Chapter: 196
“Oh no, this is bad.”
It seemed I wasn’t the only one thinking this way.
The Troublemaker checked the opponent’s face, maintaining a calm demeanor while speaking.
“Count Artea is one of the wealthiest merchants on the continent. It’ll be incredibly difficult to win against her in this competition.”
His opinion aligned perfectly with mine.
The moment that woman decided to claim the tablet, my victory in the auction became impossible.
This place was all about cash; no tricks or clever strategies to rely on.
Had I known Isabel was going to show up, I would’ve prepared something else, but how the hell was I supposed to know that Lucy was on the banned list?
“Well, I’ll keep trying, but don’t expect too much.”
The Troublemaker raised his bidding sign, but the opponent was persistent.
Watching the rapid ascent of the price tags made it clear that Isabel was determined to get that tablet.
“Three hundred! Three hundred gold!”
The auction price quickly climbed up to the limit of my funds.
Did the people here not expect it to reach such heights?
The buzzing sound echoed in the auction house, and while the auctioneer’s face beamed with delight, a heavy silence blanketed the room we were in.
Everyone was watching me closely.
Ah, damn it. Nothing is going my way.
What should I do?
I had a way to rapidly gather funds.
I could hand over various valuable items I had stashed in my inventory to the Troublemaker and use that money here.
Considering what I’d received from the Georg family and what I had accumulated over time, I might get a decent amount.
But even if I did that, would it really change anything?
I’d only be pushing Isabel to spend even more, and in the end, that item would land in her hands anyway.
I recalled an event from the game where Isabel dropped a thousand gold at once to secure something she desired.
Sighing, I shook my head in silence.
Then the Troublemaker lowered his sign.
“Three hundred! Three hundred! Three hundred! Sold!”
Let’s think positively.
If Isabel has the tablet, it means it’ll be stored in her warehouse. At least it wouldn’t go missing.
Having a clear location is definitely better than things going missing.
Moreover, Isabel is a devout worshiper, even if her methods are rather unconventional.
She may be different from regular worshipers, but she clearly believes in the gods.
So, whether I take Paybi or use Grandpa as a collateral, or worst-case scenario, reveal my identity…
No, no. I can feel things spiraling out of control.
[Looks like luck wasn’t on your side.]
‘You bet.’
I went through the trouble of dressing up in a Gothic Lolita style just to lose the item I wanted right in front of me!
What a favor I did for that perverted god and the Clumsy Fox!
So unfair!
So frustrating!
If only the tablet hadn’t come up so early.
Had it come up after the items I originally wanted, I would’ve had to sob and give them all up, then lament over missing the tablet too.
When I think about that situation, it’s not the worst case right now.
After all, I’ll still be able to collect the items I was truly after.
“The auction is heating up! Next up is the Bracelet of Fun!”
They say when a person is stressed, they should splurge on money.
So, let’s just indulge in some impulse buying.
“I’ll start at one gold!”
I’m going to spend all the money I have today.
*
In a fit of anger, I tossed money around recklessly, but I failed to use up all my funds.
Most of the items I was aiming for focused on practicality rather than luxury, so the prices didn’t skyrocket.
Thanks to that, though I purchased most of what I was targeting, I ended up using only half of my money.
Even after the auction wrapped up, I didn’t head straight outside.
Right now, I’m not Lucy; I’m someone else entirely.
I couldn’t use one of Lucy’s powers: Crowd Manipulation.
Pushing through the throngs of people and drawing their attention wasn’t preferable; it made more sense to leave once most had cleared out.
“I’ve retrieved your items, Young Lady.”
After receiving the items I purchased at this auction, I dawdled inside the private room until things got quiet outside.
Although several people still lingered in the auction house, they weren’t blocking the path I could take.
Great. Now, I just need to hurry back, toss this ridiculous Gothic outfit aside, and put on my regular clothes.
“Hey there. Hold on for a second.”
Checking the gaze of the man who called out to me, I pulled my hat down to hide my face.
His demeanor was polite, but the emotions in his eyes were crystal clear.
What’s the deal with a nobleman I don’t even know approaching me with that greedy look?
It’s pretty obvious.
Of course, I know why!
“Greetings. I’m Young Master Yuli of the Rumley family.”
As the man tried to step closer, Possell and Erin stepped in front of me, right as the Troublemaker moved forward to block him as well.
“What do you want?”
“I am someone who serves Lady Sartus. If you have something to say, you can tell me, and I’ll relay it to her myself.”
The Troublemaker’s polite stance towards the guy worked—when the opponent was sane, at least.
“Step aside. I want to talk directly.”
