As Kael stood before the cage, his mind raced with memories of his father. He recalled the day he was branded with the tattoo as a child.
In his memories of roughly 15 years ago, little Kael was seen lying on a stone slab, somewhere in an underground chamber. His stern-looking father was seen standing before him with a scroll in his hand.
Opening the scroll, he revealed the drawing of a mystical seal, drawn by runic magic.
"This is the Seal of a mystic summoner," his father's deep voice filled the room. "An ancient seal belonging to the House of Raiden, created by my ancestor. It will connect you to those who are fated to meet, whether it is a beast or the bearer of the same seal. Should a bearer call for help from the depths of their soul, the seal will respond. Remember, family above everything." His Father proceeded to activate the scroll, and dark energy flew from the scroll and started etching onto Kael's skin.
"Argh…" Kael's scream filled the room for the next minute.
Back to the present;
Kael intensely gazed at the blonde-haired girl, wondering about her identity. He couldn't help but remember the features of the man Duchess Leona wanted to kill. That man, too, was supposed to have blonde hair and blue eyes. Are they related? A question popped up in his head.
Xarx broke his thoughts with a playful nudge. "Didn't take you for someone interested in little girls too, Big Bro," he teased, smirking.
Kael ignored the comment and addressed the shopkeeper. "I'd like to purchase her."
The girl looked up, fear flashing in her visible eye. Xarx's comment only increased her fear even more and she trembled at the thought.
The shopkeeper's eyes gleamed greedily. "A fine choice, my lord. That'll be 10,000 gold coins."
Xarx frowned. "That's absurd! What's so special about her that you're asking for such a ridiculous amount?"
The shopkeeper chuckled. "She's still a virgin and, as you can see, quite the beauty, which might only enhance as she becomes a lady. And for her age—" he leaned closer, lowering his voice. "She might be 14 but well-developed as an adult. If not for her eye, I would be asking even 50,000 gold coins!"
Kael's expression darkened, but he didn't hesitate. He threw the pouch filled with more than ten thousand gold coins and took the tome containing the slave magic bound to the girl's body. "She's mine now. Release her."
Once the shopkeeper confirmed the amount, the shopkeeper handed over the tome with a sly grin. "A pleasure doing business, my lord."
Kael turned to the girl. "Follow me."
Trembling, she obeyed, fear etched into her every step as Kael and Xarx led her into a secluded alley.
In the dim alley, the girl shivered, expecting the worst. Her mind raced with horrifying scenarios—was she about to be violated by him or perhaps the both of them? Her entire body started trembling in fear to the point that she got the urge to pee.
Kael then looked at her, his voice calm but firm. "What's your name?"
"Serestia," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Where are you from?"
"A mountain village… far from here," she said briefly, her tone guarded.
Kael sighed. "Not enough." As a last resort, he raised his sleeve, revealing the tattoo on his forearm. "Do you recognize this?"
Serestia froze, her visible eye-widening. Slowly, she removed the patch covering her left eye. Beneath it was a glowing tattoo identical to Kael's, branded directly on her discolored, blind pupil.
Kael's heart skipped a beat. "So it's true," he muttered. "You are from the House of Radien."
"House of Radien? The fallen house that caused chaos everywhere and later got every one of its members executed?" Xarx seemed to be taken aback. He was visibly shocked and he took another look at the girl.
Serestia's voice trembled as she spoke. "This… this mark has been with me since I was five. My mother branded me with it. But I don't know what it means. I've never heard of the House of Raiden. I absolutely have no relations with it." Earlier, she was afraid to get violated and now, after hearing Kael's words, she panicked about her possible execution.
"Don't worry." Kael's expression softened. "The House of Raiden was my father's house too. I'll tell you its history later on but what you have to understand is that only direct descendants usually can bear this seal."
Serestia looked down, confusion clouding her face. "I don't know anything about that. I grew up in the Blue Mountains, the village of Yer. My mother never spoke of nobility. She… she died when bandits raided our village, three months ago." Her voice broke. "They captured me, sold me to a slave trader… and now I'm here."
Kael sighed deeply. He took the Tome of Slave magic, channeled his energy, and broke the spellbinding Serestia's soul. The glowing collar around her neck shattered, and a faint shimmer of light faded from her body.
"Wha…" Both Xarx and Serestia were surprised by his actions.
