"Thank you, Courtesan," Kioshi said when I'd answered every question of his. Before I could respond, he got to his feet.

"I must go now, but I hope someday we can repeat this."

"I'd love that," I said, both disappointed he was leaving and pleased he wanted to speak to me again.

I voiced neither as he walked away, merely sighing and letting my eyes wander back to the scenery around me. For almost an hour I'd forgotten where I was, focused solely on him.

Not long after he left I got up and wandered out into the garden further. It was beautiful, and the wind blowing gently in the trees was calming. Once again I marvelled at how little I was feeling the cold. The paint must somehow act like a layer of clothing.

"Well, I knew you'd charm Tomichii," Yaru said, appearing at my side. "But even I didn't expect you to get Kioshi talking."

"He wanted me to help him perfect his technology."

"Oh, I think he was considering more than that," Yaru replied, his eyes lighting up.

"You saw everything then?"

"Yes, my dear. It would be more than a little irresponsible of me to let you go wandering off and not follow. Courtesans command respect these days but there's still plenty of men who'll take advantage if given the choice."

"You don't need to tell me that," I said, not hiding the bitterness as I thought of my previous night and how close I'd come to being used by the guards without my consent. Yaru raised his eyebrows, but I didn't explain, looking away instead. Could I tell him? Would it change anything? He'd warned me that getting through my first nights would be difficult.

"Daniel?" he asked a moment later, his voice soft, sounding genuinely concerned.

"No, Daniel's been... reasonable. His guards..."

"Yes, I've heard stories about a particular few."

"Why does Daniel let it happen? Does he not realise what it does to his courtesans?"

"Daniel knows that a certain amount of leniency is required. Good bodyguards are hard to come by. There are a lot of courtesans, few free women, and more than enough men who are desperate and believe it's their right to claim a woman."

"So Daniel turns a blind eye even though he shouldn't."

"Daniel knows they do more good than harm. Overall, anyway."

I nodded, not liking what I'd been told, but having no way to argue against it. If bodyguards everywhere expected to be able to sleep with the courtesans, and the courtesans needed the bodyguards, it made more sense.

Before either of us could talk of anything else, one of the waiters appeared, two glasses of champagne on a tray. He brought them right over to us. Yaru took one immediately, so I followed suit and picked up the other, though I noticed he didn't drink any of it.

"Tomichii and Kioshi ask if Courtesan Auralia could return to the dining room. They wish to have her present for the last part of their meeting."

"I'll come right away," I replied, smiling. If we were being given champagne and summoned, then there was a good chance they had gained the funding they needed. And that meant there was a good chance no more women would be hit with a sponsor bill as large as mine if they were cured of the same thing. I felt a deep sense of satisfaction from knowing I might have just helped as well.

Yaru accompanied me back to the room, once more hanging back as soon as we were inside. Everyone was stood now, nibbles and drinks lining the centre of the table for those still peckish or thirsty to take what they desired.

Tomichii noticed me first and came over to offer me his arm, a very large grin on his face. I took it, smiling back, but feeling a little shy. I knew Bernice was in the room, and although she appeared not to have seen me yet, I wasn't taking any chances.

"Whatever you said to Kioshi while you were gone... Thank you," he whispered.

I blinked, shocked. How had he known I'd said anything?

"He came back a different man and has been working hard to convince the others to fund him ever since."

"I merely answered some questions of his and let him know what his work had already done for someone. We all need a little hope and appreciation now and then," I replied, knowing I'd got at least as much out of our conversation.

"Well, you have my gratitude, and..." his cheeks coloured slightly as he looked at me... "you have my admiration, Auralia. You are truly beautiful, on the inside and outside."

It was my turn to blush, not used to being complimented.

"Come, join us in celebrating. Stay as long as you'd like," he said a little louder. Instantly it drew the attention of the nearest group of businessmen. One of them had been vocal about his objections earlier, but I noticed Tomichii reached out and shook his hand with a great deal of warmth, smiling broadly as he did so.

"The true celebration will be when we see more resurrected," the newcomer pointed out. "I know we're all doing our best to reintegrate as many women as we can into our society, but there's a long way to go yet."

"You and many others have just helped us take another step closer."

I smiled and listened as every man in earshot spent the next few minutes congratulating themselves and each other. It almost made me feel sick. Their society was this screwed up and they were patting themselves on the back as if they'd just solved world hunger, when in reality they'd pledged to invest in and profit off the sickness of others and fuel the sponsorship system that practically enslaved everyone they also healed.

