[A Certain Refugee POV]

After three weeks of travelling, we arrived in the city. The merchant and the mercenary called it Neverwinter.

It was beautiful…

The streets were clean and it had enough water that many people used it to travel around the city.

We passed through two walls, one protecting their now harvested farmlands, and one protecting the city proper. The capital had two… but the second one is protecting the king’s palace and the other, the wealthier district. The locals were protected by a thin wall or fencing, often just the vast farmlands.

Everyone seemed healthy. More surprisingly, no children could be seen working. In the capital, you would see children soliciting and begging for work but none of that was present.

We passed through a building and we could see children sitting down as a person was talking in front. I’ve heard about it in the capital but I can’t believe something like that could exist here… an Academy…

Many lakes can be found in the city connected by canals which people traverse using small boats. The water was so clean that fish could be seen swimming in it. Trees lined the black road, which had no bumps whatsoever.

We were brought to some sort of facility where we were sorted, families were sent to the buildings first as well as the children. They were housed in tall buildings with three floors. They looked like buildings where nobles would stay in the capital. But for the Lord to gave them to commoners…

In the end about a third of us were housed in our respective houses within the day, those who were without a family or adults regardless of being men or women stayed in the facility, personally, it didn’t matter, it was cold but bearable. It is certainly warmer than if we were to stay in other towns.

By sundown, we realized that something had been installed in the facility which kept it warm.

By nightfall, everyone was served a meal consisting of beans, bread, vegetables, and meat. As someone who’s lived in the slums of the capital, this is the first time I have been served such a luxurious meal. My mouth watered.

Everyone was required to bathe and we were given temporary garments while our previous ones got washed. We smelled good once we used this thing called ‘soap’. I was in awe when we were allowed to use such a luxurious bath that even most nobles don't have.

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A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

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I wouldn’t mind if I stayed there forever but on the third day, we were transferred.

Men and women were separated based on their gender. I guess that’s what caused the problems.

Some people demanded to be with their lovers but ultimately got denied by the Lord due to not having enough housing to support them.

It got worse when they found out the Lord was a child who had not even reached adulthood.

Many sounded their opinions causing a rift between the local population and the refugees.

Many insulted the Lord which soured even the ones who were feeding us. The quality of the food given to us got worse as well as the bathhouse not being heated.

The locals were not happy. The soldiers of the city didn’t even bat an eye at us. When someone got sick some healers refused to treat us.

This caused a greater rift in the city.

But eventually, it got better. The Lord ordered them to do their job properly. Now only a small minority voiced their opinion.

But one day… something happened.

“I should have sold my children instead of dealing with an incompetent Lord like this!”

During a day when the Lord passed by after working on some houses, someone uttered such words.

To us that was a normal thing. Something that happens every single day. It became a culture for the poor to do whenever they were about to starve.

One thing I noticed about this city is its love for children… you would see no children starving in the city, not even one that is working. Children had one job in the city, that is to study and to be happy, nothing else…

In many cities criticizing the Lord wouldn’t have happened. After all a noble is still a noble. But a child was different, perhaps they thought they could pressure him to do their bidding.

The Lord slowly walked towards the man who said that.

“How many children do you have?”

With a calm voice, he asked. His eyes didn’t even look at the man and kept it down.

It was eerily silent. Everyone kept their mouths shut. Even the soldiers, I could see them shivering. I guess this is the first time they’ve seen the Lord like this.

“I-I have 4 would you like to buy them? They are all beautiful gir—“

“You are talking to the Lord of this village. Kneel.”

I’ve seen the Lord talk with commoners like us, never has he made them kneel… I could see the man gritting his teeth and kneeling in front of the child, he was being humiliated by the child Lord.

As the man looked up their eyes finally met. I could see him shake as he looked at him.

“This is my village. I do not welcome the likes of you. Leave your children here. You will not get an ounce of anything from my domain.”

Immediately the soldiers walked towards the man and took him. His cries for apology could be heard as he was dragged onto a waggon.

“Sebas, the children, make sure to take care of the mother too.” He proceeded to walk towards the new building he was constructing. While the butler behind him bowed.

“Understood your Highness.”

“!!!”

Only 6 people in the entire Kingdom are to be called that.

Those who came from the capital realized who this man was. Everyone thought it was a rumour, while some thought he was dead, many have had their suspicion due to his silver hair and golden eyes. One thing was certain, is that the 6th Prince was sent to the Northwest frontier.

One by one everyone knelt. Maybe out of fear or awe but certainly some in amazement, Normally a disrespect towards a royalty would be met by beheading on the spot but no… this man allowed our hubris… allowed us to criticize him as he worked on improving our lives.

This person is the 6th Prince of the Kingdom of Arthurias, His Royal Highness Lucas Arthurias.