Problems

The only thing I remember from the previous day was that I got carried away, the slaves had rested in the courtyard next to the blankets and a plentiful meal that left the warehouses halfway and the scolding of dinner and in the morning all the nobles were present with small treasures in carriages, clearly waiting for whoever the authority was to come make a deal, but more importantly from how they waited for me to wake up and hid at the end of the corridor it didn't seem very obvious what they wanted, it was slightly shouting for me to reconsider my word from the previous day.

“Son, you slept well.” The lady of the house was as friendly as ever, and the fact that I brought her some cakes yesterday must have helped her get a better impression of me.

“Alba greets Lady Briana of the House of Sol. I join in the greeting, and you, Head of the Vlad family, Lord of the House of Sol, future king of Lasha.” After a brief bow, a chatter, and standing at attention while avoiding a yawn, we continued our conversation.

“Son, it’s about the slaves you brought yesterday.”

“I know, Father, as I promised, I woke up early to return them since the house cannot afford such a purchase, as you vehemently stated yesterday.”

“In fact, I was able to convince your father that slaves might be more beneficial if we kept them.”

"I understand, but please understand, Mother, a man's word is worth as much as his dignity, and I'm sure Father's anger last night was justified. We also agreed that I would keep one of the slaves for the sake of maintaining my own dignity, and if you remember." I raised my hand, giving him the right to continue.

"I know that night will be forgotten, dear." He seemed to be giving up on a lost cause.

It was no surprise to either of them that I was so determined to return them, but today's juicy profits must have made them regret it and partly their conscience for yesterday's scolding despite me talking about the omen, which was a surprise that even that didn't stop them from playing along with me, but now it's in my favor since I shouldn't make excuses to return them just like that.

On his knees before me, it was the surprise of a lifetime I never expected. "Son, you're doing the right thing. The word of a Sun should be worth its dignity. That's why I respect your character. But if, after learning what's happening at the entrance, you decide to keep them for the family, you won't be shamed. I'll make sure of it."

"I'll keep that in mind, Father." I didn't give it much thought; such an important deal couldn't just be lost, and it's not like the family needed them. "Everything's going according to plan."

Shortly after eating, I arrived at the entrance, while everyone was shouting my father's name and after that, offers of a lot of money that could clearly fill the family coffers with great ease and after a while he pushed me in front of the bars so that everyone could notice who the decision belonged to, the very clever man knew how to divert the evil from his name and indirectly say who the slaves belonged to, but two could play the same game.

“Nobles who inhabit our great Kingdom, know that we have thought long and hard and gone through all the trouble that having slaves would entail, and our coffers are not even enough to buy them all. I ask that you let the slave manager in, please.” After a while, he walked by with the contract in hand, unfolded so everyone could see it at least briefly, and they calmly opened the door. “Great slave trader, I fear my attempts to earn money quickly have failed and have attracted the attention of many families who need them more than we do.” I bowed slightly in greeting, and he responded with an even more respectful one. “My father has considered the most important thing about everything that has happened: if we sell at our discretion, we will earn the displeasure of many families and have great problems in the future for a highly coveted good. Therefore, I will hand over all the slaves I acquired yesterday, except for one who will assist me personally, as the coming-of-age rituals indicate.” We stood up at the same time, as I could see.

“Of course, young man, I understand perfectly. Yesterday I already suggested that you not buy so many.”

“For the future I will listen to you, do not doubt it.” We shook hands and all the lights went through except for the one I clearly asked to keep by my side and with that, the order and all the slaves passed from the backyard, with the blankets and some still with the plates, while they returned them to the servants who carried entire bathtubs and after a while they finally left, while the nobles looked in my direction, some with disappointment, others with relief, but almost all with renewed respect, for my part, there was astonishment and anger in equal parts in both, I stopped caring about the opinions of others a long time ago and proceeded to go inside, while the girl with the Purple collar ate with the rest of the servants and with the new uniform.

I didn't give it much thought, as I asked them to be good to her and teach her most of the things she needed to do, and a quick call to my homework got me out to the yard to take part in a more leisurely exercise than usual, but it felt long and by midday I was finally free, going to take a bath where my thoughts could properly flow.

"Now that I think about it, I wished for luck. I hope that wasn't what the option meant." Memories flooded back so fast that I couldn't help but feel the familiar sensation of my brain being squeezed. "Fortunate events, no need to wait any longer then." I cleaned my clothes and was ready to go, well-dressed and in high spirits.

“Good morning, young man, where are you going today?” He seemed very excited, even ready for whatever the world might throw at him.

"To claim fortunes beyond my wildest imaginations." Clearly, he couldn't say that, but the fate he was about to receive wouldn't be to his liking either. "Coliseum."

“I’m afraid we can’t go.”

“What’s the reason for that?”

“With the escaped slaves, there are no participants and they closed it, until the next purchase.”

“I see, then to the Fair.”

“It will be delayed until 50 Albas, due to the lack of labor, mainly rented slaves.”

“Taverns?”

“Anything you have in mind.”

“Just having people in it is enough for me.”

“Okay, let’s go get something to drink and then we’ll be back.”

“Depending on what happens, we’ll stay a little longer.”

I looked back at the road with disappointment, it was the last tavern in the kingdom and they didn't even have room or material, yesterday's looting was even more complete than I imagined, it was no surprise, in fact, I expected it, but the disappointment simply wouldn't leave me no matter how much I wanted it to.

“Don’t feel bad, young man, you’ve heard that in 20 days a suitable order will arrive at almost every tavern.”

“By the time we get there, everything will have been bought.” I looked disheartened at the driver and his tangled mustache. “And there won’t be anyone left to play games or challenge each other to drink liquor. I curse the noble houses for demanding so much liquor.” I returned my gaze to the ground where the wood and my feet made up the only interesting aspects of the day’s journey.