"There she is," Tomichii said as I walked into the room, trying not to look as flustered as I felt.

I smiled and slipped into the offered arm, letting him pull me into a hug while I smiled at the room of people. There were four investors as Tomichii and Kioshi had promised, but no sign of Kioshi himself.

Tomichii introduced all the men, although I recognised a couple of them from a previous party I'd been at. Once where Bernice had done her best to embarass me before I was unveiled.

This time all the eyes were on me and I was the only courtesan in the room. I tried to smile and asked the two I recognised if they were doing well, wracking my brains for something they might have said the last time so I could ask them about it again. This seemed to do the trick and immediately I was surrounded by the four men.

I was offered, drinks, small items of food and generally conversed with for the next few minutes, everyone making it clear they were only there for me. I used the opportunity to practice charming people, small talk and the more subtle art of seducing a person without doing more than a light touch on the arm or shoulder, or a lean in while I said something a little quieter.

So engrossed in my task, I didn't notice Kioshi had finally arrived until he was stood at the head of the table on one side of the room. He coughed for a second time, finally getting the attention of the other men.

"I know you're all eager to have some fun with the courtesan, but I think it's best if we get the business and starter out of the way before we ask Auralia to become the main course."

It was a blunt way of making it clear I was going to be a big focus of the meeting, but it was also exactly what was needed to move things along. I let the nearest two men slip their arms under mine and lead me closer to the table, following Tomichii. One of them pulled a chair out for me and then we all sat down.

I'd only been there for a couple of seconds when I felt the first wandering hand reaching across my lap to squeeze the top of my bare thigh. I kept the smile plastered on my face despite the unsolicited contact. After all, this was essentially what Tomichii had agreed to pay me for, even if it wasn't something I particularly wanted, I'd agreed to do it.

I focused on my breathing as the hand slid even higher and further over, pushing my legs slightly apart. Before he reached my pussy, the man on the other side of me reached for my nearest hand and pulled it onto his own lap, shifting in his seat to bring his erection underneath it.

Again I fought not to let my reaction show and instead, stroked a firm finger down his manhood. He stifled his own reaction before moving his hand onto my lap as well, at the same time as the one there moved even higher on my leg the side now pressed against my pussy.

I tried not to squirm at what was happening, but it wasn't long before I was giving a hand job to both men either side of me, while being fondled myself. I wasn't stimulated enough to orgasm, but I'd have lied if I'd said it had no effect on me.

By the time the business part of the meeting was over, I'd given both men an orgasm and watched as everyone else in the room clearly ignored what had become obvious. With one exception, Kioshi wouldn't look at me any longer.

I tried to smile and act like everything was normal, but a small part of me felt like it was sying somewhere on the inside as we all got up from the small table and moved back to the sitting area. More food was laid out around the area and a waiter stood nearby, clearly ready to take drink requests, a tray of champagne flutes in one hand and a tray of different bottles of spirits and glasses in the other.

"It sounds like things are going in the right direction. Perhaps a little more slowly than originally anticipated, but I am pleased," the man to my right said. He was the eldest of the four investors, and probably the most gentle, fatherly like. So far he'd barely touched me and clearly didn't expect me to be much more than a pretty face.

The rest were almost the polar opposite. All though none of them appeared to be younger than I was, they had a more carefree attitude and were eyeing me far more hungrily.

As Tomichii handed out the champagne, he offered me his arm and brought me to the centre of the room. I felt my stomach flutter as I could guess what was about to follow.

"To the hope and healing we've all invested in, in some way," Tomichii said, lifting his glass.

"To hope and healing," the four investors said together, as I raised my glass but kept quiet and smiled, hoping that was the right thing to do. Kioshi raised his champagne but only said the final world. If anyone else noticed that didn't say anything.

As we sipped our drinks the men all stayed on their feet, coming in closer until I was surrounded. Around me, I was aware the men were talking between each other, but it wasn't until one of them touched me and Tomichii took my glass that the spell seemed to break. Within a second they were all touching me.

