Chapter 81
Interruption (2)
Bereninche’s atmosphere sharpened.
The Imperial Princess did not mind. Having grown up witnessing far worse, she could handle soone like Bereninche with ease.
There was nothing particularly special about why she had co. The mont she heard the na Davide, her curiosity had been piqued.
―100 Nuckle! 100 Nuckle it is! Any additional bids? 100 Nuckle! 100 Nuckle! 100 Nuckle! Custor number 47, sold for 100 Nuckle!
The piercing gazes quickly withdrew. She was far more perceptive about the political landscape than her older brother. Though Bereninche was self-righteous, she did not step beyond the bounds of reason.
No matter how hostile their relationship might be, she still respected the status of the Imperial Princess. That very composure irritated the Princess.
“You, Bereninche. You truly resemble the head of the Duhein Family.”
“Thank you for the complint, Your Imperial Highness.”
Bereninche’s face was proud. A small sense of pride could be felt beneath it. The Imperial Princess glanced at Davide.
Davide’s face was filled with an awkward expression. Here, Bereninche was the only one who would take those words as praise.
“Hmm.”
In that regard, Davide seed unusual. Born in Duhein and raised on the blood of Duhein, he did not seem to like the na Duhein.
Yet, having relied on that prestige to behave like a maniac was sothing that deserved criticism.
“More importantly, you, Davide. You are purchasing quite a number of items.”
“Your Imperial Highness. As this is a prior contractual arrangent with Bereninche, the cost to be borne by the Imperial House will not be significant.”
“That is enough. We shall cover that trifling sum.”
About thirty minutes had passed since the auction began. Ten items had been put up. Of those, Davide had bid on four.
Unlike ordinary people who bought one or two items at most, Davide participated in the auction enthusiastically. A worn-out ring, a broken cross, a teacup with a hole in it.
Not a single one appeared valuable. And yet, Davide bid with unwavering certainty.
“Oh ho.”
The auction continued, and the number of items Davide bid on steadily increased. Sheila, who had been recording each item in the catalog one by one, handed her catalog to the Imperial Princess.
As the Princess received it, a strange light flickered in her eyes. She was well-versed in artifacts, and among the list were items she recognized. His discernnt in judging objects was indeed exceptional.
“Hoho.”
Was this also part of that unfathomable network of information? The Imperial Princess’ gaze shifted toward Sheila.
Sheila offered an alluring smile.
“Benevolent Imperial Princess.”
“Very well.”
At Sheila’s words, the Princess responded indifferently. It was a request for her to display her benevolent nature.
‘How curious.’
The Imperial Princess had considered it. What if she were to kill Davide here and now?
The language of the fairies, his relationship with her aunt. These were not things an ordinary human could possibly know.
“Your Imperial Highness. You seem to have sothing to say.”
“That is enough.”
The Imperial Princess wondered whether Davide’s source of information might be connected to a being of a higher order than himself. For instance, sothing like a spirit.
If that were the case, perhaps killing Davide would confirm the existence of that spirit. Various assumptions surfaced in her mind.
“You, Davide.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Highness.”
“I heard you went to the Forbidden Forest not long ago.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Highness.”
Davide answered without concealnt. The Forbidden Forest was a place the academy had prohibited entry to. Naturally, if that fact beca known, he would face disciplinary action.
Even knowing that, Davide calmly spoke the truth. The Imperial Princess made a faintly surprised expression.
“You, Davide. Take care of your health. You will be of great use later.”
Having said that, the Imperial Princess looked at Bereninche. According to known information, the relationship between Bereninche and Davide was not particularly good.
They had little interaction; Bereninche looked down on Davide, and Davide ignored Bereninche. Yet such siblings were gathered in one place. The atmosphere was not even unpleasant.
‘When sinister ones gather, the air grows unusual.’
That was precisely why the Imperial Princess had appeared in this room in the first place, suspecting a secret collusion. Since she was already here, she lightly prodded Bereninche.
