The next day felt like an endless cycle of monotony—eat, sleep, repeat. I was restless, pacing around my room as boredom gnawed at me. There were still a few days left until the expedition to the Black Forest, and the thought of returning to the Mont estate crossed my mind. But I quickly dismissed it. The journey would take two days there and back, and I couldn't afford to waste that much time.
As I mulled over my options, my status window suddenly popped up, breaking the silence.
Quest: Save the Female Lead from the Black Auction Reward: Loyalty from Count Benford Failure: One of your powerful cards shall be removed
I froze, staring at the screen. My heart raced as I read through the details.
"Wait, hold on," I muttered. "Status window, I don't even know who the female lead is. Give me a description."
The window updated instantly:
Female Lead: Hailey Benford Age: 10 Description: Pink hair, pale skin, green eyes
My eyes widened. "Benford? As in the Benford family?"
The Benford family was renowned for their control over the police department and their unwavering loyalty to the emperor. Gaining their loyalty was akin to striking gold. If I succeeded, it wouldn't just benefit me—it would strengthen the Mont family's position as well.
"I can't lose this," I whispered, determination hardening my resolve. "I need to save Hailey."
First, I had to leave the mansion. I made my way to Duke Ashford's office, where the guards stationed outside stopped me. After relaying my request, they sought the Duke's permission for entry. Moments later, I was allowed inside.
As always, his presence was dazzling. His silver hair seemed to shimmer under the light, and his piercing blue eyes locked onto me as he set his pen down.
"Tell me, Miss Aria," he began, his voice calm yet commanding. "May I know why you're here?"
I bowed lightly before speaking. "Your Grace, I wish to leave the mansion for a while."
"May I ask why?" he inquired, his gaze sharp.
"It's a personal matter," I replied, keeping my tone steady. "I'll only be gone for a few days."
He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Will you be back in time for the expedition?"
"I will," I assured him.
"Very well," he said with a nod. "You may leave."
"Thank you, Your Grace," I said, bowing once more before exiting the room.
Once outside, I sprinted toward the town. The only problem was that I had no invitation to the Black Auction—a notorious, illegal event. It was said to be run by the Empress Dowager herself, though no one, not even the Duke, knew of her involvement. I only knew because I had overheard it once.
As I reached the dark alleyway leading to the auction, my status window popped up again. This time, it provided me with an invitation and a mask.
"Wow," I muttered, examining the items. "The status window really favors the female lead, huh?"
I arrived at the auction's location, a run-down building that looked anything but impressive. However, the moment I stepped inside, I was stunned. The interior was a stark contrast to its exterior—lavish and opulent, with every corner exuding luxury.
Wearing my mask, I presented my invitation to the guards. Their eyes widened in surprise.
"A VVIP," one of them whispered, and they quickly escorted me to the VVIP lounge.
I sank into the fanciest sofa I'd ever seen, and moments later, drinks were served. After about twenty minutes, the auction began.
They started with slaves and illegal magical items, each more disturbing than the last. But one item caught my attention—a sword radiating a dark aura.
"That sword…" I muttered, recognition dawning on me. It was the sword of the great Mont ancestors. "What is it doing here?"
I couldn't buy it now, but I made a mental note to steal it later.
Then, the auctioneer's voice rang out. "Now, I shall auction a peculiar lady—a 10-year-old with pink hair and green eyes. A very delicate young lady."
As the curtain was drawn back, my breath hitched. A tiny child stood there, handcuffed and trembling with fear.
"That's Hailey," I thought, my grip tightening on the sofa. My blood boiled at the sight. "What are they doing to a child?"
"The bidding starts at 30,000 gold," the auctioneer announced.
Without hesitation, I raised my bid. "35,000."
Others quickly joined in, raising the stakes higher and higher. Gritting my teeth, I raised my bid again. "45,000."
The room fell silent. No one dared to bid higher.
"45,000 going once… going twice… sold to the lady over there!"
After the auction ended, the staff brought Hailey to me. As we stepped outside, I immediately removed her handcuffs.
"Are you alright?" I asked gently, pulling back my hood to reveal my face.
The young girl looked up at me, her green eyes wide with fear. She nodded hesitantly.
"I promise I won't hurt you," I said softly, offering her a reassuring smile.
She nodded again, her expression relaxing slightly. I picked her up and carried her to a nearby candy store. Her eyes lit up as I bought her a bag of sweets, and for the first time, she smiled.
"What an angel," she murmured, staring at me with awe.
I blinked, confused. "A what now?"
Hailey giggled, clutching the candy tightly as I carried her toward the Bensford estate.