The table fell into an awkward silence. They were clearly expecting me to talk, but I wasn't in the mood to entertain them.
"Master, your dinner. "
Luna broke the silence as she placed the food in front of me.
"Thanks Luna."
I said to her before digging into the food. She stepped back and stood behind me. Most of the servants stood by the wall, but I preferred Luna next to me.
"Aren't you going to pray, young master?"
Cecile, the saintess, said the moment I placed food in my mouth. I ignored her and drank my milk to wash it down before turning to her.
"No."
I said firmly and cut into the chicken, the brown sauce on top of it flowing onto the plate. I took a piece and ate it.
"But the God of light will not protect you then."
She said her voice carried a hint of worry. I placed my fork down and turned to look at her fully.
"Can I have a quiet dinner?"
I said coldly. She was already trying to indoctrinate me. This was why I wanted nothing to do with the church.
"That's rude, Lucian, she was being considerate. "
The prince chastised. I rolled my eyes and continued eating. I wasn't about to join their little games.
Sniffles suddenly filled the table. I looked up to see her crying while wiping her eyes with an hankerchief the prince gave her.
'What in the world '
Whispers started to fill the hall as it became louder with each tear that fell. I didn't react, I just continued eating. There was nothing they could do to me, and the fact that she had tears in her eyes was impressive enough.
If just a small reprimand could make her cry, then will she hang herself if it's worse? This was very annoying.
"If you continue looking at me like that, I don't mind popping your eyeballs."
I said coldly to Celius, the saint, who had been glaring at me. He looked down after my words and turned to his crying sister. I took this as an opportunity.
"Your highness, I appreciate your invitation, but it seems I have only caused distress for the saintess. I'll be leaving then."
I bowed to him and turned to leave.
"Wait!"
The saintess shouted loud enough for everyone to hear. I sighed and turned to her. But she didn't speak, she only bit her lips and looked at me pitifully.
I rolled my eyes inwardly. What was she waiting for?
"You don't have to apologize for what you said, young master Lucian. I will pray for the God of light to protect you."
She held her chest solemnly while she said this. I nodded nonchalantly and left with Luna without looking back.
"Are you okay master?"
Luna asked me the moment we got to my room. I chuckled and sat down on the couch. She came and knelt before me removing my shoes.
"Why wouldn't I be. I found her funny. "
"But she sullied your name master."
Luna insisted. It seems the saintess had really irked her. Luna can only act like this when she is genuinely angry.
"Its just a clown play, those little words will not affect me or my reputation. Can you massage my shoulders, i can feel the tension in my muscles."
I said to luna who stopped rubbing my feet and stood up. Her massages were always the best, she knew how to release every tension in my body.
We fell into a comfortable silence as I leaned into her touch.
"Did Donovan send any message?"
I asked breaking the silence. She stopped her fingers before continuing.
"Yes, I got the letter this morning. "
"What did it say?"
"The month's slave auction will be held tomorrow evening. "
I nodded.
"That's good, we should be able to make it ."
Luna nodded. Since it's the last day before going home, it was placed on the perfect day and time. At least luck was on my side this time.
"Will you be going alone?"
Luna asked.
"No, I'll be going with both of them."
I wanted the two, Abeloin and Blair, to get used to how everything works. While Abelion adapted pretty quickly i didn't know about Blair.
The operation gave me full control of their body and their life, but it didn't affect their conscious decision-making. As long as they weren't going against me they are just like any unopened human.
...
"Are we really going to a slave auction?"
Abeloin asked excitedly. I had informed them of the visit to the auction. It was also good to have a fresh pair of eyes. Donovan was still the driver while the two boys were seated in the carriage with me. Luna was seated next to me opposite them.
"Yes, have you never been to an auction?"
Blair asked Abeloin who nodded his eyes still filled with excitement.
"Yes, my father never allowed me outside our home, says I bring bad luck."
Blair widened his eyes dramatically and tried to move away from him. Abeloin burst into laughter and tried to hold his arm.
At least everyone is getting along just fine. The carriage drove slowly through the bustling central area as it headed for the eastern part of the capital where the Scrat slave market was.
The slave auction house was still located inside the market. After half a sand glass of driving the carriage entered the dilapidated market.
People jumped out of the way as the horse trudged forward unimpeded until we came to a stop in front of a building that looked out of place in the falling market.
The building was large, three stories to be precise. The outside was painted in a festive red color with decorations hung around the outside walls.
There were a lot of carriages pulling up as nobles got down and walked into the clean building. There wasn't even a speck of dust on the black floors.
"We've arrived young master."
Donovan's voice came then the door was opened. I held Luna back as the other three got down first before we both followed.
"Is this really a slave house or a brothel."
Abelion asked loudly as he looked at the front of the auction. His voice attracted attention. Some of the nobles turned back to look, and upon seeing the crest on the carriage, they would turn around and whisper amongst themselves.
I was sure that by tomorrow, the words of the youngest Bloodmoor visiting the slave market would have spread around the capital.
The woes of a high noble.
"Let's go ."
I led the way as most people got out of the way as I passed through until I was inside the action house.
"Young master, please this way."
An attendant approached the moment I entered and led us around a brightly lit hallway and up two flights of stairs before he came to a stop in front of a black door with one painted on it.
"Please enjoy your stay. "
The attendant opened the door and stepped aside. The other three entered excitedly while both Luna and I followed behind them.
"This is more luxurious than the one father is always given."
Blair said as he looked around the black-painted room. There were couches organized in a small semicircle that had directly view of the auction.
We all took seats in the places we found comfortable and waited for the auction to begin.
Since we were on the top floor, we had a clear vantage point of the whole auction.
People were already seated below waiting for the auction to start. A woman with almost all of her breasts out walked to the stage and smiled at the audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Scrat slave auction house. Today, we bring you the best products from all the kingdoms, as always."
The audience clapped at her eloquent speech. She was clearly a master at getting the crowd riled up and interested.
"Okay, I will start with our best product. A siren, found by the auction after years of searching the Blue sea. Do not worry my dear customers, she is untouched."
A large covered cage was pushed onto the stage. People in the audience started to murmur as the tension started to rise.
"What do you think she'll look like?"
Abeloin asked in anticipation. He had stood up and walked to the glass looking down at the auctioneer.
"I've never seen a siren."
Blair said and turned to me, the question written in just expression.
"Never."
The only siren I had seen was from badly drawn pictures in the book of species. This would also be my first sighting of a siren.
The cover was pulled off and a gasp filled the room.
"This is remarkable, it's absolutely beautiful. "
I said in wonder the moment I laid my eyes upon it. I could feel the tension and competitiveness increasing as everyone laid their eyes on the unveiled siren.
She had green flowing hair that floated behind her, her tail was a mixture of green and blue scales with golden linings on the fins and the end of the tail.
She had a face that could match her reputation with yellow snake-like eyes. There were small green scales scattered on the side of her face with pink, flared ears just adding to her beauty.
BANG!
The sound vibrated through the auction as the siren, which seemed to be static, hit the glass of the fish tank.
I stood up and walked to the glass looking down at the struggling siren.
"She's a feisty one."