The leather of the old journal felt smooth in my hand. Despite her inability to read the words, Mira had taken immaculate care of the book and kept its bindings oiled. I ran a thumb over the pages and felt their thick crispness on my skin. The pages were held in by twine sewn through the spine and tastefully tied.

  I opened to the first page and began to narrate out loud:

  Journal of Judith

  I had left in the morning to go to my apprenticeship at the bakery when I was arrested by the Royal Guards. They claimed I had harmed a nobleman. I was confused and scared. Then the magistrate sentenced me to a Max Sentence. I felt afraid, not for me, but for Mira. She’s only 10 and needed me to buy food and pay for our room in the tenement. I was saving to try and enroll her in classes to learn how to read like mom and dad were able to do for me before they both passed.

  When I was in the court and the magistrate was telling me my charges, I was confronted by my accuser. It was [REDACTED]. I knew I was being punished because of who my father was. My brown fur and hairless tail brought attention onto me. I’m thankful to the Grand Creator Mira took more after mother. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have gone through [REDACTED].

  A large section of the journal had thick ink covering the words. It was so thoroughly redacted that the pages wrinkled under the heavy application of ink. The Penal Brothel authorities didn’t even allow a hint of what happened revealed to protect whoever Judith was talking about.

  I thought my first day was the worst. After I was sentenced by the magistrate, I was put into a slave collar. I felt compelled to follow orders given to me and I couldn’t resist. The Guards in the transport to the brothel said they had to condition me. The carriage drove slowly while all four took turns. I tried to scream but I was ordered to stay silent.

  When I arrived at the brothel, their conditioning continued. The Warden was the next to take a turn and he told me after this was to ensure tears didn’t flow. He said they can’t order the collar to change our expressions. The conditioning, he said, was to also make our ordered cries of pleasure sound believable. Hearing yourself moan and call out for more when your mind wants it all to stop is the worst form of torture.

  I had to force my hands to remain still because I could feel the urge to crumple the pages. I knew the penal brothel was a terrifying place, but this was outlandish. A brief thought came to mind as I read the pages. Why was I immediately sent to the gallows when I tried to talk about my time loop and not to the Penal Brothels? The worst criminals were only executed after their Max Sentence.

  I pushed that nugget of information to the back of my mind. I felt it was important, but I had to keep reading. I turned the page and continued:

  I forgot about this journal. I don’t know how many weeks it has been. I tried to keep count, but after a while, it becomes a blur. The last number I remember was 14 in one day. My time has been an endless cycle of alchemy injections to ensure I don’t come down with child, fake moans, a water mage cleaning me out, getting healed then the next client. The Warden was pleased because of how much money I was bringing into the nation’s coffers.

  The reason I remembered this journal is because something strange happened today. The Warden arrived with the nobleman [REDACTED] and his heir [REDACTED]. I was to be rented out as an exclusive teacher so the son could gain experience. Even after all I had gone through so far, I felt ill. [REDACTED] was upset [REDACTED] had been an adult for [REDACTED] years and was not experienced in pleasing a woman. I was to be [REDACTED]’s practice.

  This is sick. Now I’m part of the leadership of this twisted system. I can see why Mira and Doun readily joined the Anti-Slavery League.

  I forgot to write in here again. It’s been two weeks and [REDACTED] had brought a book of different positions for [REDACTED] to practice on me. I’m ashamed to admit I’m beginning to enjoy it. He’s gentle and doesn’t hurt me like the clients before. I don’t know if it’s because I’m allowed to rest after just one session and I’m getting better food, but I’m thinking I’m developing feelings for him.

  What made me think of the journal was what he said today. He told me he wants me to be his wife and become a [REDACTED]. He’s been coming by himself as of late and says he can buy my contract from the brothel. I’m finding myself excited. He even said he could arrange to adopt Mira into the family and give her a good life.

  This sounded like Stockholm Syndrome to me. Poor woman was so abused that a little leniency from her captors was seen as kindness.

  [REDACTED] arranged for my injections to cease. He said if I come down with child, I will have to be released. The city would never allow a child of noble blood nor the heir of [REDACTED] to be in a brothel. I would be released when it was confirmed.

  We began our plan and he visited me more often to ensure it worked.

