CH 145

Chapter 145 – The Princess Called Noalia

“We children were taken away to some unknown city. After being broken in as slaves, we were put up for sale at a slave auction. That’s when I found out… straight from that merchant’s mouth.” (D’esta)

“Found what out?” (Bouchi)

“When I was locked up in a cage, I mustered up the courage to ask him why he had betrayed the village.” (D’esta)

That was when the merchant spoke with an insane, crazed expression on his face.

“It was all so I could exchange the people of your village for gold! You people from the countryside are such simpletons. If you’re just a little nice to them, they’ll come to trust you so easily. Kakaka… None of them even knew that I was the one who messed with the well and spread the disease.”

So everything that happened had all been in the palm of this merchant, huh…?

I already thought it was strange when she said that he showed up right after the villagers collapsed.

He started by visiting the village several times to gain their trust and win them over. Then, after successfully gaining their trust, he tampered with the well and put the villagers in dire straits.

It was a remote village, so there were likely very few ways to cure the disease. There would have been no proper doctors either. And then he had demanded that they give themselves up in exchange for the medicine…

To save their families lives, the adults accepted the contract. But that meant the slave trader would have their way. With no adults left to oppose them, the children would hardly be of any concern either.

The merchant succeeded in taking control of the whole village. He made money by selling people, and the men could be used for manual labor.

One village had lost everything at the hands of this slave trader.

“I had fallen into despair. That merchant who always smiled in front of the children had been hiding such a different face behind their backs. At the same time… I was angry—at the entire profession of people called merchants.” (D’esta)

“But you… don’t seem to be a slave right now, right?” (Bouchi)

“Hm? Yes… I was disciplined as a slave for a while, but that was when I met my savior.” (D’esta)

“Savior…?” (Bouchi)

“…This young lady.” (D’esta)

D’esta turned a warm, fond gaze towards Noalia, who lay there on the bed.

“After being broken in as slaves, we were about to be auctioned off, but this young lady and her elite unit arrived on the scene.” (D’esta)

“Hoh…” (Bouchi)

“I was on the brink of being sold off to a filthy, disgusting noble, but Noalia saved me… Them, too.” (D’esta)

D’esta gestured with her gaze at the maids working in the room. Apparently, all of them had once been slaves.

“Kirie too?” (Bouchi)

“Yeah. She’s my childhood friend.” (D’esta)

That meant they must have come from the same village.

“Does that mean that she also hates merchants then?” (Bouchi)

“I don’t know.” (D’esta)

“Huh?” (Bouchi)

“Unlike me, she’s a little more flexible in her thinking. She probably doesn’t think that all merchants are evil, like I do. Besides… her parents once ran the general store in the village.” (D’esta)

I see. If her parents were also merchants, her thinking might not be as extreme as D’esta’s.

“So that’s what happened, huh? But I can’t agree with being lumped in with the likes of that slave trader.” (Bouchi)

“Hmph. But if you really did save Nike-sama, then I’ll make sure to apologize then or whatever you want.” (D’esta)

Nah, I really don’t care if she apologizes or not though. With the circumstances being what they were, it was only natural for her to be wary of me.

“I must say, Noalia seems like quite the radical princess, what with barging into slave auctions and with this rescue operation, too.” (Bouchi)

“You’re awfully rude, aren’t you?” (D’esta)

“Whatever. Regardless of whether she’s a princess or an emperor, she’s still nothing more than a business partner to me.” (Bouchi)

“My goodness… I’ve never seen a merchant with such little regard for manners.” (D’esta)

“Well then, that must mean you’re just as admirable as your high and mighty princess. I suppose I should be referring to you with more respect from now on. Perhaps I should be calling you… D’esta-sama~!” (Bouchi)

“H-Hey, you guys! What’s so funny?!” (D’esta)

“Ah, look, D’esta-san. You’re going to wake up Noalia, you know?” (Maid)

“Right, right. An attendant shouldn’t be so rude, you know?” (Bouchi)

“…Ughhhh…” (D’esta)

D’esta’s body trembled with a contained annoyance.

“You’re quite the mess yourself, huh.” (Bouchi)

“It’s all your fault, Bouchiiii!!” (D’esta)

Moments after D’esta yelled out, Noalia began to stir in her sleep, letting out a quiet groan.

“Oh, no—” (D’esta)

The maids laughed again when they saw D’esta hurriedly clamp her hand over her mouth the moment she noticed Noalia waking up.

This time, D’esta remained silent and simply glared at them. Then, the maids returned to their work of organizing documents and so on as they muttered wryly to themselves, ‘ooh, so scary, so scary.’

“…….Sigh. You always put me off balance whenever you’re around.” (D’esta)

“Yeah, yeah. My bad.” (Bouchi)

Then, after letting out another groan, Noalia opened her eyes and woke up.

“….D’esta?” (Noalia)

“I apologize, Noalia-sama. I woke you up.” (D’esta)

“I…?” (Noalia)

“You must have been tired. Do you feel ill anywhere?” (D’esta)

“No, I’m fine. Thank you.” (Noalia)

As she spoke, Noalia began to sit up, and D’esta moved to support her.

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