The lights went dim, but no one falls into panic, rather anticipation build up amongst the nobles.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this year's Night Auction! I am The Curator, your host for an evening steeped in history and mystery. This year's theme is 'The Forgotten Kingdoms.'"
The crowd murmurs in anticipation as dim lights cast an eerie glow over the underground hall. The lights brighten slightly, illuminating a series of pedestals displaying the first few items.
"Tonight, we unveil relics from lost civilizations—enchanted artifacts, royal heirlooms, and treasures that have survived the sands of time. Behold, the wonders of dynasties long gone: carbonated bodies of ancient dragons and magical scrolls of immense power."
The Curator pauses—letting the theme for this year's auction sink in.
"We also present noble slaves, descendants of fallen kings and queens, awaiting new destinies. Their past may be shrouded in mystery, but their future is in your hands."
"Prepare yourselves for an evening of discovery and intrigue. Let the Night Auction begin!"
As The Curator's words echoed through the underground hall, the reactions from the audience were distinctly divided.
In the lower house, where the lesser nobles gathered, a ripple of excitement and anticipation spread like wildfire. Whispers and murmurs filled the air, their eyes wide with wonder and greed. Some could barely contain their eagerness, leaning forward in their seats, their faces lit with a mix of curiosity and avarice. The promise of forgotten treasures and ancient powers seemed to ignite a fervor, their reactions more overt and raw.
In contrast, the upper house, where the high-ranking nobles including Celeste sat, displayed a more restrained yet equally intense interest.
I maintained my composure, narrowing my eyes slightly as I asses the situation and the offerings of the Night Auction.
The sophisticated nobles around exchanged knowing glances, their expressions marked by subtle nods and raised eyebrows. Their reactions were more measured, reflecting a deeper understanding of the value and potential power of the items presented. For them, the auction was not merely about acquisition but about strategic advantage and the unfolding drama of rediscovered histories.
And so, the Night Auction officially begun!
....
"There was never a policy declaring the Night Auction illegal!" Two men argued in the dark hallway on their way to the Night Auction.
"You enter the office earlier today with a firm look and calling my name not-so-dearly, 'Sir Reginald Thorne, we have to go somewhere,'" He embodied his fellow detecive low and mysterious voice and aura saying those words.
One man, Sir Reginald Thorne, wasn't any older than the other but always seemed filled with worries and dismay. The stress his fellow detective caused him showed in his early signs of aging, with thinning hair streaked with gray and a neatly trimmed mustache. His stern, blue eyes, framed by small, round glasses, gave him a scholarly look.
"I never said—"
"Then why are we here, Marquess Adrian Blackwood"
"Shh!"
The other man, Marquess Adrian Blackwood, was a striking figure with dark, tousled hair and tan skin that blended into the shadows. His vibrant green eyes peeked out from under a hat covering his face. Clad in a black coat, his tall, lean build, and finely chiseled features gave him an imposing presence. His impeccably tailored attire reflected his confidence and wit.
"May we see some identification?" Two burly men blocked their path to the Night Auction.
Adrian showed his prepared card, it is in the shade of moss, but still elegant in a manner of the tecture of the card, it has the engrave of the aurora lane. The two burly men look at one another before one of the two guided the detectives to the lower house.
Their guide, a bald tanned skin man adviced them, "You should wear these," he presented few masks, "10 gold coin each."
"10. Gold?!" Reginald's reaction disturbed the other buyers who also wears these masks, "We'll get two." Adrian said calmly as he chooses one that covers the surrounding of his eyes. "The-then this for me." As for Reginald, due to embarrasment, he just pointed a random mask, unknowingly pointing out a rabbit shaped mask that made their guide laugh. "That'll be 20."
Adrian left the payment to his fellow detective making him grunt and telling him that he must pay him with interest once they got back in the capitol.
Adrian blended with the crowd with his black coat, he saw men and women, all must be refined and nobles, 'Where is she?'
