His Highness's Second Wife
His Highness’s Second Wife Chapter 30

“Hey, hey, what do you think you’re doing?” Kara hissed as she blocked Raena’s path. “You should be in bed, you’re still sick!”

“I’m not sick. I just overworked myself a little.” Raena rolled her eyes, adding with a mocking grin, “I’m better now, thanks to your tender care!”

“This wasn’t just overworking and you know it! Your symptoms were one of poisoning!” Kara said stubbornly. “I don’t know what happened and who might have done it, but..”

“The doctor said I wasn’t poisoned. And if I was, do you think l would be standing here right now?” Raena threw her hands in the air. “So stop it already. I’m fine, Kara.” Raena laughed, trying to go around her, but Kara blocked her again. “I don’t have a fever anymore. Nothing hurts, my taste is back to normal and my head is clear. I will not be spending another minute in bed, even if it means tackling you to the ground. And I will, I promise you!” That seemed to make Kara hesitate, so Raena took the opportunity, sneaking under her stretched arms and hurrying to the door. She quickly opened it and stepped into the corridor where the chances of Kara trying to stop her were much slimmer. She wouldn’t dare act so brazenly where people could see her.

Raena’s eyes landed on Zen, who was waiting by her door, leaning on the wall with his arms crossed. He looked her over from head to toe as if making sure she was in one piece before his attention diverted to Kara, who followed outside with a dark look on her face.

“Do you know what will happen if you get sick again? Or poisoned for real? I’ll be flogged to death!” she hissed, looking up and down the corridor.”

The third prince sent his personal physician to check on you, and the first wife sent a nurse and medicine! They are both watching the residence right now! They can’t be seeing you going out and about like this! Please, think of the people working here!”

“l am aware, Kara,” Raena said, letting her smile drop. “But I can’t stay here any longer. The restaurant opens in two days and I have been cooped up in here for five. I have to check in with them and make sure everything is ready. Marden sent three messages asking to see me. I am not doing this because l am bored.”

Her maid pursed her lips, letting out annoyed sigh.

“Fine. Then how do you plan to get out” Raena smiled, digging into the bag she was holding and pulling out a long, dark wig.

“Through the front door, obviously!” she grinned. “l asked Elene to lend me a maid’s uniform, but she is late, sol was about to go replace her.”

“She is probably still drawing. l’ll go get her” Kara sighed. A group of maids appeared from one of the doors at the end of the corridor, looking toward them. Kara shot her a glance and Raena raised her hands in surrender, retreating into her zoom. She motioned for Zen to follow, and he slipped after her, closing the door.

“You can get ready here. You should hide the sword too, since nobody but you and the guards are allowed to carry a weapon inside the residence,” she said, turning her back on him and stepping toward the mirror. She picked her hair and pulled it in a bun on the back of her head, tying it with a ribbon while watching his reflection move to take off his jacket and the scabbard on his waist.

“Are you sure you’re well enough to go out?” he asked, glancing at her as he slicked his hair back before putting his short black wig on.

“I’m fine!” Raena replied readily. It was strange looking at herself with the same hair color she used to have before coming here. Her old face was getting even blurrier in her memories, and she wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing.

“I don’t like this color on you,” Zen said, making her focus on his reflection, which was now standing right behind hers.

“Well, I’ll keep that in mind” Raena chuckled, pulling her dark hair in a low, loose braid like the maids usually wore theirs. As she finished, she stared at the mirror thoughtfully- her disguise wasn’t going to fool anyone who had seen her up close, but it was good enough for the new maids and the guards.

She felt something tickle her cheek and flinched, only then realizing it was Zen’s finger that had touched her. She stared at him in surprise, wondering when he had moved so close.

“There isa string of blonde hair sticking out” he said, pointing at her ear. “May I?”

“Sure, thank you.” Raena said awkwardly, looking forward. From the corner of her eye, she watched him tuck the strand behind her ear and under the wig.

“Do you have something to say?” he asked suddenly. “You keep looking at me as if you want to say something.”

“Ah, no.” She smiled, running her fingers over her ear to make sure there was no more blonde hair sticking out.

“Do I make you nervous when I stand this close?” he asked, leaning further down so his eyes were at the level of hers. Raena was about to say a firm no, but the gray storm brewing in his gaze made her forget what they were talking about. A pleased smile blossomed on his lips, softening his sharp features. “I’m glad. If l can make Miss Raena flustered when she is always so in control of herself, then I can make her have other feelings as well.”

“How cheeky!” Raena laughed after she took a moment to compose herself. Zen beamed happily.

She was afraid things would continue to be awkward after that confession, but he didn’t try to pressure her even once. He was just the same as before-well, mostly. She had no idea if this new balance was going to lead to something, but as long as he wasn’t pushing for things she wasn’t willing to give, she could play along and see where things would go.

The door behind them opened, and Kara walked in, giving them a suspicious look. She strode to the bed and put the maid uniform she was holding on it, circling Raena and stopping behind her. Raena sensed a few pulls as Kara unfastened the ties on her dress when the maid suddenly stopped.

“What are you doing?” Kara asked, and Raena froze, wondering what she meant. She turned her head only to replace out that Kara wasn’t looking at her, but Zen. “Get out of the room, or at least turn around. Have you no shame?”

