《The Mother Gods’ Promise》


 Chapter 1 – A New Master

    Inside a relatively small, but extravagant room meant for hearing important matters located in the castle of Dravaria, stood four individuals. The atmosphere within this room was suffocating, due to the aura of a monarch who was displeased.


    "For what reason have you made me pause my duties and request this private meeting dear daughter?¡± an ethereal voice sounded with a hint of annoyance.


    The source of the stifling aura continued in a severe tone which oozed majesty, ¡°This better be important, my schedule is packed, I hope you have a good reason for this. I hope to the dear Mother Gods you are not scheming anything as you requested me to be present without a single soul... yet you greet me yourself along with two of your paladins."


    "Mother Themis relax, they are needed for this meeting, I come with a gift which is quite beneficial to you, a gift that must not be revealed to anyone," a noticeably younger voice hurriedly explained.


    "Oh? Let me see this gift that you brought for me, it better compensate me enough for this lost time, if it is not satisfactory, you better be prepared for my wrath," Themis spoke harshly while folding her hands.


    "Bring the boy here, paladin Sienna," the daughter of Themis instructed the paladin to her right.


    The paladin exited through the back door and was relieved that they could leave the domineering atmosphere that the grand room contained.


    After a few minutes, the paladin returned to the room with a presumably young child, bound and gagged, with a bag covering their face.


    "Remove the bag covering his face, paladin Reika," Themis'' daughter ordered.


    The female paladin nodded and removed the covering, exposing the face of the young boy, who had a soft, feminine beauty, which was further accentuated by his long beautiful black hair that emphasized his gorgeous bright purple eyes.


    Themis observed the unmasked boy and realized that if her daughter did not mention that the shackled child was a boy, she would have believed he was female. However, the fierce look in his eyes added a touch of masculinity, which may have given away the true gender of the child prisoner, had it not been revealed to her.


    "Enough with this farce Moira, if I truly wish to have a pretty boy-toy there are thousands to choose from in this city alone. Although I admit that his beauty is pretty much unrivalled for his age and gender, I have no use for this stray cat that you have brought in," Themis replied dismissively, narrowing her eyes as if her daughter Moira was wasting her precious time.


    In response, Moira nodded and said, "There is more than meets the eyes, my beloved mother, this child here carries a divine inscription."


    "A divine inscription? Which God has favoured this little slave to leave their imprint on him ?" Themis replied inquisitively while tilting her head.


    "That''s the remarkable thing mother, he has been favoured by three Gods making him an extremely valuable product. Two of the Gods I have been unable to identify, but I can tell they are extremely ancient beings, as I have had my trusted aides search every God''s divine inscription in the last six thousand years. As such, the power and authority that these two gods held are relatively unknown, ¡° Moira deduced.


    ¡°However, the one god I have identified is quite remarkable, and it is better if you see for yourself," Moira stated, anticipating her mother''s reaction to the big reveal.


    Moira removed the boy''s shirt by tearing it off along his back, as his chains prevented his upper clothing from being removed by normal means.


    Themis could tell from the child''s wild eyes and facial expression that he wanted to resist, but it seemed as if great fear had been instilled into him, which prevented him from fighting Moira''s forceful unclothing. As Themis'' eyes moved from the boy''s face to the tattoo-like glowing patterns on his back, she was stunned by what she observed.


    "This beautiful flower-like inscription... there is no way... this belongs to the Great Goddess of Beauty and Fertility... Ap- Ap- Aphrodite," Themis muttered in a low voice, shock evident on her gorgeous face.


    On the middle of the boy''s small, pale back was a beautiful pattern with a symmetric flower, surrounded by a black circle that contained four white dots evenly spaced along its rim. The black circle with the four white dots was surrounded by the outline of a bizarre asymmetrical inscription, reminiscent of dancing flames.


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    "That''s exactly it mother, the Goddess Aphrodite has given her inscription to the first male in over a thousand years," Moira responded with a smirk, noticing her mother''s astonished expression.


    Aphrodite was a goddess that treasured females above males, as females carried a natural affinity towards beauty. Compared to other Gods, Aphrodite was known for sparsely giving out blessings in the form of inscriptions, even to females, as she only allowed one being to carry her blessing at a time.


    A female bearing the inscription of Aphrodite appears every 100 years or more. As males have a lower affinity for beauty, a male with Aphrodite''s divine inscription is extremely rare.


    The first and last male to carry Aphrodite''s inscription was a quite famous legend, as a great war raged between two kingdoms, each claiming him as their own.


    The retelling of this story varies widely from the location its told, ranging from epics of righteous conquest to solemn poems and plays of tragedy.


    Themis took a few moments to compose herself and uttered, "This boy... why have you brought him here... He can spell disaster for my kingdom of Dravaria if others come to know of this information.¡°


    ¡®Although it is surely tempting, I cannot accept Moira¡¯s gift, I cannot risk my territory being invaded simply because of a poor decision,¡¯ Themis reasoned internally.


    Looking at the purple-eyed boy on the ground and then at her daughter, Themis questioned, ¡°To offer something of this value to me, I am not foolish to think that you wanted to hand me this boy with no strings attached. What do you really want, Moira?"


    Moira thought silently for a few seconds and then replied, "What I want, mother, is to have strong allies and you know better than most that the best allies are the ones which whom you have strong blood relations.¡±


    ¡°Think about it, mother, the boy is still pure, unsullied by anyone, and his seed can sprout very powerful offspring if grown with your nutrient-rich soil,¡° Moira stated.


