Chapter Text
Even as the King's son, it was beyond Khun's understanding why the practice of slavery occurs.
He himself admits that he's a heartless man, but it is beyond him to do something degrading just to showcase how much wealth and power he holds.
Perhaps he just doesn't see the point, what was there to gain by humiliating them and treating them like dirt? Satisfaction? The feeling of superiority, power? It was only a waste of time.
Value couldn't be seen by how much wealth you had. To him, all nobles and rich men who practices the humiliation of slaves are nothing but the lowest of the low.
It was why he couldn't respect his father, as well as the royals from the ten kingdoms.
But as he believes, he himself is a heartless man. He just ignores any maltreatment he sees. He doesn't participate in it, but he doesn't do anything either.
As much as possible, he dislike seeing it. Which is why Khun mostly remain on his own quarters, only going out whenever it was necessary.
Or, whenever he was annoyed.
The reason was the latter today, and so, Khun took a stroll to the market-- not exactly to the market, but it was the only way to the forest where he could fish in the lake.
He had no intention of taking too much time on his way, since it was the place where slaves are abused into labor.
Khun doesn't like seeing any commotion, and he was unlucky to witness one now.
Seated on the ground was a man that was obviously a slave. He was wearing only a single piece of cloth that resembled rags, and some thick metallic chains on his ankles.
He had a long messy brown hair that looks unwashed, and a bright golden eyes. The man had a rather innocent face, and Khun could only imagine the terrible abuse that the man must have been through.
Two men with a large frame was towering over him, kicking and hitting him with a whip. There was a spilled wine barell on the ground, and Khun could only assume that it was the main reason why they were hitting the poor man.
The man's face was blank even as they hit him, and it was bothering that he wasn't even shielding himself, or at least, crying in pain. He accepted every whip that they gave him, only gasping whenever the whip touches his skin.
He was now lying on the ground, bloodied and on the verge of unconsciousness. They kept on hitting him still, unsatisfied with his 'punishment'. The blue haired man felt disgusted, they were willing to go this far just because the slave has spilled a barrel of wine? It was even too big for his frail body, surely, they didn't expect him to successfully carry it alone.
Khun didn't know what came into his mind, but he found himself pulling his sword and shielding the poor slave.
The sudden swift movement of his blade has cut through the long whip, and had cause the audience to turn silent.
"I order you to release this slave in an instant."
"Hah! You have guts to interfere with my business!" the bigger man said, "Who are you to order me? This slave couldn't be released, if you want to have this defective trash, you'll have to pay us a certain amount!"
A grin appeared on Khun's lips, who, he asked?
The blue haired man lifted the hood of his cloak, revealing his identity, "I am Khun Aguero Agnis, 7th prince of the Thunder Kingdom."
He could see their eyes going wide upon his introduction, and soon enough, the two of them were bowing their heads in panic.
"H-his highness, forgive us for our insolence."
The two men bowed their heads again, and Khun couldn't help but see them as pathetic.
Khun wasn't the type so scandalize, and he didn't liked enduring such unsightly scene unfolding on his eyes either.
He looked at the two men from head to toe, if there's one thing that he've noticed, it was that they weren't dressed lavishly like he expected someone with wealth to be. They don't seem to be the owner of the poor slave, and from how they mentioned him needing to pay them money, they're just probably workers working under a slave trader.
The prince doesn't really have any use for a slave, but he found himself tossing a small bag filled with gold to the merchants, approaching the frail and bloodied boy who was lying on the ground.
The two men picked the small bag, rushing to count the amount of gold inside as the prince crouched to have a good look at the boy.
"I'm buying this slave." he said as gently lifted the man.
The poor man's eyes were barely open, but his gaze was fixed on the prince.
There were murmurs surrounding them, due to the display that the blue haired prince has shown. His cloak was now covered in blood as well, even some parts of his expensive shirt.
"Your highness, our prince--"
"Wasn't my payment enough?"
"No, your highness, but wouldn't you like someone else? We have other more slaves, more functional than that one."
"I didn't asked for your suggestion."
"T-then, you must sign a contract now, your highness."
Oh? A contract? It was disgusting how a piece of paper could indicate an ownership towards the life of another person.
The smaller merchant pulled a scroll from his bag, as well as a quill.
"All parties involved must sign before the transaction becomes valid."
So the poor slave had to sign as well? What about the other slaves who were bought, does that mean that they willingly allowed themselves to be ruled, were they even fine with all of this maltreatment and humiliation?
There were many questions forming on the prince's mind, and he wished nothing but to understand how the slaves were fine with the situation they're in.
"This isn't something that should be discussed on this place, I believe." Khun said, "I'll be inviting you to the palace an hour from now, allow me to do something with this poor individual before anything else."
"But your highness, you couldn't take him without signing the contract-"
"It's an order from a prince." the blue haired man stared at the merchants, "Besides, this man would be owned by me anyway."
Instead of going to the lake to fish, Khun immediately returned to the palace as he held the slave on his arms. He didn't like what he've said about owning the man, but it was a way for him to convince them to let him take the slave away.
Arriving at the palace, the knights and servants were alarmed upon seeing him carrying the man. Khun immediately ordered the servants to wash and clean the slave's wound-covered-body.
As the servants took care of the man, Khun took the opportunity to wash himself and change his filthy clothes as well. He would be meeting with the merchants once again soon after all, and it would be nice if he were to look more dignified and presentable.
Since the slave had to sign as well, he wondered how the brown haired man would be able to do it with his curent condition. Perhaps, signing the contract might be prolonged, but for now, he'd like to see what the contract states.