Chapter 9

Rohan took out the Merchant Guild badge from his pocket. Since the investment was quite large and it originated from a marquis family, the badge gleamed brilliantly, as if to prove that money could solve everything.

The man’s eyes lit up as he saw it.

“Hmm. So, it’s real. A guild badge… I see.”

In the end, the gatekeeper hesitated before stepping aside. It was a natural reaction.

There was an unspoken relationship between the Merchant Guild and the slave traders. They provided each other with certain conveniences. Perhaps the merchant thought that a guild openly revealing its name wouldn’t bring them any harm, so he was quite welcoming.

“If you’re here to buy a slave, just keep walking straight ahead.”

‘Damn it.’

Just because he had a Merchant Guild badge, they let him through so easily. That meant they must have been deeply involved in shady dealings. He wanted to destroy everything right then and there.

But it wasn’t time yet. He couldn’t repeat the mistakes of the past. The mistake of letting them slip away before his very eyes. The slave traders would still be here, doing the same thing, even years later.

‘I’m not a hero of justice.’

But there must have been a reason he returned to this time. Perhaps this was part of that reason.

The biggest factor in his return was the curse on his family, and he had learned about that curse thanks to this slave market.

“Aren’t you going in?”

“I am. Thanks.”

With those words, the three of them walked down the long corridor. It was a long, endless hallway filled with countless rooms. But where there should have been doors, they had been removed and replaced with iron bars. People were trapped inside.

They all looked powerless. There were very young children, as well as elderly people who seemed too weak to move.

Cecenia felt a heavy weight in her chest. She had only heard reports about places like this. Even when she worked for the marquis family or when she was empress, she couldn’t move freely. She had only heard about it, but she had only been here once before.

It was here that she met ‘that person’ and learned about the marquis family’s curse. She had made a promise to them. That she would destroy this place. Even if she couldn’t save everyone, she would at least prevent such things from happening again.

As someone who had only ever given orders from behind a desk, she found this situation difficult to adapt to. Seeing people treated as less than human, Cecenia bit her lip hard.

‘Hold it in. Hold it in. You’re powerless right now. Feeling sympathy for them won’t change anything.’

Instead, looking at them only made her realize how insignificant she was.

At that moment, a man from inside hurried toward her.

“It’s surprising to see someone so young in a place like this. What are you looking for?”

Cecenia, who had struggled to maintain her composure while walking through the market, nodded as if she were unaffected.

“A man to entertain me. Preferably someone my age.”

“Men around your age are quite rare…”

“So, there really aren’t any?”

“Actually, there is one… but he has some issues. I’m not sure if I should offer him to you.”

The slave trader, who had suddenly appeared, hesitated as he looked at Cecenia. He seemed to hold a much higher position than the gatekeeper. Most likely, he was the owner of this place.

His eyes scrutinized Cecenia from head to toe. He was checking how much money she had and whether she could afford what he was offering. Fortunately, she seemed to have passed his evaluation, as his eyebrows twitched slightly.

“Issues?”

“Yes. He doesn’t listen well. That’s why we had to put a magic restraint on him… but it’s not a major problem.”

“Take me to him.”

“Yes, yes.”

A broad smile spread across Cecenia’s face.

There was only one man her age in this entire slave market. The one she was looking for.

Men rarely ended up in the slave market. Young men, in particular, were either used as laborers or were too difficult to manage, making them unpopular with slave traders.

She had mentioned her own age on purpose, and her assumption had been correct.

Since he was considered problematic, his cell was located deep within the facility.

“My lady… isn’t it suspicious that we’re going in so deep?”

Lisbet, who had been trembling the entire time, clung tightly to Cecenia’s arm.

“It’s fine. Rohan is with us.”

“That unreliable brother of yours?”

“Yes. But at least he’s skilled with a sword. Let’s trust him.”

“That brother of yours would probably only save you if something happened…”

“If anything happens, I’ll protect you, Lisbet. Don’t worry.”

Cecenia patted her hand reassuringly and continued following the merchant. Eventually, they stopped in front of a man with black hair and golden eyes.

‘Black hair…’

The man she was looking for should have had golden hair. But his hair was as black as hers.

‘Could it be someone else?’

Yet, his golden eyes, shining even in the darkness, confirmed that he was indeed the one she sought. A man completely out of place in this setting. Even covered in filth, his nobility remained undeniable.

No matter how many scars covered his body, no matter how battered he looked, he was the right person. Hair color could be altered easily. She didn’t know who had changed it, but at this moment, she was sure.

Cecenia, recalling her past, smiled.

‘I found him.’

She had only briefly met him before. As empress, she had spoken to him once. It was a trivial conversation, but it was definitely the same person. Though he looked completely different now, covered in scars and with a different hair color, she was certain.

The slave trader spoke, as if waiting for this moment.

“This is the one.”

“I like him.”

Cecenia grinned the moment she saw him. There was no hesitation.

“How much?”

“What? Oh. Well, the restraints were expensive, so…”

“Discuss the price with Rohan. Rohan, you know what to do, right?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Straightening his shoulders, Rohan took the merchant aside to negotiate. Meanwhile, Cecenia looked through the iron bars at the man.

He didn’t even glance at her. Cecenia tapped the bars like calling for a pet.

“You.”

“You can’t tame me.”

As if proving why he was called disobedient, the man glared at Cecenia, despite being a slave. Unfazed, she nodded.

“I like rebellious types.”

“…”

“Do you know how to do laundry?”

“…Laundry…?”

The arrogant tone from before vanished instantly.

“I was thinking of having you do some laundry.”

The man looked at her in disbelief.

“Well, even if you can’t, I’m taking you anyway.”

“…Are you telling me to beat someone?”

“No. I want you to beat some cotton.”

And just like that, she had found him—the lost prince, the one the emperor himself didn’t even know about.