The day of the Reflen Auction arrived swiftly. I spent the morning anxiously waiting for time to pass and left the estate just as the auction house opened.

Even while riding in the carriage, my anxiety didn’t subside. Although I knew I had enough money to purchase the Tieria flower, worries flooded my mind. What if the flower listed in the pamphlet was a fake? Or worse, what if someone bid over a million gold?

Logically, these scenarios seemed unlikely, but I couldn’t quiet my racing thoughts. Clenching my cold, tense fingers, I closed my eyes tightly and silently prayed that nothing would go wrong.

Upon arriving at the Reflen Auction House, I headed straight for the entrance. The staff member at the door was the same one I had seen before. He recognized me and bowed politely.

“It’s been a while, Viscountess.”

“Indeed. Could you show me to my seat?”

“Of course, please follow me.”

He led me inside to seat number 8. It was clear I had arrived earlier than most. I settled into the sofa and leaned back as a singer performed on stage. I tried to calm my nerves by listening to her soothing voice.

It’ll be alright. By the end of today, this dreadful fear will be over. For the first time since leaving the estate, my heart felt a bit lighter. Whether it was the atmosphere of the auction house or the singer’s calming melody, I couldn’t tell.

* * *

“Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for waiting. I am Chapman Garnick, your auctioneer for today.”

The auction began just as I had fervently wished for time to pass with my eyes closed. Though I had arrived early and spent hours waiting, even that waiting felt enjoyable.

The Tieria flower I was anticipating was the eleventh item on the list. I watched the auction unfold, quietly awaiting its turn. Finally, after the tenth item was sold, the eleventh item was brought to the stage.

“The eleventh item is the Tieria flower.”

I picked up the opera glasses provided and examined the item. It was indeed the Tieria flower I had seen in books.

“The starting bid for the Tieria flower is 50,000 gold.”

As soon as the auctioneer announced the starting price, bids began to come in from all directions. Even though the starting price was 50,000 gold, it was expected to rise to at least 250,000 gold. Realistically, I knew it would take around 300,000 gold to secure the flower.

Given that it was a highly sought-after item for both mages and swordsmen, I anticipated fierce competition. I placed my hand on the number pad and hesitated for a moment. The bid had just surpassed 114,000 gold. If I participated normally, I might get lucky and win it at a lower price.

But securing the flower was my priority. Knowing it wasn’t the usual method in auctions, I entered 350,000 gold directly into the number pad.

“Customer number 8 bids 350,000 gold! Any higher bids? If there are no further bids by the count of five, it will be sold to customer number 8. Five…”

As soon as I entered 350,000 gold, the bidding halted. The amount was too high for anyone to comfortably raise.

“Four,” the auctioneer continued counting slowly.

“Three,” each second felt like an eternity.

“Two,” please, let there be no more bids.

“One,” I prayed fervently with my hands clasped.

“Sold to customer number 8 for 350,000 gold!”

The auctioneer’s announcement confirmed that my efforts hadn’t been in vain. Despite my high bid, I had secured the Tieria flower. It felt surreal, and I sat there, frozen in place.

“Now, onto the twelfth item,” the auctioneer continued, confirming that I had indeed won.

Overwhelmed with emotion, I covered my face with my hands. My breath quickened, and tears welled up in my eyes. The realization that I had finally obtained the crucial ingredient for the treatment was so overwhelming that I couldn’t help but cry.

It took several deep breaths for me to calm down. Too anxious to wait for the auction to conclude, I stood up immediately. Like last time, I knew I could collect the item upon payment.

I left seat number 8 and made my way out.

“Do you need assistance?” a staff member outside asked kindly. I nodded.

“I’d like to collect the item I won.”

“Please follow me.”

She led me to the transaction room where I had previously collected mana stones from Ains. The same staff member from before greeted me warmly.

“Hello, Viscountess Marves. You won the eleventh item, the Tieria flower, from seat number 8, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“The price is 350,000 gold. Would you like to pay immediately, or inspect the item now and pay within a week?”

There were two options for collecting items from the auction house. If I could pay immediately, I could settle the amount and take the item with me. If I didn’t have the money on hand, I could inspect the item and pay within a week to reclaim it. If I couldn’t pay, the item would be re-listed in the next auction, and living items like the Tieria flower would incur a penalty fee.

Fortunately, I had anticipated that the auction price might exceed my expectations, so I had brought a substantial amount in checks.

“I can pay right away, so please show me the item.”

“Certainly. Please wait a moment.”

At the staff member’s signal, another employee brought out an elegant pot with the Tieria flower planted in it.

“Please inspect it first, and if everything is in order, you can proceed with the payment.”

I carefully examined the flower in front of me, comparing it to the countless images I had seen in books. The softly glowing white petals confirmed it was indeed the Tieria flower. No other flower I knew emitted its own light.

“Everything checks out. I’ll make the payment.”

“Very well.”

I took out three 100,000-gold checks and five 10,000-gold checks from my pocket and handed them to the staff member. He verified the checks and then smiled at me.

“Payment confirmed. Thank you, Viscountess Marves. We appreciate your continued patronage at the Reflen Auction House.”

I stood up, carefully taking the pot with the Tieria flower.

“Allow me to escort you to the main entrance.”

I cradled the pot as I walked outside. Though the staff offered to carry it for me, I didn’t want to risk anything happening to this precious flower, so I held onto it myself despite the inconvenience.

The carriage was already waiting at the main entrance, likely called ahead by the staff. Rivet, who was waiting by the carriage, saw the pot in my hands and greeted me with a bright smile.

“You got it! That’s such a relief, Master.”

“Yes. We can’t waste any time. Let’s head straight to Dr. Watt’s clinic.”

“Understood.”

As soon as Rivet and I got into the carriage, it started moving toward Dr. Watt’s clinic. I kept checking the pot during the ride, almost unable to believe that the Tieria flower was truly in my possession. Thankfully, the flower remained safely nestled in my arms.

“Viscountess, we’ve arrived at Dr. Watt’s clinic.”

Hearing the coachman’s words, I quickly got out of the carriage. Inside the clinic, Dr. Watt rose to greet me as I entered.

“Madam! You made it. And that pot…”

Dr. Watt’s eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the Tieria flower.

“You mentioned you were going to get it, but seeing it in person is astonishing.”

“Yes. Please use this to make the medicine.”

“Of course. Since you informed me a few days ago, I’ve already prepared the other ingredients. However, processing the flower by steaming and drying will take some time.”

“How long exactly?”

“Hmm…”

Dr. Watt inspected the flower thoughtfully. He had mentioned last time that it would be ready by next week, so it shouldn’t take too long.

“It should be ready by next Monday. I will bring the medicine to you then.”

“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”

I expressed my gratitude to Dr. Watt repeatedly.

* * *

Dr. Watt arrived at the Marves estate on the promised Monday. Ever since handing over the Tieria flower on Friday, I had been eagerly awaiting his visit. As soon as he arrived, I led him to the drawing room.

“Is the medicine ready?” I asked.

Dr. Watt nodded. “Yes, Madam. Fortunately, it has been successfully prepared.”

“Then let’s administer it right away…”

“No, Madam. It can’t be done here.”

Dr. Watt’s tone was firm.