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Chapter Six

"Princess, where are you going," Cirilo asked having kept up with me.

After running, I'd come to an abrupt stop before an alleyway where a few people who were masked and fully cloaked entered and exited.

"Cirilo, you've been awfully quiet for someone who hated being chosen by me." I said with my back to the three guards. As always Baros moved to my side, his expression nonchalant. "I've wondered, why you haven't made a move to betray me yet," I glanced at him over my shoulder. His expression was dark, and he appeared to be thinking over my words.

"Don't think to hard. When one plays the games with Royals, they should move on instinct. My brother the third prince won't pay you nearly enough to do his dirty work."

Stiffening, his offered me a gracious smile. "Princess, if I were to betray you it wouldn't be for that despicable dog. And, as of now I haven't been approached by anyone with a cause worthy enough to betray you for."

Turning around I spotted a vendor selling masks "Is that so. Okay, when you find a good buyer let me know. I won't cling to you, and will even give you a bonus."

Approaching the Vendor, I pulled out two gold coins form my pouch and tossed them over grabbing four masks. Walking back to my three guards I held them out to the three. "Since the unfortunate burning down of my palace, my father has been graciously working overtime to rebuild it."

"Didn't you burn it down," Baros muttered taking the metal mask.

Dalton, taking the wooden one; corrected him. "The accident indeed was unfortunate."

Picking the black one, Cirilo chuckled. "Princess, you should have been more thorough, the way I was interrogated you'd have thought I was the one who knocked the candle over."

Placing the bejeweled one upon my face, I curled up my lips in an insincere smile. 

"Anyway, after that unfortunate event it's time I picked my own servants. We wouldn't want to bloody the walls of my new home because spies, liars and bullies were once again hired. So, I slipped into my fathers Vault and grabbed this." I took out a golden ring, along the side was the royal family saying, "Be not Royal, but Godly." A very domineering saying, along with our shield stamped in the center. Slipping the ring on, made my skin feel tingly.

The three had completely stilled at the sight of it, but I didn't give the time to lament over my "borrowing" the treasuries money.

Lifting the ends my skirt, I entered the alleyway knowing they would follow. And even if they didn't...I was accustomed to being abandoned.

I focused on the lights that flickered in the building at the end of the long walkway. The coming and going  of others was nearly silent, as they seemed nervous when I passed them. All of them probably had something to hide, but not I. 

Hiding was beneath royalty.

Reaching the end of the alleyway, I stopped before the two large guards who each had their face covered with dark pieces cloths leaving on their chin and hair exposed.

"Name?" One of them gruffly demanded.

"How about, a ring?"

I lifted my hand and watched as one of them leaned down and looked at it. It took only a second for him to quickly withdraw and bow. The other seemed confused until he said. "Welcome to the night market your majesty."

"Ooh, you have manners. I've heard over the years how my siblings enjoy coming and going from here at all hours of the day. I decided it was my turn," I laid a light hand upon the first shoulder. "I want you to lead me to the flesh market."

The cool sensation of his cloak beneath my hand didn't block his shoulders tightening. "Your majesty, maybe it would be—," "Don't worry steward, I'll take her."

The door that had been closed behind the two guards was now opened. A tall figure stood visible due to the light behind him. He wore a brightly colored jacket of red and greens, that oddly went with his blood red hair. His eyes were covered by a thin black ribbon.

I clapped my hands together after removing them form the guards shoulder, "Good."

And with that me and my guards entered the Night Market. A chilling sensation of magic brushed over my skin, the black fog that had blocked the view of the inside evaporated and before me was what appeared was like what the outdoor market outside looked like.

Large balls of light floated overheard, revealed lines and lines of vendors. All masked, some fully covered to prevent others from knowing they're identity. Moving past them, I saw poisons being traded like normal spices.

My guards eyes seemed to be all over.

"What would bring the quiet Seventh Princess to such a rowdy place. If I'm allowed to ask," Our escort finally spoke up.

