CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: COLOR’S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH W

The man faltered.

"I came to your shop.." Min-jae continued, voice low but dangerous "and you dare to disrespect my person by spewing that garbage? Right in front of me at that "

He took a step closer, eyes cold. "People are shitty, forget the color of their skin. Who wants to fuck you up will fuck you up. Tell me, did Vanadis personally steal from you? Did he steal your wife?"

The craftsman flinched.

"What gives you the right to judge him? To make a verdict?" Min-jae’s tone sharpened. "He bowed to your level because you’ve got a bad back, so you wouldn’t have to stretch. He stayed in that position, waiting and you’ve got the nerve to say he’d soil your hand?"

The craftsman’s throat worked. He had no answer.

"How many people have you bullied in the name of others’ crimes?"

The man’s jaw twitched, and his voice cracked. "The colored people are nothing but scums! They’ve always been, and they always will be!"

Min-jae’s frown deepened. This time, he was truly angry.

He had forgotten, nepotism, racism, and all that other bullshit were at their finest here.

"It’s fun to give labels, isn’t it?" Min-jae muttered, his voice low and sharp. "These ’colored people.’ Like he doesn’t have a name."

He took another step forward, eyes glinting. "There are plenty of bastards causing trouble every day..... man, woman, child, all alike and you call them all colored? Then what does that make me, if I burn your shop to the ground right now? A colored person too?"

The craftsman’s eyes widened, the color draining from his face. Burn his shop?

His wife had already left him because of his drinking problem s. She’d taken the house, the children, the shop was all he had left.

He stumbled back, voice trembling. "My lord, please... I meant no offense.."

But Min-jae had already turned away.

Vanadis snatched the bottles and the pouch from the man’s in one swift motion. His voice was cold, cutting like a blade.

"If you think your hands are soiled because I touched them..." he said, eyes narrowing. "Then cut them off."

He gave a dark laugh, tossed the pouch up once, caught it, and followed after Min-jae.

The craftsman stood frozen, the weight of his own words crashing down on him as the door shut behind them.

Vanadis caught up to Min-jae, who stood outside the shop, arms crossed, jaw tight. The faint smell of ash from nearby furnaces hung in the air as he tried to cool off.

Vanadis hesitated a moment, then stepped closer and bowed lightly. "Sir, I’ve got the bottles and the change."

Min-jae didn’t look at him right away. "Doesn’t matter.." he said after a pause, voice flat. "You should’ve smashed the bottles and just collected the change."

Vanadis blinked. "But sir, that would’ve wasted your money. I’m used to this kind of situation." He straightened slowly, his tone gentle. "It doesn’t affect me anymore."

Min-jae sighed, his shoulders relaxing just a little. Of course he’s used to it. This wasn’t the twenty-first century, people here still clung to their ignorance like it was their crown.

He knew, deep down, Vanadis had probably lost countless chances, all because of something as stupid as skin color.

"No.." Min-jae said quietly, turning to look at him. "You shouldn’t be used to it. You’re a handsome man, Vanadis. You look like someone who’d do his work honestly."

His voice softened. "I’ve met a lot of shitty people, so don’t let anyone make you believe you’re not worth anything."

Vanadis gave a faint, weary smile and shook his head. "My life isn’t worth much, sir. I’m a commoner. We don’t have much value here. If I stand up for myself, I’ll only get the shorter end of the stick and I can’t afford to suffer again."

He hesitated, his eyes down. "But... I’m grateful you stood up for me. Truly. My heart felt warm."

His next words came out slower "They forced us to the bad part of town. Then they say we’re the ones ruining their lands. They bully us, kill us and still call us the monsters. I don’t understand the hate. We all have two eyes, one nose, one mouth... and all our blood is red."

Min-jae exhaled through his nose, his gaze distant. That familiar sting in his chest, the helplessness, the powerlessness. These people deserved better.

"I had a friend like you once.." he said suddenly, voice low. "His skin was dark..darker than yours. It glowed when the sun hit him. He was brave. Always doing the reckless things I didn’t have the guts for."

He gave a faint, hollow laugh. "We got into all sorts of trouble back then. Those days were stupid, but they were good. Then one day he fell ill, something with no cure. I could only watch as he... wilted away. He was the first person who made life feel big."

Kang Jiho was his name, even he couldn’t escape the cold hands of cancer.

Min-jae’s jaw tightened slightly as he started walking toward the carriage parked two shops down. "Color’s got nothing to do with worth. If I like someone, I like them. That’s all there is to it."

Vanadis stood there for a few seconds, watching him.

The man was unlike anyone he’d ever met. He couldn’t understand him but he could feel the sincerity in those words.

Min-jae turned, glancing back. "We haven’t got all day, Vanadis. Get a move on."

Vanadis blinked, then hurried after him. "Er... yes, sir."

The carriage door closed behind them with a soft click, leaving the noise of the furnaces behind.

Meanwhile,the doors to the royal hall slammed open, the sound slicing through the silence like a blade.

Three men entered: Veynar, his son Dorian, and behind them was Meical.

Radomir sat on his throne, one leg crossed over the other, idly swirling the wine in his cup. "You asked for an audience.." he said, his tone lazy but his eyes sharp. "What grievance brings you here looking like half-beaten dogs?"

Veynar was the first to speak, his lip swollen, his pride more bruised than his body.

"Your Majesty, this man.." he jabbed a trembling finger toward Meical. "attacked us without reason, in our own estate."

Dorian stepped forward too quickly. "Yes, Your Majesty. He’s a brute. A savage. He should be stripped of his title and..."