The carriage ride home is eerily silent Elara's siblings, Elian and Eirlys, sat opposite her, their faces shrouded in concern.
"What happened at the party?" I broke the silence, asking the question that had been lingering. I already know why the party ended abruptly.
"Yeah! Viscount Rutledge announced its sudden conclusion." Elian replied, his voice laced with unease.
"Did you notice the two people who arrived last, night at the ball. They look familiar and suspicious too." Eirlys said, her brow furrowed in thought.
"Ah, those people." Eilan said, his expression turning serious. "They're from the magic tower."
So Elian knows them.. He's aware of their true identity. But that is none of my problem.
"Sofia freaked out when they come over to birthday wish her. Looked like one of them whispered something in her ear, too." Eirlys curiosity
"Let's drop it for now, we'll discuss the at home." Elian said.
The conversation just died out, and nobody said a word after that. We were all pretty much strangers again, and before we knew it, we'd arrived at the Larousse Mansion.
Upon arriving home, their mother, lady Catherine, greeted them with a worried smile.
"Darling, what prompted your early return? We weren't expecting you back so soon."
"Viscount Rutledge ended the party abruptly, perhaps something went wrong." Eirlys said. [ she looks terribly tired]
"Mom, we'll talk later, I'm exhausted. I'm going to my room." Eirlys expression betrayed her distress, her eyes beset with fatigue and anxiety.
"Ok sweetie, rest well and you too." Elian and I excuses ourselves.
I'm Extremely exhausted and I'm feeling sleepy. But I have to meet with that guy from Black market.
"Yura, get my bath ready and bring the cloak."
"Lady, where are you headed at this late hour." Her eyes reflected deep doubt and wonder.
"I'm heading to the black market." [I smiled and said.]
"Yes, milady." Yura looked worried and unsure, her eyes filled with questions.
-The Midnight Street-
In the depths of Midnight Street, where darkness reigned supreme, a young woman Navigated the treacherous alley. Her hood cast shadow over her face but her piercing eyes gleamed like emeralds in the night.
A man Said "What is a noble woman doing in this alley?" Vergo is curious about a woman.
"I'm looking forward to bidding today."
"Ah! You're our customer, please come this way. Ma'am."
"hm." We are heading to the auction location. This place looks rundown from the outside, but only those with passcode can; otherwise, Entry is restricted.
However, once you enter the passcode and step inside, it's a completely different scenario. Notably, The Black Market business owner is Count Zahren Volter. Count Volter, conducts illicit business here, and to maintain a veil of legitimacy, he has installed an acting director as a proxy.
Hall is full of Empires People. They all hided their faces with mask. Well, it's obviously because they don't want reveal their face in this type of place. I'm here to find some ancient relic, and other things too. Let see what they are selling in.
The host, a mysterious figure known only as "The shadow," welcomed the crowd to the exclusive auction.
"Tonight, we have rare and valuable items for sale. Let the bidding begin!" A man raised his voice said.
Crowd is started murmuring and then first item famous painting "The Starlight serenade" This painting is western empires best Artist Sol Suni's painting.
Some western people say's it's her late lover's painting. She designed this painting. It's her emotions.
"Let's introduced our first item 'The Starlight Serenade' its famous artist everyone knows to her Sol Suni." How many coins are you bidding in this painting." [the shadow host]
Bidders eagerly raised their paddles, but one individual, a hooded figure, outbid them all.
Next, various rare artifacts were sold, each fetching exorbitant prices.
Then, the piece de resistance: the ancient relic. Bidding began at an astonishing 100,000 gold coins.
Elara, her face hidden behind a veil. Entered the fray. Her bids skyrocketed, leaving others stunned. Hall's crowd was shocked.
"No one has ever bid so high!" The Shadow exclaimed
"The young woman won this bid."
Those who likes ancient item their face is blazed. I won the relic.
"There you are" he said, his voice low and familiar.
some unknown person is approaching me, it's really weird but when I turn my faces to looking for him my eye's widened as I recognized him.
"Oh! It's you," I replied with low voice. He came and sat next to me.
"Why did you Changed your look? Orian is asked.
"Because in this empire I only have Crimson red eyes." I replied to Orian.
"But your Red eyes is so cute." [Chubby face of Orian]
"Don't make fun of me, anyway how did you know it was me." first I'm scared sudden approaching me but now I think I change everything but he knows.
"I feel your presence, and come here to you." His voice has warmth and slow.
"What are you looking you here" I asked
"I'm looking for you." He smirked
The Final item, a dragon egg, was presented, Elara asked Orian what he sought.
"I said I'm looking for you." He teased her.
"Really, Ori..." Elara rolled her eyes and smiled.
The bidding war escalated, with Orian's highest price emerging victorious.
As the auction closed, Elara and Orian strolled through the black market alleys.
At a rare medicine shop, Elara purchased a vial.
"For someone special?" Orian inquired.
"Yes, anyways, did you send those documents?
Orian Nodded. Near Larousse palace, Elara bid Orian farewell. But he stopped her, presenting the dragon egg.
"This is for you, Elara. A Gift."
"Why would you give me this? It's precious to you." Elara's eyes sparkled.
Orian smiled. "Now it's precious to someone else. Please accept it and take care of him."
As Elara took the egg, a shadowy figure secretly followed her in Larousse palace, but shadow try enter the palace but he never go in.
Orian returned to the magic tower, and he find that one of dragon mother is angry because of him
*Imperial palace*
Crown prince Kael's office. A document arrived, bearing no name. Kael's eyes scanned the pages, his face pale.
"What is this, and who send this?" he whispered.
The document's revelation left him stunned....
To be continued....