Quatre and that boy, Trowa, seem to be getting along quote well. They’ve been inseparable since Trowa came back with us. Perhaps that has to do with them being magically bound together… I look over to my left and find them both standing at attention as the next case is presented before me. I’m sure they’re getting tired of standing; I’m getting tired of sitting.
I gaze despairingly at the people before me. I’m really beginning to tire of wealthy aristocratic boars coming to try and wheedle money or guards or favors from me. I look around pretending I’m still interested in their petty squabbles, calculating how much longer this one in particular will keep talking and how much longer I’ll have to sit here listening to his babble. The throne room looks immaculate (I guess I only notice this kind of thing when I’m bored) but the crown jewel of the room is Duo. It’s odd to think that even though he’s four years younger than me, when he’s sixteen, the difference won’t seem as great as it does now. At present, I feel like I’m molesting a child when all we ever do in bed is just cuddle. The first time doesn’t count.
Perhaps I feel that way because I pretty much raped him during our first meeting. Okay, so he gave me his consent that time… It was by mutual agreement! We each got what we wanted in return for what the other needed… but still… If he hadn’t consented, I would have still have had to hurt him like that…No. I wouldn’t have had the heart (or lack of) to have brutally raped or murdered him. He’s much too beautiful for that kind of waste. Still, I’m glad the situation didn’t arise, I don’t want to think about what I would have had to do if that was the case.
Back to the matter at hand. Duo is sitting on a velvet cushion at me feet, wearing black breeches, shirt and tunic. The tunic is embroidered with my family crest in silver on his left breast and he’s wearing the soft felt shoes I gave him to wear indoors. His head is resting on my knee, hair pulled back into a braid, looking ethereal. I run my hand through the loose hair at the crown of his head that has escaped the braid’s confines, giving off the image of one stroking a beloved household pet.
“And so, Your Majesty, this is why I would have this slave executed. She has stolen from my home and tried to run away. /and she’s had the audacity to try and run off with some one else. Fucking little whore got herself pregnant but wouldn’t let ME fuck her, no… she had to give herself to some foreigner. I can’t believe she actually bit me when I wanted to have her too!/ Also, your highness, she has become very violent and is a threat to our society and I can’t have her in my house any more!”
Did I just hear this man’s thoughts? I look down at Duo, his violet eyes sparkle up at me, /Did you hear him too? I wanted you to hear what I heard so I tried to open your mind to his thoughts./
I give him a little nod and look back at the angry lord before me, then I let my eyes wander off to the slave kneeling at his feet. She’s rather pretty, olive colored skin, shoulder length ebony hair, slight frame. All in all, she’s rather nice to look at.
“First of all,” I begin, giving him a cold stare that makes him shrink back a little, “slavery is not allowed in my kingdom.”
“But Sire! She’s not from-”
“I don’t care where she’s from! There is no slavery in my country. If there was a *special* circumstance such at the Shinigami’s blood contract with the throne, then it should have been brought to my attention immediately. But seeing as this young lady has no such impediments on her freedom, she shall be taken from you.” He looks a little pale. Good. “Secondly, I do not allow the misuse of servants here and you, sir, have done just that.” I raise my hand as he attempts to speak, “Don’t try and deny your behavior now. You’ve attempted to force yourself on this young girl more than once. Don’t looks so surprised. I can tell a liar when I see one.”
He looks more pale now and bows his head, “ What is your will, My Lord?”
I feel Duo trying to get my attention and open my mind to what he has to say. He smiles at me, his eyes twinking happily and I smile briefly before nodd at his sage like wisdom. I look up at the disgusting excuse for a man that stands before me and pronounce his sentence.
“You will surrender that girl into my care and will pay a fine of fifty gold for each slave you own. She is worth one hundred gold because she is with child, thus making her two slaves and not one. You will also be escorted by a section of my guard who will make sure you free each and every slave. In addition, you will give up one third of your lands and you will be required to pay an extra twenty gold for each slave that is sick or injured because of your neglect. That is all. Shinigami…”
Duo sits up a little, “Yes Master?”
“Please escort this young lady to Lady Po where she’ll be looked after. As for you,” I look at that vile creature before me, “get out of my sight!”
Did I mention I hate these little hearings? At least with Duo around, I can know who is lying to me. Still, I feel like I’m being a hypocrite… but everyone knows that the Shinigamis are blood bound to be slaves to the crown and throne. No matter. That was the last case for today as far as I’m concerned.
I turn to my advisor, giving him the signal that we are done for the day and rise from the hard throne. Quatre takes care of dismissing the pompous aristocrats so I’m free to walk out of that stuffy throne room.
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Jess’ Rant
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Yeah, I know, another short chapter. I’m sorry, this switching POV this is really hard, especially since it’s in present tense and not past tense. Still, let me know if y’all are still enjoying the fic because I’m thinking about just dropping it.
TBC