Chapter 8
2244 Words
(Esmeray POV)
We stopped in front of a strange building. It looked old and rotten but it was oddly crowded.
"Here," the mystery man said as I turned to him.
"Really?" I said as I looked at what he extended to me. "A mask?"
"Everyone wears one". It was then that I noticed that little detail. There was no way we could identify the people around me. Everyone had a small mask or a shield covering their face.
"Where the hell are we?"
An old rundown building... Mysterious people... everything looked suspicious.
"A rare auction event. It sells the most authentic and rare things in the world."
I took the mask from his hand and put it on.
I was perfectly fine with the thread on the back of my head but he decided to help me. I could only stand still as he made the knots.
"Done," he said before taking out his own mask. He quickly put it on before extending his hand. "Don’t worry. It's not like lovers, but the place is too crowded and there is a high chance that we might get separated."
Although he said that I could see the small smile lingering on his lips. I didn’t like this place but I promised to help him find a gift for his sister.
I took a deep breath and grabbed his hand. "OK, let's go."
At the entrance there were two guards and behind them were two curtains. One blue and the other red. About 99 percent of the people I saw went through the blue curtain.
When it was our turn, one of them extended their hand and my partner gave them a letter. They scanned it before opening the red curtain. I followed my partner as we climbed the steps to the top floor. Upon reaching the top, I noticed it was a private balcony.
There were only a few balconies around me.
"Wow, you got VIP?" I asked surprised as he shrugged.
"I have connections."
As we sat down, we were served tea and snacks. I was used to the expensive tea laid in front of me, so I volunteered to help fix his tea. But I was taken off guard as he elegantly picked up the teacup and drank it.
Something only high society can master.
"Are you a noble?" I asked as he looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Your… your drinking etiquette is good."
"Oh?" he said, putting the teacup down. "You are really observant, lady Esmeray. I am in fact someone from high society."
"You must be a really bad rebel" I laughed as he looked at me amused.
"And why do you think like that, Lady?"
"Don’t get me wrong, Mister, but I have lived long enough to know that ear piercing and tattoos are considered a disgrace in high society. And you have both of them."
He laughed out loud, shaking his head.
"You are right. They are considered taboo and I am a rebel. I like my life my way."
"That is exactly what a rebel would say."
He chuckled at my remark.
"Situations turn a person into a rebel, my dear. Well, that and a teenage mistake."
"I am guessing you turned from the situation"
He shrugged at what I said and leaned back in his chair.
"My mother died when I was young. My father remarried without even a care and my stepmother is a b***h. I am considered an eyesore to her and she will do whatever means to get rid of me. You try to tell me if it's a teenage mistake or situation"
"I am so sorry. I didn’t kno-"
"Please no pity. I would rather die than have you look at me like that."
"Sorry"
I looked away as I heard him sigh.
"Look," he said as I turned back to look at him, "I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I felt like I could tell you anything."
"It's ok. You can trust me", I smiled, wanting to reassure him.
"Thank you"
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" a voice came from below and I looked at the stage to see a man walking in with two women who were barely wearing any clothes. Let's not mention how the little clothes they wore were glittering like hell. "Welcome to our 267th auction. We are pleased to have every one of you here"
Even though this was a really private auction of probably illegal goods, the owner didn’t spare any expense. Firecrackers, dancers, dramatic music, and lights- everything was so extra.
The auction started after a whole entertainment dance.
The two women started to bring in different items. I had never heard of the names of the objects but the bidding for each was so high. I don’t even think my 2 months' pocket money is enough.
Will I be able to buy it for him?
I glanced at the man beside me. He was carefully looking at each object, nodding at the description of each item brought.
"And as always the best is kept last! May I introduce to you all, the sword of Acator" the announcer said, as they brought in a beautiful sword. "The sword is rare as it is made up of the scales of the Acatorious dragon. Carefully made by the greatest sword smiths. The handle is made of Persian iron and the gem you see in the middle? It’s one of the rarest rubies mined. A perfect mix of power and dignity"
"What do you think?" the mystery man asked as he leaned in interest.
"About what?"
"The sword. For my sister"
"Sword? Are you kidding me? The child is only 5"
"So what? She has always shown interest in them. I told you earlier. She likes shining things, especially when it's pricey."
I looked at the man as if he had grown two new heads.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course"
I looked at him for a few more seconds before letting out a sigh.
"Ok fine. It's your sister. You know her better than anyone."
"We will start the auction now. Starting price:-" Like always he paused for dramatic music to come. "85,000 gold coins"
My eyes widened at the price. What the actual hell!?
85,000?! That’s like the entire income of the Duke's duchy in one whole month. This price was 10 times more than the previous items! I was shocked when everyone started to bid at a higher price.
I mean who are these people?! My dukedom is one of the top 50 dukedoms and still, this price is too much for us to handle. These people are throwing money just like that.
