TVRWS 11

(11: Deals)

"1'200'000!

"1'500'000!"

"1'800'000!"

"2'500'000!"

"3'000'000!"

The price increased at an insane rate without even the need for Isabella to start calling for raises.

Six factions were after the [Spirit Lotus] and all of them were wildly baring their fangs and screeching their claws. This was no longer a tactical competition, it was a deep pockets competition.

As the bidders were going wild, the rest of the people were holding their breath from the astronomical numbers that can't possibly be forked out during a casual auction day. Such forces were truly great and well established making the smaller ones know the real difference between Heaven and Earth. Still, other than the wild bidders and the excited bystanders, two faces were having a dangerous look while eyeing the [Spirit Lotus], those would be Me and Matilda.

Matilda was obsessed with all kinds of herbs while I was having a message displayed on my face threatening that the system I acquired three days ago will go through a two months shut-down if I don't acquire the Lotus within the given time period. All options were out of my hands whether I liked it or not.

Still, what on Earth is going on here?

Two nights ago, I requested to come to the auction to research the matter regarding my investigator and now, I am participating in a multi-million pounds auction. Father clearly knew about it yet he just let me represent the family without prior notice? There is no way the Moores are not interested in this [Spirit Lotus].

Now that I look at it, there are some unusual people around the Auction.

For example, the Minister of the Harlish Regional Temple didn't show up and rather sent a team of Senior Temple Knights to auction in his stead while the Royal Family didn't use the Crown Prince but the one auctioning was a famous Court Councillor.

It was clear now that buying this precious thing comes with a huge risk. Clearly if one is moving such a treasure, a large security detail is needed.

"Esme, go out of the booth and see if there is someone from our house around."

"Yes, my Lady."

While Esmeralda went for a minute, the Auction kept going as Isabella wasn't even counting down as Auctioneers should do. The hype she accumulated in the buyers made the situation feel slow. Once Esmeralda returned she whispered something to my ears and that was all that I needed to hear.

"4'450'000 pounds! That's not a nice number, ladies and gentlemen. I'm not even agreeing to sell it to such a number. I see 4'700'000 coming up closer. I can almost taste it I swear. Here it is… here it comes…"

"5'000'000!" I ultimately had to put a regrettable stop to the comical show Isabella was hosting.

Everyone and their mothers turned to me right away. I could even feel Logan's gaze burning through me back.

"And her ladyship Vivian strikes down the last raise. 5'000'000 Million Harlish Pounds Ladies and Gentlemen is the most expensive item ever sold in our humble Auction House since the age of my great-grandfather. Should I tell you a story about it or start counting? Hmmm… I'll tell you a story. 72 years ago…"

"5'500'000!"

"5'500'000 for The Noble Knights of the Temple… where was I with the story, yes…"

"6'000'000."

"6'000'000 once again by Vivian Moore. Now I feel like we have enough money, Ladies and Gentlemen, 6 Million goes…"

"""Once!"""

"6 Million goes…"

"""Twice!"""

"Aaaand for the third time, 6 Million Pounds for the [Spirit Lotus]. Congratulations, House Moore!"

On her own accord, Isabella was blazing on the stage as she announced my victory. The crowd was even cheering for her as she went away.

She was indeed a very powerful influencer with a striking fan base and popularity. How she can do that is beyond me but for sure, these skills are not that of a noblewoman.

Whatever, either me as Nadia or me as Vivian prefer to keep it quiet most of the time… which is the opposite of my current situation. Everyone is either glaring at me, hating me, or eyeing me like wolves.

"Let's get out of here, Princess. I'll send someone to the house to send us a security detail for escorting the Spirit Lotus back to the mansion." Logan said.

"It has already been taken care of." I replied and nodded for Esme. She by her part went and opened the door of my booth.

There, we saw a figure standing and looking at us with indifferent expressions.

"You have good eyes, young miss." Old Theo spoke.

"So… have I passed Father's test?" I asked.

"Yes, you passed. I'm afraid I'll be taking your Plate from here. I'll go and receive the item." Old Theo had me hand him the auctioning plate over.

"There are two items actually. The painting of…" I tried to say something but he shook his head.

"Sadly we only have one room for the Lotus. You will have to handle the painting yourself. The payment is already secured." He said and walked away on his cane.