"... I'm going to kill the entire Royal family."

"WHAT?!"

I glanced at my guards, but their faces were stone. Maybe it's time to come up with a different joke. I don't want them to get accustomed to my 'jokes'.

I ignored the flabbergasted expression of our escort. "Or, I was but that's such a boring plan and offers nothing more than a throne I don't want and having to raise the people of this nation. No, thank you."

The smile on his face turned awkward, "My—Seventh Princess, you can't joke with a merchant like that."

"Merchant? I thought you were only my escort? Should that be your name, Merchant?"

"My name is Javon," He gave a short bow his long red hair slipping past his shoulder.

I reached out and grabbed a piece of it, and lightly lifted it. "I wonder Javon, what else you're willing to sell as a merchant?"

The play of emotions that ran over his face sans his eyes was fun to watch.

"Princess," A large hand lightly grabbed my wrist. "That's enough."

"Dalton, why is it that you insist on ruining my fun," I released Javon's hair, it was as pretty as those red eyes from earlier.

Red, maybe it was because the color of red had always led to some great moment I'd become obsessed with it. Eyes, hair, even a blood covered sword could draw my eyes in a way that a little much.

Continuing my way, I decided to dissect later why I loved the color red.

**

Finally, we reached the auction. Where one could buy both flesh and other items. Slavery should have been a prehistoric practice that ended long ago but like anything that draws in those who are corrupt and money it never truly goes away.

Seated on a private balcony, I watched the crowd below.

Despite their disguises, I knew how they were. As if my mind would draw their names way before I could stop it. The dirt of the nobles was thick and drown a person if they delved to deeply.

Brushing a finger across my lips, I thought over my past.

My eyes focused on Baron Turnley, with his thin build and salacious way of moving. You'd never know he enjoyed taking women apart piece by piece, and displaying his hall of wonders to his 'special' guest. 

Then their was Viscountess Hurley, with her vivacious curves who bought man to poison and ride  to their death. Reliving the death of her abusive husband through her innocently picked victims.

Thought nothing could probably top the Duke Richardson, who bought people to fight to death at his parties. The winner he'd release during his 'hunt' and if the person managed to escape they'd be paid off only for his stepson to take them for torture as he wanted to learn more about the human body.

These people enjoyed luxury, and living lives without hiccup or tarnishing.

The stage light turned on drawing everyone attention to a rabbity masked individual who bowed. "Welcome my cherished guest, tonight we offer no only delicately made weapons, but hidden treasures and lost flesh that requires a home. ~~"

I tuned out the rest of his speech, watching those below eagerly reseated and the tensions amongst them slowly climbed. Seeing this I decided on what I would do then.

"Cirilo, what would it feel like to have someone snatch things from your hands every time you want it?"

"Princess," Cirilo asked confused.

"I would hate it," Baros said. "If I was just about to get it and it was taken from me. I would want to kill that person."

"Exactly, I trust you three are well and able to keep me from dying.'

Dalton, leaned down I could the crease in brows. "What are you up to Princess."

I placed a gently finger on his cheek and pushed him away. "Doing what I do best Sir Knight, causing chaos."

I turned my attention back to the stage and the gavel hit the podium. "We're going to start with millennium gold that was found in the Escvar Caves. A great magic conduit magic, and an item sought by even the greatest wizard Cardiff. Starting at 2,000 gold pieces."

I grinned as the people put in their amounts and once it hit 12, 000 gold pieces I sought our Baron Turnley. He looked comfortable and assured of his victory.

"Going once, twice and—," "15,000 gold pieces."

My languid voice echoed throughout the auction house. The auctioneer on instinct most likely continued. "15,000 going once, twice and sold to the jewel above."

"What?! I wasn't given time to counter." Baron Turnley jumped to his feet; his hands curled into a fist at his side. The auctioneer seemed even more startled as he looked form his hand to me above.

Baros and Cirilo snickered behind me, while Dalton shifted so he stood beside me and not behind me.

