Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin

Beth’s Perspective

Then, outside of a grand red double door, there were four guards stationed with fierce expressions on their faces as if they were about to pounce on anyone approaching. Just to the side of the room, there was the Old Hag with creepy eyes. As soon as she saw me, she looked me up and down in a way that made me feel somewhat violated, as if she were looking through me, assessing my worth.

She nodded with a small smile, which was even more creepy than when she was scowling at me. Then she nodded at the guards on either side of the double doors, and they pulled them open at the same time.

I moved forward, guided by the elderly woman, with four others surrounding me wearing long blue robes. As I entered a vast room adorned with silver walls featuring a swirling leaf design, I couldn’t help but notice how peculiar it was that the walls appeared to be made of silver. The floor, a stunning white marble, sparkled with silver veins, and each step I took echoed with a lonely sound, while the others around me moved with a quiet grace, like predators stalking their prey.

At the far end of the room stood a raised platform, reminiscent of a stage, draped with a thin black veil. I could make out figures beyond the veil, but their features remained hidden from my view.

"You actually brought a girl to meet me?" The voice that emerged from behind the sheer black curtain was deep and unsettling. It was commanding and smooth, exuding confidence. He sounded like someone accustomed to having his way, unafraid to resort to violence if necessary. Just from those few words, I sensed the kind of man he was, and every instinct urged me to turn back and flee.

"Oh, Your Majesty, the lady I have brought forward is to serve as your aide, as per your command to seek one who fulfills your desires, and indeed, she does."

"You’re telling me that some female can do things that I, a male, can’t handle on my own?"

The Old Hag trembled all over, hastily dropping to the floor. "Oh, I would never! I would never! Your Majesty, my very existence is for you alone. I merely presented her, for she seems to fit your desires."

"Hmph! She’s probably just a notch above you in the brains department. I should’ve known better than to pick a woman to look for my assistant. What are they really good for anyway? Laying eggs, and even then, some of them can’t pull that off. Take her, for example—no aura at all and as thin as a stick, definitely lacking the right curves for childbirth. Clearly, she hasn’t even had her awakening ceremony yet, so what use is she to me? And you better step up too; when I give you an order, it’s not a suggestion, got it?"

" I would never dare to dismiss your words or treat them lightly. I assure you, I have heeded your orders with utmost gravity and present her as a temporary aide while I seek out one more fitting to your esteemed tastes."

"Her being here is just a stopgap, but let me make it clear: if this blunder keeps happening, it’ll be seen as a direct insult to the crown."

"Your Majesty, I humbly express my gratitude for your gracious understanding in this matter. I shall strive with greater diligence in my endeavors forward."

She bowed three times, hitting her forehead against the floor with a loud thud, and I couldn’t help but flinch. Even though I wasn’t fond of her, I really didn’t want to witness someone hurt themselves like that or risk a concussion. As she slowly backed away, her body hunched over, it struck me that all that bowing and head banging might have caused her some back issues. Suddenly, I felt a little less animosity towards her than I had just moments before. But then, she was leaving me with this annoying sexist man without any explanation, and after a moment of reflection, I found myself disliking her again.

I felt completely lost, unsure of how to act or what to say. The thought of making a mistake was terrifying, as I was convinced he would not hesitate to take drastic measures. So, I decided it was best to stay quiet until he addressed me. I knelt on the floor, mimicking the scenes I had seen in historical dramas. I had no idea what era I was in, but I figured that showing respect might help lower his defenses, allowing us to devise a plan to escape this place. My priority was to gather information about my surroundings while ensuring my safety.

"Can you talk, understand, read, and put words down on paper?"

"Yes, your Majesty," I replied, using the same tone I reserved for my father when he was upset. At least I had mastered the art of being meek due to his unpredictable nature.

"I’m not sure if you realize who you’re dealing with, girl, and just where you find yourself right now."

"...I do not. I am from a great distance away, your Majesty."

"I’m not surprised you’re so well-versed; it makes sense. In my country, we don’t waste time stuffing female’s heads with irrelevant knowledge that doesn’t relate to their primary role of laying eggs. Education and careers just get in the way of what truly matters—providing for their male. We don’t push males to share their mates because we have plenty of females available; if we need more, we just buy them. It’s a straightforward approach—property doesn’t have rights, and it saves a lot of hassle."

If I were in my own world, I would have torn him to shreds for his sexist remarks, but I’m clearly not at home, and no magical shoes are going to take me back. I really can’t stand this guy, but I have to hide that, so I maintain a sweet and polite smile, as if my life depends on it—because it probably does.

"I suppose you’ll have to do for the time being."

I saw him give a flipping wave with his hand towards one of the servants sitting beside him and a different man spoke up, "Maintain silence unless you possess important information for His Majesty or he addresses you directly. You are prohibited from conversing with others while in his presence. You will don the customary attire of his personal servant, complete with the emblem of his aide. Others are not permitted to wear or handle your attire or pendant. You must never interrupt His Majesty or speak negatively about him in any manner. You will safeguard his secrets and refrain from making eye contact with him without his consent."

He just kept talking endlessly, and it felt like my throat was tightening as I struggled to recall the lengthy list of archaic rules I was supposed to adhere to. I wasn’t quite sure what would happen if I broke any of them, but the way the stern old woman hurried away, looking frightened, suggested that the repercussions wouldn’t be good at all.

Perla’s Perspective

As I ventured deeper into the spider’s lair, every creak and rustle sent shivers down my spine, making me hyper-aware of my surroundings like never before.

"Click...click...click."

That sound—oh, how I wished I could unhear it! My heart raced, thumping wildly in my chest as I realized it was closer than I’d dared to imagine, though thankfully not right on my heels. I glanced over my shoulder, and there it was: a spider, slightly smaller than the first, lurking at a distance. But let me tell you, it was still more than capable of turning me into a snack! This creature was glossy black with silver stripes, its eyes glowing eerily in the dim light.

And just like that, in a blink, the spider morphed into a man. He was a tall, toned figure with light brown skin and long, flowing silver hair that cascaded down his back like molten metal. His eyes, still glowing silver, were both mesmerizing and unnerving. He moved with an elegance that was both captivating and terrifying, a perfect blend of beauty and dread.

He flashed a smile from across the room, revealing fangs that were far more pronounced than I had ever encountered in this bizarre world. A spider-beastkin—just my luck to encounter one of those!

"Welcome to my lair. Few have managed to step inside without being wrapped in a web first, so consider yourself fortunate," he said, his voice smooth and dripping with confidence.

"What happened to the others? How did I end up here, and where exactly is this place?" My voice came out a bit squeakier than normal, a clear sign of just how frightened I truly felt.

"The others? Do we really need to discuss them now? I’ve decided to grant you a reprieve, but in return, you will serve a different purpose—bringing forth a new generation of spider eggs."

Coming Next Time: He Wants Eggs