Chapter 13 – Auction (1)
[Translator – Peptobismol]
Chapter 13 – Auction (1)
Luna Winfred.
She was once the rising star of the Winfred family, a shining beacon of talent within the family thanks to her brilliant mind since childhood.
There was undoubtedly a time when Luna was considered a potential heir to the family estate.
‘But in the end, it all fell apart.’
The reason? Luna Winfred’s voluntary withdrawal, as it’s commonly known to the public.
But the reality is different.
To officially qualify as the successor, the support of the elders is necessary.
However, the elders of the family preferred a male to inherit the estate, not a female like Luna.
Not only the elders but also the powerful Duke Winfred shared the same opinion.
‘Thanks to that, she’s not just your average run-of-the-mill woman.’
The relationship between Luna and Kyle was the worst of the worst.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Kyle’s mistreatment within the mansion reached its lowest point because of her.
Whether it was just venting her frustration or if there were hidden motives behind it, I didn’t know, and frankly, I wasn’t interested.
Regardless of the reasons, once a crazy bitch, always a crazy bitch.
Of course, from the time Kyle started having discussions of engagement with Isabel, Luna’s torment towards Kyle decreased significantly. But that doesn’t mean her past actions were forgotten.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? The atmosphere has changed a lot since then.”
I looked at Luna with a subdued gaze.
‘Why did she come here?’
Since it had been a while since she came to the mansion, she should’ve gone to a welcoming ceremony or something. Why show up at the empty training grounds?
Moreover, that sly look on her face… as if she came looking for me…
“I heard the news. You’re breaking off the engagement soon?”
Ah, the annulment.
She came here just to nag about that, huh?
As expected, she’s an unpleasant woman.
“Imagine singing wedding songs so eagerly only to end up like this. I was worried you might have gone crazy.”
What nonsense.
I replied calmly, swallowing the urge to curse.
“Fuck your worries.”
“…What?”
Ah, damn.
I accidentally blurted out what I had intended to keep to myself.
Since I won’t have to see her once I leave the mansion anyway, was there any reason for me to lower my attitude?
Feeling like it was the right moment, I let out all the things I had bottled up until now.
“Can’t you just go? Seeing your face after so long makes me nauseous.”
“Are you insane?”
“Ugh.”
“…”
It’s not a joke; I really felt nauseous.
As I gagged from nausea, Luna’s face twisted with disgust.
There was an option to evade the conversation by being diplomatic, but I chose to be the one to confront her.
Sparks flew between our locked gazes.
Luna narrowed her eyes and glared at me, then twisted her lips and started approaching.
‘Here we go again.’
Predictable.
Unable to tolerate the fact that she was ignored, Luna would inevitably try to…
“I didn’t know you had such a sharp tongue, Kyle.”
I blinked silently.
My right arm, raised to retaliate, seemed futile as Luna glanced at Diana, who blocked her path, and let out a small laugh.
“Who is this? Such a rustic woman.”
“Ugh.”
“…Pathetic. Shall we stop now?”
“Uh, my stomach isn’t strong enough for this.”
“…Kyle Winfred.”
Luna called out to me with a chilly voice.
A sharp warning emanated from her dark blue eyes.
“Don’t cross the line. You’ve already gone far enough, even considering that you’re my younger brother.”
At the same time, she gave it away. It was subtle, but I caught Luna’s eyes trembling slightly.
‘What’s wrong with her now?’
Was she startled by such a simple remark?
The Luna Winfred I knew, that wicked bitch?
Following Isabel, now Luna Winfred too.
It seems that another person has gone mad for some reason, increasing the count from one to two.
It’s sickening.
I rebuked with a cold voice.
“Who’s your brother?”
“…What?”
Luna’s face slowly twisted.
Glancing at the rigid Luna, I uttered.
“Younger brother? What a joke.”
“…”
“Why are you so surprised? Have you ever treated me as your younger brother?”
Gradually, anger seeped into my voice.
She asked me with difficulty, her tone subdued.
“Do you resent being called my brother?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
I retorted calmly, devoid of emotions.
“Resentf? Me?”
Resentment? As if.
You need a bit of interest for that.
