Auction Part two

Queen Celeste, in a decisive and symbolic act, begins to remove her regal dress, the garment that has long been a symbol of her power and beauty. 'I don't intend to wear this any longer,' she thinks firmly. Underneath, she reveals a striking ensemble that seamlessly blends modern and classical styles, a clean aesthetic of red and black adorning her figure. The outfit is meticulously tailored, exuding both elegance and practicality, with intricate patterns that speak of her royal status, yet designed for ease of movement and comfort.

Mindy, picking up the discarded dress, can't help but comment, "What a nice set of clothes. If I'm correct, this is what you wore during the great cleansing." Her voice carries a hint of awe and reverence.

Queen Celeste, standing before the mirror, examines her reflection silently. The modern-classical attire offers a stark contrast to her usual royal garb, yet it seems to suit her just as well, if not better.

Mindy, standing near the door, finds herself wrestling with a whirlwind of thoughts. 'Ah! This is getting awkward. Why is she wearing her infamous set of clothes!? Dammit... her nickname is the Bloody Queen. The person who killed the last Hero, and completely massacred thousands. During the entire war, she wore those exact set of clothes, exactly as they're described in most history books. She only got the nickname the Bloody Queen after she was seen completely drenched in blood wearing those clothes. Oh goddess, I need to say something! Why would Sir Mike give me a job like this!?' Her mind races with the historical significance of the clothes and the ominous reputation they carry.

However, despite the turmoil in her head, Mindy manages to maintain a composed exterior. Her professional smile never wavers as she holds up the cloak for the queen. Queen Celeste, however, raises her hand in a clear gesture of refusal and states firmly, "I don't need it." Her voice carries a resolve that brooks no argument.

Mindy, momentarily turning her back to Queen Celeste, takes a deep breath to steady herself. 'Oh my god, is she planning on starting a fight? No, I don't want to get fired,' she frets internally, her mind churning with anxiety. Despite her inner turmoil, she quickly composes herself, coughing slightly to mask her momentary lapse.

Turning back around with a professional smile, she addresses the queen, "Sorry about that, so no cloak, right?" She carefully sets the cloak aside, maintaining her positive demeanor, though inwardly she's a bundle of nerves.

"Alright, please follow me, Your Majesty," Mindy says, opening the door to a grand hallway. The corridor, devoid of windows, is lavishly decorated with paintings, sculptures, gold, and magic crystals, showcasing wealth and opulence in every corner.

Queen Celeste, following Mindy, slowly nods in disapproval, her thoughts critical. 'That old man Darius will never get rid of that bad habit,' she muses silently.

As they walk, Mindy attempts to lighten the mood. "I was told you know Sir Darius, so you should be aware of his... desire to brag." She gestures to a particularly impressive painting. "This painting here is a rare magic painting from a few hundred years ago. The original owner had no intention of selling, but Darius convinced him with a stack of platinum coins."

Queen Celeste looks at the painting, her expression unchanging. 'Typical Darius, too old to care. He wastes his money however he wants,' she thinks, her gaze lingering on the artwork.

Mindy continues, leading the way. "I understand his methods may seem rash, but with the income he receives daily, he has no concerns about his expenditures."

They arrive at a door, and Mindy hesitates. "I don't mean to be disrespectful, but are you sure about not wearing a cloak? There are many powerful guests here. My job is to assist you during your stay, and I mean no disrespect in any way."

Queen Celeste, unfazed, responds succinctly, "No need."

Mindy nods, her smile unwavering, and opens the door for the queen. As Celeste steps through, she remarks calmly, "There is no need to fear me. I have no desire to harm someone as weak as you."

Mindy lets out a deep, relieved exhale as Queen Celeste walks away, feeling a huge burden lift off her shoulders. 'Oh thank the goddess I'm so weak. This is the first time in my life I've felt so great being a delicate girl,' she thinks to herself, a sense of irony not lost on her. Quickly regaining her professional composure, she offers a polite cough and apologizes, "My apologies."

Queen Celeste, meanwhile, surveys her surroundings with keen interest. 'There are a total of eight people so far,' she notes internally, her eyes scanning the room. As she strides forward, she commands attention, but remains indifferent to the curious glances cast her way. 'Six cloaked figures,' she counts silently.

