Born to rule ('Born to be a slave' sequel)

37

The girls were not expensive. Actually, I was surprised that the value of a human being was so low. It pained me to think I am as horrible as my previous owners, going so far to buy a person for myself.

I tried to believe I am different. I am not going to use the life of the girls for my own good. I will set them free – to live a life they wish.

A pair of blue eyes timidly watched me. I could see the uncertainty in her orbs. Afraid and scared in what world she will be thrown into. Before I could say a thing Victoria's sharp voice startled me.

"Where did you run off?"

She eyed the spot we were in, the surrounding and then her glance landed on the girls beside me. I had gone a little bit further away from the slave traders. The constant reminder of their profession broke my heart.

"Who are these?" Victoria took another moment to grasp the scene. "Don't tell me they are yours now!"

"These girls will not be mine."

My friend pulled me closer and whispered.

"What do you think? To let them free? Have you thought about the place they will be going to?"

Victoria was right and I should be the last person to be reminded of the harsh reality that a slave has. There would be no place for them to go and most likely after some time every single one of them would end up back in the hands of traders.

I thought long and hard about what to do with them now. The worst decision would be to leave them to their fates.

"I will set the girls free!"

"Thea!" Victoria sighed. "I thought of you more."

"And will take care of them."

"Just be careful with your ideas. I doubt Edmund will like it."

"He does not need to. Who is the queen here?"

A quick smirk flashed across Victoria's face, but she said nothing more. I, on the other hand, was so boiled up, I barely could hold my emotions contained. I could not stand the thought of somebody being a slave, a worthless human being in the eyes of others. I wanted to erase slavery from existence, even if it starts with such small thing as to free a few people and make their lives change. For better or for worse only time will tell.

"I am going home." My voice quieted down and I felt very depressed. "Tell the girls I am sorry."

As I looked up at Victoria, a single tear rolled down my cheek. She hold a soft expression, a sight of pitty. My insides were boiling in turmoil. I felt sad – for the girls and for my hurtful memories. I tried to keep my emotions inside. None of the people around should see how vulnerable I could be and how easy was to break my heart.

With my back turned to my friend I pondered, little reluctant to go on my own, face the consequences of my fragile heart. I knew she is still standing behind me.

"Am I doing the right thing?"

It felt like my words have melted into the humming crowd.

"Right or wrong... It doesn't matter. At least you are taking control in your own hands. Thea, do as you see fit. Follow your heart. I think that is what this land needs."

"Thank you, Victoria!" I glanced at her noble face as if looking for another expression of assurance. Only her face has changed to a kind grimace, barely visible.

Girls followed me close behind saying no word or uttering a single sound. I figured they view me as one of the nobles - an arrogant lady who would punish them for the slightest self-expression. I didn't intend to be their master or someone who would control their life.

Back home everybody seemed on edge. The servants and guards timidly did their duties, almost afraid to make a mistake or face their cruel master. Something has happened, someone has disturbed their everyday calm work.

I stepped back to face one of the guards.

"What has happened?"

"My apologies, it's not our fault." He hesitated. "The king, he is not in a good mood."

"Do you know why?"

He just shook his head, denying any knowledge about the situation.

The girls breathed in anxiously noticing someone enter the wide entrance hall. My heart stopped as well when I realized and laid eyes on the person stirring up the bright mood in the castle. I managed to calm myself so I am not looking like a scared animal.

"Edmund? What is going on?"

His hair was messy, somehow hiding his dark eyebrows as well as the true emotion burning in his eyes. The white silky shirt he wore was loosely unbuttoned to expose his upper chest. He looked like a mess, thrown out in the storm - lost and somewhat confused and there was something else in his eyes, I could not see yet.

He grunted in displeasure.

"What are those?"

A long silence stopped the time, keeping everyone anxiously awaiting his further words.

"Have they no sense of respect? Bow down in front of your king!"

Edmund's voice suddenly rose up shaking the hearts of everybody.

I looked at the girls and silently asked them to bow down.

He looked down at them from afar as at nothing, like they were some insignificant trash, not human beings. Only now I noticed something strange in his appearance, in the way Edmund spoke and behaved. It was not his usual way of meeting people, even ordering.

"Don't expect me to bow down in front of you." Deep down I was not allowing him to put me down, because I knew that something has changed him. It was not his usual self.

Edmund stayed silent, but I could see he was holding his words in, on the brink of spitting them out.

I collected all my courage and walked up to him, showing no fear or hesitation. Everything became clear when I looked in his eyes and felt the scent radiating of Edmund which was not his.

Edmund, you are drunk."