Slave's Quarters

Once the princess was covered appropriately Kai's eyes watched her carefully, checking for emotions he knew would be hiding just under the surface. Her words only half made sense but he could see her face, and Kyungmi was anything but okay.

Kai didn't release the lord until the guards were within arms reach and there was no way he could make any kind of last stand. He growled at the offender as he left, still keeping hold of the broom, just in case. He was more than relieved when the lord was finally removed.

It didn't last long though, Kyungmi wilted and ditching the broom with a thud, Kai once again shot over to her, crouching down beside her before cradling in his arms. There was nothing he knew how to say, that he though would make her feel any better, but Kai had three older sisters, one of which would break down regularly, so he just cuddled her like he would then, humming a children's song gently.

He repeated a phrase in gypsy, figuring now was a good time for a lesson, before he repeated the translation as best he could. "I will stay, until your strength has come, and not before then will I go."

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@✘Kai-Seoul The scuffle was over quick, but it didn't register as such in the princess' senses; they moved in slow motion, painfully dragging out their motions as her panic grew. She was strong, she wanted to think, but this-this "might-have-happened" rang in her mind and shook her body with anticipating terror. Even without the lord's lust pressed up against her, she still felt violated. She hadn't even been penetrated, yet it still felt dirty.

It was Kai's voice that shot her back to reality to her her arms clutched around herself. She'd been partially disrobed, but thankfully-even in her horrified state-she'd managed to keep enough wits to maintain covered. Kyungmi gathered a nearby blanket to her just in time to see the guards barge in.

"I'm-I'm fine," she insisted, but she didn't even attempt to stand, "I will be fine."

For a moment, she was glad to have been born her father's daughter, able to translate self-loathing and pity into fury in less than a second.

"Take that vermin away!" was what the princess barked, "have him chained up in the deepest dungeon with the other criminals. Let him see what it'd-"

Her voice faltered, but continued strong once more.

"-what humiliation I would have felt in his wildest fantasies."

It was only with the shut of the heavy chamber doors, as the single sound was the lord's struggling shouts, that she finally collapsed.

@§Kyungmi-Kwangju Bucketful after bucketful of water had been dumped over Kai, an attempt to wash away the layers upon layers of mud, grime and blood. He was starting to feel like a drowned rat, his hair hung heavy with water and concealed most of his face, but he was almost clean now, the water was beginning to run clear and the last weeks lashing were beginning to sting as all the dirt was dislodged.

Kai was out the bath soon after that, and after a few minutes of huffing and shooing away the hand maids he'd managed to acquire the towel himself. For gods sake, he wasn't always a slave he did know how to dry himself.

He was halfway into his robes when the scream came, slacks on, shirt abandoned as Kai was out of there like a bullet, broom snatched up on his way past until he realised he didn't know where he was going. The teen hadn't used any kind of sight in quite awhile, but closing his eyes it came naturally and by the time he'd opened them again, he'd leapt onto the back of the offending lord as graceful as that of a lion.

Hooking the broom around the other males neck, with a grunt Kai blocked off his airway, his next move being to lock his legs around the other and roll them off the princess. The next part landed in quite a scuffle, the lord was stronger than Kai but judging by his pale dainty hands against Kai's dark calloused ones... The gypsy had the know how, and the upper hand. It took him a minute but he pinned the other, hissing nasty gypsy threats at him as he held him still.

He would've asked the princess whether she was okay, but talking without looking was rather rude within his culture and he didn't want to look, he knew the princess was rather bare, and he wanted her to keep her privacy. It had been ruined enough today.... He did, however not harm the lord, he didn't want the guards on his back of scratching him.... But if Kyungmi gave the word... A twist of his broom and he'd be dead.

"Kyungmi..." He panted a little, half glancing at the other but ultimately closing his eyes and looking away. "Are you, okay?"

@♀Yixing-Kwangju Kyungmi stepped out of one of the other baths, clothed in a soft robe to sit on her lounging couch. With a nod of her head, the maids left the changing room to give her some privacy. Despite her outward maturity, she was fifteen, after all, and in the middle of puberty. Some peace and quiet was treasured. During her swift wash, she'd been reported to (by the very amused head handmaiden) that Kai was expected to take longer than anticipated. The princess wondered with a smile if it was because he was awkward or because he'd been without a bath for too long. Most likely the latter, she figured, chuckling.

