Chapter 58
It was my first time attending an auction.
Following my uncle’s lead, I arrived at a hall so exclusive that only nobles or well-known merchants were allowed entry. The ceiling soared high above, glittering chandeliers sparkling so brilliantly they almost blinded me.
Displayed at the front were the items that would be auctioned today, each encased in glass boxes. Bathed in the chandelier’s light, they shone so beautifully that one could have mistaken them for works of art.
When we gave the name Roshahil, we were immediately guided to the best VIP seats. Sipping the complimentary sweet cocktail, I let my gaze wander over the people gathered. I wondered if I’d see anyone I knew, but as expected, my peers rarely attended places like this—it was almost entirely middle-aged faces.
“It’s my first time sitting here too,” Uncle said with a bright grin. “Roshahil really is remarkable.”
Before long, the hall’s lights dimmed until only the spotlight on the stage remained.
The auctioneer climbed onto the platform and bowed.
“Thank you for visiting Diamond Auction once again! We’ve secured some extraordinary pieces worthy of your expectations, so please enjoy yourselves to the fullest!”
The first item was a rare mineral, a striking stone where pink, red, blue, and green coexisted. Properly cut, it could become a dazzling jewel—or even left as it was, it held great value.
A hand went up and the mineral was sold. Next came a violin, one of only a handful in the world, handmade by a master craftsman.
Would Eddie oppa be interested in instruments? I wondered, but the violin too went to another bidder.
Gradually, the atmosphere in the auction house began to heat up.
A tiara once worn by a princess appeared, then rare living animals, and even strange-looking sculptures that, though incomprehensible to me, were introduced as priceless masterpieces.
Some went unsold, but most were snatched up in fierce competition.
There was no doubt this was an elite auction—every piece was of the highest quality, even to my untrained eyes.
Still, the item I was searching for had yet to appear. After a while, even admiring art grew dull. With my chin propped up, I was sipping my second cocktail when finally—
An antique artwork was unveiled.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I assure you—you will not be able to resist your admiration for this piece!” the auctioneer cried in excitement.
I raised my opera glasses for a closer look.
“Behold! One of the final works of the legendary painter Beorn! The fourth in his ‘Angel Series’—The Descending Angel!”
The hall immediately filled with gasps of awe.
My eyes sparkled.
Finally, something worthwhile!
I wasn’t well-versed in art, but even I had heard of Beorn. Though unappreciated in his lifetime, he was gradually recognized after his death, and now he was hailed as one of the greatest painters of the age.
“A genuine masterpiece! Accompanied by certificates of authenticity from three court painters. And of course, you’ll see Beorn’s signature in the corner, as always. The starting bid—3,000, 3,000!”
Hands shot up at once.
—“5,000!”
—“6,500!”
—“10 million!”
Ah! I can’t just sit here!
I quickly raised my hand.
“300 million!”
My clear, youthful voice echoed through the hall. Perhaps because it came from the previously silent VIP section, or because I sounded far younger than the others, everyone turned to stare at me.
I met their gazes calmly.
“T-Three hundred million!” the auctioneer stammered. “Do we have any higher bids?”
I currently had about 700 million in pocket money. I figured I could keep up with the bidding and secure it without much trouble.
But then, from across the room, a pale hand was raised.
“350 million.”
“…!”
That was a staggering amount for a single painting.
“400 million,” I countered.
The hall fell utterly silent.
But the other bidder was undeterred.
“480 million.”
“…500 million.”
“550 million.”
“600 million.”
My brow furrowed slightly.
Who is that?
From where I sat, I could only see the back of their head. At last, I decided to go all in.
“700 million!”
Nearly twenty-three times the starting price. Enough to buy a mansion in the capital.
Please, don’t raise it anymore.
I prayed silently. I hadn’t brought extra funds, since I hadn’t planned on attending an auction today.
For a moment, it seemed my prayer worked—the bidder hesitated, not raising his hand.
“Seven hundred million!” the auctioneer called. “Any more bids?”
“…”
“Then I’ll count down. Five, four—”
The pale hand rose again. My eyes widened in disbelief.
“Eight hundred million.”
The voice was casual, almost indifferent.
“….”
I scowled.
The auctioneer glanced nervously at me, then began the final count.
“Five, four, three, two, one! Sold—for eight hundred million!”
The bidding war between us had electrified the room.
Damn it. So close.
As I sulked, the bidder turned his head toward me.
And the moment I saw his face, my eyes went wide.
No wonder he looked familiar. I had only met him once, but the impression had been unforgettable.
Lemon-blonde hair and green eyes. He smiled at me.
It was none other than the student council president of Rebecam.
More antiques came up afterward, but none of them caught my eye.
If even I wasn’t interested, there was no way my picky brother Eddie would be. In the end, I left the auction empty-handed, trudging out in disappointment.
That person… who was he really?
The surname Siwistras was one I had never heard before.
But the fact that he could casually spend 800 million despite being a student? That alone proved he wasn’t ordinary.
Puzzling over it, I boarded the carriage.
I couldn’t return with nothing, so I stopped at the jewelry shop we’d visited earlier and bought a silver-and-diamond watch. Its face was made of blue diamonds. It was the best I could find—and I could only hope it would suit Eddie oppa’s taste.
The next day, Uncle was still at home. I longed to spend more time with him and skip classes until Monday morning, but my promise to Elia weighed on me. So, with a heavy heart, I left early in the evening.
In one hand, I carried baked goods, quiche, and cakes prepared by the head patissier—special treats for Elia.
By the time I reached the dormitory, the sky was already dark and lights flickered in some rooms. My room was dark, but a faint glow leaked from beneath Elia’s door.
“Elia, I’m back.”
“….”
“Elia?”
I knocked lightly. After a pause, the door creaked open.
She must have been napping—she stood in loungewear, rubbing sleepy eyes.
“Lyla… you’re here?”
“Mm. Did you eat?” I asked, raising the box of pastries and cakes.
“I had these specially made by the chef.”
“You’re a lifesaver! I was starving!”
“…?”
Her drowsiness vanished instantly. She looked at me as though I’d come to rescue her.
Then she bustled about, switching on the living room lights and setting out plates and drinks.
“It looks so good. Did you eat already?” she asked eagerly.
“I had a light meal. Don’t worry about me—go ahead.”
Without hesitation, Elia dug in happily. Watching her eat so cheerfully, I felt full just from looking at her.
“Thank goodness. I hadn’t eaten a thing.”
“Why? The student cafeteria runs on weekends too.”
Because the academy was so large and prestigious, many students stayed over the weekends, so the cafeteria was always open.
At my words, Elia froze.
“Ah… well…”
“What happened?” I pressed, sensing something was off.
“….”
“Tell me.”
“The truth is…” she mumbled. “That girl who tripped me last time—she stayed over the weekend too. I… felt uncomfortable, not knowing when I might run into her. So I just stayed in my room.”
My jaw dropped.
“Then… you haven’t eaten anything since Saturday?”
“N-no, I had some leftover snacks from home….”
But that could hardly count as a proper meal.
Now I understood why she’d been so overjoyed at the sight of my food. They weren’t even full meals—more like desserts—yet she’d devoured them with such delight.
“…Lyla?”
My expression must have been frightening, because she stopped eating and glanced nervously at me.
“Elia.”
“Y-yeah?”
“I can’t just stand by and watch anymore.”
“…Huh?”
“From tomorrow, stay right by my side. Got it?”
She blinked.
I repeated firmly.
“Got it?”
“…Uh, okay.”
Though puzzled, she nodded.
I served her another slice of quiche, determination burning fiercely inside me.
