"By the way," Alex spoke, turning to face Freya again, "in this year's annual auction, do you have any items listed? Something like a treasure, perhaps—one that could allow someone to memorize vast amounts of knowledge in a short time?"
Freya thought for a moment before nodding. "We do indeed have something like that," she replied.
"Good. How much does it cost?" Alex inquired, leaning forward with a sharp glint in his eye. "I understand it's meant for auction, but I'm prepared to buy it right now. Whatever price you name will be mine."
The incentive Freya had granted him in their contract was that, as long as it didn't harm her, go against her moral values, incur significant financial loss, or be something impossible to fulfill, she would grant Alex his requests. Of course, there were boundaries to these wishes, but Alex figured that Freya selling him the item he wanted—especially while he was willing to pay her price—shouldn't be an unreasonable ask. After all, he wasn't asking for a favor but offering fair compensation.
"Unfortunately, that's not possible," Freya said, shaking her head apologetically. "While we are indeed auctioning off treasures and other valuable items, most of these goods don't actually belong to us. Take your smoke potions, for example. We will auction them, take our agreed-upon percentage, and give you the rest of the money."
"Since soul contracts aren't very cheap," she continued, "we sign a different type of contract with the individuals whose items we auction. While these contracts aren't as binding as soul contracts, we still can't afford to break any of the agreed-upon clauses. It would damage our reputation and violate our agreement with the sellers."
Freya sighed softly before adding, "I actually tried to purchase the same item you're interested in. Unfortunately, the owner was adamant that it go to auction. I highly doubt he'll change his mind, but I can certainly reach out and see if he's willing to sell it privately."
"Let's do that then," Alex agreed. "Tell him that as long as he's willing to sell, whatever price he sets will be mine. No negotiations—just name his price, and I'll pay it."
"I understand," Freya nodded.
Since everything was said and done for now, Alex decided to leave. He covered himself with his smoke, making it take the shape of casual clothes.
Just as he stood up from the couch, Freya suddenly called out to him.
"Is there something wrong?" he wondered.
"There is nothing wrong, it's just that..." Freya's words trailed off before she composed herself and asked with a straight face, "I wanted to know, who that woman, Amy, following you was?"
"Oh," Alex replied, "she is my younger sister."
He didn't know why, but the instant he said that Amy was his sister, a relieved expression followed by a slight smile appeared on Freya's hypnotizing face.
"I see," Freya said as she stood up. Stretching her hand, she added with a smile, "It was a pleasure doing business with you."
"Likewise," Alex said and shook her hand.
"The auction will last for ten days," Freya inquired, "Will you be staying for the duration of the auction?"
Alex hesitated for a bit. Initially, his plan was to convince the Drazen family to accept to place his smoke potions in their annual auction and then directly leave to go participate in the Eswald family competition. But now that the competition had been postponed, he judged that there was no need to rush and could stay to enjoy the auction.
After a brief pause, he nodded. "Yes, I'll stay."
A smile bloomed across Freya's face, her eyes twinkling with both pleasure and anticipation. "I'm glad to hear that," she said, her voice softening again. "I'll be happy to keep you company throughout the auction... if you'd like that," she added, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink as she cast him a slightly bashful glance.
Freya's eyes shone in anticipation while she awaited Alex's answer.
Alex's smoke mask disappeared for a moment, revealing a sly smile. He took her hand once more, lifting it gently to his lips. His kiss was slow and deliberate. As his silver eyes locked with hers, his voice dropped to a low, velvet tone. "It would be my pleasure to have you by my side during my stay."
He didn't try to hide in the slightest that he desired her. His eyes were like molten silver as they burned into her, as if he were undressing her with his gaze. However, instead of being intimidated, Freya was captivated. A warm feeling spread within her. Her heart raced as her blush deepened, becoming more pronounced under Alex's intense stare.
"I will be taking my leave," Alex said as he straightened. "Good night, Lady Freya."
"Good night," Freya replied softly, "And, you can call me Freya."
"I will take note," Alex nodded, his mask appearing once again to hide his features.
He turned around and directly left the office, only to bump into Maya.
"Where is Amelia?" he inquired, not seeing his sister.
"She wanted to take a bath, so I led her to your room," Maya answered.
"I see," Alex said. "Can you also lead me there?"
"Sure," Maya nodded.
As they walked towards his room, Maya inquired, "How did things go?"
"Great," he answered. "I accomplished my goal, which means that you also cleared your part of the contract."
The contract that he signed with Maya entailed that he needed to rescue her from the Night base and escort her safely to her family. On the other hand, Maya would do her best to convince her family to accept to place Alex's smoke potions in their list of auctioned items.
"You didn't do much convincing though," Alex chuckled. "Your mother was literally the one that proposed me a contract. She is a smart woman, plus she is very beautiful."
"Hey!" Maya suddenly exclaimed. "Don't talk like that about my mom!"
"What? I just said that she was beautiful. Am I wrong?" Alex asked curiously.
"No, but the way you said it is suspicious," Maya said as she turned to stare at him, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "You aren't trying to do anything with my mom, right?"
Alex chuckled, "What, are you afraid to have a new dad?"
Maya's cheeks turned red, and she immediately turned her head in the other way. "Y-your room is right around the corner," she stammered. Before he could say anything, Maya bolted away.
Alex scratched his head with a wry smile as he saw her run away. He shrugged a moment later and continued on his way.
As Maya had said, his and Amelia's room was situated around the corner. It couldn't be mistaken as it was the only room in the whole corridor.
Sliding open the door and stepping inside, Alex was taken aback when he stepped inside the bedroom.
The room was spacious, with clean lines and a modern yet serene atmosphere. A bed so large that it could probably take on ten people dominated the center, its sleek design contrasting with the minimalistic decor that hinted at traditional influences. The walls were a soft, neutral color, and the light pouring in through the wide windows gave the room an open, airy feel. Low furniture sat along one side, practical yet stylish. There were three doors along the far wall, subtly blending into the design, each leading to another part of the luxurious bedroom.
Hearing the sound of running water gurgling through one of the doors, Alex walked to that door and slid it open. He was immediately assaulted by a cloud of water vapor and the scent of soap.
He stepped through the door and glanced around the room that was probably the bathroom. The bathroom was elegantly decorated, with intricate tile work and wooden accents that matched the Japanese-inspired design of the rest of the mansion. At the center of the room was a massive bathtub, more like a small pool, filled with steaming hot water that released clouds of vapor into the air.
At the center of the small pool, Alex found the naked body of his sister. She was currently carefully washing herself, her body covered with suds, the foam clinging to her skin and highlighting her curves.
Before the sight of her otherworldly voluptuous and curvaceous body, Alex's little brother immediately stood at attention.
By now, he had seen Amelia naked dozens of times, but it still fascinated him how beautiful and perfect her body was. No matter how many times he saw her, his dick would always have the same reaction. He just couldn't get enough of her.
No longer guided by his upper head but instead by his lower head, Alex swiftly stripped off every garment he wore. His ripped and toned body, reminiscent of the body of a Greek god, appeared as his dick pointed upward like a spear, oftentimes pulsing with anticipation.
Making sure to not make any noise, Alex entered the small pool with a mischievous smile and silently swam to her.
When he was right behind her, his two hands shot around Amelia, each taking a handful of her magnificent, full breasts.