That day marked precisely one hundred days since the extermination of the western continent’s cursed Imperial House of Iver. The people of that House always appeared depressed, never trusted others and were even said to be obsessed with cleanliness, which was why those of the House of Iver always wore gloves.
“They probably just hated mixing with the lowborn.”
There was no longer anything to stop the people from bad-mouthing the fallen imperial house. The people spoke as though they had been just waiting for that family to meet their ruin.
Since the House of Iver had been their enemies, the new imperial family who had taken possession of the western continent, the House of Miltan, in fact, viewed such things rather favourably. Having finally triumphed over them, they were happy for the people to drag their name through the mud as much as they liked.
Of course, such stories of imperial houses meant nothing to those far removed from the capital.
The cart was passing through the Riedas’ territory on the border of the Empire. The face of a child inside was just barely visible through the barred window.
It might have been that non-childlike darkness which drew her to him. Or perhaps it was because she was still haunted by the death of her own little brother, who had died of illness.
“Ah, finally someone wants to buy him. However, this boy… He’s defective. Is that all right?” The horseman, who recognized her nobility, cast the boy a sideways glance.
“Because of that pretty face… A lot of other young noblewomen thought to buy him, but they all gave up on him eventually.”
Sharp eyes. She did not know if it was an expression befitting a child, but he looked at her with a venomous gaze. His young face looked murderous, as though he wanted to kill her, no matter how.
Even as blood started to trickle from where he was biting down on his lip, he did not stop glaring at her viciously.
But he looked as if he did not believe her. She whispered again, “Compared to being locked up here, you’ll get a lot more chances to escape if you come with me.”
“Eh, what’s wrong with him?” the horseman garbled in surprise. “He’s not usually obedient, but it seems like he’s worn out! Or maybe it’s because he hasn’t eaten anything…”
The boy stayed quiet, even at the mention of his price. The horseman looked at him as though it was strange, and then held up one finger. “One gold, Miss.”
“Better not to unlock his handcuffs yourself! He’s too much for a little lady like your good self to handle alone. No, we’d best call the knights first.”
However, there was no reason to relate that story to this boy. In the Miltan Empire, with the Iver family gone, silver hair was now considered the most noble.