The Crown Prince's Courtesan - Chapter 8
What do I do?
For a moment, everything went black. She was terrified. Marie forgot how to breathe. The man across from her leered, slowly drinking in her fear with a chuckle.
“A legally binding contract, reinforced with magical seals. You see what’s listed as collateral here? Huh? It’s you.”
Her lips trembled.
Father… please.
How could you do this to us?
What on earth have you done?
“You—You hid this? You hid it?”
The man’s yellow teeth gleamed as he smirked.
“Well, how else was I gonna make sure you’d end up in my hands? And don’t think that’s the only document!”
How could this be happening? Beneath the contract the man pointed to, her name — Marie Alphrose — was clearly written in a familiar hand.
It was her deceased father’s handwriting. Of course. These bastards had lived their lives dancing on the edge of illegality. They would’ve built in countless escape routes, just in case. And if she didn’t pay the money and nullify the contract before the due date…
“I’ll give you until the deadline.”
If not, Marie and her younger sister Freja would fall into slavery.
“Until then, keep yourself clean and ready! The old Alpha nobles lining up to spoil you can’t wait!”
The man’s raucous laughter made her stomach churn.
It felt like a living hell.
* * *
The next day, despite her aunt’s pale and desperate pleas, Mari set out. Her destination: the professor’s office. She entered, shut the door behind her, and met his gaze directly.
“Professor. I’ll do it.”
“…”
It was a choice, if it could be called that. The professor, who had once offered it to her in a way that felt more like an insult than an opportunity, asked again — this time with a flicker of something like concern.
“Have you thought this through? Once chosen, there’s no going back.”
She knew that once she stepped into that world, there would be no return. An Omega with the label of courtesan — her name would be dragged into the mud beyond salvation. Marie Alphrose’s life would plummet into ruin.
Still, she would fight to the end. She would not meekly fall into bondage.
“Yes. I’ll do it.”
Unlike yesterday, there was no misery in her voice.
“But I have conditions. I want one million gold in advance within a month. I’m selling my life. That much is reasonable, isn’t it?”
If she was going to wade into filth, she would choose which swamp to sink in.
Even in the Garden of Courtesans, she could still refuse. If she didn’t choose, that was the end of it.
Marie was certain that she wouldn’t give in to such temptation.
How foolishly certain she was.
* * *
‘Marie. I’m so worried. That kind of money, so suddenly… Are you really okay? I have a bad feeling about this. Whatever it is, we can figure it out together. Please, cancel it now. Whatever it is, don’t do it, my dear!’
‘I’m fine, Auntie. You know this is something I have to take care of myself. I can’t keep asking for help… And I can’t go on living like this. Ah, Auntie, please… don’t make that face. Once was enough. You already saved Pria and me once. That’s more than enough.’
‘Why would you say something like that? We’re family, Marie.’
‘Yes, exactly. That’s why. Because we’re family.’
‘Auntie, please. Just for one month, could you take Freya and go somewhere safe? I’ll take care of everything before then. I have a way. I will fix this.’
‘Marie…’
‘Please. Just trust me. Okay?’
‘…Sigh. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help to you.’
Marie managed to convince her aunt, but that didn’t mean anything was truly safe.
‘Even if you pay it off, there’ll just be another contract waiting!’
The debt collector’s words lingered in her mind. If she combined the advance with what she’d managed to save, she might just make it in time to meet their deadline.
But after that?
What guarantee did she have that something worse wouldn’t happen? What guarantee that they wouldn’t come again? How could she protect her family then? What was the best option?
Through the fog of her mind, a sharp voice suddenly cut in:
“Are you zoning out already? Hey, newbie! Did you forget you’re only here because the professor personally requested your placement?”
Right. That was true.
Reality hit like a slap of cold water.
“I’m sorry.”
“You do understand what kind of people come here, right? These are high-ranking Alphas. They won’t tolerate mistakes. And no one’s going to protect you if you mess up. So keep your head straight.”
“Yes, ma’am. Understood.”
This was it. She had accepted the professor’s dreadful proposal. And now Marie stood inside the Garden of Courtesans, the exclusive Alpha club.