"What's so funny?" a male's sudden voice echoed through the room and Kyungmi froze.

She turned slowly, with a cautious air to her movements. Lord Sangbum stood almost right behind her within an arm's length, no doubt. Looking at her, barely clothed, there was an undeniable thirst in his eyes.

"I asked," he breathed in deeply, leaning down to her face level, "what was so funny?"

There was a terrifying moment of silence as the princess contemplated her choices. A long sword hung on the man's hips and her own weapon was on top of her clothes, in the bathroom. She could scream now, but he could also slit even faster. There were no options on the table.

"What do you want from me, Lord Sangbum?" her voice didn't shake, no, she was more wary than afraid.

He shook his head with a smirk playing on his lips, touching his soft-unworked-hand to her damp hair. The princess prided herself in not flinching.

"Oh, nothing much. I just wonder why you chose that disgusting gypsy boy over me. Perhaps," he was dangerously close to pressing his lips to her cheek, "he forced you?"

"Kai hasn't forced me to do anything. You should do the same."

"You're lying!"

The lord's turn was very fast, very sudden, as he pushed her down against the couch, shedding his belt and undoing the top button of his pants. He pressed his hands against her shoulders, now bare from the robe that just barely covered her, and fumbled in undoing the knot. And the princess saw the chance. He had no weapon, the only advantage he had over her was physical prowess. So, at the top of her lungs, she screamed:

"Guards! Help! Kai! Kai! Help!"

@§Kyungmi-Kwangju ( Wooh! Bring on the angst~ /slapped/ Haha. )

Kai paused as Kyungmi did, quiet and observing with his sharp gaze, he didn't know the lords and ladies by name, but he'd poured wine for a few of them so their faces did come to mind... Those that thanked him, those that tripped him. It was like a permanent list that he had to keep updated. The princess didn't seem to distressed when talking to this certain lord, so he made a note of it and stayed still, waiting for her to move again before following.

Kai was good at playing shadow.

He did relax a little once the door was shot, but not completely, they were in unknown territory, and they were not alone... Hence, that left one very quiet Kai... He was a little suprised when the maids addressed him and he gave a sort of quick bow of appreciation.

The gypsy let the princess talk to the handmaiden absentmindedly, playing with the chain looped around his hands. He had considering asking them to be removed, but there was a different to bring him to the dinner table all dressed up, and bringing him unrestrained. There was a difference between nasty comments and having the guards called.

He panicked a little though when he was ushered off by the handmaids, glancing back at Kyungmi with a frown before he found himself in a bath... Of which the water for dirty very fast.

@♀Yixing-Kwangju ((had an idea for angst! Woohoo!))

The whispers of withheld gossip floated around the two as they walked through the halls, hand in hand. Others speaking behind her back wasn't a new occurance to the princess in the least, but it still bothered her that this time, it was negatively impacting her newfound companion.

"Heiress," the pleasant voice of a young lord stood out to her in midst of the small ruckus surrounding her chamber doors, "have you a good afternoon?"

His gaze, shifting from between her and Kai to their joined hands, wasn't the most friendly, but at this point, Kyungmi was thankful for any kindness-no matter how small.

"Yes, thank you for asking, Lord Sangbum. How was yours?"

All appreciation aside, Kyungmi was required to be polite to her acquaintence-he was one of the very few that she tolerated in the city, not to mention the fact that he was one of those that had asked for her hand in marriage.

They carried on their chit chat for a short moment before Kyungmi broke off with an excuse to prep for the dinner and led Kai into the quarters, purposefully shutting the door in the lord's face. She was afraid that her manners would incite him to think something else other than her being polite.

"Thank the gods that's over," the princess sighed, running her fingers through her black locks tiredly, "let's get you ready, now."

She called over a handful of her handmaidens who, although they looked slightly unnerved by Kai's ethnicity, ducked their head to him in respect. After all, he'd been the only one ever to have been treated so preciously by their mistress.

"Give him a bath and scrub him well. And then clothe him with the richest garnet-colored robes you can find, understand?"

