The moment she read the words written in the letter, she was so surprised that her heart sank. Even though she knew the Master was not that kind of person, she couldn’t stop the doubts that flooded her mind.

She wondered if there were other words written, so she examined the paper, but that was the end of the letter. She thoroughly searched through the envelope, but there was nothing else except for two VIP seat tickets. Will the Master really not appear at the auction?

Just this one letter and two attendance tickets.

“Considering how likely we are to get caught, that explanation is too insufficient.”

Raphael’s eyes are everywhere. She couldn’t explain in detail, but based on this, it seemed like all Master did was run away with the brooch. If they hadn’t written the contract, Amelia might have stormed in right away.

“I trust the contract.”

Seeing the sparkling ruby ring on her left ring finger, Amelia quelled her anxiety. After making a contract with Master, she’d researched contract magic with Leonel and learned that important contracts were made at the risk of their lives.

In particular, contracts made in blood between contractors could never be broken.

“What if I said I needed more tickets?”

If he couldn’t participate directly, he would send Howard. She wondered whether the Emperor would show up at the auction. The book mentioned that he came in disguise. He was that determined to get the first emperor’s brooch.

If there were no unforeseen circumstances, the Emperor would appear at the auction this time as well.

“I can make good use of that.”

She wondered how much money he had prepared. Since she was already going through his pockets, it was better to make the most of it. Amelia’s heart pounded with excitement.

***

Time flew by quickly, and finally, the day of the auction had arrived. Leonel also seemed unusually excited, as though he was waiting for their outing.

“We’re only going to the auction after all… Is it really that great?”

“Yes! It’s our first outing, Mother.”

She laughed bitterly at Leonel’s cheerful appearance—with a flushed face and a bright smile. Amelia had to admit that, since they had never been on an outing before. Even when she first went to Chester Merchantry, everyone had a surprised reaction on their faces.

But how could she never have gone on an outing with Leonel. She thought she had become closer since she’d been spending time with the child, but that was far from the truth. Going to the auction house as their first outing? She should have gone to the theater or something with the child before that.

“From now on, let’s go out often.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’m sorry that our first outing was at an auction house.”

If someone asked whether it was a suitable place for young children, honestly, it wasn’t. Of course, many noble children actually participate in auction houses. But they don’t choose the auction house for their first outing. It was her mistake.

“No! I really like it. We can even look at the brooch.”

She should be thankful that it wasn’t an illegal auction house. In fact, she had never been to an auction house before, so she didn’t know what to do. All she knew about auctions was from watching videos…

“Please come in. Your Highness, the Grand Duchess.”

“Jane, hand them the tickets.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As soon as they arrived at the auction house, a person who seemed to be the manager greeted her. Since the Master said that the auction house was his, that means the woman in front of her knows about Amelia.

“I prepared a separate seat for Your Highness, the Grand Duchess, and the young master.”

The auction house has the same general rules as the Chester Merchantry. Personal guards are not allowed for the safety of the auctioned goods. There was a separate waiting area for the servants. And here, the security seemed stricter than the merchantry, making it impossible for anyone to cause a disturbance.

“No one’s here…? Aren’t VIP rooms usually assigned to some guests?”

“Usually, high-ranking nobles rent their own rooms.”

Just as she was about to ask how to participate in the auction since James wouldn’t be coming, the manager was already opening and leaving the door.

“Wait a moment!”

“Can you explain the auction system?”

“Our dedicated staff will be here soon.”

Dedicated staff? Are high-ranking nobles originally assigned rooms and dedicated staff here? There were many more questions Amelia wanted to ask, but the manager seemed extremely busy. She seemed like someone who wanted to leave this place quickly, as if there were a fire under her feet.

Perhaps it’s because this is the auction where the brooch is being sold.

“Mother, have you ever been to an auction?”

“No, it’s also my first time.”

The auction house. Can this place really be called an auction house? The auction house here looked more like a huge opera hall. There were individual seats, and high-ranking nobles like her were assigned separate boxes in the upper level. If they wished, they could draw the curtains to hide the inside.

The emperor must be somewhere around here.

“If there’s something you want to buy during the auction, tell me.”

“I don’t want the brooch.”

“I heard they’re also auctioning off other valuable items today, besides the brooch.”

To be honest, she hadn’t heard that. But the master was a businessman. Today’s auction is the largest in the empire’s history. The same goes for Aaron. With everyone’s attention focused here and with so many attendees, he couldn’t miss a day like this. He must have prepared valuable items that were just as precious as the brooches.

“He wouldn’t miss out on such an occasion.”

The Master wouldn’t be oblivious to what she was thinking. Is that why he’s too busy to attend the auction?

Knock knock.

Both Amelia and Leonel became tense at the sudden knock. Since knights were guarding the entrance, no suspicious person could enter.

“Who is it?”

“Your dedicated staff.”

Amelia’s tension eased when she heard that. With the security being so strict, it would be impossible for anyone to enter. It seemed like there were more guards than auction participants. There were even more guards in the VIP room.

“Hello, my name is James. I’m assigned to this room.”

The person who opened the door and entered was someone completely unexpected and surprising. It was undoubtedly the Master, who had said he probably wouldn’t be able to attend. He didn’t even try to hide the fact that he was the Master since he didn’t disguise himself at all.

“Ma….”

“Name.”

“…James.”

If it weren’t for the Master’s interruption, she almost casually called him ‘Master’. Anyway, he said he wouldn’t appear, so how was he here?

“Mother? Do you know him?”

“Ah… he’s someone from the merchantry. He’s the one who helps me.”

“Pleased to meet you, Your Highness.”

Amelia was at a loss for words after witnessing the Master’s polite behavior towards Leonel. As he stood beside Leonel, she felt that the Master was different from Raphael.

“You said you wouldn’t come… So why are you here?”

“Officially, I am not here. The general employees don’t know my appearance, after all.”

Amelia’s body trembled when she heard his whispering voice near her ear, trying not to let Leonel hear it. She shook her head at the strange heat flowing through her spine.

“From now on, tell me beforehand. I was surprised.”

“Yes, I apologize.”

How could someone have such little presence? Comparing him to Leonel made it clear. Unlike Leonel, who resembles Raphael and looks distinct and fierce, the Master was soon fading away, as though he would disappear.

“Oh, I heard His Highness likes cakes.”

Behind him, there was a trolley filled with various desserts. If Leonel were to see it, he would be delighted.

“Thank you for your effort, but I don’t need it.”

“Leonel…?”

But what came out of Leonel’s mouth was a firm refusal. Amelie looked at the smiling Leonel, but something seemed twisted.

“If that’s the case, only Her Highness and I will have to eat it.”

The Master was not an ordinary person either. Being refused would have been enough for anyone to give up, but he didn’t seem affected. Smiling, he began to set the food on her plate.

“No… Me too…”

“Today’s auction will take a long time. You will get hungry watching it.”

She couldn’t refuse, because what he said made sense.

“Leonel, you can eat whenever you want.”

“Yes, Mother.”

On this particular day, Amelia was taken aback by Leonel, who was smiling even brighter today. He wasn’t usually like this, so why did he show such hostility towards the master?

“I see you get along with your mother very well.”

“….”

“Ah! James, will you explain about today’s auction?”

Feeling that the atmosphere was becoming strange, Amelia suddenly changed the subject. The Master probably felt the same. He seemed strangely irritated, as though he was deliberately provoking Leonel.

Clearly, they must have met for the first time today, but they behaved as if they already knew each other.