My senses reeled and I soon lost track as four of the five men encouraged me to lower myself down and let them do as they pleased with me. My brain seemed to know what I needed before I did, zoning me out and making me think of Kioshi and where he'd gone. Right before this had begun he'd walked out of the room.

Time blurred as I was impaled and used again and again, sometimes two men inside me, my mouth working in more ways than one, and the rest of the time only one, but no sooner was one done with me, than another slipped himself between my legs.

Now and then orgasms stole over me, my body responding while my mind was absent. I let the pleasure drown me, taking me somewhere else entirely, until I had to return to duty.

Eventually, Tomichii stepped forward, and for a moment I could bear to think again, my eyes meeting his as he impaled me. The familiar way he felt seemed to revive me a little, and I found myself feeling stronger, able to thrust against him as he took me.

Everyone else watched as the two of us moved together, until he hit his peak. A fraction of a second later, he tilted me over the edge of my own, my arms wrapping around him instinctively and holding him close while we shuddered together, sated for now.

As Tomichii rose, he helped me back to my feet. I wobbled, and blushed as our onlookers began clapping.

"I must admit, Tomichii, when you said we'd just have one courtesan for the evening, I worried we'd feel underwhelmed by the end, but once again you show you know these women far better than most. My full compliments on your choice," the nearest investor said, before patting Tomichii on the back and walking out. Not once more did he look my way or even acknowledge or thank me.

The next two did similar, until I was considering saying something, but the fourth and final investor, my more gentlemanlike father figure, took my hand and kissed the back of it. I gave him a very genuine smile as he then bowed, returning the gesture as well.

He then bowed to Tomichii, thanked him in simple terms and hurried out of the room.

Exhausted, and feeling more than a little weary, I held onto Tomichii's arm, glad we were alone.

"Thank you," he whispered as he took me over to a chair and encouraged me to sit. "It will keep them happy for months even if Kioshi and the team struggle to make any more progress."

"You're welcome," I replied, but in that moment I wasn't sure he was. This was a man who had made it very clear he had a heart and cared about me, but he'd essentially just pimped me out to a bunch of his friends.

"I think you should go home and rest now," he said. "Let me approve your payment. You've been here a long time. And rest some more tomorrow too. I'll see you the day after."

I nodded, not bothering to point out the time and therefore how unlikely I was to find any kind of customer. Tomichii took my device, tapping away at it, rounding the time I'd been with him up to the next hour and then paying me one and a half times my hourly rate for the bother.

As he tucked it back in my purse I fought to appear normal, but I'd known how much my earnings were already. This was my best day so far once you included the 100 credit tip he tucked in with it, and I'd taken the time to get to know someone new, and to not charge them for as much time as I'd had.

On top of that I now had a spare twenty minutes that had essentially been paid for. I wondered if Tomichii might want me to go somewhere with him, but he kissed my cheek and walked away before I could move.

I slowly walked towards the door, my legs growing stronger as I moved and tested them. Apparently, even after all that, I had some capacity left.

But I found my feet taking me on only one direction, towards the garden. I didn't fight my instincts, knowing I'd appreciate the moment to clear my head before I had to return to the court and Daniel.

It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders as I walked into the garden. The stars were out and more than easily viewable despite the city surroundings, and the lights had been dimmed to make viewing them easier while still being able to see to explore the gardens. I wandered towards my favourite spot, a view that continued to make me stop and think.

Before I could get there, one of the men I recognised from the first investor meeting I'd been to stepped into view. He'd been sitting on the bench, a drink in one hand until he'd clearly spotted me.

He held up two tokens. Another one hundred.

"I've been hankering to taste you since Tomichi let you come smile at our quarterly board meeting. Let me have a quick round right here, right now and you can have this. On the books or off, just half an hour before we both turn in.

