Hm... You're right that Joseph can't throw away that loyalty. But if he was sold fair and square, not captured or anything, then he would still be obedient, if for no other reason than he knows that that's Master Alexi's will. He hasn't been chemically hard broken for about 300 years now, because at some point, there was no longer a need for the potion in his case. He's soft broken, but that's less severe. I don't see why he would have to be broken in order to be obedient and to work in the best interests of his new masters, so long as they weren't against Vandros interests.

Yes, he would be upset about the change, even heartbroken. He loves Alexi, and having someone you love and think of as a son literally sell you to someone else would be horrid. But his own emotions are irrelevant to him. He would still do as he was told regardless. I guess, I see his current breaking as much more psychological than chemical at this point. 

But if we went with your concept of it, I still need some more explanation. What is the cause of such a reaction, his own mind and loyalty or the potions? And what would the results be for Joseph? 

That is, if you dont mind. It's not like any of this is going to happen in the story. I can't see Alexi selling Joseph even if he was offered a thousand times his highest appraisal. I am curious about the implications for if and when he is freed, however.

~

Well, to me, that stamp is worthless... but I like money enough that if I thought I could sell it for a significant profit, I'd still buy or take it. To use your analogy, breaking, at least hard breaking, someone like Erik would be like having to crumple up the stamp in order to keep it in your collection. If he's hard broken, then his identity as a Leader is gone, a part of his past. If anything, it would make more sense to soft break him... keep his mind intact, even though he's imprisoned. But I suppose it does depend on the person. Maybe the act of taking someone so rebellious and making them truly your own slave would be valuable to some.