Her attention is drawn to a table bustling with workers serving an array of dishes. Seated at the table is a striking figure. 'Red, rough skin, ten feet tall, highly muscular, with white scars and tattoos. Brown-red hair and blood-red eyes. This must be Thogar of The Orcish Clans, the current King... For someone like him to be invited...' Celeste thinks, evaluating his presence.

Their gazes meet briefly, exchanging cold, intense looks before Thogar turns to a staff member and orders, "Give me some of this teriyika or whatever it's called," his focus shifting back to his meal.

Mindy, maintaining her role as guide and advisor, reminds Celeste of the auction's rules. "One of the rules includes 'no racism'. Please be mindful of your words if you intend to interact with a different race... or is it species? I'm not quite sure, but please be careful, Your Majesty."

Queen Celeste, turning away from Thogar, responds dismissively, "I have no interest in conversing with a barbaric tribe."

Her attention then shifts to a familiar face at another table. 'Black long straight hair, grey eyes, pale skin. She appears young, but looks can be deceiving,' Celeste assesses. Approaching, she greets the woman, "It's great to see you again, Lilith."

Lilith smiles warmly, gesturing for Celeste to sit. "How have you been, Your Highness?"

Queen Celeste takes a seat, her demeanor relaxing slightly. "Please, speak with me casually. Having the title of the greatest mage surely places you above a mere ruler," she says, a hint of respect and camaraderie in her tone.

Lilith, leaning forward with a thoughtful expression, broaches a sensitive topic. "I heard about the incident. For those cultists to orchestrate such an attack..." she pauses, tapping her chin contemplatively, "It's a bit odd."

Queen Celeste turns to Mindy. "Please bring us a recommended plate," she requests casually.

Mindy, caught off guard, bites her lip in hesitation. "You see... the thing is..." she stammers, trying to explain her predicament. "I'm not allowed to leave your side..."

Her gaze shifts to Leo, her coworker and superior, sending him a silent plea for help. 'Dammit, Leo, say something! Save me, you bastard!' she thinks desperately.

Leo, sensing the urgency, steps in smoothly. "Don't worry, I'll watch both of them. You may go." Internally, he berates her, 'What the hell is your problem!? Are you trying to get me killed!? Are you stupid, or do you not realize Miss Lilith is right next to me!?'

Lilith, catching the exchange, smiles mischievously at Mindy. "So, part of your job is watching our every move, huh~" she teases.

Mindy, her face a mask of shock and relief, rushes off to the kitchen to fulfill the request. 'You've got this, Leo. I believe in you,' she thinks, fleeing the tense scene.

Leo, watching Mindy's hasty retreat, fumes internally. 'Damn that girl! I'm going to cut your pay! Just you wait and see!' he thinks, frustrated.

Lilith then playfully points her finger at Leo's forehead, inching closer. "Hmphmphmp~ Let's see what you're hiding in here~" she teases.

Leo, stepping back, reminds her firmly, "Miss Lilith, using any magic is against the rules here."

Lilith sighs, slightly disappointed. "I know, I know." She holds her wrist, pondering, 'I couldn't use magic here even if I wanted to. Darius really went all out to make it nearly impossible to cast magic.'

Queen Celeste, observing the interaction, interjects with a calm voice. "Lilith, don't you ever tire of toying with the young ones?"

Lilith turns to her, laughing heartily. "Ah~ What's the harm? It's fun to see the youngsters all worked up~" she says, still teasingly glancing at Leo.

The conversation then shifts back to the earlier topic. "As you were saying, it was odd for them to attack until I discovered a crack in the seal. And apparently, the cultists received help from a third party," Celeste explains.

Lilith, intrigued, rubs her chin thoughtfully. "So, everything was resolved successfully?"

Celeste nods affirmatively. "Yes, thanks to a mysterious figure, everything was handled without any innocent casualties."

Lilith raises an eyebrow, curious. "A hidden figure?"

Celeste confirms with a nod. "I don't know much about them, but if I'm correct, they are connected to this auction."