    Clenching her fists as she lowered her head, Moira voiced in a low tone, ¡°I can feel it mother, you are already releasing divine aura unconsciously and are already half-step into becoming a fully-fledged deity. If you truly become a Godly being you won''t be able to conceive children with mortals, and the Gods that still have their physical bodies will want to have a piece of our kingdom in exchange for producing offspring.¡±


    ¡°Father has been dead for twelve years yet you refuse to choose any suitors! You only have two children, me and that incompetent oaf of a brother. I am sure you know that the future of our kingdom is dark as there are not enough positions to rule the kingdom efficiently, especially with the recent purge of the corrupt nobility. Please rethink your decision, this boy is a blessing if nurtured properly," Moira pleaded to her mother while clasping her hands in a begging motion, hoping to change her mother¡¯s decision.


    "I refuse, I can tell that your concerns are valid, and although I may have enough power to protect the boy until he is of age, he simply is not worth the risk," Themis replied with a hint of solemnity in her tone.


    After hearing her mother¡¯s response, Moira paused for a few moments and exhaled.


    "Paladin Reika, count to a minute and then execute the boy. However, if Queen Themis reconsiders her decision within that timeframe, you are to spare him," Moira ordered coldly.


    "You dare spill the blood of an innocent in front of me? Have you gone insane Moira?" Themis voiced harshly to her daughter, anger visibly present on her face.


    Themis expressed an oppressing aura making Moira''s paladins shiver and take a few steps back.


    Moira however, stood firm, unmoving and uncaring to her mother''s wrath.


    "It is as you said, this child can spell disaster if he is in the hands of anyone but yourself. I do not have the ability to prevent our adversaries from learning the truth of this boy''s origins forever and when they do, a repeat of the tragedy that occurred over a thousand years ago with the last male Aphrodite inscription bearer will be inevitable, " Moira hypothesized emotionlessly.


    "This is the best course of action if you deny my gift," Moira replied indifferently, raising her head and straightening her body to meet her mother straight in the eyes.


    As time ticked forward to the boy''s execution, clacking noises from the chains that bound the child''s limbs could be heard as he shivered uncontrollably because it seemed death was set in stone for him.


    No person within the room uttered a single word, but it was clear that Queen Themis was in deep contemplation from her facial expressions.


    .


    .


    Ten seconds remained until the boy''s death, at this moment, paladin Reika drew her sword and raised it in preparation. Reika steeled herself to make the kill as clean as possible, to make the boy suffer no pain during his execution. If one was to closely observe Reika''s sword, a slight shaking could be seen, which seemed to convey that carrying out this execution was against this paladin''s morals. However, this was an order directly from their lord, orders were a higher priority than their so-called morals.


    Less than eight seconds remained until the boy''s death. At this time, the boy raised his head for the first time to look Queen Themis in her eyes, with eyes that seemed full of indomitable will to survive, and tears of desperation as if begging Queen Themis to reconsider her decision. The boy tried to voice out words but could not, as the gag was still present in his mouth.


    Queen Themis naturally noticed the boy''s gaze, looking at her with his pretty purple eyes, and became slightly impressed both by his apparent will to live and the fact that he made eye contact with her, since elite knights and powerful mages under her command could not, due to the aura of oppressiveness she naturally radiated as a ruler and semi-deity. Even the two paladins that belonged to lady Moira were unable to stare at Queen Themis directly in her eyes.


    .


    .


    "Sigh¡­ spare the boy, I accept the gift that you have brought me today, my dear daughter Moira," Themis said after much contemplation with just three seconds remaining.


    Paladin Reika immediately sheathed her sword with a clear sign of relief showing on her face.

 Chapter 2 – Dyeing the Carpet

    Before Queen Themis had ordered to spare the boy, the shackled child fainted.


    Within his mind, he also counted to sixty seconds, but too quickly, and passed out thinking that he died. He was bent over in a crouched position, which looked as if he was kissing the white fluffy carpet to the others present in the room.


    After ordering the boy to be saved, Themis glanced at her daughter and declared in a dignified tone that only great rulers can demonstrate, ¡°Moira, your stunt will be remembered today. Slave or not, the lives of innocents must never be toyed with in our Holy Kingdom of Dravaria.¡±


    Moira shivered when she heard her mother''s tone, but she quickly calmed her mind for the next matter at hand.


    ¡°Paladin Reika, you will remain here in Castle Dravaria, and assist my mother with whatever she desires you to do,¡± Moira ordered as she raised her left hand to hold Reika¡¯s shoulder.


    Themis was confused and unable to comprehend what her daughter was plotting.


    ¡°You think you can just dump your servant on me? Why should I accept?¡± Themis creased her forehead as she fumed, annoyed and displeased with her daughter¡¯s antics.


    Moira explained to Themis, glancing at the chained boy kissing the carpet, ¡°Paladin Reika has saved the little boy over here from trouble in the past and he is quite connected to her.¡±


    As Paladin Sienna heard those words and noticed Moira¡¯s gaze, she trembled.


    ¡°Now for you Paladin Sienna¡­¡° Moira voiced as she straightened the fingers on her right hand.


    ¡°Ye- Yes my lord?¡± Sienna stuttered as she continued to shake in her golden metal armour.


    ¡°Stay still,¡± Moira commanded coldly as a yellow light flashed in the room.


    The movement was only visible to astonished Queen Themis, who observed a beautiful arc made by the swinging of Moira¡¯s straightened palm that cleanly separated Sienna¡¯s neck from her body.