"You're free," Kael said to the teenager. "I don't believe in owning people. But you are still a family. So, I helped you. From here on, you can choose your path. You can come with me, or go your own way. It's up to you." Kael then took out a pouch from his storage ring. "This contained roughly 1000 gold coins. It should be enough for you to get back to your village."
Xarx looked at Kael, his eyes filled with admiration. In his eyes, Kael's image grew further.
As for Serestia, she silently stared at him for a while, her expression unreadable.
Slowly, she knelt before him, bowing her head low. "My whole village was decimated and I have no home to return. You brought me my freedom. Please… let me follow you, Master."
Kael regarded her for a long moment, then nodded. "If that's your choice, then so be it."
As they exited the alley, Xarx clapped a hand on Kael's shoulder, trying to lighten the mood. "Big Bro, you sure have a way with people. Now you've got a cute little sister following you around too!"
Kael ignored the jab, his thoughts already moving to the implications of Serestia's existence. The House of Raiden wasn't as extinct as his father thought, and moreover, he met the third person who bore the seal of radien, the other person being his sister. His mind naturally wandered with various thoughts.
After spending another 800 gold coins on Serestia's clothes, grooming, and a visit to a luxurious salon, Kael and Xarx observed a remarkable transformation. The timid and ragged girl had turned into a proper young girl, exuding the grace of someone born into a noble family. The eye patch was also changed, making it seem more like an accessory than some simple patch that is covering her blind eye.
Walking beside the two men, she now carried herself with an air of dignity, though the occasional awe in her eyes betrayed her inexperience with the grandeur of the city. Like a cub latched to its mother, Serestia stayed close to Kael at every step as they roamed around.
Despite their familial connection as distant cousins and learning of her noble heritage, Serestia stubbornly insisted on addressing Kael as "Master". This habit earned the trio more than a few awkward stares from shopkeepers and passersby. The sight of a young girl dolled up and dutifully following a man like Kael gave the impression that he was a perverted aristocrat showing off his "decorated servant." People judge. Kael was familiar with those judgmental gazes and murmurs. So, he mostly ignored them and continued to walk.
Kael and Serestia eventually parted ways with Xarx after returning to the castle. Serestia's graceful demeanor caught the attention of the guards and servants as they walked through the halls.
Upon reaching the royal guest chamber, Kael saw Amanda in the living room instead of her room, sitting on the couch and having tea alone by herself.
"Kael…" Amanda couldn't stop herself from raising her voice as soon as she spotted him. "You went outside again without any security?" She scolded him.
"Didn't you remember your identity? You know, if people know of your… Hmm?" While scolding him, she suddenly spotted a doll-like girl on his side, hiding behind his body and peeking out as if she were the one being scolded. "Who is that?"
"Her name is Serestia. I went to the marketplace with Xarx and…" He introduced Serestia and proceeded to explain the circumstances behind the purchase. The princess raised an eyebrow as her gaze lingered on the girl. "You bought a slave?" Amanda asked, her tone cool. "For what? Do you lack women on your side or something? Even if you are a lusty bas*ard, she is a little girl. There is a line you must not cross."
"It's not what you think." Kael waved his hands in a hurry, explaining the circumstances. "I bought her after finding out that she's actually a distant relative from my father's side. And also, she is not a slave. I freed her from the slavery. She no longer carries the brand."
Amanda crossed her arms, clearly unconvinced. "Then why is she still here, calling you 'Master'?"
Kael's face darkened as he struggled to defend himself. "I can't control what she calls me. She's following me of her own free will."
Amanda snorted, her displeasure becoming evident on her face. "Do whatever you want. Just don't bring shame to the crown." With that, she turned on her heel and returned to her room, her cold demeanor cutting through the air.
Serestia watched the exchange in silence. After Amanda left, she remarked with wide eyes, "Master, your wife is so pretty. But… she's so cold."
Kael chuckled, ruffling her hair affectionately. "That's just how she is. You'll get used to it." After a brief pause, he asked, "Say, can you stop calling me Master? How about Elder Brother, instead? Your address would cause unnecessary misunderstandings."
Serestia looked down, grabbing her chin as if she were contemplating the matter seriously. "But, wouldn't that cause more misunderstanding if other servants would address you as Master and I call you Elder Brother?"
Kael silently stared at her. In the end, he let out a deep sigh and spoke. "Just address me as Milord or Lord Moonstone as others then."
"Understood, Milord," Serestia giggled in happiness.