The mystery man didn’t speak and I looked at him with a frown. The poor man probably had no idea it would cost that much.
"Final price. 1, 50,000 gold coins. Any rise?" the announcer said as he raised his green flag. "Going once, going twice" he stopped as he looked in our direction. "Oh! Looks like we have someone interested! State your price sir"
"2, 00,000"
My eyes widened as I stared at the man in front of me with a wide open mouth. Is he for real?!
I don’t have that much money!
"Ladies and gentlemen, did you hear that?! 2, 00,000 on the bid for the Acator sword!"
No one went against it as they sealed the deed.
"Sold to the man in the VIP room 6"
"Nice bargain isn’t it?" he smiled victoriously, looking at me. I just stared at him, not believing what just happened. "So, you ready to buy it for me?"
I could only nod helplessly although I had no way to make those many gold coins. The auction ended with a grand dance before each person was called down to claim their item.
I was feeling terrified as I followed him. I didn’t know what to do. I mean, did he really think I am that rich?! How will I get out of this?
Oh my god. I was so immersed in revenge that I was conned by another. I thought this man was sincere but he decided to squeeze the living soul in me.
"Hey… hey lady!" a hand snapped in front of me as I came back to the miserable reality. "Lady, you seem to be in a different world.
"Ah, right my apology."
"We are here. We should set the deal. We put the money there and then weigh it out, then they give us the item." He said as I nodded my head.
"Ah right. Right." I put my bag on the table and started to fish out the gold coins I had. I knew I didn’t even have 1/4th of the amount, but for some reason, I did so thinking I would mysteriously have the whole 2, 00,000 gold coins in my purse.
The man behind me laughed as he covered my purse.
"Don’t worry. I will do it. I was planning to buy it myself anyway. I just wanted to see your expression. But I feel like you will faint" he said as he reached his hand to my face. He put the stranded silver hair that escaped my pony behind my ear and covered my face more with the hoodie. He then started to talk to the biller before taking out four huge pouches. It took around half an hour to weigh it and check if it was real, but in the end, we were handed the sword perfectly placed in a beautiful case.
"You OK?" The mystery man asked as he walked back to the town.
"Yeah, I am. It's just" I looked at him. "How did you get so much money?"
"I told you I am in high demand. I get paid heftily for my work"
"I will pay you more as well!"
"There is no need. I mean, you helped me find a perfect gift for my dear sister."
"Are you messing with me?" I raised one eyebrow at him. "It was all you. I didn’t even get to pay for it."
"Ah still, you accompanied me. I asked you if you liked it and you said yes. So I brought it."
I stared at him as if he was completely crazy.
"I don’t always buy gifts, but when I do I always make sure it is the best one."
A quick thought came to my mind as I heard him. My hand went to the necklace that was hidden under the dress.
"Did you also buy the jewelry you gave me from the auction?" I asked as he glanced at me.
"No. I didn’t get it at the auction"
"Oh" I don’t know why but I felt really disappointed hearing that.
"That stone is too precious to even be sold at an auction"
I stopped in my track as I looked at him. "What?"
He smiled and turned to face me, bending so his face was on the same level as me.
"The thing you are wearing around your neck is too precious to even be sold at an auction"
How did he know I was wearing the jewelry and also what kind of jewelry is this?!
"W-what are you saying? What is this made of?"
"It is made of the tears of a dragon"
"What?"
He was talking as though it was not a big thing.
Even I, who knew nothing about artifacts, know about the tears of a dragon. They are extremely rare to find because dragons never cry. Their tears solidify before reaching the ground with the help of their magic and form beautiful crystals. This stone is very precious as it is believed it protects its owner from harm.
"How! How did you get it?"
"I fought with one. One of my greatest achievements, to be honest. My mission was to take its wings, but I was shocked when it cried"
"You killed a dragon for the wings?"
"I didn’t. I couldn’t do it. She was a mother and I have soft corners for mothers" he shrugs as I stare at him. "Instead I collected this"
"So what about the mission?"
"I failed. A happy failure. I accept commissions but it is my wish to fulfill it. They know the risk when they hire me". He looked like he didn’t give a s**t about others.
"So there is a chance that you will bail on me?"
"Of course not. I told you. You are special"
I blushed and looked away, clearing my throat.
"I-I see"
"Like I said. The thing you are wearing is priceless and it fits you beautifully. That is why I told you- Wear it well and proud"
I looked up at him as he smiled and started walking backward.
"Well, our meeting today concludes. I will meet you again when I find information about the mission you gave me."
"Huh wait, are you leaving me alone in some unknown place?! Where do I go?"
"What are you saying, lady? I dropped you in front of the shop you shopped in earlier. Isn't this where you promised to meet your maid?"
My eyes widened as I looked around. Surely enough, I was in front of Madam Carsle's shop. I didn’t even know!
But most importantly, how the hell did he know?
I looked in his direction and he winked, giving me a salute from afar.
Author Note:
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