@§Kyungmi-Kwangju Kai smiled when the other agreed, very pleased, he was about to voice so as well, however upon Kyungmi's finger stopped, waiting for the catch.

It didn't turn out to be a bad one. Breaking out into a grin he nodded enthusiastically, spurting out something of which could be translated to "As you wish I shall!" Kai had honestly never taught anyone before, but he was so excited for someone to request to share his culture... That he could barely contain himself.

It did however smoulder out a little when they entered the palace. He was used to the stares yes, but they weren't pleasant. Instantly his walls shot up and his cold glare was eyeing off people again. Kai wasn't a coward, he'd look his enemies in the eye. Never turn your back on the enemy. Never turn a blind eye That was what his father had said.

@§Kyungmi-Kwangju As his sudden request was made clearer to her, Kyungmi smiled, touching his cheek in a gesture of appreciation.

"That's a very sweet thing to wish for," she hummed, "a more than flattering reason to learn my tongue, as well. So, because I'm so happy with you, I'll agree to teach you. On one condition, though-"

She held up a finger, smile growing.

"-teach me your language, in turn. I wish to know more of your origins and of you."

Her eyes disappeared into bright crescents as she took the other's hand. It wasn't just a symbol of their newfound friendship, but rather, it was a way to keep Kai safe. As they approached the palace walls, she could sense it: the distaste in the air, lingering as the people around them judged the gypsy boy. It was nauseating to be near, but she swallowed it in favor of keeping Kai closer to her. If they weren't linked physically, she was afraid what negative actions the people might take.

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@§Kyungmi-Kwangju "Yes." Kai was quick to nod and confirm his statement. "I do not reside in Seoul either, I reside in the plains, the seoul tongue is no use to me." Kai nodded, convinced. He liked the way Kyungmi spoke and he wanted to understand her, especially if they were going to travel together.

"There is no one else I wish to speak to in the pale tongue. So I'd like to learn to understand how you speak. So I can speak with you." He nods. The other option was he asked Kyungmi to learn gypsy, but that was harder and not as kinder thing to ask.

"Fast is okay. Gypsy is fast. I just don't know many word." He nods, Kai honestly had no idea what vocabulary or grammar meant. But he knew that he was lacking in what english words he knew and understood. It was obvious in how much he understood in Kyungmi's speaking.

"I want to keep my accent... I just want to be able to know what you're saying..."

The slave however fell silent as they grew closer to Kyungmi's quaters. He hadn't seen this part of the palace and with so little architecture in his culture, he was silenced as he took in the beauty of it.

@✘Kai-Seoul ((No, it's okay ^^ Kai's so sweet~))

Her skimming fingers halted from moving across his skin as she looked up at Kai's eyes, surprised. It was yet another difference between them: while the boy held warm, dark chocolate orbs, the princess possessed cold, black ones.

"You wish to learn the language from me, Kai?" His expression was so determined; Kyungmi couldn't help but find it endearing. "I'm not sure that I'll be the greatest teacher. I speak in a different accent than those that reside in Seoul. The tongue of the Kwangju people is-" she spoke slower, trying to show him the difference, "-it's smoother, and much speedier."

She smiled, taking the other's hand and placing it against her jaw to help him /feel/ the tempo.

"My tutors used to say that our people speak with the deadly strike of an arrow launched from a king's bow, swift and with purpose," the girl shook her head in amusement, "a pretty way of saying 'too fast'."

They were about near the guest quarters, where the princess was residing, and the marble pavings grew more elaborate as they went on. She could just about hear the chirping of the Dominos' birds nearby.

"In any way," the princess hummed, "I think that your accent just adds to your allure. Maybe if I could convince my tutor to take you on for a handful of lessons, I think you'll fare just fine. It's just vocabulary and grammar you've trouble with, I presume?"

@§Kyungmi-Kwangju Kai fidgeted as the other analysed what he was wearing, playing with the restraints on his hands with a mild embarrassment, he truly had nothing. The only part of him, that remained a gypsy was his blood and the colour of his skin.

