🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 9
Count Yanin stroked his thick beard and took a sip of wine.
The unexpectedly strong alcohol burned down his throat, making his body tingle faintly.
From his perspective, Lady Vanessa’s naïve interpretation actually made a certain amount of sense. Rumor had it that no one who entered the Emperor’s chambers ever came out alive—so it was clear the woman had not been executed for some reason.
If he were to solve the Emperor’s “troublesome problem” for him…
It would cost a fortune, but he could earn imperial favor. On top of that, he could claim yet another ultra-high-value spoil, following the golden falcon from before. In some ways, he would become a hero who saved a pitiable fallen princess—and earn praise from the beautiful Vanessa as well.
The young lady was quite innocent; he could simply explain that her poor reputation had been caused by malicious factions. That would clear up any misunderstandings.
But what if—
What if the Emperor had another intention? What if this was a trap to test noble loyalty? The Emperor was a cunning man; he might be watching closely to see who would pick up the woman he discarded.
Because of that, Yanin had hesitated even when the auctioneer called “The Unfading Star of Leete.”
But then—
Damn it!
The moment she appeared, his mind went completely blank.
The Star of Leete was far too beautiful. If he could touch that smooth, flawless skin… If he could hold that slender, alluring body… If he could strip away that thin dress wrapping her like a mystery…
He swallowed hard. His face flushed red.
For a beauty like that, taking her merely as a maid would be foolish!
Just seconds ago, he had been imagining a future with Vanessa—but now, he was already envisioning himself saving Vivienne from danger and taking her in.
And the moment the Emperor declared her a “non-discardable spoil,” Yanin instinctively shouted a massive bid.
“Now then! We have a bid at 700 million gold! That far exceeds last year’s record!”
Vivienne’s expression turned cold.
Count Yanin—the perverted supporting character from “The Flower That Blooms in the Ice Castle”.
She remembered him exactly as described: a drunken, incompetent degenerate noble with a filthy mustache and a disgusting personality.
In the original story, he had been described as “a staggering piece of human trash with a dirty mustache.”
And the man before her matched that description perfectly, leering at her.
As his gaze roamed over her, a shadow fell over Vivienne’s face.
No. Absolutely not.
After going through all the trouble of framing herself as a “blessed symbol”… to end up with someone like him?
“Will Count Yanin become the owner of the highest-value spoil?”
I said no!
“Final countdown begins! 5, 4, 3, 2—”
“10 billion gold.”
Everyone’s eyes widened.
Vivienne immediately recognized the voice.
Huh?
Unlike her, who failed to hide her relief, Yanin’s face twisted like a discarded bag left on the roadside.
Ten billion gold—was there anyone in Blanchett House who could afford that besides him?
He gulped wine nervously. It spilled down his chin, but he wiped it carelessly and looked around wildly.
“Oh! It’s Sir Aaron, the Holy Knight Commander!”
“He’s bidding too?!”
“He already spent a fortune on the glass slippers earlier—this is incredible!”
Aaron stood up with his paddle raised.
His calm blue eyes seemed to pierce through Yanin.
He bowed politely.
Yanin barely managed to stand, gripping his chair. For a moment, he thought he saw Vanessa looking his way.
“11… no… 11.5 billion gold!”
“I bid 15 billion gold.”
Alcohol, pride, and stubbornness consumed him.
Aaron smiled faintly—an expression that felt strangely humiliating.
All attention focused on them.
Yanin’s back went cold.
If he lost here, his dignity would be finished.
“W-what money does a mere knight commander even have?!”
He shouted loudly, trying to assert dominance.
Aaron Clark—the “Saint of the Blue Jewel”—was only a battlefield brute with some holy power if not for the Emperor’s backing.
The memory of earlier humiliation burned in Yanin’s mind.
“This is crossing the line again!”
“Doesn’t he know who that is?”
Aaron remained calm, his dark hair loosely tied back, his composed smile only deepening Yanin’s irritation.
“So the Holy Knight Commander is quite interested in the prisoner, eh?”
“Count Yanin, perhaps you should decide whether you intend to bid higher than my offer first.”
“What?”
“Leete was a kingdom destroyed by Valder. Though it was rotten from within, if there remains a symbol containing its essence, then it must belong to Valder.”
Aaron’s gaze shifted briefly to Vivienne. His blue eyes shimmered.
“It is something Valder must claim. Though she is a prisoner, she is of royal blood and carries the blessing of a guardian deity. It would not be fitting for such a symbol to fall into a private household.”
“Then why are you bidding?! Are you planning to keep her as a mistress?!”
“You should choose your words more carefully. You are a high noble of Valder—not its disgrace.”
Yanin’s mustache trembled violently.
Aaron’s tone remained calm, but the insult cut deeper than shouting ever could.
“Besides, the funds will be donated to the Empire. I intend to place the ‘Unfading Star of Leete’ under the care of either an orphanage in the capital or a knight hospital in need of blessing.”
Vivienne quickly added,
“My blessing can then reach those in need across the Empire.”
The nobles murmured, reconsidering their thoughts.
“And if you question financial capability, I will pay the full amount on the spot.”
Instant payment meant priority ownership.
Yanin, who had intended to stall with empty promises, panicked.
“N-no! I—I was thinking the same thing! I also intended to use her blessing for the Empire! Yes! Lady Blanchett knows that too!”
“Ack!”
“What is he doing?!”
Thud.
Yanin collapsed forward.
He tried to reach for Vanessa, but she instinctively recoiled, misunderstanding his drunken movement.
He tripped over the chair and fell hard.
Servants rushed in to help him up, but he was already bruised and disoriented.
“Why is Lady Vanessa being mentioned again?”
“He’s completely drunk!”
Vanessa, hiding her racing heartbeat, began to cry delicately.
“I only spoke to him briefly before the event! He misunderstood!”
The young noble who had just “rescued” her backed her claim.
Yanin looked utterly stunned.
Before he could protest—
“Bring the Count forward.”
“Y-Your Majesty?!”
The hall froze.
Yanin was dragged forward.
Leiden stood from the VIP seat.
The entire audience rose in respect.
Vivienne, still on stage, lowered her head with the nobles.
“The Sun of Valder…”
Yanin stammered, unable to look at the Emperor.
This is… like a messenger from hell.
Leiden wore black—black jacket, black silk shirt embroidered with gold, black cravat, even a black cloak.
Nobles remained silent but tense. The Emperor rarely interfered in auction disputes—but this was different.
“Count.”
“Yes… Your Majesty…”
“And Sir Aaron.”
Aaron stepped forward and bowed.
“I apologize for the disturbance, Your Majesty.”
“You misunderstand. I called you not to punish you. I found your struggle quite entertaining.”
“…?”
“20 billion gold.”
A few nobles gasped.
“I will also bid.”
It was the highest bid in the history of Valder imperial auctions.
