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Chapter 13
The day the Repleren Auction House opened arrived sooner than expected. I spent the entire morning anxiously waiting for time to pass, and as soon as it was time for the auction to open, I left the estate.
Even while sitting inside the moving carriage, my anxiety refused to subside. I knew I had enough money to purchase the Tieria Flower, yet I couldn’t help but worry.
What if the flower in the pamphlet was fake?
Or what if, by some terrible stroke of luck, someone bid over a million gold?
Logically, neither scenario was likely—but I simply couldn’t stay rational.
I clasped my cold fingertips together, chilled by tension, and shut my eyes tightly. I prayed deeply that nothing would go wrong.
When I arrived at the Repleren Auction House, I headed straight for the entrance.
The staff member waiting at the door was the same one I had seen before. Recognizing me, they bowed politely.
“Welcome back, Baron.”
“It’s been a while. Could you guide me?”
“Of course. Please follow me.”
Following the staff member inside, I was assigned seat number 8 this time. It was clear I had arrived earlier than most.
I sat on the sofa provided and leaned back.
On the stage ahead, a singer was performing. I listened to her song, trying my best to calm my nerves.
It’s fine. After today, this dreadful fear of death will finally be over.
The anxiety that hadn’t settled even during the carriage ride finally began to ease. I didn’t know whether it was because I had arrived at the auction house or because of the singer’s soothing voice.
* * *
“Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for your patience. I am Chapman Ganik, your auctioneer for today.”
As I closed my eyes and prayed for time to pass, the auction finally began.
Though I had arrived early and spent a couple of hours waiting, today even the wait felt enjoyable.
The Tieria Flower I was after was the eleventh item. I quietly watched the proceedings, waiting for it to appear.
At last, after the tenth item concluded, the eleventh item was brought onto the stage.
“The eleventh item is the Tieria Flower.”
At the auctioneer’s words, I lifted the opera glasses beside me and examined the item.
It was exactly as described in the books I had read.
“We will begin bidding for the Tieria Flower at 50,000 gold.”
As soon as the starting price was announced, bids began rising from all directions.
Even if it started at 50,000 gold, it would naturally climb to at least 250,000. Realistically, it would probably take around 300,000 gold to secure it.
It was already expected—mages and swordsmen alike valued it highly as a material.
I rested my hand on the number pad, hesitating.
The price had already surpassed 114,000 gold. If I bid normally, I might get lucky and win at a lower price.
But what mattered to me was certainty.
So, even knowing it wasn’t the preferred bidding strategy, I immediately entered 350,000 gold.
“Bidder number 8 offers 350,000 gold! Any higher bids? If there are no further bids during the count of five, it will go to bidder number 8. Five…”
As soon as I placed my bid, the auction fell silent.
No one wanted to push beyond that amount.
“Four.”
The auctioneer began counting slowly.
“Three.”
To me, each second felt like an eternity.
“Two.”
Please, let no one bid further.
“One.”
I clasped my hands together and prayed desperately.
“Sold! The Tieria Flower goes to bidder number 8 for 350,000 gold!”
As if to prove my wait hadn’t been in vain, the auctioneer announced the winning bid.
Even though I had deliberately raised the price, I couldn’t quite believe I had secured the flower. I sat there frozen.
“Now, we will proceed to the twelfth item.”
Only when the auction moved on did it finally sink in that I had truly won.
Overcome with emotion, I covered my face with both hands.
My breathing grew uneven, my eyes burned—and before I knew it, tears welled up.
I had finally obtained the ingredient for the cure.
The overwhelming relief and joy brought tears streaming down my face.
Only after several deep breaths did I manage to calm myself.
I couldn’t bear to wait until the auction ended to collect the item. Too anxious, I stood up immediately. Just like before, I could retrieve it after payment.
I left seat number 8 right away.
“Do you need assistance?”
A staff member waiting outside asked kindly. I nodded.
“I’d like to collect the item I won.”
“Please follow me.”
The staff member led me to the transaction room—the same place where I had previously received the mana stone from Ains.
Inside, a familiar employee greeted me.
“Welcome, Baron Marbes. You won the eleventh item—the Tieria Flower—from seat number 8, correct?”
“Yes.”
“The price is 350,000 gold. Will you pay immediately, or would you like to inspect the item and pay within a week?”
There were two ways to claim auction items.
If you had the money, you could pay immediately and take it. Otherwise, you could inspect it first and pay within a week before retrieving it.
If payment wasn’t made, the item would be relisted—and in the case of living items like the Tieria Flower, a penalty would be charged.
Thankfully, I had brought a substantial amount in checks in case the price exceeded expectations.
“I’ll pay now. Show me the item.”
“Yes. One moment, please.”
At the staff member’s signal, another employee brought over an elegant flowerpot. Inside it was the Tieria Flower.
“Please confirm the item first.”
I carefully compared the flower before me with the descriptions I had studied countless times.
The softly glowing white petals confirmed it.
There was no doubt—it was the Tieria Flower. As far as I knew, no other flower emitted light on its own.
“I’ve confirmed it. I’ll make the payment.”
“Yes.”
I immediately took out three checks of 100,000 gold and five checks of 10,000 gold and handed them over.
After verifying them, the staff member smiled.
“Payment confirmed. Thank you, Baron Marbes. We hope to serve you again.”
I stood, making sure not to forget the flowerpot.
“I’ll escort you to the main entrance.”
Cradling the Tieria Flower carefully, I walked outside.
Though the staff offered to carry it, I refused. After going through so much to obtain it, I couldn’t risk anything happening.
A carriage was already waiting at the entrance. Ribet, who stood nearby, brightened when she saw the flower in my hands.
“You got it! That’s such a relief, my lady!”
“Yes. There’s no time to waste. Let’s go to Doctor Watt’s clinic.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As soon as Cecile and I boarded, the carriage set off toward Doctor Watt’s clinic.
Even during the ride, I kept checking the flower, hardly believing it was really mine. Thankfully, it remained safe in my arms.
“My lady, we’ve arrived at Doctor Watt’s clinic.”
At the coachman’s words, I quickly stepped out.
Inside, Doctor Watt rose from his seat and greeted me.
“My lady! You’ve come. That flowerpot…!”
His eyes widened in surprise upon seeing the Tieria Flower.
“You said you’d obtain it, but seeing it in person is astonishing.”
“Yes. Please prepare the medicine with this.”
“Of course. I was informed days ago, so all the other ingredients are ready. However, the flower must be steamed and dried, so it will take some time.”
“How long exactly?”
“Hmm…”
He examined the flower thoughtfully.
“It should be ready by next Monday. I’ll bring the medicine to you then.”
“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”
I expressed my gratitude again and again.
* * *
On the promised Monday, Doctor Watt visited Baron Marbes’s estate.
Ever since handing over the Tieria Flower on Friday, I had been eagerly awaiting his arrival. I quickly ushered him into the drawing room.
“Is the medicine ready?”
At my question, Doctor Watt nodded.
“Yes, my lady. Fortunately, it was prepared successfully.”
“Then I should take it right away—”
“No, my lady. That won’t be possible here.”
Doctor Watt spoke firmly.