    Themis was not surprised by her daughter¡¯s skilled movements, but at Moira¡¯s bold execution of a Dravarian citizen, as it was against the law for a citizen of Dravaria to be executed without trial.


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    One of the last thoughts that were present in Sienna¡¯s head was spent thinking about who was responsible for the strange light that blinded her. After her eyes recovered from the blinding light, she noticed that her vision was tilted at an unnatural angle. Her eyes widened in horror, as she finally realized¡­


    Sienna¡¯s head dropped to the floor, as deep red liquid gushed out from her body like a fountain, from where her neck once stood, dyeing the once lavish white carpet that covered the room a bloody red. Sienna¡¯s headless body dropped to the floor with a loud thud a few moments after.


    As Moira''s right hand dripped with blood and before Queen Themis could yell at her, Moira shrugged and stated, ¡°There are 2 reasons why paladin Sienna was to be executed in this fashion¡­ executing her publicly would hurt the morale of my army as she was deeply connected to them.¡±


    Moira paused for a few moments and commented, ¡°The second reason is that if we allowed her to wait for a public execution the soldiers loyal to her could aid in her escape, and if that occurred she would no doubt tell our enemies about the boy bearing Aphrodite¡¯s inscription in exchange for protection.¡±


    Moria continued, urging Queen Themis: ¡°From this point onwards, I hope that it will be known to the public that both paladin Reika and Sienna remained in castle Dravaria at my mother¡¯s command.¡°


    Moira needed her mother to release a statement publicly about Sienna¡¯s and Reika¡¯s relocation so that the soldiers that were previously under Sienna¡¯s command would not get suspicious.


    Themis glared at Moira, her face contorted with irritation and grumbled, ¡°This barbaric way of doing things, the laws of our kingdom was set in place for a reason, just because you are the princess of Dravaria doesn¡¯t mean that you can be the judge, jury and executioner¡­ just what crime did paladin Sienna do to deserve this, Moira?¡±


    Lowering her head and diverting her eyes from her mother¡¯s seemingly murderous gaze, Moira explained, ¡°Sienna deserved this as she attempted to violate your cute little gift¡­, but before I go into detail, I must first explain the circumstances that led me to find the boy, as this is a matter that warrants your concern.¡±


    With her head hung, Moira went on to say, ¡°In the territory of Arbo which you gave me to govern, a couple of my soldiers reported that there were strange movements along our border with the Hoziel empire. After investigating this issue, I discovered that they were slave traders of Hoziel, bringing children from their country across the Arbo-Hoziel border to be sold as goods to brothels in my territory.¡±


    Moira paused as she clasped her hands behind her back and followed up with the report, ¡°As Hoziel is currently the only enemy that Dravaria has at the moment, lifelong slaves can only be legally sourced from there, resulting in a couple of Hozielian opportunists selling their citizens to Dravaria for a large sum of money.¡±


    ¡°As I gathered information on the brothels that were purchasing children from Hoziel, I decided to personally visit the largest brothel in Arbo, which according to my gathered intel was purchasing the largest chunk of the trafficked Hozielian children,¡± Moira stated as she recalled the visit to Madam Susan, who owned the brothel, ¡®Come Right Inn¡¯.

 Chapter 3 – The visit to Come Right Inn

    In a lavishly decorated office, where grand paintings depicting various sexual acts hung from the walls, the current ruler of Arbo sat at a well-furnished oak desk. Behind the desk was a pudgy middle-aged woman in a comfortable-looking chair, dressed in flamboyant clothing and makeup that didn¡¯t seem befitting of her age.


    This middle-aged woman is known within Arbo as ¡®Madam Susan¡¯ who owned the most prosperous brothel in this territory, ¡®Come Right Inn¡¯.


    Madam Susan was stressed by the sudden visit of the person sitting in front of her and inquired, ¡°To what I owe the honour of this visit, Princess Moira? Have you come to taste some of my high-class products?¡±


    Moira voiced, ¡°Unfortunately not, I came here personally to investigate your suspected dealings with slavers of Hoziel which is against the law.¡±


    ¡°Slavers of Hoziel? It seems that you are mistaken, all of the slaves within this establishment have been acquired through the necessary legal channels,¡± swore Madam Susan as she opened a drawer at the side of the wooden desk.


    ¡°Here are the documents that prove this,¡± Madam Susan responded as she slid a stack of documents across the table to Moira.


    Moira looked over the stack of papers handed to her, which were the registration papers for all of the slaves that belonged to the brothel. The documents were signed off by multiple nobles, all of whom have an upstanding reputation within Dravaria.


    As Moira looked through more of the papers, however, she realised that all of the nobles were lackeys of a mighty person within Dravaria, The 3rd Sword of Queen Themis, Lady Apate of the West.


    There are four Swords of Queen Themis, all of whom are extremely powerful people given the responsibility of managing and protecting the North, East, West, and South regions in the Kingdom of Dravaria respectively.


    All nobles were required to abide by and follow any rules set by the honourable Sword assigned to them, once the laws of Dravaria were not violated. Even Princess Moira, who was given the land of Arbo in the west of Dravaria to rule by Queen Themis, had to ensure that the rules set by Lady Apate were not broken by her.


    ¡®This has become troublesome, as I am sure that Lady Apate is somehow involved with smuggling children to our kingdom,¡¯ thought Moira, as she rubbed her chin.


    Moira contemplated silently on her next course of action and predicted many repercussions if she dealt with this brothel that seemingly had Lady Apate¡¯s backing, forcefully.


