In an old and ruined building not too far from the auction venue, a young man wearing torn and dirty clothes are sitting at the corner while taking several deep breaths. He's trying to keep his eyes open to see if other people will also enter that place. The young man is leaning his tired and battered body on the walls. The young man can feel a stinging pain on his dry throat when he suddenly coughs.
After taking a deep breath, the young man stares at his shaking hands where a faint glow of magic is still surrounding it. He just used the remaining mana in his body earlier to make two teleportation circles. The young man used the first teleportation circle for himself to escape the auction building before it exploded into pieces. As for the second transportation circle, the young man used to summon another person to meet him here.
But in the process of completing the transportation circle, the young man unexpected drained all the remaining mana in his body. He accidentally brought that person to a different place and he cannot make another spell unless he replenishes his mana. He is really cursing the continuous bad luck that is happening in his life.
But this time, he cannot blame anyone but himself. He was supposed to use only one teleportation magic today just to escape that hellish place. After that, he is planning to save the remaining mana in his body and find a place where he can rest for a few days without anyone knowing his location. But after sensing the familiar presence of that person, the young man became impulsive and tried to bring her to his location.
When the young man moved his arms, he suddenly let out a growl when his rough clothes touched his wounded arms. The young man keeps on hissing in pain until he finds a comfortable position for his aching body. The long strands of his hair that keep sticking on his forehead are making him uncomfortable but he's already too tired to do something about it.
The young man knows there is nothing to worry about the other slaves in the auction earlier. The royal family of this kingdom will surely help and release them from slavery. He also knows a few of them are capable of saving and defending themselves. He left the other slaves with the knowledge that they will be in good hands after this night.
Closing his eyes, the young man suddenly thinks of that person. Is she currently safe now? He wanted to apologize for bringing her to an unfamiliar place because of his selfishness. He knows that she is covered with layers of protection barriers so he can still let out a relieved sigh knowing that other people cannot hurt her easily. It is just a pity that he cannot see her face earlier because of the mask she's wearing and the sack that was covering his head earlier.
"Ramira..." He whispered in a hoarse voice.
It's been a long time since he last saw her. Maybe she becomes prettier and taller now. The last time he saw her, Ramira is still very young and can be considered as his little sister. But despite their age gap, they can easily communicate and talk about different topics without any problems. They really enjoyed the company of each other in the past.
Soon, the young man can feel his eyes are getting heavy. He really wants to stay awake and just rest his body. But his body seems like it cannot hold it more unless he takes a deep rest. Resigning to his fate, the young man forced himself to move into the deepest part of his building and conceal himself behind the pile of rotting woods inside of it. He also put a wood with a sharp edge on it to use as a weapon in case someone tries to attack him while he's sleeping.
Maybe taking a few hours of sleep is the best decision for now. He also needs to replenish his mana if he wants to use his magic later. He should do something about his wounds and injuries once he wakes up later. The moment he closes his eyes again, the young man quickly falls into a deep and dreamless sleep.
-//-//-
A week has already passed since the Crown Prince attacked illegal auction that happened in their kingdom. He arrested a lot of nobles who were involved in that case. Some of them were punished by removing their status as nobles while the others were exiled after knowing the other crimes that they were doing for years now.
The slaves that were captured during this operation are now finally free. The royal family gave them immediate medical assistance. These slaves are also welcome to be a citizen of their kingdom if they cannot go to another place anymore. While they are still thinking, these slaves are being treated nicely and they are feeding them with nutritious food due to their malnutrition.
Because of this good outcome, Prince Geradine earns a lot of recognition and praise from the people of their kingdom. They are saying that the Verdandi Kingdom will surely be in good hands once he becomes a king in the future. Their kingdom is surely blessed for having a responsible and kind-hearted royal family that leads them to a good and bright future.
While everyone is celebrating the good future of their kingdom, there is one princess who is suffering from the tremendous work that is given to her by the king as a punishment.
King Teriza cannot and will never hurt his children, especially Ramira. But he still needs to give his daughter a punishment for disobeying his words. Instead of locking Ramira up inside her room for months, King Teriza gave her an order to write fifty copies of their kingdom's law. The princess should finish writing all of it in just a month. These copies will be given to the new students in their academy.
Ramira is also not allowed to ask for anyone's help, especially from Geradine and Theo. She should write these books all by herself. One book is consists of twenty pages. And the princess should fill each page with their kingdom's law.
As of now, Ramira has finished writing fifteen copies of it. The princess swears that she has already memorized their laws per word and she can easily write it without looking at the original copy. There are still times when Ramira tries to ask Geradine for help. But her twin brother is also determined not to provide any assistance so she will learn her lesson.
But in consideration of her situation, Geradine is always meeting her every afternoon to use simple healing magic for her numbing hands and fingers. Even their father is sending her some medicinal teas and snacks for her to eat while writing those books in her palace. Although it was him who gave that punishment, King Teriza is still too soft for his daughter and does not want her to suffer that much.
One afternoon, Geradine and Ramira are enjoying their afternoon break together by drinking their cold drinks in the garden. There are also a few snacks on their table made by their chef just for the two of them. While Geradine is quietly tasting the mild sweetness of his drink, his twin sister keeps on whining about the remaining number of books she still needs to finish this month.
"Geradine... I feel like my fingers are no longer functioning properly." Ramira said while stirring her drink.
"You're just overreacting." Geradine replied without looking at her.
"No, I'm serious. I feel like my hands can no longer hold another plume if I start writing another copy again later."
"Then take a rest for today and continue writing those books again tomorrow."
"I can't do that! Then my work tomorrow will be doubled."
"Then you better stop complaining now and write another copy later after this."
"Geradine!"
The prince let out a sigh when his sister whines like a child once again. Putting down his glass on the table, he looks at Ramira who is pouting her lips in front of him.
"Stop it. You look like a lost duck."
But before Ramira can react, Geradine quickly holds her hands that are resting on the table. A faint blue light suddenly appears on their linked hands and Ramira can feel a cooling sensation on her skin. While he's busy giving Ramira's hands a treatment, Geradine suddenly said something important.
"Ramira."
"Hmm?"
"We are now looking for another batch of capable and talented knights this year."
"Oh, okay. But isn't too early for that? We usually recruit a lot of knights every five months, right?"
"That's right. But we have a special case this time."
"Really? And what is it?"
"We are actually looking for capable and talented escort knights."
"Huh? But I think I haven't seen you have an escort knight—"
"It's not for me."
"Then who..."
Geradine looks at Ramira first before he continues.
"We are finding an escort knight for you, Ramira."