Chapter 3
EVEN WHEN LUCIANUS BECAME OF SUITABLE AGE, he was never particularly attracted to women. Perhaps it was due to his straightforward nature, or perhaps his childhood memory with Juliana had traumatized him. In any case, he had assumed that he’d grown distrusting of women, but as he pleasured himself while thinking of Dominatus, another possibility popped into his head. Do I actually like men instead?
It wasn’t uncommon or discouraged for nobles to have affairs with men of lower standing as a pleasurable pastime. However, not once had Lucianus found himself attracted to a member of the same sex. He couldn’t accept that his romantic inclinations had shifted seemingly overnight.
His inquisitive mind that he usually used for his studies was now pointed at himself. He was the type to be curious about his own thoughts and wanted answers to any lingering questions. He didn’t want any mysteries. Lucianus had always been this way since he was a child.
After much agonizing, he finally concluded that paying for a male prostitute might give him a deeper understanding of his nature. And so, one morning, he posed this request to Kaira.
“I’d like to go to a brothel,” Lucianus said.
Kaira, who was tucking in hems of his master’s toga, widened his eyes and froze in place. “Huh?” he asked.
“Is it strange for me to visit a brothel?”
“N-no, nothing like that at all. I was just a bit surprised is all. I’ve recommended a brothel to you numerous times in the past, but you didn’t seem even the least bit interested. You’re of age, so it’s only natural for you to be interested in women, Lord Lucianus. In fact, you should’ve been interested in them sooner. Studying is rather splendid, but you’re still young. You should enjoy becoming intimate with women as well.”
Lucianus felt pity for Kaira, who was clearly overjoyed to learn that his eccentric master was finally interested in women, but it felt even crueler to give false hope.
“I won’t be with a woman,” Lucianus corrected. He was determined to tell the truth here. “I’d like to buy the company of a male prostitute. Could you introduce me to a place that has one?”
“A man?” Kaira asked with astonishment.
He was visibly shocked, unable to believe what he was hearing. Lucianus had expected this reaction and maintained his composure.
“Indeed, a man,” Lucianus replied. “I realized that perhaps I haven’t been interested in women not because I simply prefer to study, but because I may be into men. I’d like to hire a male prostitute and test this hypothesis.”
“I don’t think you’ve had homosexual tendencies, my lord…” Kaira replied.
“If I don’t know myself, how in the world would you know?” Lucianus asked. He came off more strongly than he expected and didn’t mean to raise his voice. “I’m sorry. Quite honestly, I have no clue. I’m admittedly a bit doubtful. But as this pertains to myself, I’d like to know about my tendencies. I can only make this sort of request to you, Kaira. Would you please take me to a brothel?”
Kaira looked reluctant upon hearing that his master was trying to purchase a man, but it was extremely rare for Lucianus to make this sort of request.
“Your wish is my command,” Kaira relented with a nod. “I do know of a man who’s knowledgeable in such affairs. I shall find the best brothel possible, so please be at ease.”
“Thank you,” Lucianus replied. “I’m always grateful for your loyalty.”
“Your words are too kind.”
Complicated emotions must’ve swirled within Kaira’s mind, but he saw through Lucianus to the awkwardness he was feeling. The servant flashed a gentle smile and lowered his head.
Kaira was competent and very quick. Within the same day, he found a brothel that was rumored to be the best in Dyna called Mrs. Skradia’s Palace, located on Kethria Street. It was an exclusive, expensive brothel where members were accepted via invitation only. Though the place cost a good bit more than the usual, guests could enjoy beautiful men and women who had been gathered from around the globe. It was renowned for the sheer variety of prostitutes that were available.
“Unlike Bertiaka Palace, they don’t handle children, and the expensive price tag means that only nobles and the wealthy are allowed to go there,” Kaira explained. “Which implies that customers who use the place are of high birth. It’s a brothel where one can relax and enjoy themselves. What would you like to do, my lord?”
“Sounds good to me,” Lucianus replied. “I shall head there tomorrow afternoon.”
