As I watch the small girls figure retreat back to her cell, I can't help but run out of the room in the other direction of her. Why was the cold expression so familiar? Before I could continue my thoughts, I spot a familiar person. "Priest Malikai!" I can't help but straighten my back in his presents.
"Don't call me that. Anyways, Leon, what did she say?" His usually cold aura is replaced by a hopeful one.
Lowering my head, I pause before speaking, "Pr- I mean, Sir Malikai, I'm sorry to say she declined our offer with a definite no. She seemed very certain, especially after seeing I was a servant." A slight uneasiness could be heard in my voice. When I look up, I am greeted with an amused grin. Is that a genuine smile? Sir Malikai hasn't had such an expression since before his parents passed away. I can't help but gape at him.
Noticing my astonishment, Malikai turns to me and asks, "When is her auction scheduled?" I snap out of it.
"Her auction is at 11:57 like you asked. Sir, may I ask why you pulled so many strings for her auction to be at that time?" A look of confusion washed over my face.
He looked at me like I was asking the most ludicrous question ever asked. "Because tomorrow is he ninteenth birthday, of course." My already amazed self just had a brain shortwire. Did he mean she was a noble? Perhaps even a Queen's candidate?
In a weak voice, I asked, "S-sir, do you mean-"
I was cut off, "You are a servant of our King. Do you really think he would care for a feeble, useless slave?" Malikai's tone was serious and made the hallways temperature drop by at least a few degrees. Wait a second, there's that familiarity! The same one Miss Roslana had. It must be a noble thing because, no one else can hold this kin of presents without being of good backing.
I let out a sigh and nod. "Sir Malikai, you make a great point but, if she's a noble women or a person of power, how did she end up like this?"
At my words, Malikai's expression darkened, ". . ." Oh no, I did it this time. I took a deep gulp in fear. In a voice that left ripples down my spin, he said, "Come get me for the auction at 11:45. Not a minute later." Malikai walked away, his grim expression had been carved into my mind, not leaving til his back was no longer in view.
~~~~~~~~~~
The opening of a cell door echoed through the room as I opened my eyes. It's time.
The guard prepares to say something but, I wave him off. I already know the drill. Follow the guard, go get myself cleaned up, and go into another cage, this time a reinforced glass box, and wait til they wheel me onto stage for auctioning.
Knowing why I wave him off, he makes a small gesture for me to stand infront of him before we make our way down the same halls I'd passed when meeting Leon. This time though, I actually enter the large slave grooming area. A nicely dressed lady with four assisstances is standing there, waiting. "This tonight's jewl?" Her voice holds a hint of sympathy. I'm sure she knowns my fate.
The women takes my hand and brings me to the shower area. I close my eyes thinking she will hose my down but, I pleasantly surprised to find her handing me bath supplies and a towel. "You may bathe on your own. I know it isn't much but, it's the least I can do to let you leave with a little pride." I can see the pained expression on her face. I nod before heading behind the curtain and taking a nice, warm shower.
~~~~~~~~~~
My eyes open upon hearing the knock at the door. A familiar voice says, "Sir Malikai, it 11:45." Once his words reach me, I stand and walk to the door.
"Let's go." I can't help but smile on the inside. Finally, I will have you back.
We make our way towards the large auction hall ahead.
~~~~~~~~~~
Sitting on my knees in the small glass box, I can't help but frown. I feel like a parrot. They put a black cloth over the box to hide the prize, me. As I mummble to myself how they could have at least gave me a longer dress to help my knees when I feel myself moving. Already!? I sigh at the realization that it's my turn.
After a few minutes of moving, my box came to a stop. Hearing noises in the crowd, I can't help but listen.
"I heard she's a beauty." One man said.
Another said, "I wonder if she really still is a virgin."
After hearing a few of these comments, I tried to ignore them. Give me some dignity, won't you!?
Soon enough, the black cloth was removed and I was asked to step out of the box. Leave this h*ll? Sure!
The auctioneer rambled off about tonight's jewl for a bit before saying, ". . .our starting bid is $500,000!" My eyes widened. I'm worth five hundred grand? If I knew this I would've given myself up!
After about half a minute of bidding, the bid had already reached $1,000,000 . I felt like an animal being pointed at by a kid saying, "Mommy, I want that!" Why can't I just hide? At that moment, I felt slightly light headed. Thinking it must be my nerves, I leaned against the glass box beside me. After a few moments, my vision went dark.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Sold for $1,500,000 to Sir Malikai Klaw!" The auctioneer said happily pointing towards the spot where I had been. A look of confusion washed over the man when he saw I was nowhere in his sight. After all, I had been there a moment ago. The sound of gasps filled the room as people stared at the stage. The auctioneer turned to see me holding the women in my arms. She has the same facial structure as the women I bought but, her originally brown hair had now turned to a pastel purple and a mark of a crescent moon had appeared on the back of her left shoulder, which happened to be facing the audience.
A few moments paused before I smiled and said to the unconscious girl in my arms, "Hello dear sister."