Chapter 23: Royalty (2/2)

The ride was pretty short, so I wasn't able to finish telling theht that had come to mind upon arrival was that Vincent really put in a lot of work into this The Helstea Auction House was breathtaking It was rather h above any of the other buildings nearby I've been to many national and historical monuments that were created by the most famous architects, but this was on a different level I suspected that they had a lot of help fronificent theatre with intricate designs all over The ht and were ns on it Cons that I saw in the Elf Kingdorand It was in the shape of a half-cylinder with detailed stone sculptures of different weapons as supports

We arrived early, so only the workers and guards were present, preparing for the event The inside was equally, if notThe front door opened to a path that stretched out to a stage on the other end To our left and right, there were rows of escalating seats undy leather that could fit over ten thousand people co up, I noticed that there were incased booths at the very top of the rows of seats and even higher, there was a single roolass surrounding it, giving a clear view of the stage It was easy to guess that those booths, as well as the single room, was for the VIP

Turns out, that VIP roo was the room we'd be seated in Father and the Twin Horns, who had decided to help uards to prepare for any unwanted commotions or outbreaks, were the first to separate from us Vincent separated from us after as he barked out orders at the workers and readied the hosts to greet the uests

Tabitha led us to the rooned and furnished area that was uests There was a wine rack and a few reclining seats and tables with closer seats by theI made myself comfortable on a seat closest to the

The auction house was soon a panorama of cheerful and excited noise, as more and more people, ere no doubt people of so the lower seats There were souished than the rest ere personally escorted by the hosts to their booths No doubt, they were sodo bored of the hordes of overdressed nobles chatting eagerly ast themselves, I shi+ftedsoame to Ellie I couldn't help but sles when either of theently in the ear as punishment

Ti a group of unfamiliar people inside

The first to co, deep-red hair that was aged with streaks of grey His back was raht with broad shoulders that took off years in his appearance The iving hi a red robe lined hite fur around the collar and had a cane that shi+ned brighter than any silver I had previously seen Trailing closely behind him was a lady that looked a few years older than my mother While my mother had a lovely, sweet, friendly ambience, this lady's facial features reant, noble and of no flaws, but also cold and devoid of e silvery-white dress that complimented her dark blue hair that draped over her shoulders like a well-kept tapestry

Behind the lady of whoer kids that could only be their kin The older child, a boy that looked to be about the age of thirteen or so, took ht brows, and his short any hair that had a shi+ny luster just like his father's, it was apparent as to what he would look like a few decades down the road Despite his fierce looks, however, there was a sort of unrefined charisma that was different from his father's It was the sort of charisroup

The younger one, a girl that looked to be abouteyes with me

It would still be a couple of years until she started , but needless to say, the potential was there I couldn't help co to the men around theirl next door, with her coht teal Her peaches and creaun her a irl was the complete opposite Her porcelain white complexion was a canvas for her ly sharp eyes that seee was a dark brown shade that appeared larger because of her long, thick lashes Her hair was a glaring black, which she got from her mother Compared to her dark hair and eyes, however, her save life to her doll-like appearance

It was hard not to wonder how they would grow up to be; whether mother nature wouldirl in front of uards that followed after the picturesque fauests, Vincent," the ize, Your Majesty! I assu a few other people with you You reht? Well, these are our close fa his ar us for a moment, his lips curled up into a smile "If they are your friends, Vincent, then they are mine as well"

"It's a pleasure to uards," the lady giggled

I raised an eyebrow in surprise at the sharp contrast in the woman's personality to her appearance She see looks, than her husband

"Everyone, as you alland Queen of Sapin Introduce yourselves to King Blaine Glayder and Queen Priscilla Glayder and their children, Curtis and Kathyln"

At this,I caught on and loweredus a nod, the King gestured for us to stand "No more of this, now No need to be stiff, we're just here for the auction, after all"

As I got back up, Sylvie peeked her head out fro curiously the new faces

"Kuu?" she chirped, tilting her head

I thought I heard a gasp frouards in the rear, but I wasn't able to tell since their faces were covered

"Oh my! What a cute little ht as sheand the two children's eyes looked towards uards took a step forward as well,happened to the Queen

"She just hatched a few o Her name is Sylvie Come out and say hello," I responded

"Kyu~!" she cooed while hopping out ofher body like a cat

"I assu caet a closer view of Sylvie

I just gave a wordless nod It should be fine with Sylv's appearance the way it is "How fortunate you are to have a mana beast Even infant ones are not easy to tame, yet she looks to be very obedient"

"Well we're able to coreeed

"What? You mean to say that you are under an Equals Contract?"

We all turned our heads to face the source of the voice It was one of the hooded guards behind the children

da I wasn't supposed to?

"Umm, I'm not sure what that is, but she was the one that initiated the contract, so I think so?" I shrugged, hoping to switch topic

Was it that big of a deal who formed the contract?

"Let uard exclai closer to us

Before I could decline, the King stepped in

"This isn't the ti rude, Sebastian" His gaze turned harsh as he rebuked hi I'd complete the sentence

"Arthur Arthur Leywin," I finished, giving a curt bow As he and his wife gave me a small smile, we took our seats in ti that the auction would start soon

A cold shi+ver made me turn back just to see Sebastian, who had taken off his hood, staring intently at Sylvie, as nestled on my lap