"It has been observed that within our beloved Kingdom of Noelle, a problem has arisen concerning the homeless and orphaned multiplying in number... all who are presumed to be homeless and/or orphaned will be immediately taken into custody and sold as Slaves in the next scheduled Slave Auction."Over the past three hundred fifty years since Gerardo of Liko vanished from the records, the Kingdom of Noelle had flourished, reshaping itself through waves of transformation. Art blossomed with vivid colors, cuisine evolved in unexpected ways, and morale lifted like the rising suns. Literature thrived, currency was refined to banish confusion, and the laws grew more complex, reflecting the kingdom's newfound wealth. Gold, satin, and cotton markets pulsed with life, and fashion embraced bold hues while architecture curved into elegant geometric and floral patterns. Yet beneath this vibrant surface, a slow shift was stirring—the end of an era, with medieval customs creeping into the kingdom's he

"The Sovereign and his Parliament of the Kingdom of Noelle hereby hold that a 'Person' is defined as a citizen who possesses a free will and individual voice unobstructed by another absent of Royal Blood, Noble Classification, or Royally Appointed Authority... Therefore, a Person cannot be controlled or spoken for by another Person."Makiar pulled open one of the towering iron doors, the hinges groaning as sunlight spilled across the threshold. Sir Rallian stepped inside with the weight of the road still clinging to his shoulders, a long breath escaping him like the end of a performance. Despite seventy-two years behind him, he appeared to be in his fifties, and he walked with a youthful but heavy gait. He moved without urgency, peeling off a mustard-yellow coat whose threaded designs shimmered faintly in the dim hall light."How was your meeting with the queen, my Lord?" Makiar asked as he took the coat.Rallian passed his ivory dress cane off to his butler as well. "It was quite a bo

"The Sovereign and his Parliament of the Kingdom of Noelle hereby hold that 'Property' is an object or living thing that a Person purchases or trades for ownership of as per the Trade Laws of Noelle. Once a Noelle citizen has purchased or traded for the possession of Property, that citizen owns the object or living thing and may do with it as he or she wishes. Thus, that citizen dictates what the object or living thing does and speaks for it. Furthermore, a Slave is, by definition, Property."Rein exhaled slowly, the weight of revelation settling over her like dusk. The scattered pieces of the puzzle had finally begun to align, sketching a picture she couldn't ignore. At the very least, she now understood where loyalties lay, who stood with Nadia, and who did not. But knowing was one thing. Revealing the truth ... that was something else entirely. Depending on who she confided in, exposing the web that Ariana and Rallian were quietly weaving could be disastrous. And then, there was the

"No citizen can bestow upon a Slave any rights specified in the Law of Noelle to be the rights of a Person, and no citizen shall attempt to do so."That same morning, Polaris and Drake stood once more among the gravestones with Wendell at their side, their gazes fixed on the Rose Tree. Its twisted trunk leaned farther away from the palace as if to aid its drooping pearl branches in their growing effort to touch the ground. Polaris expected the black leaves would brush the dirt before the end of the next month."Nothing new has happened since we smelled the soap and farm animals, Your Honor," Wendell informed."Well, I suppose no news is good news," Drake said."Not necessarily," Polaris replied. "The more information we obtain, the more evidence we have for Their Majesties. And the closer we get to a definitive answer.""I suppose I can't argue with that," said Drake. "But since there is nothing new, I suggest we inform His Majesty about what we have so far, and see what he has to say

"Slaves in public must not speak unless spoken to. If this law is at all violated, the Slave will undergo severe physical punishment. If this law is violated against one of Royal or Noble Blood, the Slave will thereafter either be executed or assigned into the following Annual Slave Arena. The owner may or may not be informed and will not be reimbursed for the Slave's value."Polaris guided Borealis through the dense tangle of market streets, the stallion's hooves clopping steadily over the stone. Nadia sat silent in the saddle beside him, her posture still, her presence weightless against the noise around them. He thought it best to wait to speak until he wouldn't have to shout over the hollers, the laughter, the haggling voices layered atop clattering carts, all which left little room for quiet words. Better to wait until they passed beyond the fray, where thoughts could land without being scattered by the din. As they approached the town's edge, the roar of the marketplace began to