The auction house was soon a panorama of cheerful and excited noise as more and more people, undoubtedly individuals of some influence, began filling the lower seats.
There were groups that seemed more distinguished than the rest, personally escorted by hosts to their booths. No doubt, they were some of the more affluent nobles in the Kingdom.
As I settled into the comfortable seat in the VIP room, I took a moment to admire the grandeur of the Trident Auction House. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, even though the main event had yet to begin.
Ku perched on the armrest of the chair, looking around with curiosity. "Papa, this place is fancy! Are they going to sell fancy things?"
"Haha, you could say that, Ku. This is an auction house, and they auction various valuable items, including magical artifacts, weapons, rare materials, and sometimes even magical beast eggs," I explained to Ku.
"Magical artifacts, huh? Maybe I can find something cool for Papa!" Ku chimed, clearly excited about the prospect.
Time passed slowly until Mr. Adler came back, leading a group of unfamiliar people inside.
I stood up from my seat out of respect for whoever would come inside. It was just manners not to pick annoying fights with nobility.
The first to come in behind Mr. Adler was a man in his forties, wearing a long-flowing red robe with multiple linings and sigils in the back, as well as a round-shaped earring on at least his left ear and a silver necklace around his neck. His body was well-built, and his back was ramrod straight with broad shoulders, giving him a commanding presence that took off years in his appearance.
Even from my perspective, he stood at a staggering height of over two meters. His tall stature, brightly lit deep brown eyes, well-set nose, and thin lips projected an image of intelligence and nobility. His grayish brown long hair was swept to the back of his head, revealing his handsome face and chiseled jaw, giving him an undeniably eye-catching presence.
However, even with all his good looks, he seemed somewhat sad or down, like he was feeling alone or something. And for some reason, I felt as if I had to speak with him at least once.
Funny, I wonder why that is.
Behind the man was a teenage girl who could only be his kin, as I noticed their similar looks. The girl, a few years older than me, surveyed the room carefully before locking eyes with me.
She was a quite beautiful young lady, wearing a white gown princess line befitting for a princess of her age, with rolled-up long hair with the same colour as the man's and deep blue eyes that twinkled with both vitality and ferocity, making her a more feminine and adult-like teenage girl.
Seeing this father and daughter pair though, makes me feel like these two are so familiar to me.
The man who walked behind Mr. Adler directed his gaze towards me as he walked towards me, "Oh? Who might this handsome lad be?" the man said, kindly, as he knelt before me.
"Father.." The girl who came with the man spoke out in surprise.
My emotions were a blunder, and my eyes started to tear up somehow.
"Papa? What's wrong?" My beast partner asked as she was seated in our place.
"Nothing, Ku. I don't know what happened?" I replied as I wiped off my tears and replied to the man.
But Mr. Adler cut in the middle, "I apologize, Your Majesty! I assumed you wouldn't mind having someone else with you and Princess. This is my nephew Ryan Dainsleif, he is here in Atlas to join the Central Academy, sire," he introduced, waving his arm in my direction.
This man is the king? Why is he kneeling in front of a commoner like me? Is he just playing to be kind?
I wonder why my feelings are becoming complicated though.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. At least we'll have some company besides these guards," The man giggled as he looked at my pendant I was wearing.
It was the pendant that my late mother left me along with the Black badge of the roya- wait? If he is the king then..?
With much confusing thinking I was having, I gently lowered myself and greeted him with respect.
The man gave off a gentle smile, "My name is Arthur Vrisorid, and this is my daughter Aurora Vrisorid; you may refer to us as the King and the Princess of this Kingdom. Nice to meet you, little Ryan!" He said with a smile, as he slowly placed my pendant inside my shirt like hiding it, and got up lifting me with my shoulders. "It's alright, young man. We're just here for the auction, after all."
As I got back up, Ku peeked his head after getting to me from our seat, surveying curiously the new faces.
"Kyu?" he chirped, tilting his head.
"Aren't you a cute little guy?" The Princess Aurora's face brightened up at the sight as she made her way towards me.
And just as our introductions got over, we took our seats in time to hear the clear voice declaring that the auction would start soon.
Surprising for me, the king and the princess certainly took their seats, But, I was in the middle of them, and my left and right seats were walled by King Arthur and Princess Aurora.
I was sitting in between them with an awkward expression with no means of escaping on either side. I was glad when Mr. Adler asked me to come here, but now in my situation, I'm not so sure.
Not to mention, with these two VIPs here, the room now had an even more heightened sense of importance.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! May I say that it is of the highest honor for me to be here tonight? All of you are gathered here today for one reason and one reason only, I presume? It is to have the chance to obtain rare and valuable items in this auction!"
Applause thundered in enthusiasm at the old gentleman's ardent introduction.
"If everyone in the audience would now kindly turn to face the back room at the very top, we have a few exceedingly important figures that have decided to bless us with their presence. Please join me in welcoming the King and the Princess of Vrisorid!" The auctioneer was the first to flick out the tail of his suit and genuflect. The audience immediately followed suit, lowering themselves respectfully in a bow since they couldn't kneel in their seats.
King Arthur and Princess Aurora, in response, stepped out towards the window in front of me and waved their arms slowly in a practiced motion.
"Who is that little boy in the middle?"
"I wonder."
I can clearly sense the rumor about me riling up from the audience.
"Next, the one that made this whole event possible. Please give a big round of applause for Mr. Adler Trident!"
The auctioneer's introduction was followed by another round of applause as Mr. Adler stepped up next to the King and the Princess, giving a deep bow in return.
I remained seated, feeling awkwardly and looking down below at the crowds of people who were supposed to be of a much higher class than me, but I couldn't help but look at them as if they were...