Arthas April 11, 2024 No comments
Don't forget to rate and review the novel on Novelupdates
"Young Miss! Wait for me!"
“Follow me quietly, Erika.”
The evening streets, unusually quiet for some reason, were shrouded in darkness — shops and stalls had all closed their doors, as if on cue, and the occasional street lamp illuminated the street.
Isabel did not look back as she continued her steps. Meanwhile, Erika hurriedly followed Isabel with her short legs, and the family guards followed behind.
"Miss, is this really the right way?" Erika asked, catching her breath.
Isabel sighed, somewhat annoyed, and responded halfheartedly, "It's not like you've never been to the auction house before, have you forgotten the way?"
"What do you mean? When have you ever been to the auction house, Miss?"
"...I was speaking figuratively."
Isabel took another precarious step.
As she turned the corner and passed through the gloomy alley, an old-fashioned building came into view; there was a crowd of people queuing at the entrance of the building, and the attire of those entering was anything but ordinary.
‘I never thought I’d come back here…’
As she approached the entrance, Isabel grew increasingly anxious.
‘Kyle…’
Her rationality had been rapidly eroding over the past few days; but what was driving her to madness was not Kyle's cold attitude towards her.
The self-loathing.
The longing for Kyle.
The growing guilt.
None of that.
It was the selfishness that prevented her from letting go of Kyle, even as he demanded the annulment of their engagement; the ugly contradiction that arose from this gap drove Isabel into an endless abyss.
Maybe.
Just maybe.
If there is only a small chance.
Wouldn’t Kyle be able to look back at her just once?
Clinging to that faint possibility, Isabel burned herself down.
Annulment? Like this? No, I can’t.
I'll give you everything, my body and mind, just please don't leave my side.
I'll atone for the rest of my life, and even until my dying breath, I'll only have eyes for you, so please...
"...Ah."
She knew she was not in her right mind.
But she couldn't stop.
Because her life without Kyle was nothing more than a pile of ashes scattered after everything has been burned down.
"This way, Miss."
Isabel stood in line behind Erika.
She readjusted the robe that covered her whole body to hide her identity and touched the ticket in her pocket.
The long line quickly dwindled and soon, it was Isabel's turn.
Moments later.
"May I see your ticket, please?"
A burly man, flanked by knights, extended his hand.
When she showed him the prepared ticket, the man’s eyes widened.
"Ah, my apologies, I did not recognize you, esteemed guest," the man's lips curved into a smile. "Please proceed through the right hallway. I hope you have an enjoyable time."
She passed through the entrance and followed the direction the man had indicated.
It was a private passage for VIPs, the so-called nobility.
"The auction hall is this way."
After passing the hallway, a waiting woman began to guide her.
As she walked down the dead end and the darkness, a narrow staircase revealed itself.
"Phew..."
She slowly descended the stairs, following the woman.
Meanwhile, Erika, clinging to her back, kept glancing around, uneasy about something.
Time passed and after what seemed like an eternity, the stairs came to an end and a faint light shone through the cracks in the door.
Creak—
The door opened, revealing a large, amphitheater-like space.
"Please have a seat here."
Isabel was guided to the front row seats.
It was a space specially reserved for a small number of nobles, and she had a clear view of the entire auction house.
“To bid, simply raise your paddle to the height of your forehead.”
The woman who had seated Isabel handed her an auction paddle and left after telling her to hold up the paddle if she wanted to buy something.
Erika looked around with a surprised expression and then expressed her concern, "Miss, I’m telling you again, you should only spend a moderate amount since you came out without the Count’s permission…”
"I already know that much."
She felt sorry for Erika, but she had no intention of spending only a moderate amount. If it meant getting the ring back, she was even prepared to empty her entire funds.
"Welcome, distinguished guests! I am Jenerald of the Auction Association!”
Crackle—!
As the man on the stage finished his greeting, a shower of light poured down from the ceiling, illuminating the stage.
The main auction had begun.
The items listed in the catalog were brought up to the podium one by one, and the atmosphere quickly changed.
Isabel sat there and watched the auction with an indifferent face.
"10,000 Loups! 11,000 Loups! 12,000 Loups!..."
The prices kept climbing relentlessly; the eyes of those bidding were gleaming with a feverish madness.
"15,000 Loups! Are there any further bids?”
The auction house, which had been heated up, was suddenly filled with silence.
"Sold for 15,000 Loups!"
Clang—!
The auctioneer struck the gavel, announcing the final sale.
The next item was brought up.
