397 Chapter 158
Maxi's face clouded with confusion. "Is it...not a bathhouse?"
"It is, but..." the knight hesitated, briefly appearing troubled before forcing a smile. "It is no place for a lady such as yourself."
Frowning, Maxi scrutinized the long row of tents enclosed by the fence. Though somewhat worn, they did not look disreputable. Laborers navigated between the rows, balancing buckets on shoulder yokes, while maidservants carried laundry hampers toward a small stream. Beyond the tents, a stable housed horses and donkeys. A wooden structure, which she assumed was a tavern, stood beside it, filled with soldiers enjoying food and drink around outdoor tables.
Maxi's brows knitted together. Certainly, a place teeming with rowdy men was no place for a woman of noble birth. But had she not spent the last few months mingling with thousands of soldiers? Pretending to be prim and proper now would be absurd.
She turned to Elliot, her eyes filled with longing. "But one can bathe there, yes?"
"Well..." The knight averted his gaze before adding with a sigh, "My lady, the baths are a place where transactions are made with men."
Dumbfounded, Maxi stared at Elliot. "Are you saying...I am not allowed to use them because I am a woman?"
"N-No, that is not what I-"
"They are essentially brothels, my lady."Explore the beginning of this data at n0v^lbin★
Maxi's head snapped around to find Ruth, who had been riding ahead, now trotting next to her.
"You had best steer clear," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Sir Riftan would be livid if you even thought about visiting the baths."
Flustered, Maxi's eyes darted between Ruth and Elliot. That both men, who had never shown interest in such vices, were aware of the bathhouses' true nature made her feel unexpectedly disenchanted.
"I-I wouldn't want to deprive you of your entertainment," she retorted icily.
"Your ladyship wounds me greatly," Ruth said indignantly. "Why would I pay to do that with a complete stranger? Even if you paid me a chest full of gold, I wouldn't be tempted."
Maxi shot him a sidelong look, pondering just how deep his vanity and audacity could go.
As she was sizing up the sorcerer's gaunt face and thin frame, Elliot interjected in an aggrieved voice, "I am not fond of such places either, my lady. But after a life on battlefields, one inevitably learns of their existence."
"Are such places...common near battlefields?"
"An army encampment is rarely without one."
They looked over as maidservants emerged from behind the fence to beckon the knights. Maxi watched with a steely expression as the young women, scantily dressed despite the chill, attempted to lure a group of passing soldiers. One woman was in nothing but a robe, which she provocatively parted. Blushing, Maxi averted her eyes when she inadvertently caught a glimpse of the woman's bare body. Her gaze then darted to her husband at the head of the army. She would never forgive him if he showed even a sliver of interest in any of these women.
As if aware of his wife's scrutiny, Riftan was focused steadfastly ahead. Eventually, he halted the march upon reaching what appeared to be a military base.
Maxi took in her surroundings as she slid off her horse. A four-store watchtower loomed next to the high palisade. The adjacent armory and guardhouse were the only stone structures she had seen since they had entered the city.
"Either way," Riftan said, brushing back his long front locks and fixing her with an irritable stare. "You are staying here."
"Is that...really necessary? I could stay in another tent."
"I've been lenient because we are at war, but," Riftan said, his eyes chilling, "it vexes me to no end to see you sharing a tent with other men."
Maxi's vacant expression turned into a scowl. It was true that men and women often shared barracks during campaigns, but exhaustion left everyone too worn out for anything beyond sleep. She was about to argue this point when she realized she would be equally jealous if Riftan were there with other women. No doubt she would have fought tooth and nail to prevent it.
However, admitting this to herself would only worry her all night, given the camp's proximity to the brothels.
"Th-Then let us sleep separately in the same tent!" Maxi suggested desperately. "Your private tent is large enough. We can sleep on opposite-"
"Stop being stubborn and do as I say," he interrupted, emphasizing each word sharply.
Maxi bit her lip. She trusted Riftan, but trust did not quell her unease.
Finally, she looked up. "I don't want to."
"What?"
"I don't want to!"
Riftan's eyes darted between her and the inviting building. "Is the place not to your liking? It's humble compared to the castle but still better than -"
"Y-You foolish man! That is not the reason at all!" Fuming, Maxi pointed to the public baths. "H-H-How could I leave you alone with such...establishments nearby?"
For the first time, Riftan seemed to fully register the presence of the brothels. Still, he looked baffled by her objection.
"What is the problem?" he asked, frowning.
"Th-The problem?"
Riftan let out a bark of laughter. "Are you afraid I'll go buy myself a woman?"
Maxi winced at the derision in his voice.
"I-It's not that I don't trust you," she said, her shoulders hunched. "But.."
"But what?"
He folded his arms, waiting.
After nervously shifting her eyes, Maxi blurted out, "But...a-a woman might sneak into your tent after falling for you at f-first sight! Who's to say...y-you won't... m-mistake her for me in your sleep?"