The atmosphere shifts noticeably when a door opens and a distinguished figure strides in. The man, devoid of a cloak, is clad in a royal ensemble of white and gold, the attire befitting a king. His dark blue hair is streaked with gray, evidence of aging, yet he carries a sense of undiminished authority. His clear blue eyes are sharp and commanding, and a prominent scar runs from his cheek down his neck, marking his seasoned experience. He stands with an air of firm confidence and self-assuredness.

Lilith, catching sight of the new arrival, lets out a quiet sigh, her thoughts racing. 'Ah, High Lord Alaric von Drachenberg of the Confederation of Tarin. He caused such a headache with that issue involving the mana towers. And to think he suspected me of leaking secrets. Despite our past conflicts, I'm somewhat surprised to see him at this auction,' she muses, her gaze following his movements.

As Alaric approaches their table, he acknowledges Lilith with a respectful nod. "Nice to see you again, Lilith," he greets, his tone carrying a subtle formality.

He then turns his attention to Queen Celeste, his gaze lingering on her attire. "It seems like you haven't grown out of those times," he remarks, his voice cold yet respectful.

Queen Celeste meets his gaze unflinchingly, her response equally frosty. "It seems you couldn't cover up that scar," she retorts, her tone mirroring his.

Caught in the middle of this tense exchange, Lilith leans back, a sense of responsibility weighing on her. 'Here are two of the most powerful human leaders... It would be irresponsible of me not to intervene,' she thinks, aware of the potential for conflict.

Deciding to defuse the situation, Lilith claps her hands, drawing their attention. "Enough, both of you. Try to be respectful. I don't think either of you wants to be kicked out, do you?" she interjects, her voice firm yet diplomatic.

Alaric, taking a moment to consider her words, eventually nods in agreement. "Indeed," he concedes. "I'll see you soon, Lilith," he says, before turning to leave, his departure marked by an air of unresolved tension.

Leo, standing awkwardly among the world's most influential leaders, struggles to maintain his composure. 'Dammit, I'm going to go insane. Why am I stuck here between all these world leaders!?' he thinks, his anxiety simmering beneath the surface.

Mindy, returning with a cart full of food, begins to lay out the dishes while explaining what each is. She starts with a unique soda, offering them a glass. "This is an intriguing beverage made by an unknown person. It's sweet and has an interesting taste," she explains, her curiosity evident in her tone.

Next, she presents a bowl of garlic bread. "Similar to the flour bread known by all, this bread is made with some plain ingredients you wouldn't think of mixing, yet it tastes delicious," she describes, her enthusiasm growing.

Following that, she sets down plates of Lasagne alla Bolognese, a pepperoni pizza with stuffed cheese, and Gnocchi di patate. "Um... I don't know all the names. All I know is this one is called pizza, and these dishes come from a place named Italia. I'm not sure where that is, but they are delicious," she admits, giving an awkward smile, her thoughts racing. 'Dammit, why are these names so weird? How am I supposed to remember them!?'

Lilith, sampling the pizza, expresses her delight. "Oh my~ This is truly out of this world~" she exclaims, genuinely impressed by the unfamiliar cuisine.

Queen Celeste, taking a bite, comments thoughtfully, "Indeed... I have never heard of a place called 'Italia.'"

The ambiance shifts as the door opens again, revealing two individuals with purple skin, one lighter than the other, both adorned in cyberpunk-themed clothes. Their attire is casual and baggy, predominantly black, with sharp, futuristic designs that give off a rebellious vibe. The two sport sunglasses and horns that are a deep purple, adding to their striking appearance.

Queen Celeste's demeanor turns noticeably colder at their arrival. "Why are demons here?" she asks Mindy sharply.

Mindy, caught off guard, rubs her head, her expression one of confusion. "I-I just work here, I don't know anything..." she stammers, clearly out of her depth in this situation.

Lilith, on the other hand, smiles at the sight of the demons. 'Ah, they must be the young demon representatives, Zagrax and Vexira. Recently chosen for their roles, if I'm not mistaken,' she thinks, observing them with a mix of curiosity and amusement.