After a fierce psychological battle for the bid, the item was eventually sold at an absurdly inflated price.
Enduring the monotony of this repetitive cycle, Isabel suppressed a yawn.
And then.
"Finally, the long-awaited item has arrived!"
The item she had been waiting for so long was brought up to the stage.
"A ring, and not just any ring, a ring made with the finest sunstone!”
Isabel, who had been watching the auction with indifferent eyes, stood up from her seat as soon as she saw the ring that had been brought up to the podium.
There was no doubt about it.
It was Kyle's ring.
Murmurs began to spread like ripples.
Simultaneously, avaricious gazes converged, targeting the prey.
"The ring's uniqueness lies not only in the sunstone, but also in the fact that it was handcrafted by the master artisan Skadi! The empire's foremost craftsman toiled for days and nights to create this ring!"
Kyle’s voice, saying that he would give her only the best, rang in her ears and a crack appeared in Isabel’s face, which had been calm all along.
"The starting bid is 100,000 Loups!"
100,000 Loups.
It was a staggering amount, enough to purchase a small manor in the outskirts.
She was stunned by the insane amount, but only for a moment.
"105,000!"
The price quickly skyrocketed.
"110,000!"
"115,000!"
"120,000 Loups! Are there any further bids?”
Isabel’s eyes narrowed coldly.
And then.
"2-200,000 Loups! 200,000 Loups has been bid!"
Isabel confidently raised the auction paddle.
200,000 Loups, twice the starting price of 100,000 Loups.
A grave look of astonishment crossed the auctioneer's face.
"200,000 Loups! Are there any further bids!”
A chilling silence weighed down the auction hall; the gazes of those seated all converged on Isabel.
200,000 Loups for a single ring.
No matter how rare the value of the sunstone, there was no one insane enough to burn down two mansions for just one ring.
"Ah, Miss! What is this…!!”
And that insane person was the very mistress she served.
Erika jumped in alarm, tugging at Isabel's sleeve.
'It doesn't matter.'
No matter the price, no matter who bids how much.
That ring belonged to her.
It was a gift Kyle had prepared for her when he proposed their engagement, a gift meant only for her.
Isabel clenched her fist tightly; her nails dug into the flesh, drawing blood that trickled down.
She frowned for a moment at the sharp pain.
Kyle must have been in much more pain than this.
The thought that she was sharing even a fraction of his pain brought her a small comfort.
"200,000 Loups! I will be closing the bid in 10 seconds!”
The auctioneer began the countdown in a heightened voice.
"10! 9! 8!..."
She missed Kyle.
"...6! 5! 4!..."
Perhaps if she took this ring back, would he understand her feelings a little bit?
"...3! 2!..."
The auctioneer picked up the gavel to declare the sale.
That's when it happened.
"2-250,000!! 250,000 Loups has been bid!!"
Someone had made a counteroffer.
Isabel's lips parted in shock.
She hurriedly turned her head in the direction everyone’s gaze was focused.
It was the back row.
And a face that was all too familiar was etched into Isabel’s pupils.
".........!"
Luna Winfred.
She had raised her paddle and increased the bid.
'The money...'
House Yustia was wealthy.
However, the wealth of the House of Yustia was not entirely Isabel’s wealth.
Isabel was merely a princess, not the heir to the family.
The amount Isabel had prepared in advance was 230,000 Loups.
That too was an amount she had scraped together from the bottom of the barrel.
The corners of Luna’s mouth curled into a graceful curve; her smile was full of confidence, as if she was sure of victory.
"Ha...haha..."
Isabel’s shoulders shook with an expression that was neither laughter nor tears.
“My lady, it’s unfortunate, but let’s give up at this point…”
Isabel closed her eyes; the mere mention of the word "give up" made her skin crawl.
Give up? Kyle? How could I?
Her heart felt like it was being squeezed.
She stood there blankly, only taking in ragged breaths.
'A way...'
She had to find a way.
But how?
Should she sell some of her jewelry? Or her hair?
She could no longer discern the thoughts running through her mind.
All that occupied her mind was an obsession, close to madness, that she had to get the ring back.
In the midst of this seemingly insane situation, a sudden idea crossed her mind.
'A loan...'
The auction hosted by the Association had some services in place for the convenience of its customers.
One of them was a loan.
For those who were short of money, they would lend a portion of the bid amount, on the premise that they had sufficient credit.
"Miss...?"
A wry smile crept onto Isabel's lips.
With her hands trembling uncontrollably, she raised her paddle.
And then.
"3-300,000!! 300,000 Loups has been bid!!"
