CHAPTER 101…………………………….
The day of the second auction began with rain in the morning.
Inside the carriage, Chloe leisurely flipped through the newspaper, a faint smile curling on her lips.
[Lady of the Duke of Orlen from the Capital Conquers the South.]
It was a rather obvious and blatant headline, but all the more eye-catching for it.
And since the illustration showed her leaving the auction house with such elegance, she found herself smiling at a newspaper for the first time in a while.
“Was it the Southern Weekly?”
“Yes, my lady. As soon as they received the payment, they took up their pens right away.”
“Of course they should. I paid them several times more than that woman’s usual patronage.”
Chloe folded the newspaper neatly, running her hand over it with satisfaction.
They said there was nowhere in the South untouched by the influence of the Sergio family — but influence could always be washed away with money.
Especially gossip papers like this one; as long as you paid them enough, they’d write articles that erased the truth before your eyes.
“Listen to this part. I particularly like it.”
“……”
“Lady Adèle — Was Her Lavish Marriage the Peak of Her Life?”
Pffft!
Chloe burst into a bright laugh as she read the line. The content amused her, yes, but what really delighted her was the tiny depiction of Adèle drawn behind her elegant figure — barely the size of a bean, her head bowed.
Her face wasn’t even visible, but anyone from the South could guess who it was meant to be.
“When today’s bidding ends, call the reporters again. It’s time to announce the official business plan.”
“Yes, they’ll probably gather here again, so we can speak then.”
“Surely they wouldn’t bother coming today. Hardly anyone attends the second round of bidding.”
Chloe rested her arm against the carriage window, unconcerned.
The outcome was already decided; this so-called “second auction” was nothing more than a formality.
After all, what real influence could a single road have in front of a marquisate’s estate? On the map, it was barely a single drawn line.
“Looks like we’ve arrived. Let’s go in and make the full payment today, just to make a point.”
“Of course, my lady. The sooner we finish, the bett— oh.”
As Pirel opened the carriage door, he stepped back, startled by the crowd surrounding them. Chloe too hesitated when she saw the reporters aiming their sketchpads and quills at her.
“Lady Chloe has arrived!”
“Ah—!”
“Oh my!”
There was no reason for her to dislike the admiration directed her way.
With a graceful smile, she greeted them, eyes glinting pleasantly.
Now this is how it should be.
She had felt nothing but envy when Adèle had stood here like this last time. Now, it felt as if the world had been properly set back in order, and Chloe’s charm gleamed brighter than ever.
“You’ve all come such a long way. Surely it isn’t that big of a deal.”
“All of the South is talking about this, my lady. Is it true that the Orlen Trading Company is expanding into the southern territories?”
“No one knows just yet. After all, today’s bidding isn’t over.”
Chloe drew out her fan, adopting a modest expression — one that would photograph beautifully, she thought.
The journalist standing in front smiled obsequiously, already certain of who the winner would be.
“There are rumors that most participants have already dropped out of the second auction. I suppose it’s because everyone knows who’ll win?”
“Well,” Chloe replied with a delicate laugh, “should our family expand into the South, I can promise a flourishing trade with the capital. The South, though vast, has been far too culturally isolated from the heart of the Empire.”
“Indeed, that’s true. Up until now, the Yuden Trading Company has practically monopolized the region.”
“Ah, journalist—”
Good answer. Worth every coin I paid you.
Chloe’s eyes twinkled approvingly at the Southern Weekly reporter.
There was no better weapon for shaping public opinion than the press. The moment he spoke, others began murmuring to each other — exactly as she intended.
“Hmm…”
Feigning thoughtful reflection, Chloe smoothly planted both a subtle doubt about Adèle and confidence in her own ambitions.
“Now that you mention it, it really is a shame. With a merchant house that large, one wonders why they never pursued stronger trade with the capital. The South might’ve been far more prosperous by now if they had.”
“As a Southerner myself, I’d say I’m looking forward to seeing how things change! Surely we’ll see great progress.”
“I’d be delighted if you did…”
Her voice trailed off.
The crowd’s focus shifted — all at once.
Reporters rarely turned in unison, and when they did, it meant one of two things:
Either someone more important had arrived,
or someone whose very presence demanded attention.
“Oh my, so everyone was here. I hadn’t seen you for a while and wondered if I was missing some excitement. I’ve been reading the papers every day to keep up.”
“L-Lady— no, Madam…”
Or perhaps both.
“To think you still remember me. Should I call that an honor?”
Only one person could deliver such a barbed jest with such elegance.
Adèle ascended the stairs, parting the reporters as she went, the hem of her deep violet gown trailing behind her.
It was such a bold, intense color — the kind that most women, no matter their wealth, would never dare to wear. Yet on her, it fit as if it were her second skin.
With a diamond brooch and a lavish feathered hat completing the look, the sight of her made throats involuntarily tighten.
Wealth, luxury, beauty — all shining at their peak. In a word, Adèle was—
“The Sergio of the South.”
No need for flowery introductions; she was her family’s legacy made flesh.
Her sharp, mesmerizing eyes — so like her father’s — swept over the crowd. The reporters instinctively stepped back.
With her arrival alone, the auction hall transformed from a public venue into a glittering ballroom.
Simply interviewing another lady here now felt like a crime against grandeur itself.
Head held high, Adèle walked past them, gaze fixed forward.
“It seems we meet again, Lady Chloe.”
“Ah…”
Chloe’s brow, which had been unconsciously tightening, finally relaxed as she turned to face Adèle.
She hurried to return the greeting, though there was a bitter taste in her mouth.
What’s her game?
She hadn’t expected her to attend — nor was this a place that would benefit her in any way.
A woman who only cared about profit wouldn’t come all this way unless she had a purpose, and that grated on Chloe’s nerves.
“I didn’t expect to see you here again.”
“On the contrary, Lady Chloe. Perhaps it simply proves how deep our connection runs.”
Not that Adèle was the type to show her true emotions. She was far too practiced at concealing them.
As Chloe smiled politely, Adèle returned it with one even warmer — stepping closer until she was right in front of her.
“…It truly is a pleasure to see you again.”
From afar she had looked dazzling, but up close she was breathtaking — beautiful enough to steal one’s breath away.
Like a glass sculpture forged from the fire of the abyss, she shimmered with a red glow from head to toe.
In stark contrast, Chloe had chosen a modest, pure look — appropriate for the final round of bidding.
Hmph. What a gaudy show of vanity.
Suppressing her irritation, Chloe hid a sneer behind her fan.
Didn’t the heir to a trading company know how to present herself at such an event?
In business or court, one was expected to dress with restraint, considering the eyes of others.
Typical provincial noble — rich, but nothing else.
Even if she had money to burn, flaunting it like this was the mark of an amateur.
No matter how rich she was, dressing like the queen of a ballroom wouldn’t help her here.
Of course, Adèle was… an exception to every rule.
Still, Chloe reminded herself — this was business.
Lowering her fan, she smoothed her expression and widened her eyes in feigned admiration.
“You’re simply radiant today, Madam. I feel almost embarrassed to stand beside you.”
“Do you, now?”
“…Ha ha.”
This is the part where you’re supposed to say, ‘Nonsense, your delicate beauty outshines mine,’ you fool!
Waiting for that expected response, Chloe could only smile weakly, hollow laughter lingering on her lips.
