Prestigious Auction House

For Anasthasia was lenient to herself this time around, she took her time to rest since Lucy and the rest went on their way instead of training. In a chaotic room, she let it go and focused herself on the utmost recovery. Understandably, rest was essential, even for her.

Time flew by, and the sun beamed the hottest. She took a stretch, moaning, and got up from her bed and glanced at the room in a mess. Her hands reached the window and welcomed the warm breeze, brushing her face.

'I feel bad how my room turned to ruins.'

With fingers dancing, the winds fluttered—the scattered books and pages—and scooped back to the nightstand. Anasthasia then drew close to the closet and opened it with creaks assaulting her ear.

"I hope the clothes are perfectly fine."

But odds weren't in her favor as she noticed how disoriented it was inside. She put them back in place and picked her outfit of the day.

In front of a crack mirror, she twirled as she sized her flared, floral print maxi dress. Hands grazed over the voluminous ruffled linings. Though it wasn't enough as she grumbled, "I have a great silhouette, but I feel like a nanny on this part. So tight!"

That said, her fingers protruded sharp blades of ice, cutting through the sleeves—a slit by the forearms and on the shoulder.

"Now, this seems flowy and comfortable. Time to go to the auction."

With a blue cloak donned on her. She strutted her way out of the house and noticed the same ominous gaze; she could only sigh. Turning around, she saw Daniel, who leaned leisurely against the wall with arms crossed.

"Nice outfit."

Her bright day turned damage beyond repair.

Anashasia went back and grabbed a spare red cloak and raced her way out.

"How are you feeling?"

"Quite a gentleman for you to ask without a greeting." Anasthasia rolled her eyes as she spat an ounce of venom in her mouth.

"Quite a headstrong lady for you to dare from a royalty." Daniel chuckled as he moved closer to her. He then lifted her hand and gave it's back a kiss, meeting the lady's eyes thereafter. "My apologies, Miss Ana."

People started to converge, albeit not too apparent to her eyes.

"You're one cynical prince."

"I'll take that as a compliment." He flashed a mischievous smile.

All Anasthasia could respond was a sharp click of her tongue and watched her steps further. The past few days, he only gave her nothing but eeriness; she couldn't wait to hit him, but not in broad daylight.

She stopped her tracks and faced him. "How did you even leave the institution? Are you even a student?"

"I call it a privilege."

Her insides upended as it left a bitter taste in her mouth; it made her retch. "You make me sick!"

"Where are you going?"

Anasthasia eyed sideways, seeing how he caught up to her, and leaned forward. "I'm going to the auction of the Marquessate of Evergreen."

"Do you know where it is, though?" his mocking tone irked her to the core, but, in retrospection, she halted her tracks as she realized it. "Perhaps not."

The adults let out gossips, and the women squealed, wanting his attention. Anasthasia cringed from the farce.

"I can let the wind guide me where it is."

Daniel gave a light shrug while snickering in his stead. In deliberate actions, Anasthasia got pissed and stormed her way.

'I want the calmness to possess me this instant before I blew up…' She took a deep breath, in and out, as she did a mantra.

"I can escort you there."

"You're doing this on purpose. The people are staring!"

"I don't mind—"

She spread out the red fabric and nimbly sailed through the air. Once perfectly laid on him, her hands slinked down its in-between collar and fastened with the gold strands. Unbeknownst to her, Daniel's eyes gazed at her focused expression, and the distance was by a hair's breadth.

Right now, she noticed the place crowded; she could no longer count.

"You're pretty close." He let out a chuckle. "The way you're doing is garnering more attention."

"Whatever, they don't know me anyway." She spun around and said, "Lead the way." She grabbed his hand and sprinted their way out of the encirclement.

"Excuse me, coming through." She called out in a high-pitched voice.

This time, Daniel moved ahead and led her as he let out a laugh reverberated the street. Anasthasia, meanwhile, kneaded her forehead from his shenanigans.

As soon as he stopped, she arched her neck and read the exquisite signboard. A well-written 'Goldencore Auctions,' of steel and gold highlights, spread across the varnished wooden board.

"Is this it?"

He crisply nodded. "Do you have a pass?"

Anasthasia shoved her hands in her pockets and retrieved the insignia. "Perhaps this should do."

"So you have my brother's pass. Quite convenient."

Daniel snickered, taking off his hood, and strolled near the entrance. Anasthasia followed closely, and she wasn't surprised how the guards behaved so amiably. The hood wasn't enough as her arms covered the forefront from their gleeful radiance.

She sighed and prepared herself to hand over the proof when he muttered.

"She's an important guest of mine and Charlotte's instructor."

The guards were all smiles, nodding a few times, and one of them asserted, "We've taken note of the information, You're highness. Lady Charlotte would be glad to know of your visit, enter as you please."

With the gesture, they went in without any qualms about it.

'He's flaunting off his status.'

Her eyes marveled with the wide-area—blanketed by the wide ceiling and light flashed before them—allotted with a vivid display of equipment, by no means, of common rarity. With their sheen and alluring aura, it was impossible not to covet for the customers' soon-to-be prized possessions.

She shifted to the left and saw essential guidelines. Her eyes squinted as she uttered, word by word, most especially that caught her attention.

"Items have current bids displayed. Feel free to bid not less than the increment required on the different articles showcased inside the premises. It will only be sold off once there are no more bids higher than the current offer for a specific amount of time given..."

She propped her hands unto her chin as she read further details. With her seriousness, he gazed in amusement.

"Ana, you seemed focused on trivial matters."

"I have to know what are the rules and regulations, Daniel. Before I do something else, alright?"

"What a lawful citizen... Suit yourself." He hunched his shoulders. "Is there anything you would like to buy?"

Anasthasia arched her eyebrows and daniel knitted his. He couldn't fathom what else would she be doing inside the auction house.

"If you're looking for a grand auction event, it's posted on the announcement board. This is an annex building, and the formal auction room would be at the main building."

"Not that I needed it."

"Then, what is it?" Daniel crossed his arms as he sized her up.

Anasthasia tapped her cheeks. "I'm looking for something, and it's not with the items in here." She pointed out the elaborate and expensive display of weapons and armors, of varying types and sizes.

Without delay, she sashayed across the cream marble floor. Her languid clacks drew attention from the noble crowds. Their faces beamed with amusement.

'Their faces looked like they were intrigued by some mysterious person alongside a prominent figure, I'm glad I have this cloak on.'

Glasses cubed every item with their limelight showcased; she noticed different bids' monetary value with their set dates. Seeing how it was in a wide array of collections, she found herself dismayed. Certainly, her objective wasn't near her grasp.

Although there were different sections and compartments in the building, she had no time to venture into every nook and cranny, so she made a decisive action.

"Daniel, where can I find the exotic materials section in this place?"

His head jerked away, but her calmness had express legitimate questions and gave a lopsided grin. "So that's what you need. I'll lead you there."

They drew close to the staircase, and her hands grazed over the varnished sandalwood railings. Going up, it was more and more display of equipment, but her eyes could discern their intricacies in-depth, deeper than the ones below.

They moved to the next compartment with a signboard: Exotic Materials Room; no one could deny that she was the happiest lady in the world. Daniel grinned from her reaction and strolled forth.

Finally, her eyes darted over different ancient wood logs, exquisite metal ores, and high-quality gemstones. Anasthasia's eyes sparkled as she lived in her fantasy, but Daniel turned quick to shatter her.

"Do you have money, though?"

Her face cracked, blinking a few times. "I'm not buying them… yet."

"I can buy you what you need." He laughed maniacally. "Afterall, you'll do me a favor."