I opened my mouth, not sure how to respond. I'd expected to be done, but he too my hesitation for consent and took hold of my wrist. Within a second he'd pushed the token into my purse and after that I knew I couldn't say no without causing a fuss.

He backed up with me until we were back at the bench. There was no foreplay, and no ceremony as he quickly freed his erection and pulled me down to straddle over it and his lap.

Still trying to process what was happening, he pulled me down onto him. I gasped at the suddenness and tried to lift off, but he simply yanked me back down, twice more I tried to lift off only for his strong hands to drive me straight back onto him. After that I yielded, letting him set the pace, and screw me. It hurt a little at first, but my body was definitely growing used to what I now required of it.

Quicker than even he promised, he soon orgasmed inside me, yanking on my hips to drive me down onto him as he jerked with each spurt of cum deep inside.

"Not bad," he said as he pushed me back up and onto my feet before he got up too. "See you around, I'm sure."

Without another word, he walked off, leaving me standing there. Edward was nearby, coming closer for a moment, only to freeze and backstep again, looking over my shoulder. I turned, hearing a foot on the gravel. Kioshi stood there, a dark look on his face. For a second, fear clutched at my heart. Did he mean me harm, but he looked out towards the view. More than once we'd stood or sat here and looked out over the city.

I took a couple of deep breaths to steady myself, my hands going to my purse to find the time and see if I could stay there or, if I needed to put the half hour I'd just been paid for into the device. Was it worth declaring?

But even if I could make my mind up, I realised I didn't know my previous customers name. I frowned as I stared at my scheduler, the token in my other hand.

"You can search for his name on the database. He'll have to accept it on his end for it to be officially recognised, but it will keep your sponsor from thinking you should be back any time now," Kioshi said, once again appearing to read my mind.

He stepped back to my side and quickly showed me how to do as he suggested, even putting in the man's name for me.

"Thank you," I whispered once it was all done.

"Just make sure you give the token to your sponsor when you get back," he said, "Or it won't add up and you'll be charged for the miscalculation in a few days when the system catches up."

He finally looked at me then, his eyes almost haunted, but it was barely more than a glance. After I'd tucked everything away, I stepped closer, my focus on the view as well.

"You seem to be adjusting to your new life," he said a moment later.

"I'm surviving," I replied, not sure what else I could say. I knew he hated it, but I owed him everything. He'd kept my secret when he could easily have ruined me. And still could.

"The others like you. Everyone is talking about how good it is to screw you."

"Surely not everyone. Not yet. It's only been three days."

Kioshi burst out laughing, the response only slightly funny, but his sudden mirth set me off as well, and before I knew it we were both so amused we couldn't stop, a single glance setting each other off again until tears rolled down our cheeks and my sides hurt.

When we finally calmed he pulled a hip flask from somewhere and took a long pull before offering it to me as well. I accepted, grateful for the strong drink. It burned my throat and warmed my stomach, making me sigh.

"Is it hard?" he asked.

I raised my eyebrows, surprised by the question, but eventually I nodded.

"Most people are telling me it gets easier, but it's going to have to get a lot easier to not make me feel like I want to scream on the inside every time another stranger offers me money and I have to say yes."

"They can't all be strangers forever," he said. "Although I think, to me, that would somehow be worse."

"I think it depends on the man," I replied, not sure how much to say. Did he know how his friend felt about me? I know Kioshi had felt strong feelings before he'd learned of my past, but did the two men talk much?

I didn't dare ask. Kioshi didn't strike me as a man who liked to talk about his feelings, or those of others, but I never got a chance to ask anyway. He tucked the hip flask away and kissed the back of my hand.

"Until the next time," he said, striding away before I could reply. A moment later Edward was on my shoulder.

"Come on, princess," my protector said. "Time to get you home."

More than a little tired suddenly. I slipped my arm into his and leaned on him. Home. Yes, I was ready to go back to the court. But it wasn't home. Not yet. If it would ever be.