“My apologies,” Zen murmured, turning his back on them.

Raena sensed the dress slide off her shoulders and stepped out of it, picking up the maid’s uniform and slipping it over her head. Kara helped her with the buttons on the back while she did the ones on her wrists, and in a couple of minutes she was staring at her reflection, barely able to recognize herself.

“That’ll do. Let’s go.”

“We’re all set for the big day!” Raena sighed as she adjusted the veil on her face, looking around the restaurant. They had reached it without being followed and she had changed into one of Madam Lydia’s dresses that Kara had ordered a few weeks ago.

Raena had inspected the restaurant from top to bottom, tested the cooks, the two managers and the two girls that had come from the brothel and were going to take the roles of hostesses. Everyone knew their task perfectly, and she was glad to see they were almost as excited for the big opening as she was.

Two more days and she was going to either make it big or crash and burn pitifully. She believed the Empress would keep her word, but considering the reputation of the street and the fact that she was a no-name in a very competitive business venue, there was always a risk.

A knock came from the door and Raena called for them to enter. Jaswyn, one of the hostesses, poked her head in, looking around anxiously.

“Sorry to disturb you, Madam Lydia, but Marden came looking for you. He asked to tell you to go next door once you’re free,” the girl said quickly, throwing Zen a nervous look.

“Thank you, Jaswyn. I’ll be right there,” Raena said. “If everyone is ready with their work, you can go. We’ll lock up.”

“Yes, Madam!” The girl nodded, her head disappearing from the door.

Raena gave Zen a nod, and he got up from the sofa, following her without a word. They snuck out through the back door, mooing down the narrow alley behind the buildings that led to the brothel’s back entrance. The space was properly cleaned now and someone even tried scrubbing the cobblestones clean close to the restaurant.

Zen opened the door for her and they stepped through the short, dark corridor that led past the bar and into the reception room for the nobles. The whole place was sparkling clean, with the lights dimmed just enough to create a sensual atmosphere. There was a sweet aroma in the air, but Marden had promised they wouldn’t use any more opium.

“Ah, you’re here!” Marden’s husky voice made her turn just as he appeared through one of the other doors. He turned around and shouted.

Arissa, call everyone here!” He looked back at Raena, his smile dropping. “What’s with the dark circles under your eyes? Have you lost weight? Are you sick?”

“I’m fine,” Raena said, surprised at his sudden attentiveness. Marden narrowed his eyes at her as if planning to say something else, but then Arissa appeared from the same door he came in, followed by a line of men and women all dressed in an assortment of clothes ranging from teasingly transparent down to leather straps and skimpy underwear. Raena had to give it to Arissa, she really was innovative in picking the outfits.

Raena glanced at Zen and almost laughed for the first time since she met him he seemed taken aback by something and his expression was a mix of confusion and surprise.

“What do you think?” Marden asked with proud smile, glancing at her while his workers lined up in front of them. “They cost me a lot more than I expected, but you said not to spare expenses.”

“They are all here of their own volition?” Raena asked.

“What’s with the sudden distrust?” Marden frowned, crossing his arms. “You said no slaves and decent pay. When they heard my offer, they literally begged to suck my d!ck!”

“Right.” Raena nodded, looking at the group. You told them about the other thing?”

“M-hm.” Marden nodded quickly, glancing at Zen for a second before turning toward the group.

“So? Do you approve?”

“They look great!”

He had taken her advice and focused on diversity – tall and short, slim and chubby, they were all standing out on their own. There was even a woman with flaming ginger hair and freckles dotting her cheeks, whose eyes were such a beautiful shade of green, even Raena felt jealous for a second.

She moved her attention to the men and smile – one of them was even taller than Marden, with thick muscles and piercing black eyes; the one next to him was short and skinny and his face was so pretty, he could have passed for a girl if it wasn’t for the flat chest beneath his unbuttoned shirt.

This felt weird. She knew that in this time and place, working in a brothel was a normal thing for many people and those who frequented the brothels found it even more mundane, but in her world, this situation would have been viewed very differently. She had to remind herself that she was no longer in the real world and all of those people were old enough to make their own decisions.

“Listen up!” Marden said, raising his voice. “I am not one to give speeches, but here we go. We are trying to do things differently here. It may be hard and strange in the beginning, but l expect you all to try your best to fulfill the role you’ve been given. We may be in charge, but without your hard work, we can’t succeed. So do your best and come to me if there is a problem.”

He glanced at Raena, then returned his attention back to the group.

“In my absence, Arissa is in charge!” He added, motioning toward the woman. She was leaning on the bar with a glass of alcohol in hand and a pose showing perfectly the outlines of her body underneath the black dress she was wearing. Her chest was moderately covered this time, and her skirt had no slits on it. The fabric of the dress and the cut made all of that irrelevant, since one could imagine every little thing underneath the cloth.

“Also,” Marden continued, moving his hand to point at Raena, “this is Madam Lydia. She is the manager of the restaurant next door. She is also my business partner, so what she says goes. If I hear that anyone refused an order from her or disrespected her in any way, you’re out, no questions asked” Raena felt their eyes on her, studying her curiously, then one by one everyone nodded.

“Great!” Marden smiled as if he hadn’t threatened them just a moment ago. “Bathe, eat, rest. I want you all in top shape for our big debut.”