"You!" Turnley looked so very, very angry but that didn't matter to me. Seeing my guard he quickly lowered his hand and sat obviously flustered and angry.

Seeming to want to brush away the tension and awkward atmosphere. The auctioneer brought out the next item. "We've here two strong Khudaji warrior, captured when they attempted to retreat back to their barbarian land."

Two men appeared in flash of light, chained and their mouth filled with a ball of unknown metal. The two man had eyes of silver blue that almost glowed, along with their nearly white hair. Their height dwarfing the common imperial man.

Best part, they were naked.

"Princess, don't look," Dalton and Baros covered my eyes.

I wanted to smack their hands away, but I guess it was their duty to protect my virtue. But that was long gone, when someone hits the bottom they'll be willing to trade anything for food—I closed my eyes, memories aren't good things. They should be behind the sanity; I refuse to practice.

"Remove your hands before I lick them, and claim licking your hands got me pregnant," I drawled.

Immediately I could see again, I ignored the choked laughter of Cirilo behind us.

Once again the one most eager put out their amount. I had to say, she was very elegant as she raised her fan up and down.

"70,000 gold pieces Going once, twice and—," "100,000 golden pieces."

"100,000 golden pieces going once, twice and sold to the Jewel Above...huh?"

The Viscountess was different from Baron Turnley, she slowly looked back and up at me. The fan loosely held in her hand swayed back and forth before she opened it and smiled up at me with a low bow.

I clicked my tongue; she was going to be someone I would have to deal with later. A well-raised snake indeed.

After that item came and went, my eyes of course were firmly on the duke. My ears were only interested when a beast-kin were being sold but it didn't happen for a while. I bought a sword for Dalton, arm braces for Baros and blades for Cirilo. A few pieces of jewelry for myself and Scarlette.

"My dear guest, as we always do we've held the best for last and with thanks to our hired mercenaries and guided hand of our donors we bring you the tribe panther people from the nation Ilhan. An entire tribe of young man and woman, along with their cubs. The price is 2 million gold pieces."

The stage flashed and a large cage appeared filled with people who looked so much like my Nycturian people. Their eyes are gold, not purple, their brown skin covered with deep black tattoos.

"We'll start the offers now," the gavel hit the podium.

"Baros," I called.

"Yes, princess."

"Go outside, and attack the men you saw with Duke Richardson sigil."

As usual my dear Baros didn't hesitate, in fact he looked eager. "Yes!"

He ran out followed by Cirilo, who obviously went to ensure he didn't stir up too much noise and covered his tracks.

"Do you think it will remove Duke Richardson from bidding for them," Dalton asked.

"Mmm, no...or maybe it will, we can only wait and see."

As the number climbed I relaxed against my chair waiting to see if it would distract the vicious duke below. It is better if outside chaos caused him to loose his bid rather than myself. I'd already drawn too much attention from the Baron and the Viscountess. The two were easy to throw away, but not him. He had ties with my eldest brother, the crown prince.

"2.6 million gold pieces, going once, twice—," "Bang! Assassin."

The eyes of every noble immediately were drawn to the knights who spilled in, along with a few of the markets guards. Soon the area below grew chaotic.

"Dalton, take me to the stage," I stood and stepped in front of him.

Wrapping an arm around me he barely used effort to lift me up and walking over to the railing he jumped. The air rushed past for a second and he landed lightly, setting me down. I brushed a hand down my gown and approached the rabbit mask who'd paused at the disruption. Seeing me, he became flustered.

"Madame?"

"2.9 million gold pieces," I removed my ring and showed it to him. "That's my offer for them."

"Madame, I-I can't..."

I smiled, "You can either drop your gavel and announce my winning or Dalton here, my beloved Knight can do it for you."

Dalton took a step forward.

With a jump he brought the gavel down, "Sold to the Jewel Above."

Check mate.

TBC

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Author Note: I might drop another chapter. let me think about it.