🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 7
The imperial auction hosted by the Valder Empire’s royal family was one of Leiden’s methods of taming the upper class.
“Is it true His Majesty is really putting all of this up for auction?”
“They say the glory of Valder must be shared equally among its rightful bloodline!”
Whenever he ran wild like a mad dog and offended the nobility, he would be branded a tyrant. Yet whenever he generously released war spoils back into the empire instead of hoarding them in the palace, he rose again as a wise and benevolent ruler.
The imperial auctions always overflowed with unimaginable items. Especially those brought out after victory ceremonies—so rare and valuable that they sometimes sparked fierce disputes between noble families.
To Leiden, it was like blowing his nose without using his hands. He simply set the stage and watched. The nobles competed among themselves for their family’s status. If he was lucky, he could even glimpse the foundations of certain houses.
Leiden had elevated the prestige of the auction by banning proxy bidding and imposing the condition that only “pure Valder blood” could participate.
The wealthy were desperate to obtain rare treasures. Merchants and foreigners also tried to build connections with nobles or royals to resell items at profit.
“If you track who wants what, who buys what, you occasionally uncover something remarkable.”
Once, he had identified a noble secretly purchasing large quantities of mana stones and exposed a smuggling operation. This kind of thing amused him. When he was entertained, his eyes would gleam disturbingly.
“Besides… today’s items are Leete’s legacy.”
Leete was a kingdom practically overflowing with relics, artworks, and luxury goods.
“And this is the final lot.”
Leiden looked again at the name “Vivienne Leete” written at the end of the catalog.
“The final item. That means they expect a record-breaking bid.”
There were only two possibilities.
Either someone had deliberately included her, or the auction department had made a foolish mistake.
The latter was unlikely. Rumors had already spread throughout the palace that Leiden had let the woman live. To put a woman connected to the Emperor himself up for auction would be a fatal mistake.
“Then who on earth…”
Leiden considered two suspects.
“What seems to be troubling you?”
“Nothing. Just…”
A man with blue eyes, who had noticed his subtle expression, quietly approached and spoke. His black hair, tied back neatly, swayed slightly. Though Leiden kept his gaze forward, it felt as if that movement was right before his eyes.
“Aaron, did you happen to wear perfume today?”
“I maintained proper decorum for the imperial auction.”
“That’s the one I gave you before. I can faintly smell the sea salt blend I made.”
“You do not need to sniff so closely, Your Majesty. I am aware you noticed.”
“You want me to acknowledge you used what I gave you?”
“…Not particularly.”
Leiden chuckled quietly.
As Aaron narrowed his eyes and returned to his place, Leiden’s expression went blank again.
The brief smile across his sculpted face made the women nearby blush instantly. Whether he noticed or not, he simply played with his champagne glass.
He excluded one of the only two people who could have touched his auction catalog: Aaron Clark.
Yes. It’s not him.
He downed his champagne in one gulp, feeling his thoughts clear.
Right. He knew who it was.
“Your Majesty, would you not stay until the end of today’s auction?”
A graceful, gentle voice. If they were alone, it was the kind of warmth that might make him forget everything and act spoiled like a child again.
The Empress Dowager wore a deep green velvet dress with a thin silk mantle embroidered over it. Gifts Leiden had given her long ago.
“Your Majesty, how is your health?”
“What would be wrong with it? It’s just that I rarely get to see you and end up wasting away. Still, young Vanessa Blanchett has been visiting me often, which brings joy to this old woman.”
“I see.”
“The duke’s family sent rare southern flower tea. I’m sure Your Majesty will like it.”
“…We should arrange tea together soon.”
His eyes briefly caught sight of a garnet bracelet on her wrist—another old gift from him. He nodded slightly.
He will ignore the catalog matter.
It was only natural that the Empress Dowager would want to eliminate Vivienne Leete as a threat. She was clearly trying to secure Vanessa Blanchett’s place in the palace. A foreign princess appearing out of nowhere must have been unsettling.
So what.
A faint smile formed on his lips.
Now that he thought about it, that woman did have a rather “useful talent.” She was unexpectedly becoming interesting.
The silver stars above the hall suddenly looked like a mirage.
Such hallucinations are tolerable.
The Auction Begins
The auction started.
Nobles and ladies in the hall tried to maintain their dignity while failing to hide their excitement. Each had their own reasons—business, security, prestige—for claiming the spoils.
“The Great Valder Empire once again holds this glorious occasion. Let us begin by honoring His Majesty, who led us to victory and graciously bestowed his mercy upon us!”
Applause and lively energy filled the hall. Leiden sat in a VIP seat, arms crossed, watching everything with detached interest.
“We’ll start with smaller but valuable items! A set of golden trumpets! These were commissioned by the King of Leete himself over several years. The gemstones on the handles are rare red diamonds from Leete’s northern mines. Starting bid: 1,000 gold!”
The atmosphere heated quickly.
“Next, a hidden specialty of the Leete dynasty—perfume made from lamb oil, gold dust, and rare plants. Noblewomen of Leete used it to maintain their beauty!”
Women smiled shyly and raised paddles.
“This sculpture depicts the guardian deity of Leete—the ‘God of Happiness’ from their creation myth! A symbol once placed before the royal residence!”
Men raised their paddles proudly.
“A magical tool once trending in Leete…”
“Trade rights of House Tessar…”
“A rare beast…”
“Medicinal herbs…”
The hall was boiling with excitement, but Leiden remained indifferent. He gestured for the auctioneer to hurry and leaned his chin on his hand.
“And now! Let us present it! The Queen’s glass slippers!”
“Oh my!”
The auctioneer, flustered by the Emperor’s gesture, skipped part of the explanation. But the audience immediately understood its value.
The glass slippers sparkled unlike anything before them.
Crafting perfectly pure glass without impurities was extremely difficult. Even as an object, it was exceptionally rare. Unlike Valder, which lacked glass artistry, Leete’s delicate cutting techniques and the royal seal engraved inside the shoe made it extraordinary.
Most importantly, the owner of the shoes was the Queen of Leete.
That woman’s mother left this behind.
Leiden unconsciously uncrossed his arms. His fingers tapped the table rhythmically. His champagne glass was full, but he forgot to drink.
“2,000 gold—500 above appraisal value! Any other bidders?”
“Counting down: 5, 4, 3…”
“I-I bid 2,500 gold!”
“Excellent! Countess Gabriel has bid! Anyone else? 5, 4, 3…”
“5,000 gold.”
The hall fell silent.
Then erupted into chaos.
“5,000?!”
“Who…? Wait—High Knight Commander Aaron?”
Leiden stopped tapping the table.
Aaron?
He slowly turned his head.
He is buying glass slippers… for 5,000 gold?
For whom?
Aaron Clark rarely participated in auctions, usually bidding only on rare enemy weapons—swords, spears, maces, bows, even staves.
But glass slippers?
Leiden studied Aaron’s face. Calm, composed… yet slightly flushed.
There had been rumors that many marriage proposals had come his way after the war. He likely ignored them all while serving Leiden.
…If there was someone he liked, he would have noticed.
“Sold to High Knight Commander Aaron Clark!”
The auctioneer struck the gavel five times.
The Queen of Leete’s glass slippers changed hands.
Leiden decided he would ask him about it later.
His fingers resumed tapping the table.
Finally, the last candle was lit.
“Now. The highlight of this auction—the highest-value war spoil!”
He silently repeated the name.
Vivienne.
Across the hall, the Empress Dowager met his gaze and smiled gently at the same moment.
“She is the unsetting star of Leete!”
