Silence fell across the underground auction hall.
Every gaze turned toward the front row.
Toward the man who had spoken so casually.
Prince Kyle Gray.
The prodigal prince of the Levicious Empire.
Kyle sat comfortably in his chair, one leg crossed over the other, as if buying a slave was the most ordinary thing in the world.
Behind him, Luis Stark stood perfectly still.
But inside, the commander was observing everything.
The auctioneer blinked in surprise before quickly recovering.
"Ahem! His Highness Prince Kyle has made the first bid!"
Murmurs spread across the crowd.
"That slave must be extremely lucky…"
"Or extremely unlucky."
"Knowing Prince Kyle…"
Several nobles smirked knowingly.
Kyle heard the whispers.
He knew exactly what they were thinking.
The original Prince Kyle was famous for indulging in pleasure.
Beautiful omegas often ended up in his palace.
So of course they assumed the worst.
Kyle ignored them.
His gaze remained fixed on the stage.
On the chained figure standing there.
Joshua Violet.
The boy looked thin.
Too thin.
His wrists were bruised from the shackles.
His long violet hair hung messily around his face.
But even in such miserable condition, his beauty was undeniable.
The auctioneer spread his arms dramatically.
"A rare omega with excellent features! Surely many of our noble guests would like to compete with His Highness?"
For a moment, no one spoke.
Competing with a prince could be risky.
Then someone chuckled from the back of the room.
A fat noble with expensive rings on every finger raised his paddle.
"I bid five hundred gold."
The crowd gasped slightly.
That was already a high price.
The noble grinned smugly.
Kyle looked at him.
The man's eyes were greedy as he stared at Joshua.
Kyle's expression cooled.
Without hesitation, Kyle lifted his hand again.
"One thousand."
The entire room erupted into whispers.
"Did he say one thousand?!"
"That's insane!"
"Even a trained omega servant isn't worth that much!"
The fat noble's grin vanished.
He glared at Kyle.
"Young prince, you're overpaying."
Kyle shrugged casually.
"I can afford it."
The noble's face reddened.
He clearly wanted the slave.
But angering a prince over an omega was foolish.
He lowered his paddle.
The auctioneer quickly seized the moment.
"One thousand gold! Going once!"
Joshua slowly raised his head.
His dull violet eyes shifted toward Kyle.
For the first time, their gazes met.
Kyle saw confusion there.
Suspicion.
And a faint hint of fear.
Joshua knew Prince Kyle's reputation.
Everyone did.
Kyle held his gaze calmly.
Don't worry, he thought silently.
You won't suffer anymore.
The auctioneer slammed his gavel.
"Sold! To His Highness Prince Kyle Gray!"
Applause echoed through the hall.
Kyle stood up.
Luis stepped closer to him.
"You have spent a great deal of money, Your Highness," he said quietly.
Kyle shrugged.
"It's just money."
Luis studied him silently.
The guards unlocked Joshua's chains and brought him forward.
The boy stumbled slightly as he walked.
His body looked exhausted.
When he stopped in front of Kyle, he immediately knelt.
"Your servant greets Master."
His voice was soft and hoarse.
Kyle frowned slightly.
Master.
The word felt uncomfortable.
Joshua kept his head lowered.
He didn't dare look up.
Kyle suddenly realized something.
In the original story, Joshua's life had been terrible.
His previous owner had abused him.
After that, he passed through several masters before eventually escaping and rising to power.
But that happened years later.
Right now, Joshua was still a broken slave.
Kyle sighed softly.
"Stand up."
Joshua froze.
"…Master?"
"I said stand up."
Slowly, Joshua rose to his feet.
His posture remained cautious.
Kyle examined him carefully.
Up close, Joshua looked even thinner.
Bruises marked his wrists.
There was also a faint scar near his collarbone.
Kyle's expression darkened.
He turned toward the auctioneer.
"Give me the ownership contract."
The auctioneer quickly handed him a scroll.
Kyle took it.
Then—
To everyone's shock—
He tore it in half.
The sound of ripping parchment echoed through the room.
Gasps erupted around them.
"What did he just do?!"
Luis's eyes widened slightly.
Joshua stared in disbelief.
Kyle casually dropped the torn pieces onto the floor.
"Congratulations," he said calmly.
"You're free."
Joshua's mind went blank.
Free?
He stared at Kyle like he had misheard.
"…Master?"
Kyle shook his head.
"Not master."
He pointed toward the door.
"You can go wherever you want."
The auction hall was completely silent.
Even the auctioneer looked stunned.
Joshua's heart pounded violently.
Freedom.
He had dreamed about it countless times.
But when it finally appeared before him…
He didn't know how to react.
Slowly, his violet eyes filled with confusion.
"…Why?"
Kyle blinked.
"Why what?"
"Why… would you buy me… just to free me?"
The question hung in the air.
