Neither Turaya nor Diane spoke during the carriage ride, leaving Brooke with her thoughts about anything she could think of.

"Jules?"

[ Yes, Host? ]

"Annabell was killed by Charlotte, right?"

[ Yes, Host. Would you like to read the report again? ]

"No. Just confirming something."

Turaya placed a hand on her temple and sighed. When Annabell died, it was totally Jason's fault. He went too far and Charlotte went off the deep end, assuming Annabell was the one who did it. Which meant that literally the entire scenario could've been avoided if the ML didn't go overboard.

... She had a strong urge to smack the shit out of someone.

"Jules, I've come to a conclusion."

[ What is it, Host? ]

"Male Leads are great and all but they're unreliable when it comes to keeping their or my life. So, I have a question."

[ Ask away! If I can answer, I will! ^^ ]

"Will I always become a character who is more powerful or has more potential than the Female Lead? Or just cannon fodder?"

[ Host will always become a character who has been wronged by the Female Lead or played an important part in the Male Lead's development. Often times, this is someone who only fell from grace due to the Female Lead's halo. But your goal will always be to steal the Male Lead's affections! ]

Jules sounded so proud of themself, having fully memorized the guidelines for the characters their Host could become. They had worked hard to fully remember this.

"Hm. I see." She hummed, nodding. This was the nail in the coffin for her idea.

Brooke now had a whole other goal. The ML could be unreliable, the FL could be a bitch but she could always fall back on herself and other characters. Before confronting the ML and FL, she would build good relations with other characters and make herself stronger in as many ways possible.

If you wanted yourself protected, protect yourself. That could be applied in many ways in her situation. Since the situation was always changing.

"Madam, we've arrived at our destination." Diane piped up, snapping Turaya out of her thoughts. The blonde woman nodded and Diane exited first, assisting her lady in exiting after her.

The Slave Market was very much how Turaya had imagined as once seen (Both as a Slaver and Slave. How many lives had this woman lived?). There was the shouting of people trying to sell other people. Saying things like,

"Strong body! Great for warrior work! Once in a lifetime find!"

"A real beauty, I tell you! Perfect for those with exotic tastes!"

Turaya couldn't help but scowl when a familiar sweet smell hit her nose. Blood. Why wouldn't there be blood at a slave market? Slaves needed to be disciplined after all.

The thought made Turaya's face go dark.

"Diane."

"Yes, Madam?"

"Let's get this done quickly."

"Of course, Madam."

The two women weaved through the crowds of buyers, sellers, and merchandise to eventually be greeted by a round man. One of the managers of the slave market.

"Regent Tua, Miss Diane. What brings you to our humble establishment today?"

It looks like the King and other background villains had already spread the news. At least they were useful for something.

"The slaves I came to view yesterday. Mistress Tua wished to see them herself and check their condition and if they're suitable for the jobs she requires."

"Of course, of course. Do follow me." The man led them to a private room which was surprisingly clean and nice looking before leaving and then coming back with a line of slaves. Instantly, the youngest one amongst them, a young girl close to Renaut's age, caught Turaya's attention.

That was Samone.

She was very dirty, hair knotted and covered in grime with a grim look on her face. Her cheeks her sunken in and she was stick thin, most likely due to malnutrition. Turaya felt her heart fall into her stomach but her face revealed nothing but blank frost.

"That little girl. That one right there."

"Ah, yes. This one is-"

"No need for an explanation. I'll be taking her and all the ones on the list who haven't been bought yet."

She promised that this was the only time she'd ever be soft hearted.

--------

"What is your name?"

"S-Samone."

"I see. It's a nice name, so I won't change it."

The little girl was shivering from head to toe, standing in front of the lounging blonde woman who looked like she had stepped right out of a painting. Although she could not see the woman, she could hear her voice and it struck terror into her heart.

"Samone, I only have one requirement of all the people who work on this estate."

"..."

"The requirement is complete and total loyalty to the Giandim House. You shall work for us, and you shall be willing to die for us. So I have another question for you."

"Y-yes, ma'am?"

"Are you, someone who has lost everything, willing to die for me?"

"I... I..."

"I'll rephrase that. Are willing to die for me if I could offer you revenge?"

"... Huh?"

"Don't make me repeat myself."

The little girl couldn't help but remember how she had gotten here. The smell of thick smoke filling her nose, the screaming, the stench of blood, the loss of warmth in her father's arms.

The calloused hand that grabbed her and dragged her for God knows how long.

The pain and shouting of the slave market. All of it was so vivid, despite the fact she could only hear, smell, and touch her way through the experience.

What she felt now was a burning wish in her body.

"I would be willing to die for you."

Turaya smiled from her position on the couch, looking like the devil an unsuspecting mortal had made a deal with.

"That's what I like to hear."