Chapter 25 Wrapped in willful ignorance
Ira's POV
Ruel leans back slowly. “You now question my integrity, Luke.”
“No, Commander,” Luke says quickly. “But I do question the Alpha King’s silence.”
“And the zero response we've received concerning more important matters than the approval of a pleasure slave.” David adds with a frown. “It feels wrong.”
“I believe you weren't deaf when Commander Ruel stated he didn't request for a pleasure slave.” Elric says harshly, causing David to shrink in his seat.
I watch how Ruel’s shoulder flexes and how Elric glances at his thigh.
No doubt Ruel just touched him to calm him down.
“For the last time, and for the sake of your thick skulls,” Elric continues. “Commander Ruel has made no such request. And in the note Scarface sent to us, the Alpha King made no reference to receiving a letter concerning the need of a pleasure body.”
There it is again... that darn title. My hands curl into tight fists beside me as I glare at the ground.
“Hey, are you alright?” Catherine whispers beside me.
“‘M fine,” I say through clenched teeth.
But of cause that's a lie ‘cause who would be fine when they are constantly referred to as sex slaves or pleasure bodies?
Even at that, I guess I have no reason to be upset since that's not what I am. But hearing those words being thrown around just infuriates me cause I'm supposed to make everyone believe that's what I am.
I can't even clear my name. Still, what's the use of a cleared name when I'm still in this cage? I'll rather be seen as a cheap slut than to spend the rest of my days here.
A hush falls over the hall as Elric pulls out a note and speaks.
“This is the note Sergeant Scarface claimed he'd received from the alpha King. Here Luke,” he says, handing the paper over to Luke who takes it with a curt bow.
“Read everything in it. And everyone listen and judge your thoughts yourself.” Elric adds, looking really pissed.
“It has come to my attention” Luke starts calmly. “...that the previous battle has truly taken a toll on your Commander as he is beginning to forget his place in the pack hierarchy.”
Slight murmurs rise from the table.
“ I’m sending him a comfort. He can do with her whatever it is he pleases. Pick whichever from among the women my men will bring you, the one that'll please your Commander the most. I trust your taste remains refined.” Luke finishes with a frown.
“Tell me, where in all that is it stated that Commander Ruel sent a request for this comfort?” Elric questions much calmer this time, his eyes sweeping through the small gathering.
“B..but this isn't what Sergeant Scarface showed us.” David mutters.
“And what exactly did sergeant Scarface show you?” Ruel leans forward.
David opens his mouth but Scarface immediately cuts him off.
“Why are we arguing about this again? I mean, I can attest to the fact that the pleasure body's presence has positively affected our Commander.” He says with a false smile. A smile edged with tension.
My head jerks up.
“What?” Catherine mutters beside me, her face pulled down in disgust. “I knew he was an idiot but I didn't think it'd gotten this bad.”
Scarface coughs at the awkward silence but carries on. “Commander… forgive my bluntness… but since the slave arrived, you’ve been… calmer.”
Ruel’s expression does not change. “Explain,” he says flatly, his cold eyes fixed on the sergeant.
Scarface shrugs. “You aren’t barking orders as sharply. You aren’t snapping. You aren’t ripping anyone’s throat out. Maybe a warm bed helps.”
Ruel doesn’t laugh. No one does. If anything, the room suddenly becomes hot as Ruel watches the man with a glare that can kill even the strongest warrior.
A guard shifts uncomfortably. “I.. I think what Sergeant Scarface is trying to say is…”
“It wasn't funny.” Cortis cuts in. “With all due respect sergeant, that was inappropriate and insulting. You speak as though the commander is a rabid dog that keeps barking orders without a cause.”
Sergeant Scarface glares at her but Cortis doesn't stop talking.
“David made a comment on how you'd shown him something different from the note Sergeant Elric just read to us. Why did you cut him off immediately he'd spoken?”
“Are you accusing me?” Scarface scowls, turning fully towards Cortis, his eyes filled with fury.
Cortis steps forward quietly, but there’s nothing quiet about her expression. Her eyes remain sharp, her shoulders squared. “I’m accusing you of manipulating a room when it suits you,” she says. “And of twisting a message just to stir up doubt in the minds of warriors who trust you.”
Scarface rises, kicking his chair back. “This is a huge accusation and you're making it without proof.”
“I have ears,” she fires back immediately. “And I heard warriors in the training yard yesterday whispering things that sound very similar to what David just tried to say… Things about Commander Ruel losing his edge, about him doing nothing to help us.”
The hall is so still even the air feels static.
Cortis tilts her head, examining him like he’s a rat in the wrong place. “You, Sergeant, were the one they praised. Odd coincidence don't you think?”
His eyes shift, barely flickering down to Ruel who looks collected, watching the scene unfold. “Warriors talk.” Scarface mutters, a bead of sweat rolling down his head. “It’s not my job to control their tongues.”
“No,” Cortis says, stepping even closer until he unconsciously leans back. “But it is your job not to poison them. And if you truly showed a different note to these men, then you’ve done more than poison. You, Sergeant, have tried to turn them against their Commander. That’s manipulation. That’s…”
“Cortis!” Ruel’s voice cuts through her words, silencing her instantly.
“That’s enough,” he says, his face stoic. “Leave. Now.”
His judgement is so instant that I actually gasp.
“Is he dumb or he's just an asshole?” I hiss under my breath.
“None of those. The commander is only protecting her. Accusing a sergeant in this manner isn't a very wise thing to do as his subordinate.” Catherine mumbles.
“Commander, I was only…” Cortis once again gets shunned.
“I said leave.” Ruel repeats, his tone heavier.
My jaw locks when I catch the slight smug smirk on Scarface.
What a jerk.
It's so unfair, and Ruel doesn't even look at the fool to know he's letting a guilty man escape judgement.
Cortis bows stiffly and turns away without hesitation, obeying instantly.
But inside me? I know she'd rather do something else. Maybe punch Scarface or better still, her ignorant commander.
“Another letter has been sent…” Ruel continues as though nothing just happened.
I don't listen because if I thought the man was an asshole before? I now know he's a walking disaster wrapped in wilful ignorance.
He shouldn’t have dismissed her. Not for that. Not when she was right.