CHAPTER NINE: ME AS Y*U.

Kaiden Monroe had been the name on everyone's lips in the capital. The genius merchant who had managed to quadruple his family's funds just three months after his coming of age ceremony.

He was perfect in every way and given that this was their third year owning the Monroe name. (Once a person earned their second name, the name could be used by the family as a title, up to the third generation of the initial owner of the name, it was kind of like a subscription that could only be renewed by a member of the family joining a Royal Guild.)

He had been born lucky, some used to say. He was the third Monroe so he didn't need to join a guild and unlike his cousins, Kaiden had no interest in guilds, he was more of the brains of the family. So up until recently, his cousins had been responsible for renewing the family name.

But everything started falling to shit when his cousins wanted to gain and create their 'own' names, to break away from the Monroe title. Kaiden would be the last generation of the Monroe title if it was not renewed. His cousins were responsible for this renewal, but they wanted to start their own families under new names.

Everything would have been perfect if they hadn't-

Now the elders had their eyes on him, the pureblood Monroe they had protected all along.

Kaiden clenched the glass in his hand, and the ice rattled, reminding him to maintain his composure.

He was lounging on a chair on the deck enjoying the afternoon breeze…well, he had been enjoying it until thoughts of his family had muddled with his fun.

He had decided that he would run away the second his parents and the entire Monroe clan suggested he join a guild.

Why did he have to risk his neck when his cousins were already in Strong guilds? He wasn't that attached to the Monroe name, so why did he have to? His children could do it, or just not, he didn't care. All they took back was a name, they could still keep their wealth.

Kaiden stood and walked to the deck railing, he admired the ripples the boat made. As he did, he noticed that there was no trail left by the ship.

-Of course, there was no trail left, the water did not cling…so why do humans? Why do we carry so much?- he wondered melancholically as he swirled his drink.

He would be fine after running away, he'd change his name, and he knew that he would be able to easily make a few iches, sure it would be slower without any capital, and sure he'd have to go hungry on some days but…he could do it. No, he would do it.

The image of Rosa flashed in his mind. Long brown hair, hazel eyes, and the most sensual pink lips he had ever seen. She had taken his breath away when they had first met.

Rosa had been a maid in his manor for years, they had had an affair and then fallen for each other. His family had caught wind of their courtship, and then, as nobles often did when something did not suit their image, they sold her. The reason that they had given him for selling the love of his life was utterly ridiculous! 'The Monroe's are 'A' and would always be a pureblood family' they had explained. Meaning he could only be engaged to a woman who had similar powers as he did.

Kaiden sneered at the thought. He had been away when they had sold her, and he hadn't even been able to save her. It had taken him six months to find her…six months without her smile. Six months without her warmth, without her touch…he was sure he would have gone mad, and maybe he had.

He used to dream of her so often that when he woke, he had been sure that he would find her arranging his garments or talking to his flowers in the garden, but that was not so, she had been just a dream.

So, today he would ask her to marry him, now that he had found her three weeks ago he wouldn't risk losing her again.

He hadn't believed his luck when his best friend Nico, who had recently purchased the ship he was currently on, had told him that he had hired Rosa as a cleaner.

In this…godforsaken ship?! She should be adorned in jewels not scrubbing after commoners!

He frowned, no, he shouldn't hate the ship, he just wished that Rosa hadn't been forced to work here to make ends meet.

Kaiden felt a chill run through his spine. He'd have to get used to this scene. Because of his plans to run away and live as a commoner, they’d both have to work for commoners. His family would definitely claim his funds in an attempt to control him, so yes, they would both have to get used to working.

Should he start a business on the side first?

Kaiden noticed a heavily malnourished child mopping the floors, the child looked frail, as though he'd snap his bones under his 'own' weight, by simply standing.

He walked over to the child and smiled. Perhaps he could surprise Rosa, she always adored children.

"Hey, Kid."

"O…oh s-s-sir." The child trembled. He smelled awful and worse, he didn't look as though he could bathe without pain.

Dirt had built upon his skin, causing it to tear, he practically had at least two blood clots on each limb that was visible to Kaiden in that gaudy, dirty dress? Rag? At this rate, even a sponge would hurt him.

"How would you like to rest in my cabin, there is some warm food in the dining and a lit fire to keep you warm."

