Chapter 107 [Bonus chapter]

“My lord, we have arrived in the town!” Hazel had thought that the place would be like its names, the ruins, but her eyes widened to see the hustle and bustle of the place.

She stared at the number of stall covering both sides of the roads with luxurious shops too.

“This is ruin?” she asked in surprised when the coachman came down and opened the door for her.

“We are here for trade. What else have you expected?” the men and women dressed as if they were here for a festival. She could not believe that the place that was frequently attacked by the witches could look like this.

“I have expected it to look like its name.” she replied honestly as her eyes continued to look around with marvel.

The area was much cleaner than the path and the men and women were roaming around with their nose high in the air.

“It is the most posh area for trade between humans in this town. You can find here everything from clothes to jewelries or shoes to food.

You can even have slaves both humans and witches where the market ends.” her lips parted with surprised but the last words snapped her head to his directions.

“Humans sold and bought here?” Rafael raised a brow when he heard the shock in her voice.

“How sheltered you are to not even know about it.” rather feeling embarrassed, she felt shocked and hurt for those who were sold.

“If you want, I can buy one for you too!” he chuckled but she could not feel the humor in it.

“I do not think treating humans like objects is laughable!” just as she was about to give him two cents of her mind, she saw him looking at certain direction.

Following his eyes, she noticed a group of men wearing cloaks coming towards them.

“There are many tragedies in which humans have laughed or so I thought. Anyways, do not speak rashly in front of them.”

She perused her lips and decided to observe the town further.

“Welcome, my lord. We have been informed from the palace about your visit.

It is our honor to serve you today.” Rafael nodded and soon they all started walking together.

Hazel saw a few of the rich or nobles dragging the girl or boys in torn clothes behind them. There was a stark contrast in their clothing and she was sure they were the slaves Rafael was talking about.

The slaves were wearing torn and rough clothes that looked more like a sack without any shoes. They bodies have several mark of injuries and she was sure most of them were given by their masters.

“There is an auction going on in the chamber. It has the latest and rarest objects in it. Would you like to give a look, my lord.

Or shall I give you a tour first?” asked the man as he pointed at the nearby building.

Hazel’s eyes sparkled as she noticed the grandiose of the building. She wondered what rare objects he was talking about.

Rafael was about to deny as he was not fond of buying humans who were filled with resentment. But when he noticed that she was staring at the building like a curious baby who had come to the fair for the first time.

“Do you want to go in and check?” he whispered for only her to hear and she nodded instinctively.

Her head snapped back to him to see if he was just teasing her or was serious in taking her in when he smiled softly.

His eyes were filled with a crafty look and nodded his head,

“Sure, but there is one condition, you have to buy something from there!” a frown formed on her forehead as she was sure if the words had come out from his mouth, it could not be this simple.

“What do you want me to buy?” and since then shopping has become a condition.

Looking at her vigilant eyes and wary face, he chuckled,

“At least you are learning! But you should not be wary from me, little bird!” his eyes flickered as he noticed a man entering in.

“But if you did not want to then we can always find anything else worth enjoying!” he was about to turn when she pursued her lips and looked back at the building and then at his retreating figure.

“Wait! I accept your condition. Let’s go in!” how bad buying things could be!

“But i will buy what i want and you will not force me to buy anything?” she added when she noticed his smirk widening.

“And you would pay for it even if you ask me to return it later!” with a chuckled and a face that told she was a weirdo who had a wild imagination, he nodded his head.

“Do not worry about money or anything. Your husband is rich enough to buy this whole town for you.

Come here little bird and stay close to me when you enter. As beautiful as this place look, you should not be wandering in without self awareness” she nodded as she was sure that persons who are so respective towards him did not have warm gazes lingering towards her.

They all were looking at her with calculative gaze and she wondered if it was because she was a human or they have heard about rumors.

“We will go in and participate. I hope there is a good seat secured for us.” the men bowed their head with respect,

“Of course, my lord. Your usual seat is always booked for you only.” they gestured for both of them to enter as they showed a gold card to the guard on the entrance.

Hazel stared at the red building that had velvet cloth on walls and gold paintings. The place was better than the palace she was staying at, her eyes were trying to observe as much as possible when she noticed the strange look in the eyes of others. They were looking at her as if she was a country bumpkin.

“My dear wife, shall we go to our premium seats?”