Either way, Kai perked up brightly at the mention of his robes. He would be so joyous to have him back, he'd even do a dance to celebrate. All he needed after that was his cards and then, maybe he could feel somewhat like his self again. Get back to his trade... Maybe pay his way out of the mess he was stuck in. Seek revenge for the family he had lost.

Most of what the princess said went over his head however, the words too difficult. But he was slowly falling in love with the way she spoke the words had no meaning, but they had elegance and rhythm, parting between her lips with a beauty he had not seen in the markets or the guards he was surrounded by. He studied the other for a moment, standing up as did understand the "come" from her latest sentence. He however had something else to say and he thought for a moment, so he could get his language as good as possible.

"I am, brown like the earth. But Kyungmi, can you teach me to speak like those pale as the moon?"
( sorry it's a little short )

@✘Kai-Seoul The softest frown pulled at Kyungmi's rosy lips as she tugged at the boy's ratty clothes. The slave trading brutes had truly taken away his everything, even the clothes off his back. It made her heart ache to see the devastation of slavery affect someone so young, someone so possibly happy.

"You will have your robes once more, I promise you." The princess breathed a promise so much more than just of clothing. "But for tonight, I hope you will be satiated with colors foreign against your skin."

With a new, unknown urge, she wanted to free Kai. She'd never felt it quite as strongly before-but it was the unmistakable sensation that coursed through her when she first gazed at the portraits of gladiators killing for freedom. Those dreaded paintings hung in the museums of her homeland spoke of a darker history than she'd been superficially taught in her books and that same evil still traveled through the streets of such an advanced kingdom as Seoul. It sickened her.

"You are brown like the earth and like the bronze that lines my father's sword. Sturdy and understated, yet more beautiful than any gold."

They were quiet for a moment, before Kyungmi smiled and looked up at the other.

"Come, let us polish you into superiority."

@§Kyungmi-Kwangju Kai chuckled quietly to the heiress enthusiasm, being able to understand much more of her outward emotion than her actual words. He was pleased he'd made her happy, and the tales of their possible adventures excited him thoroughly. Surely anything was better than being a slave... But of all the scenarios Kai had pictured of him making his escape, this was far better... He was surprised such a drastic turn of adventures had not induced a vision actually.

"I will ask it of my gods, we shall see if they favour me." Was Kai's response, the slave smiling a little before holding still to let the other manoeuvre around his features.

"I have robes." Was his first response, but he quickly fell silent, he hadn't seen them since a few days after he'd been captured. But he did love them so... The robe was the same red as a fire, and it was secured around him with a golden sash. Colours of the light God of which he was named. "I haven't seen it in long time though. I don't know where it is." He frowned a bit, saddened by this.

"Well, I shall certainly stand out against the noblemen... Everyone is pale like the moon! And I am brown like earth." He chuckles, nodding a little. He was very pleased to be cleaned off a little, in fact diving into the fountain was much too inviting.

@✘Kai-Seoul She laughed as the other spun her, the excitement of their rudimentary plans already speeding through her brain. The festivals they could attend-the food they could sample-the different cultures they'd cross! It would be just as worldly as her father's famed travels through the known lands of the three kingdoms!

"How absolutely wonderful!" the princess couldn't say any more than that, in all truth. Her smart mouth was quickly replaced by one too expectant for reply. "If only our fantasies truly did come true-I'd pray to all the gods for it!"

Her hands pulled the other to sit next to her on the lip of the spewing fountain. Cupping her hands together, she caught streams of clear, cool water and gently cleaned the grime off of the boy's face.

"But for us to receive permission for this adventure, we must impress the Dominos to the stars' height!" Kyungmi hummed as her fingers carded through Kai's coffee-brown locks. "You've got the face and the physique, so with a nice scrub and some decent clothes, you'll outshine all of the noblemen!"

@§Kyungmi-Kwangju Kai couldn't help but to grin when he saw how excited the other was. If it would please her so much to see the royals reactions, he'd gladly sit and dodge utensils. "I'm not sure I've met the Doninos." He however frowned trying to think of an incident. "Oh! Forgive me I lied, I have met him. He didn't particularly seem to care much about my present though. I think the guard are the excited ones about "capturing" a gypsy..." Kai nods. Thinking to himself before smiling at the princess, rubbing over her hand soft hands with his roughened thumb.