Arthas April 11, 2024 No comments
Don't forget to rate and review the novel on Novelupdates
"Young Miss! Wait for me!"
“Follow me quietly, Erika.”
The evening streets, unusually quiet for some reason, were shrouded in darkness — shops and stalls had all closed their doors, as if on cue, and the occasional street lamp illuminated the street.
Isabel did not look back as she continued her steps. Meanwhile, Erika hurriedly followed Isabel with her short legs, and the family guards followed behind.
"Miss, is this really the right way?" Erika asked, catching her breath.
Isabel sighed, somewhat annoyed, and responded halfheartedly, "It's not like you've never been to the auction house before, have you forgotten the way?"
"What do you mean? When have you ever been to the auction house, Miss?"
"...I was speaking figuratively."
Isabel took another precarious step.
As she turned the corner and passed through the gloomy alley, an old-fashioned building came into view; there was a crowd of people queuing at the entrance of the building, and the attire of those entering was anything but ordinary.
‘I never thought I’d come back here…’
As she approached the entrance, Isabel grew increasingly anxious.
‘Kyle…’
Her rationality had been rapidly eroding over the past few days; but what was driving her to madness was not Kyle's cold attitude towards her.
The self-loathing.
The longing for Kyle.
The growing guilt.
None of that.
It was the selfishness that prevented her from letting go of Kyle, even as he demanded the annulment of their engagement; the ugly contradiction that arose from this gap drove Isabel into an endless abyss.
Maybe.
Just maybe.
If there is only a small chance.
Wouldn’t Kyle be able to look back at her just once?
Clinging to that faint possibility, Isabel burned herself down.
Annulment? Like this? No, I can’t.
I'll give you everything, my body and mind, just please don't leave my side.
I'll atone for the rest of my life, and even until my dying breath, I'll only have eyes for you, so please...
"...Ah."
She knew she was not in her right mind.
But she couldn't stop.
Because her life without Kyle was nothing more than a pile of ashes scattered after everything has been burned down.
"This way, Miss."
Isabel stood in line behind Erika.
She readjusted the robe that covered her whole body to hide her identity and touched the ticket in her pocket.
The long line quickly dwindled and soon, it was Isabel's turn.
Moments later.
"May I see your ticket, please?"
A burly man, flanked by knights, extended his hand.
When she showed him the prepared ticket, the man’s eyes widened.
"Ah, my apologies, I did not recognize you, esteemed guest," the man's lips curved into a smile. "Please proceed through the right hallway. I hope you have an enjoyable time."
She passed through the entrance and followed the direction the man had indicated.
It was a private passage for VIPs, the so-called nobility.
"The auction hall is this way."
After passing the hallway, a waiting woman began to guide her.
As she walked down the dead end and the darkness, a narrow staircase revealed itself.
"Phew..."
She slowly descended the stairs, following the woman.
Meanwhile, Erika, clinging to her back, kept glancing around, uneasy about something.
Time passed and after what seemed like an eternity, the stairs came to an end and a faint light shone through the cracks in the door.
Creak—
The door opened, revealing a large, amphitheater-like space.
"Please have a seat here."
Isabel was guided to the front row seats.
It was a space specially reserved for a small number of nobles, and she had a clear view of the entire auction house.
“To bid, simply raise your paddle to the height of your forehead.”
The woman who had seated Isabel handed her an auction paddle and left after telling her to hold up the paddle if she wanted to buy something.
Erika looked around with a surprised expression and then expressed her concern, "Miss, I’m telling you again, you should only spend a moderate amount since you came out without the Count’s permission…”
"I already know that much."
She felt sorry for Erika, but she had no intention of spending only a moderate amount. If it meant getting the ring back, she was even prepared to empty her entire funds.
"Welcome, distinguished guests! I am Jenerald of the Auction Association!”
Crackle—!
As the man on the stage finished his greeting, a shower of light poured down from the ceiling, illuminating the stage.
The main auction had begun.
The items listed in the catalog were brought up to the podium one by one, and the atmosphere quickly changed.
Isabel sat there and watched the auction with an indifferent face.
"10,000 Loups! 11,000 Loups! 12,000 Loups!..."
The prices kept climbing relentlessly; the eyes of those bidding were gleaming with a feverish madness.
"15,000 Loups! Are there any further bids?”
The auction house, which had been heated up, was suddenly filled with silence.
"Sold for 15,000 Loups!"
Clang—!
The auctioneer struck the gavel, announcing the final sale.
The next item was brought up.