I guess that was it, huh. I knew Father wouldn't let the Lotus go so earlier I asked Esme to check for someone of our people and she found Old Theo with our house's knights, this was enough for me to know how things will go.

"Let's get out of here." I said as there was no longer the need to stay.

As a buyer, I was led to one of the rooms where the auction house deals with business in. As I arrived, I asked the servant to call for Young Lord Valentine De Clare to conduct the business with me. I then waited with Logan and Esme in the heavily decorated tea room on a chair with my Knight and my Maid on my side.

About five minutes later, I could hear some heavy footsteps heading hastily towards the door, the door was pushed open and Valentine stormed in.

"Vivian Vivian Vivian! You seriously… goddammit! What are you doing here? Why did you ask for me?"

Seeing the blonde Valentine rush in like this, I couldn't take him seriously for some reason but here it goes.

"Shouldn't someone call for their friends when they are about to conduct such an expensive deal?" I asked.

"Friends? After the things you did? Vivian, I don't really want to involve myself with you at the time…"

"Vale, my old friend. Please… you are breaking my heart." I raised my hand for him to stop talking and turned to my people, "Esme, why don't you go bring us some tea and Logan, please make sure no one is eavesdropping so Vale can relax a bit."

"My Lady!" "My Lady!"

The two bowed and went out of the room leaving Vale all to me.

"Relaxed now?" I asked.

Valentine looked towards the door and narrowed his eyes.

"Trustworthy people?" He asked.

"The Knight is. The Maid is new." I replied.

His face relaxed a bit but stiffened all over again.

"No! I shouldn't. I must go."

"Vale, relax." I said as I took out my bag, "I brought you a gift especially made for you."

Valentine halted and looked at me.

"No, we… we are not doing this." His voice became shaky.

"What? And I went through all this trouble to prepare and make it look good for you?"

"Don't! Just don't."

"Fine. But won't you regret it if you know that it is the first of its kind to go public just for you." I said some words that made him sweat.

"Vivian… you devil."

"Vale, you are saying mean things. Tch tch tch, I thought I was your friend." I said as I put the bag away.

"Wait!" He almost jumped from his place. "Can I just… see it?"

His state was miserable.

"Alright!" I agreed and took out something from the bag.

It was a plate with something he didn't see before on top of it. It was a cake baked in a cup shape, a cupcake. On Earth, cupcakes appeared around the year 1800 so it is not something that emerged in this world just yet. Vale's eyes were simply fixed on it.

That's Valentine's weakness that Vivian always used against him, he loves eating.

When he was a child, he was a rounded glutton that liked to eat everything but his mother and elder sister put him on a strict diet that he became this fit and graceful. Actually, Valentine has an almost perfect appearance that defies his inner nature. It is impossible to know for anyone other than someone who grew up with him such as Vivian.

"Now you see it but sadly you are not interested." I wanted to retreat it back to the bag but Valentine almost went insane.

"I'm interested… I said I'm interested."

There is more than just a weakness but also a weakness inside a weakness. Vale is not just a glutton but glutton for rarities, if it is something that was never eaten before, Valentine would just lust over it sweets above all else.

"Alright. You can have it, but in return…"

"Damn you, Vivian. I'll do anything!"

"Atta boy!"

I put the plate in front of him and he snatched it like a criminal. He looked closer at the cupcake that was specially made by Esmeralda who received a lot of instructions from me this morning. There was whipped cream on top of it, which was thankfully existing in this era, alongside some additions that I made to make it look perfect.

Vale's mind was enthralled as he saw it.

"So, tell me, Vale. Do you know who the Prince will send to interrogate me?" I went right to the point.

Vale lost focus on the cupcake for a second then looked between me and the cupcake.

"I know." He said, "It is young Lady Edith Black."

"Edith Black?!"

Of all people?

This was more than just a shock to me but a big surprise as well. Edith Black is no ordinary lady even when she is younger than me by a year. She is a trained knight from House Black sister to Edmond Black, the very same Edmond, Prince Liam's assistant, who was there when the Baron and his son were at my home.

Edith is… let's say she is bad news. She is a fanatic who is blindly loyal to the Kingdom and isn't afraid to get her hands dirty or act violently. She is there to put me down for good and maybe pin the murder of the Baron boy on my House then walk out with a deal signed by Father as my destruction sentence.

Yes, that's Edith Black and I know how scary that girl is.

How do I know?

She is the Second Villainess of the Game.

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