She subtly let it be known that the Imperial House and Davide were on close terms. Throughout it all, Bereninche maintained a face full of curiosity.
“You are close siblings. Even I would have liked to have at least one brother or sister.”
Bereninche and Davide frowned at the sa ti without regard for who went first. One harbored a sharp blade within, the other carried raging waves inside.
At their strange expressions, the Imperial Princess laughed cheerfully. Sheila looked troubled yet respected the Princess’s small amusent.
“Student Davide.”
“Yes?”
“This.”
Sheila cautiously handed a small note to Davide. Tilting his head, he accepted it.
When Sheila smiled and nodded, Davide carefully unfolded the note.
“Hmm?”
The others quietly watched the scene. As Davide slowly read the note, he suddenly crumpled it and tossed it into his mouth.
Before anyone could react, he swallowed it whole.
“Well now.”
The Imperial Princess, curious about his intent, tilted her head. Bereninche found it displeasing, deeming it unbefitting of the Duhein Family’s reputation.
Sheila, the one who had given the note, rely chuckled softly. Winter leaned against Bereninche, half asleep.
“You, Davide.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Highness.”
“What was that?”
At the Imperial Princess’s bold smile and question, Davide rarely broke into a cold sweat. It was evident that turmoil stord through his mind.
“It was a secret mission assigned by the Vice-Commander. As I do not have the authority, I believe it would be better if you asked the Vice-Commander.”
The Imperial Princess graciously accepted Davide’s suggestion. She judged that it was clearly one of Sheila’s pranks and saw no need to stir things up unnecessarily.
“That manner of speech truly does not suit you. Well, how could it be the fault of a subordinate?”
When their eyes t, Sheila gently curved her eyes and smiled. It was an attitude that showed she had no intention whatsoever of telling the truth. Clicking her tongue softly, the Imperial Princess turned her gaze back to the stage.
According to the catalog, that item would appear soon.
“Sheila.”
The item the Imperial Princess had been waiting for. It was a piece of cloth with a peculiar pattern drawn upon it. Shaped like a headband, few people showed interest in it.
―The starting bid is 100 Nuckle. Yes! Number 47! No, rather, custor number 2…… My, why are you over there?
The final bid was 220 Nuckle. Since she had obtained the item she aid for, she could have left, but the Imperial Princess decided to wait a little longer.
Sipping the whiskey Sheila poured for her, the Princess finally turned her gaze toward Winter. A snow-white girl sleeping while leaning against Bereninche’s shoulder.
“How peculiar.”
To dare sleep in front of the Imperial Princess. She had nerve. Ordinarily, it would have been proper to scold her severely or administer punishnt, but Sheila cherished that girl even more than Davide.
In consideration of Sheila, who had devoted herself to her for over twenty years, she decided to forgive the rudeness.
“Hoho.”
Instead, the Imperial Princess looked at Sheila curiously. The ring that appeared after the headband. Davide participated in the auction more fervently than ever.
‘Is that such a remarkable item?’
There was even a hint of desperation in Davide’s attitude. Sheila, anwhile, was looking at him as though she found him unbearably adorable.
She even let out laughter. The sight of her genuinely laughing in delight rather left the Princess bewildered.
***
“Phew.”
I let out a sigh of relief. I had been flustered by the note the Vice-Commander handed near the end, but in the end, it turned out fairly well.
The bracelet sold at a decent price. 500 Nuckle. It was cheap compared to how rare the item was, but since most participants were students, it was difficult for it to go any higher.
“Student Davide.”
As soon as the auction ended, the Imperial Princess and the Vice-Commander left. The Vice-Commander handed an Imperial check.
Bereninche, Winter, and I examined the items we had bid on and did the remaining work of totaling the cost. I wrote the final amount on the Imperial check and handed it over to the Order’s side.
“Here.”