“I won’t waste my emotions over someone else’s words.”
I jabbed sharply.
Luna pressed her lips tightly at my response.
Her bewildered gaze wandered aimlessly.
“Just act like a dog as usual. That’s who you are.”
With my last words, I turned away.
Diana followed behind me, alternating her gaze between Luna and me.
After a while.
Diana’s voice came from behind.
“…Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
I’m fine.
Because I’m not Kyle Winfred.
****
Returning to my room, I lay still and passed the time.
◆ Penalty
: □□□□□ □□□ □□□ □□□□□
This damn penalty.
It wasn’t enough that Isabel had lost her mind, and now Luna too.
“What’s with this penalty?”
It’s infuriating that even the content is censored and not visible.
“…Did all the heroines lose their minds collectively?”
I muttered nonsensical words and sighed.
Frustrating and maddening, but what can I do?
Stressed out by a system that nags at every opportunity, it’s only me who suffers.
“…”
[Translator – Peptobismol]
Feeling lethargic all over, my eyelids felt heavy.
Just as I was considering lying down to rest, I suddenly blinked my eyes open.
It was then.
Knock, knock—
A few knocks echoed through the air.
Speak of the devil.
I got up and turned the doorknob to open the door.
Creak—
Through the gap in the open door, the familiar face of the butler appeared.
“Young Master, a guest has arrived.”
“Who is it?”
“They’ve come from the Auction Association for a bidding item.”
Finally, they’re here.
I nodded lightly, and the butler left after delivering the news of the guest.
After a while, a man accompanied by the butler was seen in the distance.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Linus Kiran.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at the man who offered to shake my hand.
A robe made of a special material, and a symbol representing the Auction Association stitched on the right chest pocket.
With this, the identity is confirmed.
“Thank you, you can go now.”
I finished confirming the identity and dismissed the butler.
After checking that the butler was descending the central staircase, I closed the door.
“You’re from the Auction Association?”
“That’s right, Mister customer.”
The man cleared his throat lightly and spoke.
“The item you registered has been successfully scheduled for auction without any issues. It will be exhibited on the day of the auction as scheduled.”
“What’s the schedule?”
“Please take a look at this.”
The man took out a document from his pocket and handed it to me.
I checked the contents of the document slowly.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a catalog. It contains a list of items to be auctioned.”
From various books to precious metals, luxury goods, magical items, relics, and artifacts.
As expected from an auction organized by the association, the scale was larger than expected.
‘…They have everything?’
I flipped through the catalog as if entranced.
For a moment, my eyes were captivated by the enjoyment of shopping in a long time.
One item attached in the corner caught my eye intensely.
“…They’re auctioning off Ore Stones here?”
Ore Stones.
The only mineral capable of containing divine power.
Although currently treated as a slightly higher-grade special mineral, its true value will be revealed to the world by a priest sooner or later.
‘I can’t let this slip by.’
Ore Stones are a fragment of power derived from divine authority.
When it was revealed that this power could be contained in a mineral, the demand for Ore Stones soared astronomically, far exceeding the supply.
Naturally, the price skyrocketed as well.
“I want to participate in the auction.”
“Haha, did you find something you like?”
“Do you need any special qualifications to participate?”
“Of course. However, these are conditions that you don’t need to worry about, customer.”
The man took out another document from his pocket.
“If you wish to participate, you only need to fill out one form.”
“Give it to me.”
I quickly filled in the blanks on the form.
After a while, when the man received the completed form with all the blanks filled in, he smiled gently and said something incomprehensible.
“Haha, it’s quite remarkable to have not just one, but two participants from the prestigious Winfred family. This auction is highly anticipated in many ways.”
Two participants?
Someone else besides me is participating in the auction in this mansion?
Seeing my expression indicating the need for an explanation, the man added with a scratch of his head.
“Yes, the Young Lady, your sister also expressed her desire to participate in the auction.”
You didn’t know that until now?
His tone seemed to ask that.
“Are you sure about this information?”
“Absolutely.”
Luna Winfred is participating in the auction?
What does that crazy woman need?
‘Damn it, what’s going on?’
Numerous question marks flooded my mind.
[Translator – Peptobismol]
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