The Servant Queen

Hunter

Ani

"Isn't it just wonderful?" Walter said.

Craters Marketplace in Central City was the largest in the entire kingdom. It stretched out for miles without end. People always seemed to be moving. There was this constant chatter of women and men bargaining or talking about some juicy gossip to the shopkeepers. I could hear the laughter and yelling of the children playing around on the cobblestone street.

But, what I could hear the most is the absolute silence of the people tied up with thick ropes around their wrists, sitting in organized rows on the side of the street. Their faces hidden, their emotions hidden.

They were the servants of Stone Kingdom.

I can imagine the faceless children amongst them wondering why they can't be laughing along with the others their age too. What's difference besides the number on their wrists and their masks.

I've been here many times to be sold and bought. Walter said that we're just going into town. It turns out iit was his "special" surprise to show me Craters Marketplace.

My shoulder pressed against Walter's arm. I'd hate to get lost and found by people who might find out that I was also a servant playing dress-up.

"Walter, is there a place you want to go specifically?" I said.

I hated how my voice sounded as if I wanted to leave. Walter wanted me to enjoy the marketplace. But there was nothing I can do about it.

He looked at me as if he was disappointed as my reaction.

"Actually, yeah," he said. He eyed a stall. "Would you like to get something to eat first? We've walked a lot."

I wasn't hungry. My stomach felt like it was squeezed into a small ball of guilt. I'm doing nothing for the other servants. All I'm doing was trying to gain my own freedom surrounded with riches, protected by a sturdy shield called Walter Green.

My priorities changed before I knew it. Selfish desires emerged somewhere along the lines.

My goal from the start was to help create a land where servants were free. It wasn't just my own personal freedom.

Walter didn't wait for my answer. He bought two large sandwiches for him and me. He handed one to me.

"I'm not hungry," I said.

"Just take it, Ani. You don't need to eat it."

I grabbed it reluctantly. Walter unwrapped his and started chewing while continuing to walk down the cobblestone street as I followed beside him.

My eyes wandered around until I saw a father with his five small children sitting on the ground, backs pressed against a building. Their clothes were in rags and their faces were sunken and their bodies were thin.

Without thinking, I went over to them and held out my sandwich to the father.

The father looked up at me with a mouth slightly opened.

"For you, sir," I said, with a smile.

He slowly took it from my hand. I could see how coarse they were.