As we exited the auction house, Bereninche tossed a small pouch. I calmly caught it and checked inside; there were five blue beads.
“I didn’t expect the Imperial House to buy the items for us. Thanks to that, we saved money, so that’s the price.”
I barely managed to suppress the grin that threatened to stretch to my ears. Bereninche had a record of bursting a Fiendbeast with five Water Spear.
“Ah. Thank you.”
Power equivalent to that had just fallen into my hands.
Of course, there was a difference between throwing them myself, and I did not possess Bereninche’s talent in spear-throwing, so it would not be quite like that ti.
“You seem quite close with the Imperial House?”
“If you say so, then perhaps that’s how it is.”
At Bereninche’s subtle question as she leaned her head toward , I gave a vague reply.
Her eyes glinted for a mont, then she scoffed and stepped away.
“The Imperial House and Duhein, how interesting.”
“I was expelled, though.”
“Right. ‘Forr’ Duhein.”
“Just go.”
When I waved my hand dismissively, she finally began to walk away. Since the auction items would be delivered in the form of parcels, I had already inford the Order in advance.
After seeing Bereninche off like that, I turned to look at the small being trembling sweetly beside .
“Wow. You’ve got so nerve.”
“……Ah. Ah.”
“To dare sleep in front of Her Imperial Highness.”
“Aah!”
Winter clutched her head and scread. Realizing her disgrace, she lanted.
“How… how could I fall asleep in a place like that?”
Since I had been relatively less concerned, I only noticed later that Winter had fallen asleep.
When I sensed the Imperial Princess’s gaze growing heavier and looked over, I finally saw Winter sleeping while leaning against Bereninche’s shoulder.
“Seriously. You’ve got guts. You slept well leaning on Bereninche’s shoulder.”
I thought we were in serious trouble, but the Imperial Princess rely let out a faint laugh and stopped paying attention to Winter.
Personally, I would give more points for leaning on Bereninche’s shoulder.
“Th-then if you fall asleep in front of Her Imperial Highness, isn’t that a grave offense?”
Overwheld by the appearances of Bereninche and the Imperial Princess, Winter eventually began to cry.
“That’s a rather unique thod of suicide.”
“Hic.”
She grabbed my sleeve, pressing her lips tightly together as tears stread down. Though she tried desperately to hold them back, her tear ducts would not stop easily.
“That’s enough. If it had been a problem, Her Imperial Highness would have taken action on the spot. The fact that she let it pass ans she was willing to overlook it.”
Her watery eyes were filled with desperation. I roughly patted her head.
“Kngh. But the ring you bought at the end wasn’t part of the plan.”
Only after my words did Winter finally calm down and begin speaking again. I answered with a nod.
The note the Vice-Commander handed had contained a small request. That Her Imperial Highness was clear in giving and receiving. And that she had personally co to the auction house because of .
“There was no choice.”
And that she was easily satisfied by small gestures. It was a request asking whether I could choose an item befitting Her Imperial Highness.
It was half a threat, but I readily agreed. It was not my money anyway, and I had received a considerable amount as a favor.
I hurriedly searched through the catalog for sothing usable. The ring I bid on at the end was, in its own way, an item worthy of presenting to the Imperial Princess.
“You know what the ring is, right?”
“Ring of Chastity.”
“Huh?”
Winter answered vaguely, unaware of the ring’s use.
“It’s sothing to present to Her Imperial Highness.”
“W-wouldn’t you get in trouble instead, giving sothing like that?”
“It’s actually quite useful. For won only. Of course, it’ll need secondary processing.”
In the ga, the Ring of Chastity increased charm and brightened the skin. Since it had no direct effect on stats, I had never given it a second glance.
I rembered its appearance from a community list that organized useless items.
The Imperial Princess was also a woman, and given her imnse pride, I thought it might work on her in its own way. As for the rest, well, the Vice-Commander would handle it.
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