Kaira looked tempted to say a few words, but he held his tongue, believing that this was an important step forward in adulthood for Lucianus.
The next day, Lucianus left the manor with Kaira in tow; the servant looked rather restless, but Lucianus didn’t seem at all nervous. Though he’d never held any sexual relations with another person, since he’d be with a professional, he believed he could entrust everything to the other party. All he wanted to do was to gauge his sexual inclination as he was doing the act.
At a glance, Mrs. Skradia’s Palace on Kethria Street resembled an expensive residence. It didn’t look like a brothel. When Kaira knocked on the iron door, a small window opened, and a man peeked out.
“We’ve been introduced by Olnax,” Kaira said, placing a single silver derrita into the man’s hand, as customers had to partially pay their fees in advance. The doors opened, and Lucianus and Kaira were ushered inside. Despite its more mundane exterior, the interior was anything but a normal house.
Sofas lined the entrance hall, and young men and women were elegantly seated on top, smiling at their customers. Both the men and the women only had a thin piece of cloth tied around their waists, leaving them all practically naked. Numerous gold chains adorned their chests and waists, and with every movement, a bewitching glimmer flashed on their breasts and stomachs. A sweet scent filled the brothel, the aroma so thick that it was almost intoxicating. Was it incense? The doors in the back opened, and an elderly woman approached, her white hair tied up neatly. Lucianus guessed that she was Mrs. Skradia.
“Welcome, dear noble,” she said. “I thank you for visiting my palace. I’ve prepared the best butterflies for you, so that you may enjoy your time here to the fullest. Now then, I ask that you choose the butterfly that you desire.”
It seemed the prostitutes here were referred to as “butterflies.”
“Any man will do,” Lucianus replied.
“You mustn’t say that, noble one,” the mistress said. “Even a butterfly has pride. No one will be happy to serve you should anyone do for your desires. I ask that you please choose a butterfly that appeals to you and shower them with your utmost affection.”
Lucianus felt embarrassed to receive such a warning. No doubt she saw him as a young man who had no manners.
“I apologize, mistress,” Lucianus said. “This is my first time ever being in a place such as this, and I have no idea what etiquette or rules to follow. I ask that you forgive my insolent attitude.”
“Oh my, you’re quite the honest one, aren’t you? Then just for today, why don’t I specially choose our best and most perfect butterfly for you? Cornicines, will you please call Raifa for me?”
The man stationed behind her nodded and left. After a short while, a man with glossy, dark hair tied behind his head emerged from the depths of the palace. He looked to be only a few years older than Lucianus. This man, Raifa, was shockingly gorgeous. His dark skin gave off a dull luster, and his dark eyelashes perfectly framed his dark eyes. A single glance from him would surely bewitch anyone in his path. Coupled with his long limbs and beautiful, firm muscles, his elegant physique was like a work of art. His graceful steps were reminiscent of a black panther.
“Raifa, this is our noble guest’s first time with us,” the mistress said. “He’s not used to playing with butterflies.”
“So I’ve heard,” the man replied. He turned to Lucianus. “Noble guest, welcome. My name is Raifa.”
The mistress looked to Kaira. “As for your attendant, I ask that he wait in a room over there.”
Kaira reluctantly left.
“This way, please,” Raifa said.
He guided Lucianus deeper into the building, the corridor continuing on for a good while. Doors lined on either side, implying that there were many rooms. The shrill moans of women and the gruff cries of men could be heard from beyond the doors. Raifa stopped in front of a certain door and opened it. Inside the room, glossy, satin textiles hung from the ceiling, and the space was decorated with intricate ornaments. There was also a canopy bed and a sofa, and Lucianus decided to take a seat on the sofa.
“Mrs. Skradia has taken a liking to you,” Raifa said. “It’s extremely rare for her to send me to a first-time customer.”
He sat beside Lucianus and poured a glass of wine from a bottle on the table. Lucianus took the glass that was placed in front of him and gazed at the beautiful prostitute’s face.