[@Draken] I don't think I saw a mention of him being a racist, or at least not actively and deliberately so.  More a "oh yeah there's slaves" sort of a racist.  Which is still awful, but that's their world for now.

Given your clarification, I'd say Ziotea's perception fits well enough, yes?  Unless he was particularly rude to her for whatever reason.  Not impossible -- she's rather abrasive herself, after all.  Otherwise anything further for their dynamic is up to you.  ^.^