Read Online Pet's Pleasure by Zenobia Renquist - Free Book Online

said.
    Bekion barked, “I didn’t give you leave to speak, Leidus.”
    The man stepped back with his head bowed. “Sorry, Your Majesty. It won’t happen again.”
    “And yet you continue.” Bekion drummed his fingers against Starling’s thigh.
    The man nodded his head lower.
    Bekion glared at the man for two more breaths. “Continue, Mistress Ebeun.”
    Mil said for Mistress Ebeun, “Forgive my tone, Your Majesty—though my servant does not properly convey it—but the debt was never paid. Money is still owed to my family. The uncle of these two men stopped paying once my grandmother died. They thought her family had forgotten the debt when we did not.”
    “Why wait until now to claim it?”
    Ebeun’s lips curved into a calculating smile. “Interest, Your Majesty. My father wanted to pursue the family and make them finish the payments. My aunts convinced him otherwise. We would wait to see if our contract would be honored. It wasn’t.” She paused and glanced at the two men.
    They looked at each other then at Bekion. Starling glanced up at Bekion as well. A smile very similar to Ebeun’s graced his lips. He’d even shifted on his seat so he sat a little forward with his chin resting on one hand.
    Ebeun continued gesturing with Mil translating. “When I’d heard their uncle had died and there was a dispute over the land, I knew it was the proper time to step forward. My family wishes the return of the land or full payment of the remaining debt, along with the interest and late fees accrued over the last few years of nonpayment. Whoever you deem the victor between these two men shall be held accountable. Airing this grievance here and now guarantees they will pay.” Ebeun handed a tablet to Mil.
    The little boy walked it to Vieve, who handed it to Bekion.
    Starling caught a glimpse of the number. On Earth, it would be a few million dollars but she knew nothing about Panagiota’s monetary system.
    She asked, “Is that a lot?”
    Bekion turned the tablet so she could see it better and with his finger covered five of the zeros. “The outfit you wear costs roughly this much.”
    Starling nodded. “And you said it’s very decadent and only a few could afford it.”
    “Extremely decadent.” He moved his hand. “This amount is near what Mistress Ebeun would need to buy a small, uninhabitable moon on the outskirts of the Gorov Empire.” He looked at Ebeun. “Is that your goal?”
    Mistress Ebeun shook her head. “I and my family do not want the money, Your Majesty, though it is rightfully owed to us. We want the land.”
    Bekion held out both tablets to Vieve, who took them and resumed her spot. He gestured to Leidus. “It doesn’t matter by what means you gained it, Master Leidus, the land is rightfully yours along with the debt it has accrued.” He waved Vieve forward.
    She tapped on one of the tablets and then walked it to Leidus. The man gaped at the amount listed.
    Bekion said, “You now know your choices. You must either pay to keep the land or return it. Which will it be?”
    Leidus’ hands shook as he stared at the tablet. “This…this…this is ridiculous, King Bekion. The land isn’t worth this much.”
    Starling said with a snort, “It is if you don’t return it.” She hadn’t meant to say anything but there was no taking it back. Maybe this would be one of those times when people ignored her.
    Bekion chuckled. “My pet has spoken my words for me.” He rubbed Starling’s thigh and sat back once more. “Make your choice, Master Leidus.”
    Leidus glared at Ebeun, who awaited his answer with her smug expression. He mumbled, “I shall return the deed.”
    “Now,” Bekion added. “You’ve brought it with you, I know. Sign it over to her and be done so I can call an end to this day and go to my dinner.”
    The transition of ownership proceeded. Ebeun curtsied to Bekion. “I thank you for this return, Your Majesty.”
    “And I thank you for making my last case so