"Perhaps. Not a day soon my lady, but one day. I will keep my sights open... Maybe one day your time will come." Kai decided he would do just that, perhaps try and focus any coming visions on that happening... His first sight, his coming of age had involved a pale in his village and although he hadn't had a bad feeling during the experience, he was still worried and hoped the person was a kind soul like Kyungmi's that would do his people good.

"Really!?" Kai very much perked up at the idea of escaping his cell. Gypsies were constantly moving, and if being suddenly being forced into submission were enough, he'd been in one spot far too long to be comfortable. The idea to be moving again, with someone who's company he actually liked, enthused him greatly.

"Oh I do hope the Dominos does." He grins before loosely spinning the other around, still holding her hand. "Sorry... We looked like we should be dancing, standing like that."

@✘Kai-Seoul She clapped her hands gleefully, relishing the thought.

"Oh how marvelous," the princess sang with a laugh, "I'm sure the Dominos won't mind, but oh-the look that'll stain the lords' pudgy faces! Kai, I can't wait!"

Kyungmi held both of the gypsy's hands in anticipation. The contrast between her light and his dark made a pretty sight to see.

"It'll be fabulous, don't you think?"

As the other described his home to her, to the best of his yet limited tongue, the princess' thoughts drifted into imagination. It sounded too ideal for her ears: a society of equality and of beauty and of joyful freedom. It was a dream too good to be true. She understood too well on why the boy scarcely depicted his capture.

"To see your home, friend, sounds wonderful," her voice was a fantasy-filled sigh, "but it does not seem that I might be able to visit it any time soon. As for you, though..."

Her lips pulled to a bright smile-an idea!

"Perhaps, maybe, if I ask just prettily enough, the Lord Dominos of Seoul may permit you to travel with me? He's a gentle man to those who are keen enough to ask for it. Perhaps I could curry his favor!"

@§Kyungmi-Kwangju "I can guarantee you princess." Kai gave a deep chuckle, amused by the other's excitement. "There will be fainting, knives thrown too I do think." Honestly Kai just hoped he was quick enough to dodge lest he loose an eye.

Kai decided that he liked this princess, she was confident and she had a personality about her that no other foreign female he'd met had. She was in charge of herself, and it made him feel much less homesick. Her works were pretty too, albeit a little hard to follow at time though, Kai really hoped that he didn't look like he was concentrating too much as he translated her words in his head.

"No one has ever told me of these places... they sound wonderous. Somewhere fit for the gods." Kai smiled as the other curtsied, gently closing his fingers about her hand.

The mention of his home however dropped his mood a bit, as memories flashed through his eyes. He gave a weak half smile though, before continuing as best his language could mannage.

"My home is far from here too, over the hills and into the valley on the other edge of Seoul. Gypsys never stay one place long however, our homes are always moving....fa...fabric taken off carts and built into shelters for one night or many. There are wonderous smells of spices and herbs, music is always playing and there are children always dancing. Gypsy's commute in a big family, three blood sisters I had but many other relatives amongst." he nodded, a fond smile appearing. "All families work together, all children, brothers, sisters, old are all..." Kai tried to search for the right word, equal was perhaps a little difficult for him yet. "Same."

"Sometimes though, when food is scarce we come to the city, use our sight to earn coins and buy food before going back out to the plains again. It is not enjoyable though, I see not why the gods curse us to come here in the winter and be attacked by pale." He huffed a bit before turning to the other.

"No pale has ever come to our plains, but maybe one day you will get to see yes? Or I will see your far away home."

@✘Kai-Seoul Her lips rose slightly in a rare smile.

"Oh, you worry about the most trivial things. If I deem you worthy, then you /are/ worthy. Anyhow, you'd be the first to ever be invited by me to the Seoul dinner table," her laugh twinkled with anticipation, "how fabulous will their reactions be, Kai? Oh, I truly hope someone faints."

The women here were like mere, subordinate slaves to their husbands-a fact that absolutely irked the Princess. How could someone lose all their rights to another human being? This ridiculous ideal was the reason she absolutely abhored slavery, as her uncle and mother taught her from childhood.

