Slave Traders (2)

"Stop!" a venomous voice called out from my throat. The beating suddenly stopped. Everyone's eyes turned to look at me.

"Hmm... what an interesting slave you have there, venting your anger out on him. It seems quite reliable for a pet. The boy is quite sturdy." I say coldly.

"What do you want, you B*tch!" the man called as he spits on the boy on the floor. The coachman pulls up his fist but I stop it and say:

"I want him," I say pointing at the boy. "And for that exchange, I'll pay a considerable amount."

"Get lost! You filthy little bug!" the man said angrily grabbing the boy's collar and choking him.

"How much? 2 silver coins? 5 silver coins? Or fifteen?" I say with a disgusting smile. Slaves were decently cheap.

100 bronze coins = 1 silver coin

100 silver coin = 1 gold coin

100 gold coin = 1 crown

"Or is it still not enough? You don't seem like the filthy rich person who brought the slave at such a high price." I mutter in a disgusted voice. It was venomous, cold, and very stingy.

"Why you little-!" he spat at me as he points his finger at me.

"What? Are you going to hit me? Do you even dare to hit me? I am offering you a considerable price for the slave. I don't think it needs much." I say. "Or are you doing very shady things with it that you cannot dare to give it up?"

It was prohibited by the law to use your slave to do shady things. Even if you were not responsible for any of the illegal things your slave as done, you have to take the punishment for it. As the slave is considered property.

"Fine! Fine! I'll give it to you if you offer me thirty silver!"

"Thirty silver?" I looked at the boy. I don't think he was brought in this price. Even if it's cheap- "Whatever. Give him the coins." I looked at the coachman. The coachman offers the man twenty-five silver coins instead of thirty.

The man shouted: "Ya B*tch- you're missing one silver!"

I snorted. Commoners couldn't count. At least the least unprivileged ones. This man seemed to be from a lower class than all of the commoners here. Although he felt the instinct that thirty silvers didn't weigh this less. Greedy people. A man like him doesn't deserve this boy.

"Give him the last silver!" I say as I grab the boy's wrist and pull it over to my side. I don't want to attract anyone's attention. Soon as we pay the fake bill- I take over the boy and leave the place by walking away quickly.

***

"Boy, what's your name?" I ask the boy politely as I let go of his wrist, though it sounded cold.

"R-riche..." the scarred, scrawny boy said. He seemed terrified after he saw me. Richie Fenneld will become one of the best mercenaries in the Castano Fief. He was also one of my benefactors.

"So Riche, from now onwards I am your master," I say patting the small boy. Though he is three years younger than me, he's quite aspiring and strong in the future.

"Y-yes... M-master..."

"So speak clearly without hesitation," I order.

"Yes Master!" he calls, intimidated by my order.

"Good."

"Hm..." he seemed like he wanted to cry when he saw me. Wow... he isn't so strong.

"Riche, how many times have you been to the slave market?" I ask.

"M-master, I've been there 5 times..."

I bit my lips. Why am I even asking this right now? I studied the boy in front of me. His scars and his bruises filled his body. I felt pity for him. So this was his life in the past before, not the clumsy, strong, aspiring man I knew in the future.

Tch. The past is quite tragic now looking back.

Riche was originally the son of a middle-lower-classed merchant from an enemy territory brought as a hostage. He knew how to write or somewhat write, according to his information. So...

Alastair's words ran through my head: 'You have to perform your duties,'

I stare back at this boy and mutter: "I have to, huh?"

So...

Why...

Am...

I...

Unconsciously feeling relieved right now?

If I want to run away. I need someone to substitute my duties. Someone who won't betray me. Who wouldn't dare? Someone who I know very well. But nothing can go wrong if I adopt this child right?

"Haha! I finally found you, my savior!" I say as I clap my hands into Riche's un-sturdy shoulder. Riche looked at me terrified as if he had seen a double personality change.

"M-master??" he paled.

A smile quirks up my lips. I just felt like I have won the battle against the Emperor, the world, Alastair, and Myself!!

Hahaha! Take that you imprudent Emperor! (ノ^_^)ノ If Riche becomes the heir- no one will have to do the work because Riche is three years short of gaining the Dukedom! And I can't be heir if there is a child who is a boy. Even if I did have my debut which is coming in one month~ it will have nothing to do with the war! And the Emperor cannot do anything about the male-dominated society!

Why am I feeling happy about this male-dominated society at last??

HOHO! No work for this granny! I found my absolute solution!

My vacation! I AM COMING! .(⌒∇⌒.)

I need to celebrate! Vodka! Just you wait! This granny is coming.