    ¡°I apologise, Madam Susan, I stand corrected on the false accusation which I just made,¡± stated Moira, as she clenched her fists under the table, away from Madam Susan¡¯s view.


    Madam Susan chuckled and then smiled as she said, ¡°We all make mistakes Princess, I would never break any laws when gathering my precious workers.¡±


    Moira, slightly irritated by Susan¡¯s jovial face, questioned, ¡°Just to satiate my curiosity, what tier of slave contract do you use for your prized workers?¡±


    Madam Susan went on to explain that the slaves within ¡®Come Right Inn'' all use tier 7 slave contracts, with one exception.


    ¡°I have a special pet I have been rearing since it was a newborn, who is unparalleled in beauty and charm,¡° Susan proudly declared.


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    ¡°I have used a tier 10 slave contract, as he is an investment that will bring me a great fortune when I decide to sell him in a few years,¡± Susan explained.


    A slave contract came in 10 tiers, the lower the tier, the decreasing ability of a slave to think for themselves. This results in a reduction in the mental capacity that can be permanent even if the contract was dissolved by the owner.


    The highest and most expensive contract was tier 10, which required a very skilled mage and usually came at a very expensive cost to the slave¡¯s owner. At tier 10, there will be no decrease in a slave¡¯s mental capacity and no damage to the slave, even if the contract was broken.


    Slaves with a higher tier contract can also carry out more complex orders by their owners¡­ this made tiers 7 and above the choice of brothel owners and the like.


    Moira, initially frustrated as her investigation had gotten complicated, became curious about the identity of a slave with supposed ¡®unparalleled beauty¡¯, especially since the words came from the owner of an upper-class brothel whose sense of beauty should be dulled by the hundreds of stunning men and women that they owned.


    Moira sighed and asked Madam Susan, ¡°This pet of yours, is he servicing customers? I would like to experience what someone with the highest tier of slave contract is capable of.¡±


    ¡°Sadly Princess, my pet is chaste and only seven years old, so he will be unable to satisfy your sexual desires. However, he still services my top clients as he is talented in giving pure but sensuous massages,¡± Susan replied.


    Moria furrowed her brows, making her disappointment visible to Madam Susan.


    Thinking for a few moments, Moira requested, ¡°Alright then, how much must I pay to be massaged by this boy?¡±


    ¡°Massages by my precious pet are free,¡± Madam Susan paused, rubbing her palms together and continued, ¡°His services are complementary to my highest clientele and is mostly used before they have their fun with my other goods.¡±


    Madam Susan, being an excellent businesswoman, strategized that a complimentary service is a perfect way to market her valuable slave to his future buyers, without tainting his purity.


    ¡°For free? Fine by me, I¡¯d like to try this massage right now,¡± answered Moira.


    Madam Susan was bothered by Moira¡¯s sudden request but made sure to not show it on her face.


    ¡°Since it¡¯s so late in the night, he¡¯s probably sleeping. For you Princess Moira, I will go to my quarters to wake him, but I need you to sign a contract before you meet with him,¡± revealed Madam Susan.


    Moira tapped her fingers on the desk and narrowed her eyes as she read Susan¡¯s contract.


    Pursing her lips, with a frown visible on her forehead making her annoyance clear, Moira complained, ¡°There is no need for me to sign this contract, I can give my word that I would not taint your little boy-toy, is my word not enough Madam Susan?¡±


    Madam Susan took a deep breath for a moment and replied, ¡°This is just simple assurance, as my pet¡¯s life and chasteness are very valuable to me. Even Lady Apate signs-¡±


    Moira interrupted Susan saying, ¡°Lady Apate? Is she a regular at this brothel?¡±.


    Madam Susan felt relieved, thinking that the Princess would be frightened by her mention of the sovereign-like being that protected the west of Dravaria.


    Puffing her chest with pride, Madam Susan bragged, ¡°Yes Princess, Lady Apate visits this brothel of mine once a month, and is one of my many affluent clients interested in buying my pet when he is a few years older.¡±


    Moira slowly stood up from the chair she sat on and stared into the eyes of the brothel owner who was still sitting on her cosy seat.


    Moira glared at Susan from above, like an apex predator eyeing its prey, making Susan feel an air of intimidation. Madam Susan felt as if the Princess was looking down at her not only physically, but also metaphorically.


    Breaking the silence but not the oppressive atmosphere of the room, Princess Moira vocalised, ¡°You think that using the name of Lady Apate will scare me into complying? I am Moira Justitia, the only daughter of Queen Themis and the Grand Princess of Dravaria.¡±


    Moira slammed her fist on the table and shouted, ¡°The fact that you do not trust my word means that you a sullying the reputation of a Dravarian royale, punishable by death!¡°


    Moira walked forward, bringing her mouth close to Susan¡¯s left ear and whispered coldly, ¡°I can burn this vile establishment to the damn ground for the disrespect you have shown me tonight.¡±


    Madam Susan left her seat and immediately bowed, saying submissively, ¡°I hope you can forgive me, your highness'' words are more than enough. I will fetch the boy immediately.¡±

 Chapter 4 – Sensual massage

    A young boy¡¯s eyes slowly opened as he felt the gentle shaking of a hand on his chest. He focused his gaze on the person who awoken him, his master, Madam Susan. His hair was slightly dishevelled, with drowsiness apparent on his face.


    ¡°I am so sorry to wake you at this time my precious, but a very important client has demanded your services.¡± Madam Susan solemnly said.


    Glancing at his master, she seemed weirdly anxious, chewing on her lips while appearing uncomfortable.


