Therefore, the shopping district was active until late, numerous gambling houses were present, and even slave markets operated in hidden places.

Although the founding emperor of the Camellia Empire prohibited slavery, over 200 years later, it had become a world where slaves were bought and sold. They didn’t openly conduct slave trading, but everyone knew and turned a blind eye.

‘I don’t support slavery, but…’

Ariana needed a genuine ‘companion.’
A person living in a world where only Ariana exists. Someone who will handle whatever Ariana orders without disclosing it to others. A person who will pretend not to notice the poison hidden in Ariana’s heart.

Russell assigned the knight Lancer as Ariana’s bodyguard, and Caradin sent Catherine as her personal maid. However, they were not entirely Ariana’s people.

It wasn’t that Ariana didn’t trust Russell and Caradin, but now she didn’t want to show them her vile side because she wanted to trust them.

‘Rachel, Victoria, and the Third Prince. My family won’t understand the hatred I feel towards them. They won’t understand, and that day will never come.’

These were events that had not yet unfolded in the passing time. Events that existed only in Ariana’s memories and past.

No one would believe such a nightmarish truth.

‘My family will think everything is over after winning custody in court. It’s true. I’m a 16-year-old girl who has suffered abuse, escaped from a dreadful mother, and now I have to live as a girl slowly recovering in a safe place.’

Even the emperor stepped forward and severed ties with the Bronthe family. A 16-year-old girl nursing a grudge over a broken relationship that was already severed would undoubtedly seem strange.

So, Ariana needed a close confidant with no ties to the White family.

‘It would be better if it were a sturdy man. A sturdy woman is fine too. It would be great if there were a gladiator slave, but they are traded at high prices, and with the money I have now, I can’t even dream of it. They should be educated enough to read and intelligent. There is no time to teach from scratch.’

This time, she wasn’t necessarily trying to buy a slave. Even if she found a slave with a similar feeling, she couldn’t bring them if the price didn’t match.

Even if she luckily found a perfect slave and brought them, the reaction of the White family members would be an issue.

Considering there is no slave in Chase Castle, it was clear that the White family was reluctant to buy and sell slaves. If Ariana brings a slave, they will definitely send disapproving glances.

‘If I say I brought them out of pity and wanted to help, it should be fine. I will genuinely treat them well.’

She had no intention of mistreating the slave if she brought one. They would be ‘her person,’ and she would treat them with the dignity they could never experience in their slave status.

‘That way, they won’t think of leaving me.’

Ariana waited for time to pass.

Originally, she planned to wander around the market and coincidentally enter the slave market, but since she missed the 6 o’clock opening time for the slave market, that plan became unavailable.

It was certain that they would oppose if she said she would go out at this time. So, she had to sneak out.
“The slave market that opens at midnight has more dangerous people than the one in the evening. First, if I go to the bustling street, I should find clothes shabbier than what I’m wearing now. Buy a cloak with a hood as well. Ah, I don’t have any weapons now. I should also buy a few daggers.”

When an appropriate time arrived, Ariana quietly opened the door. Fortunately, there was no one in the inn corridor.

‘They must be tired from the journey so they probably went to bed early. I have to leave early tomorrow as well…’

Ariana walked quickly with relief. Almost running, she reached the end of the corridor and was about to go down the stairs when she heard a voice from below.

“Princess, where are you going?”

Lancer was standing in the middle of the stairs.

Ariana stopped abruptly and looked down at Lancer.

“I thought you were sleeping.”

“I’m taking a break.”

“You should rest in your room.”

“This is my room. Where are you going at this late hour?”

Lancer seemed like he wouldn’t leave Ariana alone. Ariana hesitated, but then decided to use the plan she had set up for the 6 o’clock slave market in the evening.

“Grandmother said there are many interesting things in this city. But earlier, I was tired, so I couldn’t explore. Since the shops are said to be open until late, I’m going out to see around.”

“You were planning to go alone?”

“No, I was planning to go with you.”

Lancer didn’t seem to buy it, but he corrected his posture soon after.

“I will accompany you.”

Fortunately, he didn’t completely prevent her from going out.

Ariana walked with relief, and she almost ran. As she reached the end of the corridor almost like running, and was about to go down the stairs, she heard a voice from below.

“Princess, where are you going?”

Lancer was standing in the middle of the stairs.

Ariana stopped abruptly and looked down at Lancer.

“I thought you were sleeping.”

“I’m taking a break.”

“You should rest in your room.”

“This is my room. Where are you going at this late hour?”

Lancer seemed like he wouldn’t leave Ariana alone. Ariana hesitated, but then decided to use the plan she had set up for the 6 o’clock slave market in the evening.

“Grandmother said there are many interesting things in this city. But earlier, I was tired, so I couldn’t explore. Since the shops are said to be open until late, I’m going out to see around.”

“You were planning to go alone?”

“No, I was planning to go with you.”

Lancer didn’t seem