"Aye, Gabe, wake up!" Mona whispered, shaking him gently.
Gabriel opened his eyes, blinking. Seems like I dozed off, he thought.
The merchant entered the dimly lit room. "It's time," he announced.
The kids lined up, following the merchant out. Gabriel could hear the nobles' shouts as they placed their bids.
The children gathered, waiting for their fate to unfold.
"You're up first, kid," the merchant said, pointing to a young boy.
The boy stepped onto the stage, and the auctioneer began the bidding at 100 gold coins. He was eventually sold for 1,000 gold coins, and the merchant smiled, satisfied with his cut of the profits.
Hours passed, and only Gabriel and Mona remained.
"It's your turn, girl," the merchant said, gesturing to Mona.
Mona stepped onto the stage. Nobles murmured amongst themselves as the auctioneer opened the bid at 1,000 gold coins. The competition was fierce.
"I bid 10,000 gold coins!"
"I bid 20,000!"
The bidding continued until Mona was sold for a staggering 100,000 gold coins.
Meanwhile, in the VIP section of the auction house, Isabella and Arthur observed the bidding.
"You know, you could sit down," Isabella said, glancing at Arthur.
"I could never, my lady. It's my duty to protect you at all costs."
Isabella sighed. "How annoying," she muttered.
Their conversation was interrupted by a noblewoman's shout: "I WANT HIM!"
Isabella looked down at the stage, where a young boy with striking blue eyes stood. The auctioneer started the bidding at 100,000 gold coins.
The female nobles went wild, bidding against each other until the price hit a million.
"I can't believe this," Arthur murmured, struggling to process the spectacle before him.
Isabella raised her paddle. "I bid 1.5 million gold coins."
The nobles turned to see who dared make such a bid.
"No way, it's her…" they whispered.
"I can't believe it's her," another murmured.
"Mommy, who is that?" a young boy asked, only to be hushed by his mother.
"Going once, going twice, so—" The auctioneer was cut off by a booming voice.
"I bid 2 million gold coins."
Isabella turned, her eyes narrowing. Who would dare challenge me?
It was Yukio Lioness, her enemy.
"I won't lose to that mutt," Isabella hissed. "I bid 100 million gold coins!"
The auction house fell silent. Both the merchant and auctioneer fainted as the room erupted in gasps and murmurs.
at day, Isabella and Arthur, accompanied by two knights, made their way to the auctioneer's office to collect the blue-eyed boy.
Upon entering, the auctioneer bowed deeply. "Welcome, my lady," he said respectfully.
Isabella glanced around the dark office, her expression disapproving. "It's too dark in here." Without hesitation, one of the knights broke down part of the wall to let in sunlight.
"Now that's better," Isabella said with a satisfied smile. "Now, auctioneer, where's my prize?"
The auctioneer scrambled to bring Gabriel into the room. "Here's your prize, my lady," he said.
Isabella took out her checkbook, signing a check for 10 million gold coins, and handed it to the auctioneer.
The auctioneer looked at the amount, stunned. "But my lady… you bid 100 million."
"I know. But this place isn't exactly legal," she replied coolly. "Unless you want me to report this to the Imperial King, you'll take what I've given you."
She turned, leaving no room for argument, and walked out of the office. "Come now, boy. Follow me," she said.
Gabriel hurried after her, and they all climbed into the carriage, which began its journey toward the city's exit.
"Well," Isabella said, smiling to herself, "I suppose coming here wasn't a total waste."
Gabriel sat rigidly, unsure of what to expect. Isabella looked over at him. "Do you need to use the bathroom?"
"No, ma'am," Gabriel replied.
"Don't call me 'ma'am,'" Isabella replied ominously.
"He's probably just nervous, my lady," Arthur interjected, trying to ease her mood.
As the carriage moved, Isabella's hair blew gently in the wind. Gabriel couldn't help but be captivated by how beautiful she looked.
"Do I have something on my face?" she asked, noticing his stare.
"N-no, my lady," Gabriel stammered.
"By the way, what's your name, boy?" Isabella asked, studying him.
"My name is Gabriel, my lady."
"Gabriel, hmm?" she murmured. "I like the name Gabriel. I'll let you keep it."