    Madam Susan noticed his untidy appearance and combed his wavy raven-black hair hurriedly, making it presentable after passing her comb through it several times.


    While using a damp silk cloth to clean his face, Susan voiced, ¡°Your client this time is Princess Moira, who is troublesome and ill-mannered, as she refused to sign the contract that protects you.¡±


    As she wiped his forehead, she continued:


    ¡°-That¡¯s why, if she tries to do anything inappropriate to you, shout for help and I will come to save you,¡± ordered Susan.


    The boy nodded his head in response, understanding that the person he was about to meet was different from his past customers, as they even made his stoic master so nervous. He was shocked that he would be servicing royalty but regained his composure after a few seconds.


    ¡°Good boy,¡± Susan comforted as she kissed his forehead, ¡°You are also to give this person the best massage and experience possible. Who knows? She may also be your future master.¡±


    Madam Susan led the boy out of her quarters to the room where massages were given.


    ¡°Be on your best behaviour.¡± Susan reminded the boy.


    The boy shook his head once more while rubbing his cheeks, eliminating any traces of drowsiness on his face.


    Madam Susan slowly opened the massage room¡¯s door and greeted the person who was already present within the room, saying, ¡°Thank you for waiting Princess Moira, as promised I have brought my pet, who will now give you my brothel¡¯s complimentary service.¡±


    ¡°I see that he was not exaggerated by you, Madam Susan. Take your leave now, you have my word that I will not harm your pet,¡± Moira promised.


    Madam Susan bowed, and promptly nudged the boy inside the room, closing the massage room¡¯s door behind them as she left.


    The boy stood in front of Princess Moira and was lost in observing the Princess who oozed high amounts of grace and charm.


    She had pale white skin, a curvy waist, and a gorgeous face that housed ruby-red lips and her well-defined features. Her stunning figure appeared to be completed by her lustrous golden hair, illuminated softly by the candles inside the room.


    Rubbing her chin, Moira decided to take a closer look at the slave in front of her, walking a few steps in his direction.


    Snapping out of his daze, the boy felt nervous as the Princess did not lay on the massage bed immediately like his previous clients, and instead chose to approach him.


    The warnings that Madam Susan gave him ringed in his ears as he feared for the worst.


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    Closing the distance between her and the boy, Moira threaded her playful fingers through the boy¡¯s long hair and commented, ¡°Beautiful,¡± as he lowered his head sheepishly. She continued to play with his hair for a while, chuckling lightly at how afraid the toy before her was.


    ¡°Stop looking away from me child, let me see your eyes,¡± Moira commanded as she pressed her both hands to his flushed cheeks, his head forcibly raised to meet her scrutinizing eyes.


    Moira noticed his fetching, alluring purple eyes that glittered brightly, even in this dimly-lit massage room. Moira noted that the boy appeared to unconsciously bewitch anyone that met his gaze, due to his innocent but entrancing eyes.


    Turning his head away bashfully from the Princess¡¯ intense glare, the boy shyly mentioned, ¡°Princ- Princess Moira, Madam Susan will get angry if I spend too much time alone with a client. Can we begin your massage now, please?¡±


    ¡°Close your eyes, and open them when I say so,¡± Moira instructed as she undressed from her formal uniform, which was embroidered with emblems that indicated her high status within Arbo and by extension, Dravaria.


    After removing the garments that covered her upper body, Moira rested her body face down on the massage bed, telling the boy to open his eyes and begin the massage.


    Removing the hand that covered his eyes, the boy moved forward to the massage bed and asked the Princess where she would like to be massaged.


    ¡°Focus between my shoulder blades and my lower back,¡± she responded.


    The boy placed his dainty hands on Moira¡¯s back, massaging thoroughly as he felt her soft milky white skin. Strangely, although the boy lacked the physical strength needed for a proper massage, it was as if his hand emitted energy that resulted in the comfort of his client. This ¡®energy¡¯ elevated his childish massage beyond what professional massagers were capable of.


    Princess Moira, who was currently releasing groans of pleasure unconsciously, also felt a deep sensation of d¨¦j¨¤ vu towards this ¡®energy¡¯.


    ¡®This feeling, I have definitely felt it once before. But where?¡¯ Moira contemplated inwardly.


    Thinking during the boy¡¯s mind-numbing and sensual massage was extremely difficult, but Moira continued rummaging around in her brain nonetheless.


    Finally, after a minute of pondering, Moira believed the ¡®energy¡¯ to be similar to when she was in the presence of her mother, Queen Themis of Dravaria. The feeling emanating from the boy¡¯s hands was akin to when her mother released her divine aura, which soothed and calmed her allies once they were in close proximity.


    Divine energy can only be used by mortals who were close to Godhood, or when a God bestowed their power to one they were interested in, which took the form of a divine inscription¡­


    Realising that the boy massaging her may be a rare holder of a divine inscription, Moira requested the boy to stop the massage. Rasing her body off the massage bed, she looked at the confused boy once more.


    ¡°What is the matter, Princess Moira? Was my massage not to your liking?¡± the little boy questioned fearfully, with his eyes closed as the Princess¡¯ upper body was completely nude.


    Covering the boy¡¯s mouth with her hand, Moira pinned him to the bed, and forcibly removed the cloth that covered his torso.


    The boy screamed with all his might, attempting to call for Madam Susan to save him, but it was futile as his voice was silenced by Moira¡¯s hand and the pillows on the bed to which his face was pressed.


