Morning arrived with the ringing of a bell.
The slaves filed into the courtyard one after another, forming uneven rows beneath the pale morning sky. Others stared blankly at the ground, there were around twenty of them.
Eldrin took his place near the back.
A few moments later, the estate’s butler stepped onto the stone platform overlooking the courtyard.
His hands rested neatly behind his back.
"Good."
His voice was calm, yet carried effortlessly across the courtyard.
"Now that everyone has assembled, there are a few rules you are expected to follow."
Silence answered him.
"The first rule is simple."
"You are not to enter the main manor unless specifically assigned a task there."
He swept his gaze across the gathered slaves.
"The second."
"You are not to leave the estate during your assigned working hours."
"The third."
"Any attempt to steal from the estate, assault another servant, damage property, or disobey a direct order will be punished."
No one spoke.
The butler gave a slight nod.
"And finally..."
"There is one rule unique to the Kingdom of Maria."
Several heads lifted.
"You may purchase your freedom."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
"...What?"
"You mean we can actually leave?"
"I thought slaves remained slaves forever."
The butler waited for the whispers to die down before continuing.
"Slavery in Maria is not necessarily permanent."
"If you meet the legal requirements, your contract may be dissolved."
Hope flickered across more than a few faces.
Then the butler continued.
"However..."
"The price of your freedom is ten times the amount paid for your purchase."
The courtyard fell silent once more.
One of the older slaves hesitantly raised a hand.
"Sir..."
"Can we earn money while serving here?"
"Yes."
"You will work ten hours each day for this estate."
"After your assigned duties are complete, your remaining time belongs to you."
"You are free to leave the estate and seek paid work elsewhere within the city."
Another slave frowned.
"And... if someone breaks the rules?"
The butler answered without emotion.
"Then the amount required to purchase your freedom will increase."
"By how much?" someone asked quietly.
"The current contract value will be multiplied by ten."
This time...
No one whispered.
The words settled over the courtyard.
Eldrin felt his stomach sink.
Ten times...
His mind immediately began calculating.
One gold coin.
That was the price the noble had paid for him yesterday.
One gold.
One hundred silver.
Two thousand bronze coins.
A simple meal in the city cost four bronze.
Which meant...
His freedom cost...
Twenty thousand bronze coins.
Eldrin stared blankly ahead.
Twenty thousand...
How...
How am I supposed to earn that?
The number felt absurd.
Almost unreal.
He stepped forward before he realized he had moved.
"Sir."
The butler looked at him.
"If someone can never earn that much..."
"...do they simply remain a slave forever?"
The courtyard grew quiet again.
Several others looked toward the butler, waiting for his answer.
The old man met Eldrin’s eyes.
His expression remained unchanged.
"Rules are rules."
"If you cannot meet the conditions..."
"...then your contract remains in effect."
Eldrin slowly lowered his gaze.
"That will be all."
The butler swept his gaze across the courtyard.
"Return to your assigned duties."
The assembled slaves bowed their heads before dispersing in different directions under the watch of the estate’s servants.
Eldrin turned to leave with the others.
The butler’s voice stopped him.
"Caiden."
He looked back.
"Come here."
"Yes, sir."
As Eldrin approached, he heard one of the older slaves mutter under his breath as they walked away.
"The Marian tongue..."
The man clicked his tongue.
"...hardest language I’ve ever heard."
His companion gave a quiet laugh.
"You’ll learn."
"Or you’ll keep getting hit until you do."
Their voices faded into the distance.
The butler waited until the courtyard had emptied before speaking.
"You will not be joining the others."
Eldrin remained silent.
"You’ve been assigned to the main estate."
A flicker of surprise crossed Eldrin’s face.
"The library."
"The Library Master has requested another assistant."
"You will report directly to him."
Eldrin bowed slightly.
"I understand, sir."
The butler nodded and began walking toward the manor.
Eldrin followed.
The gardens surrounding the estate were immaculate. Stone paths wound between carefully trimmed hedges and flowering trees, while fountains carved from white marble shimmered beneath the morning sun.
Not a single servant stood idle.
Everyone moved with quiet purpose.
After several minutes, the butler spoke again.
"Working inside the main estate is considered a privilege."
His tone remained even.
"It is also where mistakes carry the greatest consequences."
Eldrin listened carefully.
"You will be serving scholars, nobles, and members of House KORRANDIS."
"If a vase is broken..."
"They will blame the servant holding it."
"If a book goes missing..."
"They will question the servant responsible for the shelves."
He glanced at Eldrin.
"If someone else makes a mistake..."
"...you may still be punished."
Eldrin nodded once.
"I understand."
"I hope you do."
Silence settled between them once more.
Eventually, the butler asked,
"How old are you?"
"Fourteen, sir."
"Hm."
The butler considered him for a moment.
"The young master is also fourteen."
Eldrin remained expressionless.
"Do your work."
"Answer when spoken to."
"And never involve yourself in matters that do not concern you."
"Yes, sir."
They climbed a broad flight of stone steps leading toward the eastern wing of the manor.
Towering windows overlooked a quiet courtyard, filling the corridors with soft morning light.
The butler slowed before a pair of heavy oak doors.
"There is one more thing."
Eldrin looked up.
"A formal gathering will likely be held here in two weeks."
"Nobles from several houses are expected to attend."
"Until then..."
"I suggest you improve your Marian."
"You understand enough to follow instructions."
"But serving nobles requires more than understanding."
"It requires speaking correctly."
"I’ll do my best."
"I expect nothing less."
The butler rested a gloved hand on one of the doors.
"You’ll spend most of your days here."
With a quiet push...
The doors opened.
Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretched into the distance.
The scent of old parchment and polished wood filled the air.
"The library."
"From this point onward..."
"...the Library Master will instruct you."