  The next two pages talked about how Judith and the unknown noble heir planned to live their lives and some rather graphic depictions of what they did. I wasn’t about to repeat those parts since I didn’t think Void would need to know that.

  I forgot about the journal again. Today was a disaster. [REDACTED] arrived today with [REDACTED]. [REDACTED] was angry at [REDACTED] when he found out about our plan. [REDACTED] laughed and said my child would never be part of the nobility and I would never be released from the brothel. The baby was destined to be sent to the slums orphanage where I could pick him up when I was released in 42 years.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  [REDACTED] argued with [REDACTED] to no avail. [REDACTED] broke down in tears when he was told I was never going to be released. [REDACTED] then told [REDACTED] he would still come for me when I got out. He would never marry, he would make our child the heir and there was nothing [REDACTED] could do about it because he’d be dead.

  At least this unknown noble heir was a decent sort. The household head had forced this practice on the man and he was trying to make things right. At least that was what Judith thought. It could still be the Stockholm Syndrome speaking.

  I paused and thought a moment. I turned to Void. “Didn’t the Prince mention a Count is without an heir and the King is trying to get him to adopt Damu?”

  The others looked surprised when I mentioned that. Mira gasped. “Do you think he could be the father? Who is it?”

  “I think it’s Count Pelton,” Void said. “He never married or had any kids. The Count has a reputation for being sullen and never happy. His niece stands to inherit the house and she’s usually opposed to Royal initiatives unlike the Count who is a steadfast Royalist. Maybe that’s why the King wants Damu as the next heir.”

  “We’re not going to figure this out here,” Doun said. “There’s only a little left.”

  The journal was thick and I was only a few pages into it. I turned to the next page.

  I forgot about the journal again. I haven’t seen [REDACTED] since that day and my usual work has resumed. I’m mostly given clients who like women with child which, thankfully, are gentle since I don’t want to lose our baby.

  Today was when the baby was born. There was a lot of bleeding. The brothel doctors say I shouldn’t worry and they can handle it.

  I got to hold our baby for the first time. I’m so happy he looks more like mother than father. Good frame, grey fur, thick tail. There isn’t a sign of rat-clan heritage, so I know he won’t suffer for that. I don’t blame my heritage, I’m proud of being my father’s daughter. I just hate what the people do to them.

  The Warden says the baby will be delivered to the orphanage in the slums. I’m not allowed to keep a child here and I can find him after I’m out. They allowed me one kindness: give him a name. I named him Bayle. My sweet little boy Bayle. I hope I get to see you one day and I hope you don’t hate me for not being there for you.

  I’m tired now. I’m going to ask for a rest before I have to go back to work.

  Bayle, Bayle. Why was that name so fa…oh shit! There’s a wolf-clan man named Bayle right now staking out The Gnashing Teeth with Hespeth, Quinn and Ivy who was roughly the right age. Is it possible? I decided to keep silent on that one and investigate it further.

  I flipped to the next page and there was nothing. Page after page was blank until I reached the end.

  I looked up and I could see Mira’s eyes watering. She sniffed and pointed at the book. “The book came with a letter from the brothel. They told me they were sorry for the administrative error. I was supposed to get that journal shortly after Judith passed.”

  “I…” Mira tried to continue before sobbing burst forth. We waited while Doun comforted his wife for a moment. Mira composed herself and continued. “Dr. Payan told me the letter that came with the journal said Judith died from complications from the birth. They didn’t bother healing her.”

  I closed the journal and set it on the floor. I looked at Void who was also trying to hold in her emotions from what I had read. I turned to Mira and Doun. “I want to help you with this.”

  “You don’t need to get involved—” Doun began.

  “No,” I forcefully interrupted him. “What good is this title if I just sit on my ass and do nothing? I abhor slavery in all its forms and I’m not going to let my new status go to waste if it can do something.”

  Doun and Mira were shocked at my statement. I’m not one of those South Will Rise Again types, not that folks here would know what that means. Even the way prisons operate back home bother me. This is a far worse variant of that.

  “We need to fix the immediate problem first,” Void said after she found her voice. “Dad? Mom? You need to sell The Teeth to Oliver.”

  “What!?” both of them exclaimed in tandem.

