CHAPTER 91………………………..
The small auction hall with about thirty seats was unexpectedly full.
The purple curtains, thick carpet, and neatly arranged refreshments on every table made the place feel more like a VIP salon than a courtroom.
No doubt, the court’s intention was to ensure that everyone maintained an air of grace and dignity befitting the sums of money that would soon be exchanged.
Ahem.
Seated in her designated spot, Adele ignored the curious gazes directed her way and spoke quietly with Xerox behind her fan.
“Do you have the deposit?”
“I brought the full amount in checks. No reason to wait a whole week.”
Xerox gestured reassuringly at his briefcase. Though the procedure was much like any other auction, the fact that it was conducted under the court’s supervision meant that every step would be handled in complete secrecy.
Once the clerk announced the highest bidder, the winner would immediately pay the deposit.
A week later, after paying the remaining balance, ownership of the land would officially transfer.
Of course, if someone like Adele chose to pay in full immediately, the ownership would be settled on the spot.
“Now then, we will begin the open bidding for Lot 17, the Marquis of Lanken’s family estate and its lands. Participants, please come forward, write your bid amount on this form, and place it in this box.”
The clerk on the podium pointed out the desk where bids would be written and the sealed box where they would be deposited, emphasizing that both were fitted with magic stones to prevent any kind of trickery.
To maintain confidentiality, each bidder would enter a small temporary tent one at a time, write down their amount, then come out and drop the sealed paper into the box.
“Is there anyone who wishes to verify the setup? If not… ah, Representative of the Yuden Company, would you care to confirm it?”
“Of course.”
At his request, Adele rose from her seat and walked forward.
This was hardly her first time. She frequented the courthouse as often as other nobles’ children visited coffeehouses, so the procedures were second nature to her—no more complicated than deciding how much syrup or ice to add to a drink.
She might as well have been an honorary staff member.
Standing before everyone, Adele tugged on each of the magic stones one by one to check their integrity. A surge of energy pulsed through her hand like a live current.
When she nodded in satisfaction, the clerk continued.
“Very well. Please come up in order and place your bids.”
The participants began forming a line behind Adele.
As the representative bidder, she went first, pen in hand. Though she and Xerox had already discussed and decided on the amount several times, she was still extra cautious as she began to write.
This should be enough. The Marquis will be able to live out his remaining years in comfort.
It wasn’t about simply offering a higher or lower price.
This was the most prominent estate in the entire southern region, having stood its ground for generations—its value had to be honored accordingly.
Only then would neither the Marquis himself nor those who respected him take offense at her acquisition.
Scratch.
Her hand moved smoothly as she finished writing the number after a brief moment of thought.
Setting the pen down, Adele let out a small sigh. She wanted nothing more than to finish this auction quickly, go home, and collapse onto her bed—perhaps she could still catch a trace of his scent lingering there…
Rustle.
As she drew back the curtain and stepped out of the tent, someone passed in front of her. A woman wearing a lavish satin hat—the same one Adele had seen earlier on the stairs.
When their eyes met, Adele’s brows twitched.
Golden hair tinged with brown, and eyes of vivid green.
There was no denying the woman’s beauty—it was striking. Yet, something about her face prevented Adele from admiring it fully. It felt familiar, somehow unsettlingly so.
“Pardon me.”
“Not at all.”
The polite exchange of words was casual, almost automatic.
As Adele watched the faint smile curl at the woman’s lips, she saw Xerox waving for her to come over.
“Over here, Adele.”
“…Ah, right.”
Just as she lifted her hand to wave back, Adele stopped mid-motion. Without knowing why, a wave of unease rolled through her.
She quietly pulled back her sleeve and glanced at her wrist, her expression thoughtful.
This was, after all, a life-changing day—a fresh beginning—so a bit of nervousness was only natural.
Still… had she ever felt chills like this twice in one day before?
