To buy her

"I want to buy your brothel, Heidi." you state calmly. "And in a sense, I want to buy you too."

Her face darkens instantly. Her eyes flash with a sudden, fierce anger. "I am a free woman," she spits, stepping toward you. "I spent half my life bleeding and sweating to buy my freedom from the old master. No man buys me again."

"Yet, you are still in debt," you reply smoothly. "Unpaid taxes and arrears for the land deed itself. You do not truly own this roof over your head."

Before Heidi can speak, you reach inside your tunic. You pull out an official parchment, sealed with the royal crest of the capital's magistrate, and place it firmly on the table.

She looks at the document suspiciously. She steps closer, her breath catching as she recognizes the script. It is the deed to her establishment.

"It is yours," you say, watching her expression change from anger to disbelief. "Yes, I am now the official owner of this house. But I intend to have you continuing to operate it. You stay here as my manager, running the daily business. I will get someone to help with accounting."

Heidi looks at you warily. "What's in it for you?"

"Steady revenue of income." You gesture to the parchment. "But if you're not willing, I respect your freedom enough to let you walk away if you choose."

She stares at the parchment, her fingers trembling slightly as she touches the wax seal. She looks up at you, her defenses rising again. "And the sex?" she asks, her voice sharp.

"When I visit, I will pay full price for any of the girls I choose to subscribe to. The money goes directly to them. The brothel does not need to take a cut from the coins I give your women. It will be their bonus."

You pause. Realizing that she might meant something else, you step closer until you can feel the warmth of her breath.

"Oh, you mean with you? Why, I would be stupid to reject your offer."