  “How is that going to solve our problem?” Doun asked. “You said we’re going to be raided.”

  Void took a deep breath and explained her scheme. The whole time, Doun continued to frown at the idea while I noticed Mira showing signs of excitement.

  “Doun!” Mira yelped. “This is a wonderful idea!”

  Doun huffed. “It will keep the law off our operation.”

  “And it will improve our profits!” Mira squealed. She had completely forgotten about the book and her mind instantly reverted back to being a business woman. It made more sense why she was so obsessed with money after what she revealed of her past.

  “I have an alteration to the idea,” Doun said. “Instead of renting the place out, hire us on as managers. If we rent, the Guards can still inspect the place. Plus, if we are hired as managers, we won’t have to pay dues to the Alliance of Taverns and Pubs anymore.”

  These two had a one-track mind. If they weren’t being over-protective of Void, they were all about their business health. It really showed how important their anti-slavery beliefs were to risk both of them.

  “Void? Where do we get this taken care of? We should also hide the evidence in case it takes a while for the bureaucracy to transfer ownership,” I asked.

  Void folded the papers and stuffed them into her trouser pockets. “There’s a Property Registrar Office near Maicee’s. I’ll find somewhere to hide these in case we’re not in time, though I suspect they’ll let you take care of this today because of your status. Dad? I think you and Oliver should go.”

  “I’ll go,” Mira interrupted. “We just got a message Juliette quit and Doun needs to be here in case someone sees the help wanted sign out front.”

  Zelda is already up there, I thought. I stood up, “Alright, let’s get going.”

  Doun and Mira started to laugh when I stood. I looked at them. “What?”

  “You’re not going like that,” Doun chuckled. “Your backside is showing through the hole in your pants and you smell awful.”

  I looked at my backside and there it was, my pale, pasty butt poking through the remains of my decaying shorts. The alley yuck even got onto my shirt and ate away part of it. I put my face into my hands and sighed. Then I took my shirt off and tied it to cover my glutes.

  “I liked seeing it,” Mira giggled.

  “Mom!” Void exclaimed.

  “Before we go, what’s your role in all this?” I asked as I adjusted my shirt over my shorts.

  “We don’t know much,” Doun replied. “We are a drop point. Someone uses the sewer entrance to drop off a list along with a code and a customer at the bar orders with the code up here. We manage information that way. We never see the same person twice. All we know is who our cell coordinator is.”

  “Is that someone you can reveal?” Void asked.

  Mira sighed. “We’ll have to introduce you. It’s Willem.”

  “Willem? The castle mage?” I asked.

  Mira nodded. “His full name is Lansen Willem Boiland.”

  “Duke Boiland is his brother!?” Void yelped.

  “Yes,” Mira replied. “He doesn’t like talking about it since he thinks it’s arrogant to use his title. But it does help protect him against this like you’re trying to do. Having a household head could be helpful.”

  “Alright, I’ll talk with him later. Let’s stop by Maicee’s first,” I said then sniffed myself. “After a quick bath upstairs.”

  After my bath, Mira and I exited the Teeth. Tizek also decided to come along since he was stressing over failing to perform his duty as my knight. I decided to let him come. I also gave some coins to Lia so she and Void could go get a new mask.

  We headed out and passed Zelda who was already talking to Doun at a table. Outside, I leaned into Mira’s side and whispered. “Let’s stop by the apothecary on Jumpvine Way first.”

  She looked confused, “Why?”

  “Tomorrow’s a day off. Wouldn’t you like to surprise Doun with some Philo’s Potency?”

  Mira’s eyes widened. “Oh! You naughty boy. I like that idea. Why not the one on Spindle? It’s on the way to the Maicee’s.”

  “I already asked. They’re out of embernut,” I replied.

  “Then we’d better hurry,” Mira replied. “I don’t want them to run out.”

  Mira, Tizek and I headed to the apothecary. Again. I wasn’t sure if I was enjoying treading familiar ground or if I was upset I was stuck in repeat-mode again. In any case, there wasn’t much I could do about it. We had a pair of goals – fixing my mana channels and helping with the Anti-Slavery League – to keep us occupied until the big threat came about.

  Who knows? Maybe one of these two objectives would lead to the answer and, maybe, permanently end the looping.