Atonement, About it's Cruelty - Chapter 13
“In fact, we initially lost track of the woman. We did find her again, but by then it was quite late. It seemed like she was looking for a job.”
The brothel owner remained silent, lost in thought, just smoking her cigarette. Then, nodding slightly, she turned away, and the coachman, smiling slyly, bowed deeply.
“Much appreciated!”
Without responding, she strode towards the mansion, and when a waiter brought the ashtray, she stubbed out her cigarette and spat out as if spitting.
“Five thousand.”
“Yes, madam.”
As she climbed the steps of the mansion, she thought about the appearance of the woman she had just purchased.
A smile naturally formed on her lips. She agreed with the coachman’s remark that dressed up like a fairy, she would indeed be worth a call. She felt like cheering the moment she saw the mysteriously arrived woman.
She felt the need to brag about this big catch to Catherine, who had been boasting about another woman she had just bought.
Behind her, the coachman’s snickering laughter was heard.
“You do have an eye for this.”
Their laughter, tinged with the scent of perfume, merged into the air of the mansion and faded.
* * *
As Seo-ah followed the staff through the mansion, she glanced around.
As beautiful as its exterior, the interior was equally splendid. Heavy curtains draped every window, delicate little decorations were meticulously placed around, and the carpets were as plush as those she had seen at the Felpe Bank. The attire of the people she occasionally passed was as luxurious as the hostel owner’s.
Laughter and the sound of music flowed from somewhere.
Can this place really be only 100,000 Kerte…?
But as she followed the staff up the stairs and through the slightly narrower corridors, the laughter grew distant, and the air turned strangely cooler. The delicate decorations disappeared, and they entered a more minimalist space that seemed to have only the essentials.
Just as she felt they had reached the room, the staff stopped.
“Is this it?”
With a cautious question, the staff nodded, unlocked the door with a key, and briskly walked into the dimly lit room to turn on the light.
Seo-ah hesitated to enter, peering into the interior of the room. Fortunately, or perhaps regrettably, it was not as luxurious as she feared. Like trains and ships that offer different classes of service depending on the price, this place seemed to follow a similar principle.
“What are you waiting for?”
At that moment, a voice accompanied by footsteps sounded. The innkeeper approached with a friendly smile, then swiftly stepped into the room ahead of Seo-ah, shrugging slightly.
“It’s getting a bit chilly tonight with the autumn air. Turn up the heat a little.”
“Yes, madam.”
She gestured for Seo-ah to enter.
“Come in.”
As Seo-ah entered, she saw a small, square room.
A standing coat rack, a small bed that seemed just enough for one, a dresser, a mirror, and a tall brazier in the corner.
While she looked around, the innkeeper opened a small door inside the room, pointing inside.
“It’s a bit cramped, but you can wash up in here.”
Then, suddenly turning to Seo-ah, she frowned.
“Oh, take off that coat. It might be chilly, but it’s not coat weather. Don’t you have anything else to wear?”
“……”
“Come on, just looking at you makes me feel hot.”
“I’ll do it myself.”
Hastily, as if she was about to help her undress, Seo-ah turned away and took off her coat, then hung it on the rack. As the innkeeper passed by, she asked,
“What about your meal?”
“……”
“Seeing no response, you haven’t eaten yet. I’ll leave something outside your door, eat after you wash up.”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
“Thank you, too,” the innkeeper replied, then led the staff out of the room.
Thud.
The door closed, and Seo-ah stood silently for a few seconds before she locked the door and secured what seemed like a bolt. She checked the window locks and carefully closed the curtains.
After securing the room, she looked around again. The bathroom seemed ordinary.
The one peculiar feature was the heating installation in one corner of the room, but she had no idea how it worked. However, a faint warmth emanating from it suggested it was connected to the outside.
Being unacquainted with local customs meant she couldn’t quite grasp what might be suspicious.
Eventually, Seo-ah decided to stop worrying needlessly. Even if she found the place dubious, where could she go in the middle of the night?
Seo-ah, having shed her tight dress and stockings, quickly headed to the bathroom to wash. Though only cold water was available, she found it refreshingly pleasant.
She changed into the dress she had brought as a nightgown, washed her underwear and stockings, and set them aside to dry. After hearing some activity outside,
“Dinner and a nightgown, I’m leaving them here.”
The noise receded, and she cautiously unlocked and slightly opened the door, peeking out while keeping the latch on. After seeing nothing unusual, she opened the door fully.
On the floor outside, there was a tray with food and a neatly folded white garment. She brought them inside and sat down, the scent of the food wafting up even before she lifted the cover.
Under the cover was a steaming bowl of what looked like red meat soup. Hesitantly stirring it with a spoon, she took a tentative taste. Just one spoonful seemed to spread warmth from the top of her head to her toes, and only then did she realize it was her first meal of the day.
She quickly finished the entire bowl of soup.
Consumed by a sudden wave of sleepiness—having been vigilant during the three-day train ride to Felpe with the feeling of being watched—she found herself too weary to change into the nightgown.
All she could manage was to brush her teeth and tidy up the dishes, pushing them aside.
Just as she was about to lie down on the bed.
Knock, knock, knock.
“……”
She hadn’t sensed anyone approaching.
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