Charlotte's POV
I had been glancing around to see if I could see him among the slaves being auctioned.
He was not present. More individuals were brought in from the rear, from the tent constructed behind the stage platform, where more slaves had been hidden.
They are referred to be "the best of the slaves," and they are frequently sold for a higher price than the rest. Perhaps because of their attractiveness, or any exceptional look or abilities, they would sell for more shekels than the others. That is why they are frequently the last to sell.
I held my breath as they carried in additional slaves from the tent, one by one. He wasn't one of them.
For the billionth time, my hope was dashed, and my heart was wrecked.
As the auctioneers began packing their belongings as the new masters led away their new slaves, the unfortunate folks walked away lamenting the ludicrous price, while others walked away discussing the slaves sold that day and their attractiveness.
I turned to go when I noticed a little familiar person hunched down, peering over at the slaves.
My heart hammered loud and fast against my chest as I stared at her for a millisecond.
'What in the world?' I thought to myself as I hurriedly approached her.
What on earth was this girl thinking?
Did she have any idea where she was? Where was she? That were the folks who surrounding her?
This was a frightening environment, especially for a young girl like her. She had an excellent possibility of being kidnapped and sold into slavery.
Who knows who would end up purchasing her? Most overlords and masters were harsh and brutal individuals who mistreated and whipped their slaves to death. Gender, race, and age were irrelevant; anybody could be a slave, and as long as someone pulled out their money and bought you off, no one had the right to speak on your behalf, regardless of how your owner treated you.
This was the princess of the realm in this circumstance.
Wouldn't it be problems for me if the King and Queen won the present war and came to take their daughter back with them, only to find her sold into slavery?
I'd end up being sentenced to death. I wasn't ready to die yet. I didn't want to die before I got to see him.
He was the most important person in my life, and without him at my side right now, my existence was worthless. My life seemed empty, and I'd been waiting for him for years, stopping by this black market to see if I'd meet him.
This was not the first black market I had visited in search of him. This was not the only black market I had been anticipating for his arrival.
I still had a reason to live and hold on, and I would not let this princess ruin it for me. I stood behind her. She hadn't noticed me yet.
I contemplated on whether to call her by name or place my hand on her to indicate my presence. She hadn't yet realized that I was standing behind her.
She stood up from where she was kneeling and glanced about, as if looking for someone. She was obviously seeking for me.
When I saw she was about to walk in front of me, away from where I was, I put my hand on her shoulder to make her more obvious.
When I touched her, she jumped to check who it was. When she realized it was me, she was terrified, yet comfort flowed over her.
"Didn't I tell you to stay at home?" I was curious.
"You did, indeed." Charmaine responded with a nervous grin on her face.
I was furious with this girl. I wanted to smack her to get that smirk off her face since she obviously didn't listen.
"And?" I queried, my sight drawn to the youngster. Her expression communicated her displeasure with what she had done.
"I didn't pay attention." Charmaine responded honestly.
At the very least, she was forthright about what she had done. She was aware of her error, but it would not spare her from my anger.
"Would you please extend your hand?" I ordered. I wasn't in the mood to dispute with the youngster right now, especially in such a public setting. I was upset with myself for not finding the one I desired, and even more so that she would follow me to such a place.
"Why? Will you hit me across the face?" Charmaine was worried and enquired.
Ideally, I would have done it first, but I was never going to spend my energy and time slapping a child. I had planned to punish her in another way.
"I'm not going to waste my time on it, but Charmaine, you need to learn a lesson. Your parents left you to me, and if something goes wrong, I'll be held accountable... but you must be chastised and taught a lesson." I muttered as I took the tiny girl's hand in mine and led her away.
We walked back to our house. I had no chariot, but there were chariots for rent or public chariots that one might pay to be driven somewhere within the kingdom by paying a few silver coins. If you wanted to be driven outside the kingdom, you'd have to pay more.
I could tell she was tired, but I didn't dare carry her.
She had precipitated this by following me to the black market despite my warnings to stay at home and even locking her in.
This would imply that she leaped through the window to get to me.
'This girl has guts,' I thought to myself as she slowed down, but I tagged her hand, forcing her to quicken her pace. It was almost time for dinner since the sky was setting and I was yet to cook. Before, I wouldn't even bother since I was living alone, but now with the girl, I had to cook.
After all, this isn't any worse than the tragedy she would have gotten if I hadn't noticed her in the black market beforehand.