“But—”
“Do you not understand? I am not asking. As the first son of the Rumley family, I am giving you an order.”
If the opponent turned out to be a complete idiot, then that nice attitude becomes meaningless.
Ugh. Just when things were going badly, this jerk shows up to irritate me.
“Perhaps you’re a little slow on the uptake. Think about it. This is a chance for you to turn your life around, even if your family is lowly. You may not be of high birth, but your face isn’t bad enough that you can’t be taken as a mistress.”
My thoughts were quick.
If this guy is throwing a tantrum, I should give him a taste of his own medicine.
As I stepped forward, Possell and Erin tried to stop me, but I ignored them.
What’s the worst that could happen? I’ve already wrapped up the auction; if anything, I might get kicked out!
Once I reached beside the Troublemaker, I looked up at the guy with a smile.
He burst into laughter.
“Ha, look! Even the Young Lady wants to talk to me…”
But that laughter didn’t last long. While he was babbling, I kicked between his legs.
The gleeful expression on his face turned a sickly shade of blue as he toppled backward.
Considering my poor state at the moment, I didn’t hit him that hard; he’s just being overly dramatic.
“Brother?!”
As soon as the man fell to the ground, a woman came running from behind him, accompanied by several attendants.
Her face was all too familiar to me.
Avery.
She was the number two in the noble group Joy was a part of—someone who hated me but was utterly helpless against me due to my leverage over her.
In a sense, she was more of a true Villainess than Joy.
So, her family is Rumley?!
The moment I recognized her, I felt my earlier anger dissipate.
How could it be that the one I get tangled up with is someone I know from the Academy?
The only reason I maintain my composure right now is that I believe today’s events will be over today.
But if news of me wearing this Gothic outfit gets out…
No way.
That would be utterly humiliating.
“How dare you! You attack our future head of Rumley?! What gives you the confidence?!”
Does she forget that her perverted idiot brother approached me first? Thinking only about herself?
I had so much to say that bubbled to the tip of my tongue, but I forced it down.
The moment I said anything, my identity would be exposed.
[This is why letting emotions drive your actions is a mistake. Consider today a lesson.]
‘Grandpa, is now really the time for that?!’
[What’s the problem? Whatever happens, it should be nothing more than getting kicked out of the auction house.]
But that’ll blow my cover!
You have an absolute lack of subtlety!
[What else can you do? The best option is to clean this up before eyes start turning to you.]
I suppose you’re right.
Yeah, let’s think positively.
After all, Avery has to comply with whatever I say, right?
Even if she finds out my true identity, as long as I keep her mouth shut, it all works out.
“Why are you keeping your mouth shut? Speak up!”
Seeing Avery raise her voice, I slightly lifted my hat to show her my bright red hair.
Then, letting the voice I had kept hidden come forth, I said,
“Dirty Bitch Young Lady♡”
I spoke quietly enough for only her to hear, causing Avery to freeze in place.
The confidence she held just moments ago evaporated as her eyes lost focus, floating aimlessly.
“…Lady Alrn?”
“Would you mind getting your filthy hands off me?♡ Just breathing the same air feels disgusting, and if your body touches me, I might throw up♡”
Avery didn’t deny it or suspect anything.
As soon as she heard my voice, she knew who I was and quickly pulled her hands away, clasping them together in front of her.
“I’m sorry!”
“Don’t think for a second that your pig-like voice is pretty!♡ Shut up!♡”
“…Yes.”
As I made Avery’s lips into a thin line and grabbed her by the collar, I leaned close to her ear to whisper.
“Listen up. Nothing happened today. Even a fool like you can understand this much, right?♡”
We didn’t meet at the auction today.
Your stupid brother simply got himself beat up by a mysterious young lady.
Perhaps because I told her to stay quiet, Avery desperately nodded her head in agreement.
Great. She’s grasped the situation.
As I released her collar and stepped back behind the Troublemaker, she blocked off the onlookers.
The attendants didn’t comprehend the orders but didn’t dare defy Avery either.
Thus, we managed to exit the auction house, leaving one guy who was rolling on the floor behind.
Later, I would hear that, unfortunately, Young Master Yuli of Rumley had no issues functioning down below.
I had thought of breaking at least one thing.
Maybe my weak state made it so I didn’t hit him as hard as I could.
*
Days after the memorable auction incident, I received a letter from the Partran family directed to my household.
There were two letters.
One was an invitation from the head of the Partran family.
The other was a letter from Joy.
[Lady Alrn. Would you like to come over a few days earlier and spend some time together? I really want to show you the Partran territory.]
My response was already decided.
There’s no way I could refuse the invitation from my favorite character!
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