Lustro's birthday party was held in his enormous palace. People drank and dance lively. Lustro and Rottie walked down a grand staircase and waved to the guest. Rottie dressed herself up like she was a queen. She even wore a small tiara. However, the sportlight was not on her or Lustro, but a mid-aged beautiful woman who dressed in dark-navy blue. People were exciting to meet this lady. In their eyes were full of admirations of her. Her grace was extraordinary which made Rottie felt jealous.

Shizuru: Who is she, Daddy?

Alistair: Countress Cassandra, she's quite famous and rules the eastern region.

Shizuru: Why is she famous? Because of her beauty?

Alistair: Not quite really. According to Westernia Empire's law, children can only succeed the courtesy titles and styles by surpassing their predecessors. And Countress Cassandra is one among the few who outshined her family.

Shizuru: Wow... She might be a role model to many people.

Alistair: Indeed.

But this law is not apply to the most problem one...

Shizuru: The king.

Alistair: *Nod*

Cassandra walked straight to where Lustro and Rottie stood. She presented Lustro a paper as a birthday gift but when Lustro read the paper, he was very angry. He could not control himself anymore. He shouted on Cassandra who was smiling. The tense between them was increasing while people were watching and expecting for a coming show.

Lustro: I don't believe this!!!

Cassandra: Low your voice, people are looking at us.

Rottie: My king, what's that paper?

Cassandra: Your slavary certificate.

Rottie: You LIED!!!

I'm not a slave. Everyone knows.

Today, my parent is here too!

Cassandra: Oh, really?

Who?

Show yourself.

Lustro: Rottie, bring your parent here.

Rottie: Y..Yes.

Rottie brought an old couple who was claimed to be her parent. However, they were too scared and decided to confess the truth that they were paid for the role. The couple was charged for a crime and sent to a prison immediately.

Rottie: I'm not a slave. You framed me!

Cassandra: Can you read or write?

Rottie: O..Of course.

Cassandra: Can anybody lend me some pen and paper?

Shizuru: You can use mine.

Rottie: You again!?

Cassandra: Oh, you are...

Shizuru: Shizuru, King Alistair's daughter.

Cassandra: Thank you, little princess.

Rottie: *Shaking*

Cassandra: First, write... how about your lovely king's name.

Rottie: I..I....

Lustro: Enough!

Rottie: My king, please help me.

Lustro: The law doesn't say that slave cannot be a royal concubine.

Cassandra: You're absolutely right but the scandal will make you worry. That's why I present you her slavery certificate so you can set her free now.

Lustro: Then, why don't you make it in private?

Cassandra: Do you still remember Lady Judy, the previous royal concubine?

Lustro: Is there any related to this?

Cassandra: Apparently, she was exiled and her family was hanged.

However, she made a request to re-investigate the case which I accepted.

Lustro: Then, you should ask the court to handle.

Cassandra: But someone may interfere the court and blind the justice. Besides, I'm a ruler of the eastern region. I have right to punish my subjects. Look at the certificate carefully and you will see where is your pretty concubine was registered.

Lustro: ...

Cassandra: You see? I have right to punish my subject who commited a crime.

Rottie: My lord, please help Rottie.

Emily: Oh, I heard a rumor about a wounded slave girl was saved by a kind noble lady. The lady gave that slave a place to sleep, a meal to eat and a job to do as her personal maid. Unfortunately, a few months later, that ungrateful slave famed her, took her husband, her title and everything. Poor lady...

Woman: So, the accuse about her and her family were trying to poison the queen was not true?

Emily: How could that be true since the queen was the one who saved that poor lady... oh, I forgot. It's just a rumor.

Rottie: It's not true! I never did! I never did!

Emily: Today, you are about to take a queen position, aren't you?

Rottie: You bitch! Don't confuse people!!!

Emily: King Lustro, why did you let her walk with you instead of the queen?

Lustro: The queen isn't here. What's wrong to walk with the another woman?

Emily: My sister is a very...very famous queen. At least, you should give her some respect.

Lustro: But your sister is the one who never show me respect.

Cassandra: And did you make yourself worth for that respect?

Lustro: Cassandra!!!

Cassandra: People are watching. Don't forget that.

Lustro: *Grinding teeth*

Lustro was extremely angry and denounced all Rottie's titles. He had done with Rottie even though he missed her beautiful face. He returned the certificate back to Cassandra. Rottie was shocked and frightened. She kneed and begged Lustro to help but he pushed her away. Surprisingly, Emily asked Cassandra to sell the certificate to her which Cassandra instantly agreed. It was just a silver coin which people were gossiping how cheap the former king concubine's life was. At that moment, Rottie was in despair. Her beautiful face was covered with tears. She sat on the floor like a lifeless doll. Suddenly, there was a light reflecting on her eyes. She opened her eyes wider and saw the paper was burning by the flame from a candle.

Emily: This paper is non-sense. There is no price for freedom. We are born with it.

Rottie: !

Emily gracefully walked out from the hall while people remained silent.

Cassandra: Now, you are free from the chain but not the sin.

Rottie: What do you mean?

Cassandra: You can go now.

Rottie: I..I don't know where to go.

Some country's duke: You can go back to be a slave. I will treat you better than anyone.

Noble lady: You can be my servant if you can do some work.

Nobleman: But she may betray you like she did to Lady Judy.

Rottie: *Sobbing*

To be continue . . .