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In another private box on the second floor of the auction hall, Princess Maria recognized her cousin Clementine's voice as soon as she bid for the first time—the incessant chatter resonated throughout the Palace of Versailles daily, making it hard to forget.
Maria had not expected her to compete with her for the necklace, but then she felt relieved—hadn't she come to Paris to compete with her for him?
When Maria looked again at the "Star's Wish" that the Crown Prince had worn, she suddenly felt that this might be a prelude to a contest between them.
Whoever got the necklace would win him over!
With that thought flashing through her mind, a determined look appeared in her eyes, and she turned to her maid and whispered softly,
"300,000 livres."
The maid immediately nodded and called out the bid to the auctioneer.
