Chapter 288
By "wash the puppy," the Mayor meant to bring me in the shower with her. So we’re currently playing under the hot water, making shampoo Mohawks, and then washing them away. I can hear her brother getting more and more annoyed at the fact we’re ignoring his instructions to dry off and go to bed, but he’s been unwilling to do anything about it so far.
It’s her mother, who I have yet to hear called by her name, who puts a stop to the games, dragging us out and throwing a towel on my head while she takes her daughter to her room.
"Follow me, pup. You can take the towel in with you." Jacob instructs, and I gather my clothes to follow him to the cage. They’ve added a thick cushion and several blankets at some point, and it looks pretty comfy for a prison cell.
"Someone will come to get you in the morning. Father insists you are to travel with him and not stay at home. It’s a bit strange, nobody takes their pets to work, but he’s the Mayor; maybe it’s a publicity thing? You know, make him look caring and domestic?"
"Wouldn’t it be better to take one of you for that? I mean, families are the definition of domestic, and you seem to get along." I suggest attempting to gather information about my current situation.
"No, the hardliners are too big of a threat. They think his rules are too soft on the slaves. He’s only been mayor a few years since the Oracle predicted that the Death God would send someone to destroy the city. The change in leadership was supposed to mitigate the damage, but the old men still think they can prevent it entirely."
"Jacob. Bed, now. Let the puppy sleep." His mother calls from upstairs, and he stomps away with a sad look. Both of the kids I have gotten to talk to are sheltered and depressed. Maybe I was sent here to help out? Kill off a few of the hardliners and help the Mayor reform things? He doesn’t seem hostile towards the slaves. Just apathetic about the situation.
Once he’s gone, the maids come back in, wearing that ridiculously short uniform. "They let you play Soccer with Mila? That’s amazing. They never let her do anything physical; they’re preparing her for a chance at an Imperial marriage. If she has any flaws, she would be disqualified. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you were using a compulsion Inscription."
"Do you know much about Lycans?" I ask her with a smile.
"I’ve heard of them, but they’re supposed to be terrifying and furry." The maid shrugs.