Charmaine dashed out onto the road to check which way Charlotte was heading. The woman was a quick walker, and because she was tall, she moved in enormous steps.
Charlotte was preoccupied with her thoughts, making sure she went as quickly as she could to her objective, never looking behind or realizing she was being followed by Charmaine.
Charmaine's curiosity had gotten the best of her. She didn't give a damn about her own safety since her goal was to track Charlotte down.
Charmaine would have to be a fool not to notice the small elements that made Charlotte suspicious. First, despite the woman's intriguing attractiveness, she constantly covered her face; why would someone hide their beauty like that?
Back at the palace, she had seen a lot of gorgeous ladies who flaunted and boasted a lot. All in the name of their beauty, they could get away with whatever they wanted and do whatever they wished.
Charlotte, on the other hand, was a unique woman. She didn't give a damn about what other people thought of her and, despite her attractiveness, she didn't flaunt it.
They'd come around another bend that took them entirely away from the market and the tiny center they had been shopping before. They were now traveling along what seemed to be a 100-meter-long outdoor corridor.
They weren't alone on the trail, which was fortunate for her. Every time Charlotte turned her head to look back, she used to conceal among a few individuals.
She'd never left the palace before, so she did not know where she was or where Charlotte was going.
An opening opened after a last bend, leading to what seemed to be a market. It was crowded, and there were numerous people around; the only difference was that nothing was being sold. Instead, it was people who were being sold!
To say she was taken aback would be an understatement.
She had overheard some of the royal maids discussing human trafficking, where individuals were sold into slavery, but she assumed it was a hoax.
"Seeing is believing," as someone once stated. The royal maids had been right all along.
Her eyes couldn't believe what they were seeing. There were prisoners incarcerated in a small metal cage to the side of the raised table that functioned as the stage.
A few additional individuals stood in front of the auctioneer with their hands and feet shackled, looking pale, hungry, and sick, but the people gathered around didn't seem to mind since they proceeded to bid on them, yelling a larger price than the one previously announced by another person.
She stood there, watching Charlotte from the sidelines.
So this had been her destination. Was this what the rice vendor at the other market was getting at when they had that odd talk earlier?
She had many questions, but the best thing she could do was hide before someone saw her. Now she knew what Charlotte had meant when she said that this was a dangerous place not meant for kids.
Charmaine could still see Charlotte from where she was hiding.
Despite understanding the risks of this location, she had opted to stay... perhaps because she was afraid of returning home alone? Or maybe it was because she was curious to see what Charlotte wanted to do.
What brought her here? Did she intend to purchase a slave? Her house, on the other hand, was rather little. Why would she require the services of a slave?
These were some of the few thoughts that raced through her head.
She watched as they sold each person one by one, but there was nothing she could do about it.
'When I grow up and inherit the kingdom, I will undoubtedly put an end to these.' Charmaine reflected on her own thoughts, as she watched the buyers and their now new slaves leave the place one by one, leaving Charlotte standing there while watching the auctioneer and his men clear things up before leaving.
When Charmaine glanced up, she couldn't see Charlotte since she was so immersed in her thoughts. Her heart pounded against her chest as she tried to figure out where Charlotte had gone.
She rose from her hiding place to take a look around, but she didn't see the woman.
A hand was placed on her shoulder as she was ready to take a step, causing her to jolt in order to see who it was. Despite this, she was terrified, but comfort poured over her when she realized it was Charlotte.
"Didn't I say you should remain at home?" Charlotte had inquired.
"Yes, you did." Charmaine replied, a slight hesitant grin on her face.
"And?" Charlotte inquired, her gaze falling on the young kid. Her look conveyed her dissatisfaction with what she had done.
"I didn't pay attention." Charmaine replied truthfully.
"Please extend your hand." Charlotte had placed an order.
"Why? Are you going to smack me in the face?" Charmaine inquired, concerned.
"I can't waste my time on that, but Charmaine, you need to learn a lesson. Your parents entrusted you to me, and if anything goes wrong, I'll be held responsible... nonetheless, you must be disciplined and taught a lesson." Charlotte murmured, holding the small girl's hand and leading her away.
Charlotte's POV
Looking around at the people made me feel nauseous. I felt as though I could smash them for committing such an absurd act.
I despised it, but that was not the reason I had come. I had come to see someone.
I had been hunting for this particular person for the previous nine years, and I was no stranger to this location. I frequently came here hoping to find the person I had been seeking for such a long time.
Heaven alone knows how much gold and silver I have set aside for this day... the day when I shall auction him from the ruthless auctioneer's clutches and set him free as he so well deserves.
But, like in previous days, he was not among the load that had been brought in to be sold.