Caedes' POV
"1 million gold!"
A collective gasp rippled through the grand hall, the sound barely audible over the glittering hum of wealth and influence. The bidding room, packed to the brim with nobles and merchants, felt like it was pulsating with a life of its own.
Marble pillars adorned with intricate gold engravings reached skyward, holding up a domed ceiling that glittered with thousands of enchanted lights, casting a soft, golden glow over the opulence below.
Velvet-lined chairs, embossed with family crests and symbols of power, filled the space, each occupied by someone who influenced nations, businesses, or realms.
Lord Mankew's voice sliced through the murmurs like a dagger, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He sat at the centre of attention, his robe shimmering with a red thread, woven from mana-infused silk, a testament to his standing.
