A Caged Bird Doesn't Cry - Chapter 2 Part I
Chapter 2 Part I
Linus was in high spirits. Andrea not only got him the ticket faster than he expected, but he also said that he would accompany him to the black market again, so he felt very good. However, that was only Linus’ own idea, and from Andrea’s perspective, it was no different from being dragged away. He had no choice but to follow the Prince of a country who was going to throw away all his guards and enter the forbidden cave alone.
“You know what? This isn’t just because of my curiosity. It’s actually for you, Andrea.”
“Oh really.”
“I’m telling you, alright? There’s a canary there that sings incredibly well.”
Birds were abundant even in the palace. They even had a special cage and several caretakers, but that wasn’t enough. It was questionable when Linus had taken such a special interest in birds in the first place.
“They’re especially good at singing lullabies. They say that anyone who hears a canary’s lullaby will fall asleep.”
It was a story he had heard somewhere. Andrea could easily recall Olivia’s voice.
‘A sl@ve who casts a spell to make anyone fall into a deep sleep when she sings a lullaby?’
Just as he had ignored Olivia’s story, Andrea paid little attention this time as well. He didn’t believe it, but even if it was true, he didn’t want to use the voice of a lowly sl*ve to help him fall asleep.
“Come to think of it, Andrea, you were against the sl*ve trade, right?”
“Probably.”
“Why? Because you felt sorry for the sl*ves?”
“Well.”
It was an incredibly indifferent response, but it sounded like sweet nothings to Linus’ excited ears. He must have been delighted that his prediction was right. Thanks to that, Andrea could avoid annoying questions, so it was a good thing.
The reason he was against the sl*ve trade was because that was what King Perletti wanted. His deceased father’s will also said,
‘Do not go against His Majesty’s will.’
The one who benefits the most from a fight between lions is not the victorious lion, but the fox that is always looking for an opportunity. Maintaining a balance of power without giving the cunning fox an opening, this was also the secret to the Kalidnas family’s ability to maintain their power for so long. This was the reason they opposed the sl*ve trade.
Therefore, Linus’ guess was completely wrong. Andrea had no feelings for sl*ves or anything like that. If anything, it was similar to the feeling you get when you see a dog or a pig. They were low and dirty.
While continuing the idle conversation, they arrived at the inn from last time. This time, there was no need to mention the black market or sl*ves. The gatekeeper, who had checked their tickets, personally guided them in. Just as they were getting tired of going down the narrow stairs leading to the basement, an open space that seemed like the outdoors appeared.
“Oh my. This is another kingdom.”
Linus muttered, surprised at the scale of the black market.
"Then take your time and look around."
The gatekeeper, who had finished his duty by roughly telling them what was in each alley, returned. Linus, like a fish in water, looked around here and there. The most popular place was, of course, the sl*ve market.
"We came at a good time."
Linus smiled and took the lead. According to him, high-quality sl*ves that could be bought for a small fee were not sold all the time but at certain times, and now was the time. As the two robed men wandered around, the merchant who had been watching them nearby followed them and gestured inside the iron bars.
"We have some new sl*ves. Would you like to take a look? They are quite savage. There are virgins and young boys."
"No."
Linus, who had shuddered at the mention of savagery, cut off the merchant's continued speech.
"I came to buy canaries. Where can I see them?"
"Canaries are hard to come by. If it's a woman who sings well, I'll get it for you."
He was a persistent merchant. Linus pretended not to understand, thinking he would not be able to communicate. When he openly showed that he was looking for another sl*ve trader, the merchant who spat pointed to a man wearing a hat inside the sl*ve market.
"Over there, go to Locardi."
He was a man with an impressive long mustache. Locardi, who had small eyes like a mouse and a hooked nose, smiled thinly before Linus and Andrea could get close.
"Not for sale."
"Do you know what we came here to buy?"
"It must be that troublesome woman. Aren't you looking for a canary?"
"There is one?"
"There is one."
