[Lucas]
It was a couple more minutes before I opened the door of the convenience to step out. I and Han had agreed that I would go out first then he some time later to avoid any suspicion from anyone who could be observing us. Well, the universe must have thought 'to hell with that' for as I opened the door I was met face to face with a manservant whose hand was raise and was about to knock on the door, behind him a couple of wide eyed surprised maids.
Damn it.
What to say?
Just then and as if to make matters worse, Colonel Halkin walked towards us, with some servants following him. Oh shit!
"There you are, my friend, I was beginning to wonder if you had sneaked away again" Halkin said laughing and because it seemed like he was referring to some inside joke between him and Viceroy Holtan – who I now am – I laughed as well, albeit forced, horribly fake with a hint of nervous.
"Well, what do we have here?" the Colonel said when he stopped laughing, looking from myself to Han – the maid.
I gulped.
Here comes the hard part, what story should we present? What should I say? I cast a side glance at Han, but the asshole didn't look up at me he was too busy playing the role of a lowly maid who wouldn't dare look up to the eyes of her superiors, like Viceroy Holtan Wu.
Yes, that's true! I just realized that here I am the important Viceroy Holtan Wu of Pearl province, friend to the Colonel, of what am I afraid?
"What do you mean Halk?" I asked the Colonel, putting on a look I hope seemed unaffected, I believe we have a discussion to get back to, there is nothing important here?"
As I spoke I began to move away, headed back to where I came from. When I saw the Colonel was not following me, I stopped and look at him
"I am coming" he said to me after taking a long look at Han. Then to his house workers he said, "Get back to work all of you!"
When I saw he was coming behind me, I heaved a sigh of relief.
***
"She is a pretty one, that one" Colonel Halkin said out of nowhere about thirty minutes later as we now stood on his humongous front steps to his castle, as I am about to take my leave.
Not getting what or who he is talking about, I asked "What? Who are you talking about?" looking around I couldn't see the pretty lady he was talking about.
"Not here, I mean the maid you were with" He clarified. I wanted to laugh, the maid may have a pretty face but all I see is Han and that asshole is not pretty, though he would argue otherwise.
Continuing, the Colonel said "She is not usually the type you would go for, but it is no surprise you want her too. I get it, there is something about her, that is just different"
Whoa! Hold it right there. I want who?
"I assure you, my friend, you have it all wrong, there is no 'wanting' here" I said, refusing to let there be any misunderstanding of what happened back at the bathroom where I was caught with Han. "I suppose she has a pretty face but there is nothing there.
Looking at my face as though trying to read me, the Colonel said "I see"
Inwardly, I sighed, grateful he is dropping the matter, only for him to say next "When you do change your mind, we could strike a bargain for her"
I hope he doesn't mean what I think, because that would be really pissing off. Does he sell off his servants like that to any man who may show interest? That means if some other man comes along he would sell Han to them without asking if Han wants that.
It just doesn't seat well with me, but well, it could be how things are done here. Without another word, I got into my silver carriage as the Colonel bid me farewell.
I just hope that the next time I come around, I won't here Han has been given away in a bargain. It does sound funny that Han is a woman here who can be in such a situation – a lowly maid in the Colonel's household—but it is not funny, really.
Okay, I will admit, Han's being a maid in this world is funny. I always thought he screamed and spoke a lot like a girl would. Typical.