"Come with me, Kai," she stood, stretching out her small, pale hand to him, "I'll tell you all about the place I'm from. We can get you ready for the dinner, too."

And then, with the city glowing gold beneath their feet and the stained glass reflecting the riches of Seoul, the two made their way to the palace.

"Kwangju is a place of soldiers and battle," her voice was soft as she spoke of the home she loved, "it's warm, though. In the summer, when the horses are bred, my grandmother's peach blossoms bloom and the fruit-it's heavenly. And in the winter, when the blacksmiths forge the finest weapons in all the lands-"

She grasped Kai's hand and held it in front of her, taking a deep curtsy with her palm across the others.

"-there's a wonderful annual ball to celebrate my uncle's birthday. He's the Dominos of the kingdom. There are flowers and fountains of wine and delicious delicacies and the most beautiful dancers prancing across the Ludus. Oh," she let out a contented sigh, "and the singers...My mother only sings to his fullest on that day...his voice is just so wonderful."

Suddenly stopping, Kyungmi blushed slightly.

"I rambled, didn't I?" she laughed, "I'm sorry, I tend to do this when I speak of my home. Tell me, Kai, what was your home like?"

@§Kyungmi-Kwangju "That is truly a relief." Kai laughed "I'm afraid I'm terrible
with formalities here, Kyu.. Kyungmi." Giving a nod, Kai was
pleased that he'd mannaged to get the pronouciation so quickly
But perhaps things such as these were easier when people
Spoke to you like a human being as opposed to a posession.

"I suppose I would be as interesting as you are for me. You
must come from far far away Kyungmi. I didn't know there was
anything past the mountains." Truth be told, Seoul was already a long trip from Kai's home, several days in fact and although he'd been staying her when he was captured, the gypsys never knew of what lay beyond the mountain.

The mention of him eating with nobility however, made him laugh as he stared curiously at the hankerchief around his wrist. "I am honoured Kyungmi, but perhaps you do not know, I am a gypsy, they would not allow it. I suspect you are not allowed near me either yes? Gypsys are considered all kinds of evil here by the mountain."

@✘Kai-Seoul "Kai," she rolled the name on her tongue. It was pleasant, "truthfully, I don't much care for formalities and you're already too formal with me, my gypsy friend. Call me Kyungmi."

The Princess was fairly sure that a handful of the attendants fainted from behind her, but she didn't care much. She was much too fascinated by the hint of an amused grin on the boy's lips. Kyungmi /wasn't/ the only one to be entertained by the antics of ridiculous courtesans!

"You're quite interesting, aren't you?" oh, the blossoming of a brilliant idea! Fishing an embroidered handkerchief, she sat down next to the boy and took his hand. The girl wrapped the cloth around his wrist before tying it around loosely. "I like the way you carry yourself. Why don't you have dinner with me and the other nobility tonight? They're too much of a bore-but you'll be able to keep me awake, won't you?"

@§Kyungmi-Kwangju Brushing himself off and righting his robes, Kai offered a small smile to the Princess analysing her features over. Now there were many bells ringing in Kai's head he had been taught not too look nobility in the eyes. And he knew he possibly should have knelt or lowered himself in front of the other, especially after the kindness she'd shown him. But the gypsy was somewhat mesmerised by the pale delicacy of her features.. And besides, he'd always been rebellious.

So instead, keeping his eyes locked on the other's he offered her a bow of thank you. "It is pleasant meeting you.. Princess?" a glance at the handmaids showed Kai wasn't really sure of the title he show be using but he continued on as best he could anyways. Why we're the customs here so confusing. Should be shake her hand? Or kiss it cause she was female or.... Kai just decided to go for his own culture and pressed a chained hand either side of it before bringing her fingers up to brush against his bowed forehead briefly. "You have done me a kindness Princess, I thank you... I am Virotutis Kairo mac de Anextiomarius... But if it please your tongue, my sisters would call me Kai." he nods, straightening and offering another smile.

@✘Kai-Seoul It took her a moment to relish the terror in her opponents' eyes before they finally scrambled away. Then, she had the chance to turn and see who she'd taken pity on...and was pleasantly surprised.