Linus didn't care about Locardi's arrogant attitude. Instead, he insisted on being even more friendly and insisted that he just wanted to watch. Linus was stubborn, but Locardi was just as stubborn. When Linus showed him a considerable amount of gold coins to pay for the viewing, his long mustache twitched wickedly.
"Just watch. Don't talk. Do you understand?"
Locardi was also strict while moving.
"Can't it sing a song?"
When Linus grumbled, he was asked how he would get out if he fell asleep. Linus whispered to Andrea that he wanted to try it once, but he was too surprised to listen to the song, and looked around.
"What is this place?"
The black market was already underground, and when he opened the door in the back of the sl*ve market, another underground space appeared. The caves were dug deep and the iron bars were installed haphazardly, reminiscent of a prison. Locardi replied curtly,
"Sometimes there are sl*ves who don't know their place."
If it were a prison, it would be a solitary cell. Locardi stopped in the deepest part of the place and illuminated the inside with a lamp. In the corner, a small figure of a person could be seen crouching down.
"Silver hair."
Andrea looked inside, ignoring Linus' nonsensical chatter that it would be colorful because it was a canary. The roughly carved walls were rough, but the joints of the iron bars were solid. If someone were to imprison their enemy, there would be no place better than here.
At this point, Andrea's eyes caught sight of an old quill pen that had fallen to the floor. Inside the bars, there were scattered small items, as if someone had been staying there until recently.
A book with worn corners, a bent spectacle frame, a leather strap that had only the shape of a figure.
They were all in poor shape, but it was clear that they had once been valuable items. As he picked up the quill pen out of interest, a thin but clear voice caught his attention.
“Give it to me.”
It was a canary that had been crouching in the corner. Her face couldn’t be seen because her hair was covering it, but her voice sounded pleasant, worthy of her nickname, canary. At the same time, a sweet scent, different from the musty and damp smell of the underground, tickled his nose. A refreshing smell, as if someone had squeezed grapes, was coming from the canary. Andrea unconsciously took a step toward it.
The abundant silver hair that shone softly even in the darkness reminded him of the snowy fields of the battlefield, the blood that dyed the vast snowfield red. Suddenly, Andrea felt the urge to cut off this woman’s head. If blood was sprinkled on her silver hair, it seemed like he would be able to see a landscape similar to the snowy fields of the battlefield. Could her blood also smell like grapes?
The abnormal impulse brought about an absurd result.
"......"
Andrea frowned, conscious of his bulging forehead. To be aroused by the smell and voice of a lowly sl*ve whose face he didn't even know? It was impossible. The Canary stretched out her arm toward him, who was frozen stiff.
"Please?"
The small hand that was extended beyond the bars was filled with desperation.
As he was staring blankly at the sight of her flapping her arms, Linus poked his side.
"Andrea, it's nothing special, so why don't you give it to her?"
Andrea frowned at the sudden mention of his name. It didn't matter if it was revealed, but there was no benefit in revealing his identity in a place like this. As expected, he could feel Locardi, who was standing a little further away, closely watching him.
"Let's go."
"Okay."
Linus, who realized his mistake belatedly, followed him obediently.
"I'm sorry."
Andrea lightly responded to Linus, who immediately apologized as soon as they left the black market.
"The prince do not need to say such things."
"So what? I'm sorry."
"You don't have to worry about something this small."
Andrea was fine. However, the thin arm that had been outside the iron bars lingered like an afterimage. It was a thin wrist that seemed like it would snap if you flicked it with your finger. When she closed and opened her hand, he felt the urge to tickle her palm with a quill.
'A joke.'
It was funny to him, who had never been interested in the common pranks of his peers even as a child. The unprecedented urge must have been due to the potion that black market merchants secretly sprayed into the air to distract customers. The sudden erection must have been due to that. Otherwise....
When he returned to the duke's residence after safely sending Linus off, the sky was gradually turning gray. He tried to fall asleep by soaking in the bathtub and drinking alcohol that didn't make him drunk, but what he found was a severe migraine.
***
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