The Tears of a Prince

https://open.spotify.com/track/7vguMCv8uVuZLiQJ156u3Z?si=54def60154254e97 - drum roll please!

Ash hated their voices, the sound of their fake laughter and their judgemental looks. He hated them and their sole existence, the people who looked down on him as he walked dirty, with ragged clothes. He walked behind Kai, his head turned downwards, facing the polished floor. He could see his reflection on the black tiles, a face he could barely recognize without the marks of dirt, the scratches from fights and the black circles from the lack of sleep. He barely slept, hidden deep in the moist alleys he would always have to look out for himself. He could lose his life in an instant, just a moment where he wasn't careful. 

Kai stopped, the young prince approached a group of people, three women and two men, just a few years older than him, looking as if they were in their late twenties. Their chattering stopped when Kai patted one of the men in the shoulder, all of them greeting him with courteous bows and excited gestures. Most of the people in the small group left, leaving Kai and Ash with two vampires. A short man with black short hair and gray eyes and a woman that looked exactly like him even though her eyes were a bottomless black color. They were twins, Ash realized as he stole a very discreet glance. 

"Duke and Duchess Humphrey, it's such a delight to see you again, how have you been?" Kai asked them, getting a hold of the Duchess' gloved hand and placing a fleeting kiss in the back of it. The woman giggled while Ash felt his insides turn, he stood still as if someone had chained him to the ground, hoping that his disgusted expression wouldn't show. They were purebloods, a Duke and a Duchess, the boy realized. Kai didn't like them, he wasn't talking to them the same way he talked to Lun or John and in his mind these people were classified as dangerous.

"Young prince, we have been doing great. It is such an honor for us to be the first ones to talk to you." The man said and Kai smiled brightly.

"I have to say, I am a bit overwhelmed by everything. I have been away from home for too long." he said.

"Oh now…" The Duchess said, waving her hand. "Young prince you fit right in in the most stand out way." she chuckled. "Pardon me, did my sentence make any sense? I have had a few glasses of wine you see." she told him, her cheeks flushed red as she took a sip from her glass.

"Excuse my sister, your highness." Humphrey said and Kai faked a laugh. Why was he talking to them, it was clear as day he didn't find their company pleasing, Ash wondered, tapping his foot on the floor. He was dressed in all black, his hair tied in a strict ponytail with only a strand escaping at the front of his face. It was so tight on his head that he was feeling like he would get a headache, he wanted to get out of here or at least get back to Lun and John. 

"I do not mind. Dear Alexa, you have always said the most interesting things. Your company is always such a delight. Thank you for your kind compliment." he told her and the woman laughed, her head falling back. She was drunk, Ash thought and frowned. 

"Thank you, your highness. I have to say you will make me blush and I…" the woman had begun saying when she stopped. Ash looked up curious, his eyes meeting immediately with hers and he took a step back, shocked. The woman tilted her head to the side, her lips curling upwards as she turned her attention to the prince again. "Young prince, may I ask who this young vampire is?" she 

"Oh, Ash, he is a young man I met on my journey, he is training to be  my guard and right hand." Kai said. "Come greet the Duke and Duchess." Kai said and moved his hand. Ash took an unwilling step forward and bowed.

"It's an honor to meet you." he said coldly and before he could raise his head on his own he felt Alexa grab his chin, her long nails digging on his cheeks as she stared at him. Ash clenched his jaw, wanting to get away but he didn't move, Kai's eyes were glued on him. He could feel it.

"How old are you?" Alexa asked him.

"Fifteen, soon to be sixteen." he answered shortly.

"Your true age." she added.

"Eighty seven." he told her.

"Lovely." The drunk woman mumbled. She still held his face when she turned her eyes, wanting to talk to Kai. "Your highness, this young man…Is it alright if I can have him? I have a collection you see and I have to say this one, is one of the most stunning ones I have ever seen. I will give you as much gold as you want." she said. 

Ash's blue eyes widened, his hands forming fists on his sides. He didn't come here for this. He didn't beg for salvation just to be displayed and sold like an object. Before Kai could even answer he slapped her hand away, making her shriek and he shouted, not caring anymore about Kai's orders.

"Get your filthy hands off me you fucking pervert." he insulted her. 

The woman took a second, in her drunken haze she didn't realize immediately what had happened but when she did, hell broke loose. 

...

Well well  well we do have a bit of an uproar here. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Also the ones that have music I highly recommend you read them while listening, they match very well. If you liked the chapter please leave a nice comment, a good review and a vote to help a girl out with her little book. 

Why do you think Kai talked to them? Any thoughts?

Thanks for reading!