. "If you do that, the first seat is yours on the animal tour! Hehe!"
She pulled Chieftess forward before she could say anything more, tugging her toward the door.
"GAAHH! I DON'T WANT TO! THIS IS WAY TOO EMBARRASSING OUTSIDE! NOOO! PLEEASEE!" Chieftess shouted as her soft body was dragged into the open air. She felt the wind ruffling her clothes, making her hyper-aware of her outfit. "AGH! This is impossible to wear outside!"
She spoke with deep embarrassment as she felt the gazes of people on her body, their eyes lingering on her appearance with interest.
"GOOD! GOOD! THIS IS PERFECT, CHIEFTESS! THIS IS A CHANCE OF A LIFETIME! ACT LIKE A GIRL WHILE YOU'RE HERE! HAHA, I'M HAVING FUN! LET'S TAKE A ROUND IN EVERY STYLE OF OUTFIT. MAYBE YOU'LL FIND SOME MAN HERE!" Maid Nima came forward excitedly with sparkly eyes, clearly enjoying this far too much.
"CY BBY! CY BBY!" A cute small girl came bouncing over and pointed at Chieftess, speaking gibberish words as she moved here and there. She was wearing an adorable vegetation-style pajama that made many eyes in the surrounding area sparkle with interest.
"She's saying you're a crybaby," another boy translated as he came sliding on a board, using a cylindrical object in his hand for balance. He wore another cute outfit inspired by a sea animal, with only a tail section in place of legs, cleverly hiding his weak and bone-thin legs underneath.
Many people saw him and came closer, asking the maids and butlers present at the front about these unique dresses. The maids answered everything professionally, their training showing as they handled each inquiry with grace.
"Hehe, then enjoy yourselves, you guys! I'm going first. After completing the work here, come to the Queen Palace!" Sasha waved cheerfully and started moving toward the front, heading to the nearby Queen Palace with light steps.
"I AM CHIEFTESS! I AM NOT A SHOWPIECE! LEAVEE MEEE ALLONNEEE!!!!!"
Sasha smiled warmly as she heard the desperate cry for help from Chieftess Anihoa echoing behind her, the sound making her heart feel lighter.
"Everything is going to be okay you are not alone" Sasha muttered as she went away.
Gloomy watched his mother smiling, surrounded by kids and others, all of them happy and energetic. He just smiled with his not-so-usual gloomy face, a genuine, warm smile that reached his eyes, as the others started going here and there to advertise throughout the district.
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END OF CHAPTER
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AUTHOR BLABBERING
One person who can't sit still, decided again to poke his nose and WOOLLAAA—everything got disrupted. In my country commercial cooking gas has already stopped being used in many places. Small businesses are shutting down one after another, prices are going crazy… sigh. Moments like this really make you think about how deeply oil is tied to our daily life.
We rarely notice it when things are normal. Turn on the stove, take a bus, buy groceries, switch on the lights in a shop—everything feels ordinary. But behind so many of these ordinary moments sits oil in one form or another. The gas that fuels kitchens, the diesel that moves trucks carrying food, the asphalt under the roads, the plastic containers holding cooking oil or milk—all of it traces back to petroleum.
Scientifically, oil is basically ancient life turned into energy and materials. Millions of years ago plants and tiny organisms were buried deep under sediments. Heat and pressure slowly transformed them into hydrocarbons. Today we drill it out and refine it, separating it into different fractions—gas for cooking, fuel for transport, lubricants for machines, and chemical feedstocks that become plastics, fertilizers, fabrics, medicines, and countless everyday items.
That's why even a small disruption in oil or gas supply can ripple everywhere. Restaurants struggle to cook, factories slow down, transportation costs climb, and suddenly the price of simple things begins to rise.
We often talk about technology and progress, but beneath all that sophistication is something surprisingly basic: a dark liquid pulled from the earth that quietly powers modern life. And it's only when that flow stutters that we truly notice how dependent we've become.
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