Kyle scratched the back of his head.
He couldn't exactly say because I read the novel.
So he gave a simple answer.
"You looked like you needed help."
Joshua stared at him.
The words sounded so ordinary.
But no one had ever helped him without expecting something in return.
Ever.
Joshua's hands trembled slightly.
"You… truly mean to free me?"
Kyle nodded.
"Yes."
Joshua's gaze lowered again.
For several seconds, he didn't move.
Then suddenly—
He dropped to his knees.
This time much harder.
His forehead touched the floor.
"My life belongs to you."
Kyle jumped slightly.
"Hey, hey, wait—"
Joshua's voice shook.
"Even if Master frees me, I have nowhere to go."
Kyle hesitated.
That was true.
Joshua had been a slave for years.
He had no family.
No home.
No money.
Joshua continued quietly.
"If Master allows it… I wish to stay by your side."
Kyle looked helplessly at Luis.
The commander crossed his arms.
"This situation is entirely of Your Highness's making."
Kyle sighed.
Great.
Now he had accidentally adopted a person.
He looked back at Joshua.
The boy was still kneeling.
Waiting.
Kyle rubbed his temples.
"…Fine."
Joshua slowly lifted his head.
"You can come with me."
Relief flooded Joshua's eyes.
But Kyle quickly raised a finger.
"However."
Joshua froze.
"I'm not your master."
Joshua blinked.
Kyle pointed at himself.
"I'm Kyle."
The room went silent again.
Even Luis looked surprised.
Joshua hesitated.
"…I cannot address you so casually."
Kyle shrugged.
"Then call me Your Highness."
Joshua nodded slowly.
"…Yes, Your Highness."
Kyle smiled faintly.
"There we go."
He turned toward the door.
"Let's go."
Luis followed behind him.
Joshua walked a few steps behind them.
The crowd watched the strange scene unfold.
The prodigal prince leaving the slave auction…
With the omega he had just freed.
Outside, the afternoon sun shone brightly.
Joshua squinted slightly.
He hadn't seen the open sky in weeks.
Kyle glanced at him.
"You alright?"
Joshua nodded.
"Yes… Your Highness."
But his voice sounded slightly emotional.
Luis observed the two of them quietly.
The prince's behavior today was completely unlike the rumors.
Generous.
Kind.
Even reckless.
But not cruel.
Luis's eyes narrowed slightly.
What exactly happened to you… Prince Kyle?
Kyle suddenly stretched his arms.
"Alright! Next stop."
Luis sighed softly.
"What now, Your Highness?"
Kyle grinned.
"We need clothes."
Joshua looked down at himself.
His slave garments were torn and dirty.
Luis nodded.
"That would be wise."
They walked back toward the market district.
Several people stared at Joshua curiously.
An omega with violet hair was rare.
Kyle led them into a clothing shop.
The merchant nearly fainted when he saw the prince.
"Y-Your Highness!"
Kyle pointed toward Joshua.
"Find something comfortable for him."
The merchant nodded rapidly.
"Of course!"
Soon Joshua was ushered into a changing room.
Kyle sat in a chair, looking relaxed.
Luis stood nearby.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Your Highness."
Kyle glanced at him.
"Yes?"
"Why did you free him?"
Kyle leaned back.
"I told you."
"He needed help."
Luis studied his face.
"You spent one thousand gold."
Kyle shrugged.
"So?"
Luis hesitated.
"…Most nobles would not do such a thing."
Kyle laughed softly.
"Most nobles are terrible people."
Luis almost smiled.
Almost.
After a few minutes, the curtain opened.
Joshua stepped out.
Kyle blinked.
The boy looked completely different.
Clean clothes.
Dark blue tunic.
Black trousers.
His long violet hair had been brushed neatly.
He looked elegant.
Almost noble.
Kyle whistled softly.
"Wow."
Joshua lowered his head shyly.
Luis crossed his arms.
"You look presentable."
Joshua bowed slightly.
"Thank you."
Kyle stood up.
"Alright."
He tossed a pouch of coins to the merchant.
"Keep the change."
The merchant bowed repeatedly.
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
The three of them stepped outside again.
The sun was beginning to set.
Orange light painted the rooftops.
Kyle looked up at the sky.
"…We should head back to the palace."
Joshua stiffened slightly.
The palace.
He had never imagined stepping into such a place.
Luis noticed his hesitation.
"Are you afraid?"
Joshua hesitated.
"…A little."
Kyle chuckled.
"Don't worry."
He pointed at himself.
"I'm the worst prince there."
Joshua blinked.
"…What?"
Kyle grinned mischievously.
"So if you survive me, you'll survive anything."
Luis finally let out a quiet laugh.
Joshua stared at the two of them.
For the first time since his capture…
A faint smile touched his lips.
And none of them realized yet—
That today's strange events…
Had just begun to change the fate of the Levicious Empire.