After a fierce psychological battle for the bid, the item was eventually sold at an absurdly inflated price.
Enduring the monotony of this repetitive cycle, Isabel suppressed a yawn.
And then.
"Finally, the long-awaited item has arrived!"
The item she had been waiting for so long was brought up to the stage.
"A ring, and not just any ring, a ring made with the finest sunstone!”
Isabel, who had been watching the auction with indifferent eyes, stood up from her seat as soon as she saw the ring that had been brought up to the podium.
There was no doubt about it.
It was Kyle's ring.
Murmurs began to spread like ripples.
Simultaneously, avaricious gazes converged, targeting the prey.
"The ring's uniqueness lies not only in the sunstone, but also in the fact that it was handcrafted by the master artisan Skadi! The empire's foremost craftsman toiled for days and nights to create this ring!"
Kyle’s voice, saying that he would give her only the best, rang in her ears and a crack appeared in Isabel’s face, which had been calm all along.
"The starting bid is 100,000 Loups!"
100,000 Loups.
It was a staggering amount, enough to purchase a small manor in the outskirts.
She was stunned by the insane amount, but only for a moment.
"105,000!"
The price quickly skyrocketed.
"110,000!"
"115,000!"
"120,000 Loups! Are there any further bids?”
Isabel’s eyes narrowed coldly.
And then.
"2-200,000 Loups! 200,000 Loups has been bid!"
Isabel confidently raised the auction paddle.
200,000 Loups, twice the starting price of 100,000 Loups.
A grave look of astonishment crossed the auctioneer's face.
"200,000 Loups! Are there any further bids!”
A chilling silence weighed down the auction hall; the gazes of those seated all converged on Isabel.
200,000 Loups for a single ring.
No matter how rare the value of the sunstone, there was no one insane enough to burn down two mansions for just one ring.
"Ah, Miss! What is this…!!”
And that insane person was the very mistress she served.
Erika jumped in alarm, tugging at Isabel's sleeve.
'It doesn't matter.'
No matter the price, no matter who bids how much.
That ring belonged to her.
It was a gift Kyle had prepared for her when he proposed their engagement, a gift meant only for her.
Isabel clenched her fist tightly; her nails dug into the flesh, drawing blood that trickled down.
She frowned for a moment at the sharp pain.
Kyle must have been in much more pain than this.
The thought that she was sharing even a fraction of his pain brought her a small comfort.
"200,000 Loups! I will be closing the bid in 10 seconds!”
The auctioneer began the countdown in a heightened voice.
"10! 9! 8!..."
She missed Kyle.
"...6! 5! 4!..."
Perhaps if she took this ring back, would he understand her feelings a little bit?
"...3! 2!..."
The auctioneer picked up the gavel to declare the sale.
That's when it happened.
"2-250,000!! 250,000 Loups has been bid!!"
Someone had made a counteroffer.
Isabel's lips parted in shock.
She hurriedly turned her head in the direction everyone’s gaze was focused.
It was the back row.
And a face that was all too familiar was etched into Isabel’s pupils.
".........!"
Luna Winfred.
She had raised her paddle and increased the bid.
'The money...'
House Yustia was wealthy.
However, the wealth of the House of Yustia was not entirely Isabel’s wealth.
Isabel was merely a princess, not the heir to the family.
The amount Isabel had prepared in advance was 230,000 Loups.
That too was an amount she had scraped together from the bottom of the barrel.
The corners of Luna’s mouth curled into a graceful curve; her smile was full of confidence, as if she was sure of victory.
"Ha...haha..."
Isabel’s shoulders shook with an expression that was neither laughter nor tears.
“My lady, it’s unfortunate, but let’s give up at this point…”
Isabel closed her eyes; the mere mention of the word "give up" made her skin crawl.
Give up? Kyle? How could I?
Her heart felt like it was being squeezed.
She stood there blankly, only taking in ragged breaths.
'A way...'
She had to find a way.
But how?
Should she sell some of her jewelry? Or her hair?
She could no longer discern the thoughts running through her mind.
All that occupied her mind was an obsession, close to madness, that she had to get the ring back.
In the midst of this seemingly insane situation, a sudden idea crossed her mind.
'A loan...'
The auction hosted by the Association had some services in place for the convenience of its customers.
One of them was a loan.
For those who were short of money, they would lend a portion of the bid amount, on the premise that they had sufficient credit.
"Miss...?"
A wry smile crept onto Isabel's lips.
With her hands trembling uncontrollably, she raised her paddle.
And then.
"3-300,000!! 300,000 Loups has been bid!!"