Thankfully, the men began to leave, most heading for the relaxation room, with Bernice urging as many as she could to join her in a booth. I tried not to shudder as I realised what she was offering them. Rather her than me.

As the occupants dwindled, Kioshi came over to us, raising a glass of champagne.

"To perspective," he said.

I repeated the words and actions, taking my first sip. I'd been so focused on what was going on and equally disgusted at the attitudes around me that I hadn't remembered I was even holding it until then.

With that he took his leave from the room as well.

"Time for us to go now," Yaru said, quiet enough only I'd hear. "You've done as much as you can while you can't open your legs."

I ignored the bluntness of his words, wondering what it would be like to come to meetings like this when I could officially sleep with the men. I didn't get very far. A few seconds later Tomichii rejoined me.

It was obvious the pair understood some sort of etiquette I didn't as we all said goodbye.

Letting Yaru lead me out, I replayed the evening in my head. I didn't understand what exactly had led me to talk to Kioshi out in the garden, but I was grateful for how fate had intervened. I felt like I'd made a genuine friend. Someone not interested in getting a quick thrill or a meaningless connection.

But my satisfaction with the evening soon waned under the threat of another night in Daniel's court, the bodyguards and other courtesans still as likely to try and use and abuse me if they got the chance.

Yaru seemed to sense my hesitation as his car pulled up outside the court.

"Find a way to protect yourself," he said. "Even if that means doing something you don't necessarily want to do. And then work out a way to solve the problem. Make them—"

"—Treat me like an equal," I finished for him.

He nodded, opening the door for me. I noticed that this time he didn't get out. Perhaps Daniel didn't expect him to report every day.

It didn't make me feel any better. Now I had to brave the walk through the court to get to Daniel, and brave it again on the way back. I somehow knew he wasn't going to accompany me, even if I mentioned my fear and requested to be chaperoned. No, if anything he was deliberately not coming in to get me to face my fears and find a way through it.

Taking a deep breath, I said goodnight and hurried into the building. As I came in, I noticed Jake and Edward were both leaving, Jake quickly sliding past me and out the door, Edward still gathering up his belongings from another of the small boxes to one side.

He looked my way as he picked up a hat.

Suddenly I remembered Kevin's words. Combined with Yaru's advice, I quickly decided to act.

"Good day?" I asked, lingering in plain sight. Edward paused, his surprise obvious for only a fraction of a second.

"Yeah, pretty uneventful. Always easy on the eyes spending time in a court though." He walked closer as he spoke.

I kept my position, nodding like I understood. His eyes began to rove, but he didn't say anything else. My pulse sped up, my breathing quickening as I considered what might happen next. Instantly, I decided I wanted to be more in control, to guide this where I wanted it.

"My day was incredibly uneventful too. At least for me. Lots of men appreciating a look, but nothing more concrete."

His eyes fixed on my face.

"I'm not the kind of guy to help a courtesan just scratch an itch," he said, barely above a whisper. "Don't get me wrong. I'm sure it would be fun to take you for a bit of a joy ride, princess, but despite how fucking fantastic you look, I like something with a bit more of a foundation."

"I can respect that," I replied, covering for my shock. That's not how he'd come across. But at the moment I had him alone. Could all of the previous comments been for show? Part of a male pissing contest? Was that what Kevin had been trying to tell me? "I may have given the wrong impression with my earlier comment. I mean that I miss talking with someone on a deeper level. And Daniel seems to trust you and Jake. It appears he doesn't trust just anyone to be alone with me."

"That, he doesn't. Do you have any idea how much it would cost him if someone stuck a cock in you before your unveiling?"

"I'm beginning to understand. My days are very... rigid."

"Nothing makes Daniel see red quicker than someone doing something stupid to his bottom line, and he'll be waiting for you, princess."

I had been dismissed. I let out a sigh and broke our eye contact. I wasn't going to get what I wanted that night. I might have had some success with Kioshi, but my luck had run out.

"Goodnight," I said. "Have a safe journey home."

"Thanks, princess. See you tomorrow. Now get that gorgeous backside up those stairs and in the master's office before he sends someone to find out why you've not made it out of Yaru's vehicle and up there yet."

Grinning, he left.

You can do this, I told myself, but my hands were shaking. Could I? Could I really handle this new future of mine?