~Chapter 104~
There was only one big event each year at the Draxion market.
It was held to celebrate surviving winter and welcoming spring. Commoners and lower-class people liked it most, so the royal family didn’t care about it at all.
‘So why are there so many nobles here? The ones who always talk about social status are interested in a commoners’ event?’
Kilian had explained it to her, but Aisha still didn’t understand everything.
‘And that person I saw earlier, and that man walking in front of us, they all come from rich noble families.’
Aisha Ashton was the publisher and only reporter of “Sunday Exposé.” Of course she could recognize all the important nobles.
They were all very rich, and even more obsessed with class and rank than other nobles.
‘It feels like there are more and more nobles the deeper we go…’
They walked for a long time, crossing the market and moving into a narrow alley at the very back.
Finally, Kilian stopped.
“It might look like nobles wouldn’t like this event, but actually, that’s not true.”
He spoke slowly.
“There’s something that always happens during this festival.”
“What is it?”
“An auction.”
Kilian grinned.
“All sorts of strange things show up. Last year, even a letter written by a noble who killed himself before his execution was put up for sale.”
“Ew… Who would want that? I wouldn’t take it even if it was free.”
“Some people collect creepy things like that.”
Aisha tilted her head.
“Of course, there are also lots of other items—rare jewels, legendary swords, things smuggled in from other empires.”
Kilian kept explaining.
“Three years ago, there was a big scandal.”
“Why? Did they sell a cut-off head or something?”
“If you want that, it’s not hard to find… but no, there was no head for sale.”
“Hmm.”
“A noble tried to join Roselia’s side, but his family was broke. To pay for daily life, he sold everything in his house.”
“And?”
“One of those things was a pendant.”
“A pendant?”
“Actually, a letter hidden inside the pendant.”
This sounded interesting.
“The letter was written by the former lord, who died of illness, to his wife.”
“That’s romantic. Is that why it became a big deal?”
“No.”
Kilian shook his head.
“It said, ‘If you pick the wrong political side, you’ll lose your head. I’m worried about the family I’ll leave behind.’ The problem was, he called Roselia ‘that crazy woman’ in the letter.”
“Oh, he sounds like someone I’d get along with. Too bad he died.”
“The real problem was that the person who bought the pendant was Roselia’s closest ally.”
“Ah.”
“Now do you see why it caused chaos, Aisha Ashton?”
It was obvious what happened next. Roselia probably got furious, and that noble’s family got ruined.
“Anyway, the idea is good. All the money from the auction goes to charity. And even some commoners have made a lot of money in business. It’s rare to see everyone mixing together like this in Draxion, no matter their class.”
Aisha’s violet eyes sparkled like jewels.
‘Just hearing about it sounds fun!’
There could be all sorts of weird things, and every type of person would be there.
‘Maybe I’ll even find something to write an article about!’
Aisha grinned. Kilian saw it and smiled back, as if he could read her mind.
He looked so innocent and pure, smiling like a child.
If Leoric or Til saw this, they’d definitely say, “The Duke of Winters has finally lost it.”
“Let’s hurry! I want to see everything!”
“Okay.”
Aisha was still holding Kilian’s hand tight as she pulled him along, and Kilian followed, trying not to laugh out loud.
The auction house was much bigger than Aisha expected.
The hall was already packed with people. As Kilian had said, there were some shady-looking types who might collect creepy things, and some people who looked like commoners but were dressed in jewels.
‘Wow, this is already fun!’
Aisha was so excited, she tried to go to the very front, but Kilian stopped her.
“The best place to watch an auction is from the back.”
“Huh? Why?”
“That way, you can see how everything is going.”
“But we’re just here to look. Do I really need to watch that closely?”
“Why not?”
Kilian shrugged.
“Weren’t you thinking of joining in? The auction.”
“Well… I didn’t bring any money.”
She really hadn’t brought any money, and she wasn’t planning to spend a lot on things like this. Watching would be enough!
But then, Kilian leaned close and whispered in her ear.
“I have plenty of money.”
“What?”
“And nowhere to spend it.”
“…”
“So join in as much as you want. If you want anything, just buy it. But, no cut-off heads or suicide letters.”
Of course, she wouldn’t buy things like that! Aisha was about to answer, but—
“Everyone!”
The auctioneer with a long beard stood on the stage and shouted in a booming voice.
“I won’t waste time with a long speech. You all know why you’re here, right? Then let’s start the auction right away!”
Right after he finished, some workers came out, carefully carrying things covered in red velvet.
