Chapter 240 - 248. Chess Game
After tea, the hoarse luxurious cart rattled away from the palace, it’s wooden wheels grinding against cobblestone. Inside, Asher sat back in the cushioned seat, a self-satisfied grin tugging at his lips. Beside him sat Valerie and Clara, each holding onto one of his arms. He and Val had successfully acquired the platinum coins they wanted—and not just that. The King had also granted Asher unrestricted permission to come to Zephandria to purchase platinum coins whenever he pleased.
A sly grin crept across his face. Another door had opened. Another opportunity.
With enough platinum coins, he could buy land in Zephandria and establish a new branch of Stick & Lick Enterprises here. He imagined the elegant storefront gleaming on foreign soil, selling his his products and sex toys in yet another territory. Influence would follow. Reputation. A throne built not on birthright but ingenuity.
Yes. Life was starting to make sense.
But just as the cart rolled past the outer gates, something by the roadside caught Asher’s eye. A man was on his knees, head bowed to the dirt, as a woman in sleek boots pressed her heel into his back, scolding him with venom in her voice.
"You touched my ass, didn’t you? You filthy pig!" she spat, and the man stammered a weak apology.
"I really apologize. It was unintentional."
Asher watched with a dark silence. His fists clenched in his lap. It was a bitter reminder that no matter how sweet his own rise tasted, others—men like him—were still being stepped on like insects. The world hadn’t changed yet. Not enough. Women still strutted through the streets like tyrants, treating men like trash—like animals. Just like his former wife had treated him the same way, never seeing him as "man enough." He hadn’t forgotten. He never would.
"Just a little longer, my brothers," he whispered coldly in his mind. "Soon, this will all be over."
He would tame the goddess of this world herself if it meant tearing down this rotten hierarchy. The smug faces. The boots on backs. This... this would all change.
As the cart creaked toward Eldoria, Clara leaned into his side with a purr in her voice. "So... I’ve been waiting," she whispered, eyes sultry as her head rested on his shoulder.