    As tears streamed down the boy¡¯s cheeks, Moira calmly assured him, ¡°I am not going to hurt you, child, I just want to look at your back.¡±


    Staring at the boy¡¯s now exposed back, which was devoid of any markings whatsoever, Moira touched his velvety skin and supplied him with her mana.


    A divine inscription would not be shown visibly on its bearer unless they learnt how to circulate mana within their bodies. A bearer of a divine inscription would instinctively circulate mana, once they reached puberty.


    By supplying the boy with her mana and circulating it within his body, Moira judged that if he really was the holder of a mark from the Gods as she thought, it would reveal itself.


    After a few seconds of contact with the boy¡¯s back, the unmistakable pattern of a symmetric flower began to reveal itself, with other mysterious patterns surrounding it.


    ¡®This boy¡­ he carries the mark of Aphrodite!¡¯


    Moira was stunned at what she discovered. She also noticed the strange markings that surrounded Aphrodite¡¯s inscription, which meant he has received multiple divine inscriptions.


    ¡®Dear Mother Gods, he is a triple divine inscription bearer.¡¯


    Removing her hand from the boy¡¯s back, the markings became fainter and fainter, eventually disappearing entirely.


    Taking a few moments to calm herself, Moira announced, ¡°Rejoice, little slave, as you are now the possession of the Grand Princess of Dravaria.¡±

 Chapter 5 – New Beginnings

    In the ages shrouded by the mists of time, there lived the first male to bear the divine inscription of Aphrodite, nestled within a tranquil hamlet tucked into the verdant embrace of his kingdom''s boundaries. Endowed with celestial beauty, he was naught but a pure soul, blissfully oblivious to the tempestuous tides of fate that would soon engulf him.


    For it was whispered on the winds and carried on the tongues of men that a rare and wondrous blessing had been bestowed upon a humble farmer¡¯s son, and such whispers had begun to echo throughout the realm and beyond, sowing the seeds of envy and covetous desire.


    ~From The Divine Pawn: A Tale of Divinity and Desolation


    The aroma of lavender and cedarwood filled the air as the boy slowly awoke, his vision blurry, his senses disoriented. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he noticed Queen Themis sitting beside the bed he was currently resting on. It was a grand bed, adorned with luxurious sheets and intricate carvings, likely belonging to Themis herself. The mattress was incredibly soft and comfortable, cradling the boy''s body, and making him feel safe and secure. The boy could hardly believe he was still alive after his ordeal with Princess Moira.


    As his vision cleared, he took in the ethereal presence of Themis. Her long, flowing hair shimmered like liquid gold, framing a face that seemed to have been sculpted by the gods themselves. Her eyes, deep pools of wisdom and compassion, sparkled with an inner light that seemed to illuminate the room.


    Themis¡¯ elegant posture and regal bearing were unmistakable, yet she exuded a gentle warmth that made the boy feel at ease. She was the embodiment of grace and beauty, a living, breathing work of art that captivated his young heart.


    Themis appeared engrossed in the pages of a storybook that she was flipping through. The boy squinted, trying to read the title on the book''s cover. His reading comprehension was only at a basic level, and it took him a few moments to piece together the words. The boy pieced together the first half of the storybook''s title, slowly recognizing them as "The Divine Pawn".


    Hearing the boy stir, Themis looked up from the book, her eyes alert and filled with concern. "You''re awake," she said softly, her voice carrying the melody of a thousand whispered lullabies.


    Themis paused for a moment before sharing the news, "Princess Moira has left the castle. It¡¯s been decided that I will officially adopt you into the Dravarian Crescent Knights, the highest Knight Order in Dravaria, who are under my direct control.''"


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    The boy seemed to not fully understand what ¡°adopt¡± and ¡°Knight Order '''' meant, and was instead more interested in the book Themis was holding instead. The extent to which he understood, from Madam Susan¡¯s teachings, was that Queen Themis was his new master.


    He hesitated before asking, "Is it a nice story?"


    Themis shook her head. "No, it''s a rather sad one, I''m afraid."


    Intrigued by the book, he asked, "Will you read it to me?"


    Themis furrowed her brow and tilted her head, as if considering the boy''s request, "No, one day, when you''re older, you will read this story for yourself."


    Curious, the boy inquired, "Why are you reading it, then?"


    A gentle smile graced Themis'' face. "I''m searching for inspiration for your name. Your previous name, Plum, doesn''t seem fitting for your new life."


    As Themis continued to browse through the book, she thought about its main character, who had gone through similar ordeals to what this boy would face. The protagonist in this book was based on her great ancestor, a man who endured great hardships and suffered because of them.


    The boy looked at her, surprised by the idea of a new name, but he couldn''t help but feel a warmth in his chest. Themis was offering him not only a new identity but also a fresh start.


    As Themis continued to browse through the book, the boy thought about his previous life and his name ¡°Plum¡± which was derived from his purple eyes. Madam Susan explained to him the reason for his name was that she loved eating plums, and as he was her most prized possession, she named him Plum after seeing the similarities between the colour of the fruit and his eyes.


    The idea of leaving that life behind and starting anew under Themis'' care was both frightening and exhilarating.


    After a few more moments, Themis closed the book and set it aside. Her eyes met the boy''s, filled with determination and kindness. "I''ve decided on a name for you," she announced, her voice filled with warmth.


    The boy''s heart raced with anticipation. "What is it?"


    Themis smiled, her gaze tender and reassuring. "From this moment on, your name shall be Adonis. It¡¯s a fitting name for someone with the blessings you have received."


