The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 106

VALERIA

"Three... three coins? I... I only have this, I can't pay that much! You know no one here can afford such an expensive tax!"

"Then complain to the King, not me. Get her out of here, and if she resists, beat her until she’s unconscious and shuts her mouth!" She kicked the woman’s hand before turning to leave, and the two tarnished coins she had been holding rolled across the ground.

The poor, ragged woman lunged to gather them, crying, and immediately, those men—like predators—tried to drag her away from the door into an alley.

When she turned, I saw the little bundle in her arms—it was a child, barely a year old, as thin as she was, just like the grinning man who had been guiding us, like everyone else here—except for that witch and her guards.

"Leave her alone!" I couldn't help but intervene, especially for the child. It was obvious they would beat her mercilessly, or worse.

I pulled the woman into my arms, and when the men made a move to attack me, a threatening growl echoed beside me, followed by Quinn stepping in front of us protectively.

"Who are you to interfere in our business?" one of the guards asked gruffly, eyeing Quinn with suspicion.

"We just need to bring a patient. Is this Madame Augusta’s house?" I tried to mediate, not wanting to start off on the wrong foot.

The woman in my arms whispered her thanks and stepped aside with the guide, who seemed to know her.

"I am Madame Augusta. Who are you, stranger?" That unpleasant woman appeared at the door again.

"My name is Valeria. We came to see you to get help for my friend," I showed her Celine’s face under the hood, and she examined her with a raised eyebrow.

"I can give her a tonic to regain some strength. The treatment costs 100 coins," she stated bluntly, and I was left in shock. Was it really that expensive, and not even a permanent cure?

I lowered my gaze, pulling out the small leather pouch from my sash and checking its contents. If I had 30 coins, it would be a lot.

"I... can you treat her with 30 coins? I have... I have this pretty hairpin and this..." I thought about the most valuable thing I had—my pendant—but I couldn’t give it away under any circumstances.

"Does everyone think this is a charity today? 100 coins or nothing. Unless your friend is a pureblood vampire, which clearly she is not. Get them out!"

"No, no, wait!" I stepped forward desperately.

For a moment, I felt just like the woman who had been begging a few moments ago.

"I'll be waiting, dear." That bastard’s words echoed in my mind.

I knew I would need money to get Celine treated. It seemed like he himself had imposed this tax that only exempted his own kind.

I would have to beg him for money. Filthy bastard!

"I... I'll go get the money from the inn right now. Please, here are 30 coins, at least take her in and examine her. I'll be right back," I pleaded, swallowing my urge to insult the old hag. She considered it for a few seconds.

She looked us up and down, then nodded.

"Fine, bring her in, but I won’t give her the tonic until you bring the full amount," she said, turning her back and leaving the door open.

I thought I would hit something hard, but instead, my feet landed on something soft—like grass.

My eyes blinked in discomfort due to the intense sunlight.

I couldn’t believe the place I had ended up in. It was like a beautiful forest, with streams and butterflies dancing over the daisies scattered across the grass.

The atmosphere wasn’t impoverished or suffocating but full of light and warmth.

"Welcome to my healing space, Princess Valeria," a melodic voice spoke behind me. I turned around, alert, to find a beautiful woman—mature, with fiery red hair, blue eyes, and a kind smile.

"Who are you?" I took a step back warily.

"You don’t need to be afraid. I have been called by the magic that accompanies you," she said, pointing at the pendant hidden under my chest.

"My name is Alondra. I am a White Healing Witch, and I can cure your friend. Come with me, little princess, don’t be afraid."

She motioned me forward, leading me to a picturesque cabin filled with medicinal plants hanging from wooden posts, the scent of stew floating in the air.

All of this felt like a dream. Could it be real, or was it some twisted trick of the Vampire King?

Either way, Celine didn’t have many hopes left, and I didn’t have many options, so in the end, I decided to trust my instincts and step inside the Healer Witch’s cabin.

Wasn’t there supposed to be only one healer in town? What exactly was going on with the witches in this realm?