More than pleasantly, really. The boy was older than her, though not by much, and he was lean with the muscle of dancers. He was a tan olive in color, most likely a foreign slave, and had this air of dignity-like he knew that he was above all, but it was just that no one figured it out yet. Most of all, the feline eyes that stared back at her, surrounded by Adonis angles and high cheekbones...he could have been the most attractive Seoul male she'd laid eyes on-if she'd never met Dominos Heechul.

"You're welcome," she hummed, ending the appreciative glance she laid on him. The princess shooed away her handmaids from the boy, who seemed almost amused at their horrified reactions. Kyungmi offered him a hand.

"I'm Heiress Kim Kyungmi of the Kingdom of Kwangju. What is your name, boy?"

@§Kyungmi-Kwangju It seemed that no matter where Kai was he just couldn't catch a break, after scrubbing, serving and being beaten all day, he stumbled his way back to the slave's quarters to rest and hopefully be fed... but it seemed that he was going to have no such luck today. Instead of a hand maid with a bowl of cold broth, a group of gladiators had come to visit him.

Kai was anything but submissive however, and he's hissed as he'd been backed into awhile, marks from earlier throbbing from the sudden movement. He hadn't understood what they'd said after that, he knew it was something painful and highly mortifying though and with a scowl he heartily cursed back at them with a heavy gypsy vocabulary.

They didn't seem to enjoy that. A hand was raised but Kai quickly ducked out the way with a clink of his chains. This caused a ragged growl to pull itself out of the brawny gladiators and he knew he wasn't going to dodge the next hit. Before anything could reach him though, there was a presence in his way... one with a nice voice.

The more Kai looked, the more he realised that this pale child did not come from around here... nor was she male. Where Kai grew up, females could certainly hold their own, but around here... they seemed much more useless so he was a little surprised. He barred his teeth over her shoulder at them anyways, wrinkling his nose in distaste after.

He was however that the other was calling him a child however, he was much larger than she was... and he'd had his first sight, who did she think she was talking about?! Either way, it was rather amusing to watch her handmaids flail about at how close he was to this princess and he almost wanted to touch her... just to see if they'd explode.

@✘Kai-Seoul It was strange to have the slave's quarters so near the palace, and that eccentricity was the reason that the princess was so curious about it. Her decision to visit it most definitely scandalized her Seoul maids (assigned to her by the ever-so-generous Dominos Heechul), but frankly, she didn't give a rat's .

"The Kwangju people are adventurous," was what she'd told them, to calm them of their hyper-feminine hysteria, "we like exploring. That's how we found those profitable sugarcane-fostering islands in the South."

She's hoped to find some of her own, perhaps a smart handmaid or a useful servant...not a hate crime with lack of punishment.

The act itself wasn't obvious, but Kyungmi's always been a smart girl. The ridiculous imbalance of the three brawny gladiators and one mere boy completely exposed what was about to happen, really. Normally, she wouldn't care enough to even help...But as her feet led her in front of the sole boy, she tried to reason just why. Maybe it was because the slave (not much older than she) was unique. His tan skin and foreign markings drew her in. He'd serve as an adequate gift from the Dominos-if she whined enough, anyways.

"Just what are you making up for by bullying a kid?" slipped out of her dainty, pretty mouth. Needless to say, everyone's jaw dropped...except the boy, anyways.

"What-Who the hell," the leader roared, huffing, "is this ing brat?!"

The princess waved the hand in front of her nose with the expression of a general armed with a thousand cavalries...She was 13 years old, mind you. Prince Sehun would've been proud.

"Good Jupiter. You must always lose in the ring. That's why you pick on children half your age, correct?"

"That's it! You little !" he made a lunge for her-to no avail. Being small meant fast.

Thankfully, she didn't have to move but a few feet. Her maids started screaming for "Crown Princess!" and the leader halted. Obviously, he wasn't very willing to be executed, but he still looked torn. So kind Princess Kyungmi clarified his choices.

"You can hurt me and have Mr. Dominos Heechul torture you to death, or you can leave and I'll think about not telling on you. Oh!" she smiled as she turned to the boy behind her, "and don't touch this one again. I'll find out and-"

Her smile was lopsidedly sinister.

"I'll show you what it means to have an entire kingdom against you, filthy scum."