Chapter 36: The disadvantage of the Poor
1032 Words
There are pool of people around the man who is wailing about how he lost her daughter and Lazarus was beside him.
It's still early in the morning but everyone is present and quite surprised with Lazarus' words.
What a fool! Does Lazarus think he is the prince right now to say something like that?
"How can a peasant like you take my daughter back?!" He cried with his hands all over his face. "This is all my fault, I am a bad father! I should take my life now... Please all of you, just let me be. I don't deserve this kind of life!"
"Oliverio!" A woman reached her and shook her head. "Don't say that— we both know that this is all their fault. They tricked you!"
"And I was fooled! I just signed a paper believing that my daughter will be going to a normal teaching... That she can attend even I didn't pay anything..." He growled. "But I didn't know that they will take my young child and make her their slave."
I tried to push myself through the crowd so I can go near him.
"Oliverio, stop. You are not a bad father. Look at yourself! Did you even put cure your wounds? You arm will rot if you leave it like that!"
I finally saw Oliverio who is in his knees. He was full of wounds and his arms... are full of bruises!
"How can I do that if I sold my own daughter!? I'd rather be dead!"
"Can you please stop saying that!?" A person hissed from the crowd.
"You shouldn't be like this, mister. You're daughter is in danger—"
"And I did that to her—obviously, I cannot do anything about it! I am weak and poor... and an illiterate... What can I even do to get my daughter back? Who would help me?"
Hearing what he said made my heart whimpered. An illiterate who was taken advantage by heartless person! Monsters!
"Oliverio, I can help... Don't worry–"
"Let's not fool ourselves. We all know that you will... only have the same faith with me."
"Don't say that. We will do something to help," Lazarus intervene again!
Should I stop him? Isn't he aware that we are still acting?
"How will you help me?"
"My wife and I aren't from here. There are rules that people shouldn't harm one another that came from another kingdom because it's a disrespect and also a way of saying you wanted a war."
They are dumbfounded by his clear explanation. I slightly shook my head in disbelief. He cannot just... act normally. The way he talks sounds like he is in charge! One who is full of authority!
"But we don't apply with that rule! We are peasants!" Someone shouted from the crowd.
Lazarus shooked his head. "No. We are not excepted with that rule. I will do something for your daughter, sir. I am sure she is waiting for you. So please don't take your own life... Because she is waiting for you."
Oliverio didn't talk after that—with tears in his face, he nodded his head slowly. Trusting what Lazarus said.
Oliverio, Lazarus, and I are sitting on another house. Oliverio is getting his treatment while he is telling the his story about his daughter.
Like what he said earlier, he thought that those person really offered an education for his daughter because they saw the potential in her. Mr. Oliverio didn't think twice and just talk about it because he wanted to give his daughter a brighter future.
But on the signing of contract—he cannot read so he just trust those people. Little did he know, he signed a contract about her daughter being a slave...
"But how can you two help me? Do you need anything from me?"
"No, we do not need anything from you. Can you tell me the place?" Lazarus shook his head. "We will get back. Wait for your daughter."
I am in silence inside the carousel. Wow, a lot happened and... I am just dumbfounded. I thought I will just try and get to know Elizar.
But that one day—I learned a lot and introduced me to people!
"Why do you look like that?" Lazarus asked after a few minutes.
"Are we going to get his daughter back?"
"Yes, it's easy. I can just show this..." then he lift up a gold chain with a big pendant with circle.
"What is that?"
"A locket of castle. This meant you have the power to do anything and everything. With will or without. This is the King's permission to do anything and if not obeyed... Well you know what's next."
My mouth hang opened. I never knew that there is something powerful that can exist by holding it!
"Those kind of people should be punished—"
"Prince, you cannot just do something as you please," his secretary stopped him. "You can get his daughter but please do not cause a bigger problem that will gather attention."
Lazarus didn't answer–but he obviously doesn't like the idea that they will not get punished.
"But why not?" I couldn't help but to ask his secretary. "If people like them wouldn't get any punishment, they will just repeat their action over and over again. They will take advantage of illiterate people and use them like they are not humans. The kingdom should do something about this." I explained.
The two look dumbfounded for a minute. But Lazarus smirked at me.
"See? My princess is right."
His secretary shook his head and close his eyes. "The two of you will not do anything. Report this to the castle and then let the king decide."
I pouted and looked at the prince who is busy staring at me in a flirty manner.
"What?" I hissed.
"So you know what I stand for huh?"
I didn't understand what he told me. My forehead knotted and just looked outside of the carousel.
"I hope everything can went smoothly." I hope the child is safe too.
"I am here. Don't worry about anything." Lazarus assured me.
- Writer
