Lewd Courtship - Chapter 51

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In some alleyway, green weeds peeked out through the cracks of the winding stone path. On the old brick wall, a faded drawing of a male organ lingered, and a stale, musty smell hung in the air, carried along by the wind.

Rachel pulled her hood down lower to block the stench. Her steps were heavy, but she did not stop moving forward. Beside her, Mari, her face stiff, called her by the false name they had agreed upon in advance.

“Your High— no, Lady Ella. There are a lot of rumors saying this place is really dangerous. Your wrist is still in pain, so wouldn’t it be better to just turn back?”

“I told you, it’s already healed.”

“Still…”

“Maria, just follow me.”

Rachel firmly cut off Maria’s worries. After all, this was the place she had managed to learn about only with great difficulty.

She couldn’t possibly turn back now, not after even taking the d**g.
She quickened her steps, and before long she reached the end of the alley.
In the center of the dead end stood a red velvet door that seemed completely out of place, flaunting its presence.

‘Voluptas……’

Rachel’s eyes went to the large nameplate hung above the door. Voluptas—the name of the goddess who presided over pleasure and happiness.

The fact that it was here meant she had indeed come to the right place.

According to rumor, one had to knock on the door four times with a fist to open it.
Rachel curled her fingers into a fist and knocked on the soft velvet door.

Thud, thud-thud, thud.

A strangely muffled sound echoed through the alley.

After a brief silence, she heard the heavy sound of a lock being released.
The door slowly opened, and someone appeared.

‘How extravagant.’

Rachel quickly scanned the figure.

It was a splendidly dressed person, wearing a crimson coat—red like the door itself—over a lace shirt. A moonstone brooch sparkled at their chest, and neatly groomed silver hair flowed down past the shoulders.

A woman? A man…?

The bold features of the face were softened by faint makeup, making it difficult to tell their gender. The voice, too, was androgynous—not low, not high—yet it greeted Rachel warmly.

“Welcome to Voluptas. I am the manager. Did you happen to make… a reservation?”

“Ella.”

Rachel calmly spoke the alias she had used when making the reservation.
The maître d’ nodded and stepped aside. Rachel and Maria carefully entered.

‘Wow…….’

Rachel was inwardly astonished as she looked around inside. The interior was completely different from the shabby exterior. Crimson velvet curtains and chandeliers, paired with dark wooden floors, created a seductive atmosphere. A sweet fragrance drifting in from somewhere deepened the mood even further.

“This way, please.”

With a practiced gesture, the maître d’ indicated a room in the corner. Rachel and Maria briefly exchanged glances before following him.

Inside the room, a cozy consultation space had been prepared. Perhaps the maître d’ was a lover of the color red, for even the sofa was a wine shade.

Rachel sat down on the sofa. Maria, her expression uneasy, took a seat beside her. Across from them, the maître d’ set paper and a quill pen down on the table. Several categories were neatly written across the sheet.

[Type of pleasure
Level of pain
Use of tools
Inclusion of verbal instructions
Means of restraint
Obedience or resistance
Eye restriction
Presence of spectators
Emergency stop signal]

Rachel blinked at the unfamiliar words. The more she read, the faster her heart began to race.

“Since it seems this is your first time, I should first explain the emergency stop signal. If you wish to stop during play, you may simply call out the name of our establishment.”

As she kept her eyes fixed on the paper, the maître d’ began explaining kindly.

She followed his words and marked each item in order. Though she was cautious with each choice, she didn’t hesitate for long.

“All done.”

Rachel handed over the paper after completing her checks. The manager picked it up, studied it carefully, and then rose from his seat with a satisfied smile.

“Good. It may be challenging for a beginner, but with the combination you’ve chosen, the third-level room will be appropriate. Please, follow me.”

Rachel drew in a small breath. Her palms had grown damp from the tension. She clenched and unclenched her fists before standing. Mari also rose awkwardly, trying once again to dissuade her.

“Lady Ella, perhaps you should reconsider this. This is…”

“I’ve already decided. Wait here.”

Rachel’s gaze and tone were resolute. Once she was in such a state, not even a king could stop her. In the end, Mari could say nothing more and simply clasped her own hands tightly together.

Rachel, having solidified her resolve, gave the manager a signal. He quietly turned and led the way forward. Without hesitation, Rachel followed after him.

The corridor stretched long beneath the dim lighting. Thick iron doors lined both sides, tightly shut, and from within, not a single sound seeped out.

The thought of soon stepping into one of those rooms made her mouth go dry. Just as she wetted her parched lips, the manager came to a halt before a particular door.

“Then, if you’re ready, please go inside.”