    This situation felt almost poetic to Themis, as she felt a strong connection to her ancestor, who had also received Aphrodite''s blessing, yet suffered greatly because of it. Themis hoped that Adonis, named after her ancestor, would find the strength to defy fate and forge his own path. She was determined to help the boy live a full life, one that her great ancestor had been denied, and to show him that the blessings he received need not dictate his destiny.


    The boy, now Adonis, felt a shiver run down his spine as he whispered his new name. It felt strange on his tongue, foreign and unfamiliar, but he couldn''t help the excitement that bubbled within him. He was no longer a mere plaything, slave or masseuse; he was Adonis.

 Chapter 6 – The Stirring of Envy

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    In an epoch veiled by the obscurity of antiquity, there dawned a day of portentous consequence when emissaries from a realm beyond the borders made their presence known. Laden with tempting offers of opulence, dominion, and grandeur, they beseeched the celestial-blessed youth to forsake the hearth of his birth and pledge allegiance to their sovereign.


    Apprehensive of the impending ire of the foreign power, the village''s venerable sages implored the young man to yield to the demands. With a heart weighed down by sorrow, he took leave of his kith and kin, relinquishing the life he had cherished to embark upon an uncharted path, all for the sake of those who held a place in his heart.


    ~From The Divine Pawn: A Tale of Divinity and Desolation


    In the span of a mere three months, Adonis'' world underwent a dramatic upheaval. Queen Themis, in her inscrutable wisdom, had chosen him, bestowing upon him not just her patronage, but an entirely new status. He was no longer a slave, but a ward of the Queen herself. The transformation didn''t stop there, however. As part of his newly granted position, Adonis was adopted into the esteemed training program of the Dravarian Crescent Knights, marking his entry into the elite echelons of the kingdom''s order.


    This precipitous rise in social standing, however, had not been met without resentment from the kingdom''s nobility. Their collective disapproval festered at the sight of a former slave now mingling amongst them, a reality that caused a sour taste of discontent to linger on their aristocratic tongues.


    The aristocrats of Dravaria, their pride wounded by the presence of a previous slave within their esteemed Knight Order, murmured their displeasure in hushed tones that echoed through the grand halls of the palace. Yet, Themis remained steadfast, her decision reflecting her defiance of the traditional norms that bound their society.


    With his new position, Adonis'' life within the palace walls was a stark contrast to his previous existence. His days were now filled with etiquette lessons, combat training, and extravagant feasts, each acting as a stepping stone drawing him deeper into the world of the nobility. It was a world filled with power struggles and political posturing, a dance as delicate as it was dangerous.


    Despite the smouldering resentment and hostility of his peers, Adonis found peace in his personal growth. No longer was he the timid, subservient boy he once was. He was a member of the Dravarian Crescent Knights, a prot¨¦g¨¦ of Queen Themis, and an emblem of hope for those whose dreams dared to soar beyond the boundaries of their birthright.


    Even with the shackles of his past and the uncertainties of his future, Adonis'' talent blossomed over the past three months. His natural aptitude and relentless determination saw him catching up with his noble peers around his age, now able to duel evenly with them.


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    The spark of freedom that Themis had kindled within him continued to shine brightly, guiding him through the convoluted maze of royal politics and societal expectations.


    One evening, following a gruelling session of combat training, Themis beckoned Adonis into her private quarters. The room was bathed in the soft, golden glow of numerous flickering candles, casting long, dancing shadows that seemed to breathe life into the room.


    At the room''s heart, an obsidian table served as a pedestal for a single, significant item ¨C a ring, its unassuming appearance belying the paramount power it held as the key to his slave contract.


    The sight of the ring filled Adonis with a sense of wariness, its mere presence a heavy reminder of his past. "Why is this ring here, my Queen?" He asked, his voice barely louder than the soft whispers of the candle flames.


    Themis, her fingers gently tracing the cool metal of the ring now securely nestled on her hand, responded in a voice that was a soothing blend of authority and comfort. "This ring, Adonis, consider it a beacon to guide you through the responsibilities of your newfound status. I had no desire to resort to such a measure, but recent events have necessitated its use."


    Themis then laid out the boundaries of his new life, her voice firm yet gentle, each word echoing with the weight of the ring''s power.


    "Always carry yourself with dignity and honour, and extend due respect to those above you. Fulfil your duties with diligence. Never leave the palace grounds unless I command it. And if anyone dares to touch you inappropriately, report it to me immediately. Above all, remember your place."


    As Adonis listened, he felt an icy shiver run down his spine. Each rule, each restriction, felt like an invisible chain winding itself around his heart and mind, binding him anew to a destiny he could not control.


    The words of Themis reverberated in his mind, their echo an ominous future of what was yet to come. His future was not confined to the roles of a ward or a knight; there was a potent undertone to Themis'' intentions, a hidden agenda that extended far beyond his current standing. It was a plan that was intrinsically linked to the ring that was now a constant presence on her left index finder.


    In the wake of the inexplicable destruction of the "Come Right Inn" and the mysterious demise of its patrons and employees, Themis found herself treading cautiously. The establishment, after all, was the very place Adonis had come from, and she couldn''t shake off the suspicion that these incidents weren''t as unrelated as they seemed.


    The rules she had imposed, enforced by the unwavering power of the ring, were not merely for the sake of maintaining order but were borne out of a need to protect Adonis, and by extension, her kingdom.


    Her instructions, wrapped in a cloak of authority and softened with feigned maternal warmth, held within them a veiled prophecy of a future Adonis couldn''t yet discern. A future where the promise of freedom was nothing more than an illusion and his destiny was intertwined with Themis'' in a bond far deeper and intricate than he could fathom.