Before he moved any further, an item presented in the stage just got sold. "Sold, for 100 golds to Sisyphus of the lower house!"
'Lower house?' He looked around looking for the joyful man who just bought his first slave, it was not a hard task, for he saw a slender man who brags his first item. 'He must be from a Count's family or from a Barron, seeing him splurge his few gold coin bragging about a mere slave. Tssk, he's not the one I'm looking for.'
He tries to re-asses the environment, 'Lower house? Then she must be on the Upper House.... I didn't know these.'
Details about the Night Auction is a discrete exchange of information, this is because, hypocricy amongst nobles with their ill-tone comments about the shady Night Auction is observe when it is talked in the public. Therefore, attending the Night Auction for beginners, it is only normal for them to be placed in the Lower House.
The Upper House are from higher noble families, or known individuals who had been attending these auctions for more than decade or, had bought high amounts of items through the past auctions. 'No wonder I can't find her, she must be on the Upper House.'
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will now proceed to the Class A items, the highlight of tonight's auction. These are the most valuable and coveted artifacts, each with its own rich history and allure. Please prepare yourselves for an extraordinary showcase of rare treasures." The Curator had finally ended the lower class items, these is when the Upper House would start to bid their hearts out.
'I guess I'll watch from here.'
The auction hall thrums with anticipation as the curator reveals the first Class A item. Instantly, the air electrifies with a sense of urgency and competition.
Bidders in the Upper House, their eyes glinting with a fierce mix of desire and calculation, raise their paddles with swift precision.
The room erupts into a symphony of raised hands and shouted bids. The numbers flash on the board, climbing higher with each passing second. Thousands of gold pieces are flung into the air, each bid more extravagant than the last. The auctioneer's voice rises in speed and volume, barely keeping pace with the rapid escalation.
The room fell into a tense hush as the curator, standing on the elevated platform, surveyed the crowd with a practiced gaze. The murmurs grew louder, a sea of anticipation rippling through the hall.
"Five thousand," declared the sophisticated lady, her voice cutting through the hum of the room with poised authority. Her attendant, impeccably dressed, raised a card high to signal her bid. The numbers flashed on the board, and a wave of whispers followed her gesture, curiosity piqued.
The curator, his demeanor calm and collected, glanced at the auctioneer's table, then back to the audience. His eyes scanned the crowd, searching for a challenger. The hall seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the next voice to disrupt the uneasy silence.
"Six thousand," came a voice from the shadows, sharp and assertive. Adrian's bid cut through the tension, his intent clear as he subtly shifted the focus onto himself.
A ripple of surprise ran through the crowd, eyes darting between the two competitors. The air crackled with intensity as the stakes rose with each bid.
"Seven thousand," the lady countered swiftly, her expression unwavering.
"Eight thousand," Adrian responded almost immediately, his tone confident and daring.
The auction became a blur of flashing lights and rapid gestures, the numbers escalating in a breathtaking crescendo.
"Nine thousand," the lady bid, her gaze unyielding.
"Ten thousand," Adrian declared with a decisive flair, his voice resonating with finality.
The room erupted into a wave of murmurs and applause as the bidding war concluded. The victorious bidder's triumphant smile cut through the fervor.
The curator stepped forward, his voice ringing clear over the din. "We have witnessed an exceptional bidding war tonight. The esteemed lady known as Black Rose and our formidable challenger, the Emerald Panther, have both showcased remarkable prowess. However, our last item of the night can only be sold to one bidder."
The light flashes showing Adrian with his mask on, showing his green eyes to the crowd, and on the Upper House, Black Rose stood with his fair skin and dark purple hair looking up. She acknowledge the one who outbid her and raise her wine glass.
Adrian gave a brief nod, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. The curator acknowledged the competition and introduced the bidders to the room, marking a memorable highlight of the Night Auction.
"The Celestial Dreamstone sold for ten thousand gold to Emerald Panther!" The Curator announced marking the highlight of the Night Auction.