[Author's note: This chapter is in Dante's perspective. It starts back in time to before Seri transmigrated into this world.]

"Hey! There's that son of a courtesan!"

"GET HIM!"

I immediately started running while I carried the bag containing the meat I had been sent to pick up. As I turned down to escape, three older boys stopped out stopping my escape. I took a few steps back as I stared at them calmly while clutching the bag.

Soon I was surrounded by this group of boys. I was strong for my age, but I was still very young. These boys were at least 5 years older than me. I didn't really have a chance. Every time I ran into them, I could never really fight back. If I ever tried, I would only be beat up more.

I didn't really care if I was beaten up more. However, I had to be somewhere quickly. If I let them hit me without fighting back, then I would be able to return quicker.

I cowered with an impassive face as they all pushed me down and started kicking me. It hurt, but I did not care too much. I was too used to being beaten by them already. I just had to wait for them to get bored and walk away. It was only a matter of time before they did.

Eventually, the kicks stopped just as I had predicted.

"PAH!" I frowned as one of the kids spat on me. His voice was degrading, "Disguising trash. Stop cluttering up our town!"

Another shouted, "Yeah! Just go and do everyone a favor and die already!"

I looked up at them with an expressionless face.

They frowned in disgust from my unemotional response, "Come on. Let's stop already. He is grossing me out."

I sat up as I watched the street kids run away. Not only was I covered in dirt and bruises, but it seems like the food I was sent to pick up was destroyed as well. The Madam is going to be very angry when I get back.

Should I take my time then? I hate going back to that place.

I walked around the town aimlessly as I took my time dawdling. I noticed the sky getting darker and reluctantly returned. As I entered the gates, I saw another boy sitting on the steps smoking. He was six years older than me, but he was in the same position as me.

We were both the sons of courtesans. Our place in society was very low. We could only help out at the brothel in hopes that we would never be kicked out. It was not a very good place to grow up in, but we didn't have a choice.

He eyed me, "Did those brats beat you up again?"

I gave a nod.

He sighed as he ran his hands through his long shaggy hair, "They never give us a break. Here. Come sit down."

I walked over to him and sat down beside him.

He held out a cigarette, "Want a smoke?"

I blinked and responded calmly, "I'm too young."

He chuckled, "So am I, but that's not stopping me. It's the only thing that gets me through the day anymore."

I sat there quietly as we both stared ahead in silence.

He spoke up, "I know it's rough here, but try not to let it get to you."

"I know."

He glanced at me with a painful expression, "It will get worse, you know."

I glanced at him in confusion. My bright golden eyes shimmered in the last fleeting light from the sun, "Worse?"

He nodded then looked at me with a serious expression, "You must never let anyone purchase you."

"Purchase me? But I am not a thing. I am a person."

He sighed, "Yeah, but no one else sees that. To them, you are something that can be bought for a fun time. They can use you however they'd like and you can't complain. That's why if Madam or anyone asks you to sell yourself, you must say no! As long as you don't sign a contract you don't have to do it."

I didn't really understand why he was acting so serious, but I agreed anyway.

"DANTE YOU TWIT! GET YOUR A** IN HERE!"

He sighed, "Looks like the Madam wants you."

I looked down at the smooshed bag of meat with a frown. Silently, I stood up and walked into the building. I went over to the Madam who was fuming. Every day before we opened, she was always stressed and taking it out on other people.

She glared at me, "What took you so long?! We need that meat!"

I held it out to her without expression. She turned to it and saw it's crumpled up state.

"YOU D*MNED CHILD?! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO IT?! DON'T YOU KNOW HOW EXPENSIVE THIS WAS?!"

I continued to stare at her without saying a thing. As I endured her screaming, she only seemed to be getting angrier at my lack of response.

*SLAP*

She slapped me across the face causing three scratch marks to appear on my reddened cheek. I looked at the ground with a blank expression as she cursed. "This d*mned boy! Why is he so creepy?! Whenever he looks at me it makes me want to run! That beauty is really lost on him. Doesn't he even know how to f*cking smile?!"

A working lady gently pulled me to the side, "Come on, Dante. They need your help in the kitchen."

I nodded and went to the kitchen to help. Once we opened for business, I was in charge of running out orders. Most of the time people wouldn't pay me any attention. I got used to seeing men as they stumbled and slurred as the women giggled forcefully acting like the man was the best person they had ever seen.

I really don't see the allure to this place.

After finishing, I walked upstairs to my mother's room. I knocked on the door and heard a soft voice reply, "Enter."

I walked in and shut the door behind me. My mother turned to look at me with a gentle smile. She had long soft wavy dark brown hair that hung off her shoulders. Her dark pure black eyes reflected my expressionless face. Her skin was golden with faint scars covering her body. However, this didn't make any customers feel disgusted. Instead, they wanted her more.

There was a reason why everyone called her the brothel's goddess.

I had inherited her good looks and hair, but the only difference were that my eyes were golden. Although, it was strange that no one seemed to recognize that my golden eyes were so unique.

She spoke calmly, "I am almost finished, then we can go to sleep for the night."

She always said this, but it was never nighttime. She would finish before daybreak and we would rest until I had to start helping prepare for another day of opening. At most, I was only able to get a few hours of sleep per night.

I opened the hidden compartment in the wall and sat on the bed concealed inside. The reason I slept in a hidden compartment was because my mother was always paranoid that I would be taken one night while I was asleep. She thought that if I was hidden, I would be safer.

I watched her, "Mother. I don't like it here."

I watched as she brushed her hair and fixed her cleavage. Her eyes were tired, but she would never show it. Her soft voice sounded, "Dante, darling. I know it is hard here, but we have no other choice."

I looked down as I got inside the bed, "I know…"

She saw my expressionless face but knew that behind it I was feeling miserable. She walked to my side and kneeled, "Would you feel better if I told you a story?"

I looked at her with excitement flickering in my eyes, "Can you tell me about my older brother again?"

She smiled gently as she ran her fingers through my hair, "You have many older brothers."

"But mother has only met the one."

Her eyes turned to the side reflecting nostalgia as she remembered those happier days, "Yes. That brother is the one closest to you in age. Although, he is probably much older than you now."

I watched as she talked with a smile, "What is he like?"

"He is the sweetest and kindest boy ever to walk this Earth. He is a really smart boy too. If not for his difficulty speaking, everyone would think he was a genius. He never complained about only being able to stay in two rooms. He just enjoyed being around people. He would love to play hide and seek, but if we didn't find him quickly enough, he would get so worried that he would run out screaming that the game was over."

She gave a sentimental chuckle as she recalled this moment, "His laugh would lift your heart and his smile could lighten the room."

I stared into her melancholic eyes, "I wish I could meet brother."

She tapped my nose teasingly, "I am sure you will meet him one day. The gods are very mysterious, but they do not forget to reward those with pure hearts. When you do meet him, you must promise Mother that you will never fight with him."

"Why would I fight him?"

She chuckled, "That's what brothers do. They fight with each other and argue over toys."

My eyes turned downward, "I won't fight with big brother…"

"Good. If you did, I am sure that your big brother would feel very sad. That boy wants nothing more than to be loved."

"Plus, I don't really like toys."

She chuckled and pinched my nose jokingly, "Dante, how did you grow up so fast? You practically act like an adult."

I yawned and snuggled under the covers. My eyes began to flutter close, "Don't worry Mother… When I meet big brother I will treat him well…"

I closed my eyes and quickly fell asleep.