    Thus, in a realm where alliances were as fleeting as shadows and secrets were murmured in hushed whispers, Adonis stood at the precipice of a grand tapestry woven with power, privilege, and cryptic pledges. The fires of envy were stoked among the nobles, and veiled threats lurked in the corners of opulent halls.


    Once a slave, now a knight, his transformation was far from its climax. Each step forward pulled him deeper into the intricate dance of power and deceit. And as the mystery surrounding him started to unravel, Adonis was on the verge of delving into a world far more captivating and dangerous than he could ever imagine.

 Chapter 7 – Ashes of Home

    In the distant dominion to which he had been spirited away, the youth was regarded as a treasured gem, exalted and displayed before the masses as an emblem of their freshly gained divine approbation. Alas, solace eluded the young man within the confines of his elevated standing, as his soul pined for the unpretentious existence he had relinquished and the tender enfolding of his kin''s embrace.


    Upon the whispered words of the male endowed with Aphrodite''s inscription reaching the listening ears of his true sovereign realm, a profound sentiment of treachery and injustice swelled within their hearts. Consumed by fury at the purloining of their celestial prize, they proclaimed vehement war upon the usurping kingdom, resolute in their quest to retrieve that which was veritably their own.


    ~From The Divine Pawn: A Tale of Divinity and Desolation


    Palace murmurs, like an omnipresent river, flowed through the grand halls and opulent chambers. Yet, it was a conversation, a random pebble disrupting the river''s course, which hooked Adonis'' attention.


    "Did you hear about the Come Right Inn?" A soldier''s grumble echoed around the dimly lit tavern. "Burned down to the ground, they say. Not a soul left alive."


    The words, sharp as a winter wind, cut through Adonis. The Come Right Inn, his home before Princess Moira''s intervention, was reduced to ash. His family in all but blood, extinguished. He clutched the edge of a table, a silent scream trapped within him.


    "Bad omen, I''d say," another voice cut through his shock. "The pretty lad who came from there, the slave... Adonis? Since he arrived, things have been off."


    A bad omen? Adonis'' grip tightened on the table, knuckles whitening. He was trying to find his footing in this new world, not a harbinger of doom. Yet, the soldiers'' words wound around his thoughts and planted a seed of doubt within him. Was he a bad omen for the kingdom?


    As night cloaked the palace, a restless Adonis found himself outside the adjoining chamber¡ªQueen Themis'' private study. The proximity of his room to the Queen''s was a mixed blessing, comforting in its promise of safety yet a constant reminder of his gilded cage.


    Drawn by a thirst for answers, he snuck inside, his gaze landing on a parchment. The inked words were a stark, unflinching tale of horror: the destruction of Come Right Inn. The meticulous detailing of the massacre pointed to a single, highly skilled perpetrator.


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    Each word sent a piercing jolt through Adonis, causing his breath to hitch and his hands to tremble. Each sentence was a ghostly echo of the friends he''d lost, a chilling reminder that gnawed at his gut. His previous home, was now an empty void, its memory reduced to ashes that seemed to smother him, constricting his throat and blurring his vision.


    The name of Lady Apate of the West, inscribed by Queen Themis''s hand, drew his attention. The Queen''s suspicion, evident in her words, butted against her inability to act without evidence, a silent testament to the precarious balance of power.


    Absorbed in the document, he barely noticed the discomfort spreading from his chest. It wasn''t until the sting of pain forced a gasp out of him that he realized his transgression. The ring. The commandment echoed in his mind: "Always carry yourself with dignity and honour."


    The parchment slipped from his grasp, fluttering down onto the desk. He had violated Themis''s trust and had dishonoured himself. He staggered back, clutching his chest, the pain a physical manifestation of his guilt.


    Retreating to his room, he was besieged by memories. His room, once a refuge, now felt like a prison, a reminder of his previous home.


    In the next room, Queen Themis sat silently, her gaze fixed on the closed door that separated her from Adonis. She was aware of his transgression and felt the ripple in the ring''s power. Yet, she remained silent, letting him grapple with his actions and their consequences.


    Rules and consequences were the backbones of this world, and Adonis had to learn them, however bitter the lesson.


    His room was drenched in a sombre moonlight, casting long shadows that seemed to dance with his despair. The laughter of his friends echoed in his mind, forever gone to a single, horrific act. And he was powerless to even investigate it, bound by the constraints of honour and duty.


    Themis sat alone, the rustle of the documents on her desk and the faint, muffled sobs from the next room the only companions to her thoughts. This silence was a hard teacher, but necessary. Adonis had to understand the weight of his position, and the responsibilities that came with it.


    As the night faded into dawn, Adonis lay on his bed, his eyes tracing the intricate patterns on the ceiling. The soldier''s words, ''bad omen'', were a ghostly refrain in his mind. Was this his payment for his freedom?


    The ring''s reminder of his transgression had dulled down to an ache, a constant echo of his actions. His mind was a whirlpool of thoughts and emotions, the enormity of his situation sinking in. He was free, yet the true freedom he yearned for was an elusive dream.


    The first rays of dawn found Adonis finally surrendering to sleep, his dreams haunted by the memories of Come Right Inn. When he awoke, his resolve was forged anew. He would find the perpetrator behind the massacre. He would seek justice, not just for those he lost, but for himself.


    For he was not a bad omen. He was Adonis, who now served a queen. And he would carry himself with dignity and honour, no matter the cost.