Secrets Within the Estate

18

"Nosy? What do you mean?"
"Asking too many questions."
"I'll tell her not to be so nosy and invasive."
"..."

"I apologize on her behalf, she-"
"She c-can apologize to me herself."
"She really got on your nerves, didn't she? I don't know what it is she asked, but it's obvious that she crossed one of your lines."

"She did."
"Well, um," Caspian nervously laughed. "Is there-"
"Wh-what were you doing in th-the meeting?"
"Oh, well, we were talking about territories."
"Did th-they make you sit on th-the floor?"

"..." Here we go with this again....

"I'm taking no answer as yes."
"Will you ever tell me why it bothers you so much?"
"I told you, you don't deserve to b-be on th-the floor. You deserve an actual seat."
"And so do you."

"You and me are different." Liam said in a cold tone.
"Everyone is different, Liam."
"I'm a slave, a-and you're a nobleman. You have power, I don't. You have money, I don't. You have a roof over your head permanently, and I don't. Do you understand? We're different. Maybe our paths are c-crossing now, b-but we're destined to part our separate ways. Wh-when that happens, I'll go b-back to-"

"Stop this nonsense. You're not a slave. You can't ever be one again. I spent a pretty penny on you, Liam. No one is willing to buy the freedom of a slave as expensive as you. I don't know why you were so expensive, but you aren't something to be owned or sold anymore. Sure, you used to be one. Not anymore. Power isn't necessary, in fact, I think it makes life more troublesome and difficult. As for money, I told you, just ask me. And for the home, you have a home in my estate."

"B-but you're going to die. Wh-what after that?"
"..."
"From wh-what you've said, I don't th-think I'll be welcomed b-by another family member of yours. And we have nowhere to go after we leave. It's b-bold of me to say... b-but, Sir,"
"I have a name."
"You're terrible at planning th-things out."

"Ah."
"Feel free to punish me for b-being out of line, b-but it's nothing b-but th-the truth." Liam said as he sat up.
"Ah, wh-what are you doing?" Caspian asked as Liam got onto his knees in front of Caspian and pressed his forehead to the floor. "Get-"

"Please punish me." Liam said through gritted teeth.
"Get off the floor."
"No."
"Why not?!"
"I've b-become too c-comfortable, I was out of line. Please make me remember my-"

Caspian placed his hand on Liam's shoulder and said, "Liam, get off the floor."
"Wh-why won't-"
"I don't punish people for saying the truth, or getting comfortable somewhere. In fact, get more comfortable, will you ^_^?"
"..."
"Liam, I don't know how-"

"I'll get more c-comfortable if you don't die. And if you stop lying."

Caspian pulled his hand away and stood up. "I just remembered there was something I had to do. Why don't you stay here and rest some more."
Liam lifted his head to look at Caspian. "I-"
Caspian grabbed his cane and left the room.

I got on his nerves, didn't I? I'm so stupid.

Liam got out of bed and pulled a set of clothes out of his bag.

Caspian said I can't just wear pants while we're here...

Liam sighed as he pulled his shirt off. He turned to face the full length mirror and looked at the branded scar on his arm.
He didn't know how to read his entire life. There was only one word that he knew. The word "Void." The word that would be branded on top of slave numbers.

It had been a dream of his ever since he became a slave. Everyday he would wish and hope that someday the four numbers on his arm would be replaced with the four letters it took to write the word.
Freedom.
He wished for it everyday. He denied wishing for it when people asked him if he wanted to be free, but he said it was just something that he had to deal with. He never said anything about wanting to be free.