Auction Part 1

"I'm sorry again for my brother Theo. I didn't expect him to come back yesterday"

Selene said, almost bowing towards Theo, who was the victim of his brother's outrageous personality.

Theo and Selene were across each other in 

"It's fine, Selene. It's not like you can help it. Your brother's a lost cause."

Theo was forcefully summoned by his brother in the training grounds and got beat down by Selene's brother.

He was lucky that his mother was touring around with Levana, enabling him to escape from the clutches of Adrian.

Thanks to Levana scolding him, I won't be fearing for my life anytime soon, unless he finds me and Selene doing the same thing again, which would lead to my timely demise.

Theo understood being overprotective with your little sister.

Theo had to get rid of dozens or maybe even hundreds of pests that were after his sister's love in his past life.

That's only whenever they have a history of being an asshole though.

Theo would thoroughly research any guy that his sister would bring up at the dinner table, without her knowledge of course, that goes to show how much his sister trusts him.

His sister would then sometimes comment about how the guys who previously tried to get close to her started avoiding her.

Adrian sees him as a target and a bug for extermination. He doesn't even regard his personality and jumps into conclusion within his own delusion.

A familiar trait that Selene also has.

Theo believed there's clearly something wrong with the Aventus family. The only normal one in their family that he knew of was the mother, but she also has a screw loose depending on the situation. 

He already knew that Kali, Selene's little sister and the youngest of the Aventus family, was a genuine psychopath who always treads the line between the two sides of sanity. 

Even with all the flaws the family had with their brains, including Selene of course, they were still one of the pillars of Alethea against the hordes of demons in the future.

"Hey, you're thinking of something rude aren't you?" Selene said, suspecting Theo of bad mouthing her in his mind.

There she goes, reading my mind again.

"Get your mind checked, no I'm not" Theo said with the best straight face he had.

"Your being too serious, you definitely thought of something rude just now"

..... She even knows some of my habits. What the hell?

"Keep dreaming Selene, save that energy when the auction finishes"

"Whatever, delusional or not. If I hear anything bad coming out of your mouth I won't hesitate to cut your tongue off."

Feisty as always.

Theo sighed in resignation.

She was so cute when she was in my arms.

Theo still remembered the event from yesterday.

Even though it started off as a prank to tease her, It ended up being another embarrassing yet fond memory to see an adorable Selene.

Back to the topic, The Auction

The auction in Aventus was mentioned in the game to be a famous event that many covet as one of the biggest auctions in the world.

The biggest one was in the center of the world where the Academy city was.

It was only natural when the city was where all races of Alethea gather to trade and form connections.

The people who were even hosting the event are the very people from the center.

So the quality of the Auction is expected to be high.

It was only obvious that an Auction of this scale and fame was bound to attract visitors outside the country.

People would obviously jump in and take the chance to get a piece of that revenue from the event, so sponsors flock in to get the chance to get some of the earnings from the auction.

And who was the family in charge of the money of Aventus?

"As expected of Violet, she's not the daughter of Duke Rosenburg for nothing"

Selene raised the two VIP tickets she received yesterday evening, explicitly inviting both Theo and Selene to the Auction.

"She mentioned that she was joining us in the letter right?" 

Selene nodded, while passing the tickets to Theo's hands.

"Yeah, she wanted to get to know you better, so don't embarrass me in front of my friend and act respectful ok?" 

Theo simply nodded in an exasperated manner.

"Yes yes, I won't embarrass my oh so beloved flower-! oof!

Selene punted Theo's shin in response to his comment.

"This is what I mean." Selene expressed with a deadpan face.

"No need to be so physical.

"If I didn't, you would continue to make a fool out of me"

Then stop having funny reactions.

Theo obviously didn't say that out loud, thinking that he might get hit with something stronger than a weak punt.

"Anyways, I'm excited to see what kind of items are there in the Auction. I wonder if we can get some kind of artifact or a hidden item"

Knock* Knock* Knock*

"We've arrived, Young Lady. Please remember to wear your mask." Elsa uttered from the other side of the carriage door after knocking.

Theo took out his White coloured mask with two circular holes for his eyes, while selene had a black mask shaped like a wolf, a far better designed mask than what Theo had.

