~Chapter 81~
Does that even make sense?
His excuse was so weak, I almost blurted that out loud before stopping myself just in time.
Fine. Maybe it’s possible.
“Besides, didn’t you make a promise to me?”
“What promise?”
“That if I recognized you, you’d let me stay by your side.”
Ugh… I did say that, didn’t I?
This man is seriously a pro at leaving me speechless.
“Well, who makes promises like that in a cruel world like this?”
Ricardo tapped the tip of my mask lightly with his finger.
“You’ll regret this.”
“Why would I regret staying by your side?”
…In the end, I gave up.
“How did you even know it was me?”
“There’s no way I wouldn’t know.”
“No, seriously—how?”
It was strange now that I thought about it. The last time I was disguised as Anne, it was the same. Even if Peril was just being cautious, this still didn’t make any sense.
As I waited quietly for Ricardo’s answer, the host’s voice echoed from the stage.
“Ahem… This is a little embarrassing.”
He scratched his head awkwardly, looking at all the empty seats. Hestia urged him on.
“It’s better this way. Just restart.”
“Thank you to those who have stayed with us late into the night. We’ll now resume the auction!”
“Are you close with that guy?”
Penny, who had been hiding in my pocket, whispered suspiciously. I subtly shook my head, trying not to draw attention. She pouted and said,
“Don’t get any closer. You’re supposed to be closest to me, remember!”
Wow. I didn’t think she was this possessive about money.
“He probably has more money than me.”
When I mumbled that, Penny flinched.
Right then, the bidding between Hestia and Ricardo began.
“9.5 million gold.”
“10 million gold.”
“11 million gold.”
Penny’s jaw nearly dropped at the ridiculous prices. I stared silently at her. Feeling my gaze, she wiped her drool and suddenly changed her expression.
“I like beautiful people! Money comes second! Oh dear, I ended up talking about you again, sis. Hoho, you know how I feel, right?”
…Not really.
What I do know is that the moment she sees Ricardo’s face, she’ll totally switch sides.
“13 million gold.”
“14 million gold.”
“15 million gold.”
“Who would’ve thought I’d ever see someone bid 15 million gold in my life?!”
Even I had to agree with the host on that one.
Since I’d already given up, I felt strangely relaxed watching this rich-person showdown between Hestia and Ricardo.
That’s when I heard a quiet, hesitant voice beside me.
“Did you give up the necklace… because of me?”
“Excuse me?”
What was he talking about?
I had completely forgotten the guy next to me was still there. I quickly shifted toward the armrest to put distance between us.
Even though his face was covered by a mask, I could clearly feel his awkwardness. It gave me chills.
“Absolutely not.”
“Oh come on~”
I meant it, but apparently he didn’t believe me.
“So… when are you heading back?”
“Not with you, that’s for sure.”
“Gosh, I wasn’t even suggesting that!”
He laughed and playfully punched my shoulder.
Ow.
Even though Ricardo had treated me like this in the past, I’d never reacted like this.
This guy’s taste is seriously weird.
“Sis, who is this guy?”
Penny glared at #21 with suspicion.
I don’t know either!
But he was sitting way too close, so I couldn’t say that out loud.
“His way of talking is weird. He’s definitely trying to get close to you for your money!”
…Not that Penny was any different.
“24 million gold.”
“25 million gold.”
“…26 million gold.”
At that moment, Hestia’s voice started hesitating. Both I and #21 looked toward the front in sync.
“Someone richer than the princess? That’s impossible!”
…So they weren’t even trying to hide that she was royalty anymore.
But why does Ricardo want the necklace anyway?
When I’d asked him if he was here to buy anything, he said he was still deciding. But this necklace? It didn’t make sense.
Ricardo must have also noticed Hestia hesitating, because he chuckled briefly.
“30 million gold.”
Even with the voice changer, his confidence came through.
“Customer #4, will you bid again?”
The host stuttered.
From the back of Hestia’s head, I could feel how conflicted she was. Her paddle rose and fell slightly, then finally—
“I lost.”
She raised both hands in surrender.
“Congratulations to customer #23! You’ve successfully won the Cursed Necklace for 30 million gold!”
Cheers erupted so loudly my ears rang. The host smiled widely and picked up the box.
“No—this can’t be…!”
#21 panicked and stomped his feet.
“That necklace was supposed to be the princess’s! Who the heck—”
“If that’s true, then she should’ve brought more money.”
I wasn’t trying to defend Ricardo.
He didn’t steal it. He won it fair and square.
It just bothered me when people talked like he did something wrong.
“Are you mad at me?”
#21 sounded scared, which surprised me a little.
“No. It’s not like that…”
But just as I was about to finish my sentence, a sudden dizziness hit me like a spark in my head.
“Urgh!”
I barely held onto consciousness when painful groans began to echo around me.
“Sis, it’s a sleep spell! We have to get out of here now!”
Penny had climbed onto my shoulder and tugged on my cheek to wake me. But my eyes were fixed on Ricardo.
“Penny, you go first.”
“What do you take me for?! If I leave now, you’ll just give all your money to some other person who’s interested in you!”
Why does no one ever listen to me?
I bit the inside of my cheek to stay awake and ran toward Ricardo, dodging the falling bodies around me.
“You need to leave. There’s still time!”
“No.”
Still so stubborn!
He calmly looked around at the people falling asleep and seemed to realize what was going on. Then, he sat down like it was no big deal.
He even patted the spot next to him, inviting me to sit.
“…”
Frustrated, I sat beside him anyway.
“You’re so stubborn!”
“I know.”
He just kept smiling like nothing was happening.
“Well, if I get into trouble, I’m sure you’ll save me.”
“You’re dreaming.”
I think he said something else after that. But my consciousness was already fading too fast to hear.
***
WAHHHHH!
A massive cheer rang in my ears. I snapped back to consciousness and quickly looked around.
People were cheering as someone entered the imperial palace.
I had seen this before.
‘This is… the vision Ailins showed me.’
It was playing out right in front of me now.
“Ailins! Ailins! Ailins!”
Crowds were shouting her name as they followed behind. A deep uneasiness took over.
I knew what was coming next.
Without thinking, I grabbed the wrist of the young boy walking behind Ailins.
“W-Who are you?”
The boy looked up at me with wide eyes.
“Just—hold on a second.”
I held his arm tightly and ran through the crowd in the opposite direction.
I knew this wasn’t real.
I knew it was just her memory.
As I ran, a harsh voice roared from the palace:
“Traitor Ailins must be executed!”
A storm of arrows rained down on the crowd.
The wind carried the scent of blood.
The frightened boy tried to run back but was knocked down by the crowd.
I picked up the boy, who had hurt his ankle, and ran.