"I co-c-couldn't s-s-ir. Ple-e-ase." He pleaded as though he wanted to tell him to get away but could not find it in his being to insult a nobleman.

"You are a slave, correct?" the boy froze. "How many months do you have left?"

Slavery was legal in Dia, under controlled conditions, of course. The most implemented condition being: A slave should only have a single owner for at most a year. Beyond that, the slave could sue, but Dia was a vast empire, and one with very many backdoors.

"I..it d-d-doesn't ma-t-t-er…" The boy said in a soft voice.

Indeed, Dia was too large. Large enough for slave traders to get away with 'Recycling' slaves.

"How about this," Kaiden said then touched the boy's shoulder. Kaiden's features slowly moulded into the little boy’s features until they were identical.

"A sh-sh-shape sh-sh-shifter!?" the boy gawked.

"Indeed,"

He said proudly, should he buy the child? He and Rosa could raise him, away from the disapproving public. The child could even help them blend in with the masses. He'd have to take care of the boy’s awful stench, but it wasn't a bad idea.

"You…Y-Y-you even took m-m-my clothes?"

"No, my clothes are enchanted to suit my magic type," Kaiden said, it had been his family's magic for generations, so they had tailored everything to pair well with it. He looked at the boy then through him. There she was, Rosa, long flowing brown hair caught his eyes and every fibre of his being knew that it was her. He didn't even need to see her face.

But, he wanted to. Seeing Rosa put his heart and mind at ease. He squinted his eyes to look at Rosa in a cleaner's uniform and felt his heart flutter. She was even more beautiful than she had been yesterday. "Will you take my offer? Room zero."

"ROOM ZERO!? I-I-I c-c-couldn't s-s-sir." The boy pleaded. He understood why, the luxury and space of the rooms were ranked, the smaller the number, the better the service.

"If you do, I will purchase your contract," Kaiden said hastily completely ignoring the child's obvious discomfort, but he couldn't miss Rosa. He wanted her to feel bad for him and care for him in this form.

"B-b-b-ut, why?" the child asked.

"I'll tell you, if you do as I say," Kaiden promised then shoved the key in his tiny bony hands. He was running out of time, so he turned on his heel without waiting for confirmation from the kid, but he'd handle that later.

Preferably with Rosa by his side.

"R-R-R-Rosa!" He yelled, trying to imitate the child's stammer.

Rosa stopped then turned to him.

Kaiden tried to rush over, but he felt awkward in his form, would his bones snap if he ran? Would he break his leg if he fell?

"STOP!" Rosa whispered in a harsh tone, so only he could hear.

'Huh?' Kaiden frowned.

"You filthy little thing, I told you not to come near me, you smell repulsive!"

-EH? Who was that? Who was talking to him right now? …that wasn't Rosa. She looked like Rosa...Is that Rosa...? No way! - His mind raced.

"Goddess Ecclesia come down! Did you just call me, Rosa! MY NAME SOUNDS AWFUL COMING FROM YOUR MOUTH."

A chill ran through his spine, not because of the insult. Although, that had taken years off his life, but because Rosa, his Rosa, was a firm believer in Goddess Ecclesia.

"I was in a good mood, stop trying to ruin it." Rosa clicked her tongue and turned to leave.

Did Rosa have a grudge against the child? Maybe, because…that wasn't his Rosa. The child had defi-

"GET BACK TO WORK!" and with that, she was gone.

Kaiden stood there for a few minutes before he regained himself. He needed to ask the child what he had done to Rosa because he had definitely done something awful to his Rosa. He needed to-

"What the-!" a black haired girl yelled as ham slipped from her coat and landed on his head.

'Oh for f**** sake!' He thought irritated, but he only showed a meek expression.

"O…oh dear I…I am sorry." He mimicked the child's weak voice. It wasn't his fault…who the hell runs with ham in the open hallway? Maybe she was a thief, but what kind of thief steals in broad daylight? Still, he couldn't bring himself to care about this, he just needed to find the child.

"I...I'm sorry." He repeated, but he honestly just wanted to 'get over this' situation.

Her eyes met his, and he felt his heart leap, she was beautiful.

Almost as fast as their eyes met, she broke eye contact. Her eyes darted around their surroundings as though her brain was running a mile a minute.

Diamond eyes? She could probably be an elemental earth mage.