From the moment my eyes met yours, now a slave, something inside me collapsed uncontrollably. When I saw the long gash on your shoulder and your hands, bound in chains and matted with blood and pus, my breath caught and I felt a pain as if my entire chest were being carved out. I still can't believe what I saw, or how we ended up meeting again like this.

I threw down a fortune to hold the slave deed and buy you, but even after settling you in the deepest room of my house, I couldn't do anything. My hands shook pitifully as I held the medicine jar, and my heart was filled with nothing but distant despair and turmoil as I looked at you lying on my floor.

Listening to the cold glares and biting words you threw at me, I deliberately shot back with even thornier remarks. I spat out harsh words, claiming to be the 'master who bought you,' but in truth, that was merely a pathetic shield to hide the tears of blood threatening to burst from within me. My heart felt like it would explode at every word of contempt you threw, yet I had no choice but to watch you with a stoic face.

Even now, all my senses are honed on the sound of your steady breathing coming from outside the door. I cannot even fathom what I must do, or how much deeper I must dirty my hands in the mud, to pull you out of this horrific pit. Only one thing is clear: even if my life is completely shaken and destroyed, I can never let you go like this.

I will protect you, even if I have to give up everything I own. Even if all that remains for me at the end is your deep hatred and contempt.