<How about a little competition?> Theo 

Selene, who was about to respond to Elsa, paused from wearing her mask and glanced at Theo.

Selene smiled, intrigued with Theo's proposition.

<Go on> Selene

<Are you confident with drinking a lot?> Theo

<Huh? > Selene

****** 

Selene and Theo exited the carriage with their masks on, presenting them a large mansion with hundreds of guests entering the building on a red carpet.

As soon as it was their turn at the entrance, their servants were actually part of the package as well, so they were also allowed to accompany their master

There were two guards in slick dressed suits that felt like they were at least in the master tier, asking the group for their invitation.

They took from Theo's hands and reviewed them for a few seconds, before bowing and welcoming them in the building after giving them their invitations back.

They arrived at the lobby which was separated into two floors. lower was for the regular invitations and the second floor was for the VIP invitations.

Where's Violet? I sent her a reply on what we're wearing, so she should be able to tell who we are.

"Selene!" 

A Young lady with a dark green dress and wavy crimson hair called out Selene's name. She was wearing a cat shaped crimson mask, covering only the upper part of her face.

Speak of the devil

Selene thought with a smile

"Violet!"

Two beautiful young ladies embraced each other in an affectionate manner

The rose smell is always so comforting. I love you Violet!

Selene didn't forget to take a small whiff of Violet's scent when her face was over Violet's shoulder.

Theo noticed this and looked at Violet with clear disdain under his mask. 

She's so weird.

After the two parted, Violet turned to me and bowed gracefully at Theo, displaying impeccable experience with her noble manners.

"Greetings, Your Highness Theodore, I thank you and Selene for accepting my invitation. I intended to take my father and Selene with us, but I heard from Selene that you arrived earlier than expected, so I took this chance to get to meet you."

Violet said everything in a swift and clear voice, her annunciation beautiful and every word well thought out.

A noble lady through and through.

Theo nodded and smiled under his mask.

"It's also great to meet you, I've heard a few things about you during our way here from Selene. I would also love to learn more about Selene's treasured friend."

"..... I see, that makes me happy that Selene treasures me greatly, then shall we proceed to the Auction venue?"

Violet was slightly shocked for a split second and of course, Theo noticed it with his keen eyes for observation. 

Theo saw Violet's eyes widen and her pupils dilate for a split second. A testament to Theo's monstrous observation skills.

<Selene, Why was Violet surprised after I introduced myself?> Theo

<Hahaha. What do you mean? She seemed natural to me> Selene

Selene purposefully averted her gaze from Theo, which spoke volumes that she was clearly hiding something from Theo.

<Look at me then, Selene. Prove your innocence and look> Theo

<You have no authority and right to interrogate me, The princess of Vitoten> Selene

<And here I was, thinking that was going to help you with the Sewer dungeon> Theo

<I lied to violet and called you a brute, person that has no manners, ugly, fat, have style, your voice sounds like sh*t smell rotten milk> Selene

<..... Nevermind, I'm definitely not helping you with the sewer dungeon> Theo

<What!? you liar!!> Selene

Violet stood for a good minute, just looking at the two stare at each other.

I didn't know what's true or not with what Selene said, but that besides the point. It seems like his highness Theodore definitely caught my initial shock before and is now boring his eyes towards Selene, questioning her transgressions she's enacted.

Violet got the hint from the intense exchange of gazes from Selene and Theo and chuckled.

This is just the start, I still need to see if Prince Theodore is really worthy of our Selene.

Violet was someone who was also adept with reading people, especially when she was a daughter of the Duke and heir to the title.

It was only expected of her to have the ability to understand and observe people. 

Though this kind of observation was more reserved in negotiation than in combat.

First, I have to stop the two of them or we'll be late for the Auction.

"How about we go get to our rooms? It's the best room in the auction. After all, the Rosenberg family is the biggest sponsor to the Auction. I promise both Selene and His highness Theodore will be comfortable with you stay"

Both of them snapped out of their argument and realized the mistake they've both made.

<I'm not done with you> Selene

<I am> Theo

Both of them apologized to Violet for their rude display.

Violet forgave them and led them upstairs, where the VIP rooms were settled.