Elias Leywin POV
The Helstea Auction House didn't look like it belonged in our city. It looked like something out of one of Arthur's adventure books, some tower where heroes would fight dragons perched on rooftops to save some princess. The front doors alone were taller than Father and Adam standing on each other's shoulders, carved with so many twisting shapes and weapons that my eyes crossed trying to follow them all.
I tugged at the cuff of my shirt, the one Mama made me wear for special occasions, usually whenever the Helstea's entertained Guests. It itched around my wrists and neck, but complaining would earn me one of Mama's looks, so I stayed quiet. Instead, I pressed close to her side while Father spoke and commanded the guards to their respective posts, whilst Uncle Vincent barked out orders like he owned the whole world, but in the mammoth of a building, maybe he did.
As we entered the auction house, it felt like it had only grown even bigger with its wide and bright architecture, the kind of place where whispers turned into echoes as my awe literally bounced off the room.
Rows and rows of shiny red seats climbed so high I got dizzy just looking. I clutched Mama's hand tighter as we climbed the stairs toward a room near the ceiling. Aunt Tabitha walked ahead of us, smiling back every so often to ask if Ellie was tired or if I was too warm.
The private room we were led into smelled faintly of polished wood and something sweet like wine or some sort of variation of Berries. I pretended to admire the view through the glass instead. Down below, nobles in their fancy clothes shuffled into their seats, their laughter rising like a bubbling stream.
Next to me, Ellie leaned against the window too, her small fingers leaving smudges on the glass. Lilia sat cross-legged on a couch, humming softly while flipping through a book she'd brought to pass the time.
I should've brought one too.
I think as my sister leaves my side and sits next to Big Sis, peering over her shoulder, reading' along as Lilia begins to do so aloud.
I return to my people watching as a familiar figure joins me.
"It's massive", he says
I look up towards my elder brother. "Yeah, it is", I say, nodding my head slightly "So when are you getting a sword? You said that you were today, right?"
He lets out a slight laugh at my enthusiasm "I am Mr. He-, I mean Uncle Vincent, said that if a sword that I like comes up during the Auction, I'm free to reserve it"
"That's nice of him", I say as I look down at the crowds of people as they filter into their seats.
"It is", he says as I feel his eyes look in the same direction as my own "Is everything okay, Lias?" he asks hesitantly.
I lower my head slightly and let out an exhale "D-do you have to go?"
He lets my question sit in the air between us for a few moments before speaking up, "I need to get stronger, Elais"
"And this is the only way?" I cut in, raising my voice as I turn my entire body towards him
He looks down at me, "Lias I-"
I cut back in, not letting him have a moment of recompense, "What about training me or helping El and Big Sis become mages?"
He lets out a sigh as he places a hand on my head "Lias, I'll be coming back every few months like I told Mom and Dad, remember?"
"I know it's just-"
The words knot up in my throat. I can't explain it properly, how the space he's about to leave behind feels too big for me to fill and how much I'll miss him... So instead, I just groan and stomp away before my face does or I say something embarrassing.
I throw myself onto the nearest sofa and curl up, wrapping my arms tight around the cushion like it might keep me from falling apart. If I squeeze my eyes shut, maybe when I open them again, he'll have changed his mind.
Stupid Brother...
Why does he have to leave me so soon?
We were just getting close over these past few months.
I bury my face deeper in the cushion.
If I can't see Arthur, maybe I can pretend he's not leaving at all.
Somewhere behind me, Ellie squeals with laughter as Lilia plays her clapping game again, filling the quiet room with soft giggles. Aunt Tabitha hums under her breath while arranging the snack trays just so, moving grapes and cheese cubes around like precious stones, with Mama lending her a hand whenever necessary.
Then there's a soft knock at the door. It opens just enough for a servant in the dark green Helstea livery to slip inside. He bows slightly as he begins to speak.
"Madam Tabitha," he says quietly, careful not to disturb the calm. "Lord Vincent sends word that the VIP guests have arrived. He's escorting them up now."
Tabitha's eyes sharpen like polished glass. She gives the servant a gracious nod. "Thank you. Make sure the hosts downstairs are prepared to greet the other nobles properly. And see that no one wanders too close to them or disturbs them in any way that could upset them."
"At once, Madam." The servant bows again and melts back into the hallway.
Tabitha lets out a quiet breath, smoothing an invisible wrinkle from her dress before glancing at Mama.
Arthur shifts from where he's standing by the window, his shoulders straightening as if an invisible weight settles onto him. Mama lifts Ellie into her arms, brushing a stray curl from my little sister's forehead, then nudges her to hush her giggles. Even Lilia snaps her book shut and sits up a little straighter.
What's-
Art walks over to me as I raise my head.
"Lias", he says as he stands just before me.
I push myself off the sofa, my legs stiff and my palms clammy. I wipe them quickly on my trousers and move to stand near Mama's side.
"What's going on?" I ask as I look past Mama up at Aunt Tabitha.
She ignores my question and continues to look forward, a bead of sweat rolls down her cheek.
A muffled echo of footsteps rises beyond the door as muffled voices continue to persist.
Aunt Tabitha gives her hair one last smooth-down and folds her hands neatly at her waist. Mama adjusts Ellie to be standing at her side as she holds her hand and dips her head slightly. Arthur catches my eye for a breath and gives me the smallest nod, like he's telling me, 'copy me, you'll be fine.'
The footsteps stop. As the door swings open wide.
Uncle Vincent appears first, standing tall and beaming like he's just found Gold. As he leads a Group of unfamiliar people.
The first to come in behind Uncle Vincent was a man a few years his senior with long, deep Crimson hair that was aged with streaks of grey. His back was ramrod straight with broad shoulders that took off years in his appearance. The man's eyes were stern with harsh, sword-shaped eyebrows, giving him an undeniably eye-catching presence. He was wearing a red robe lined with white fur around the collar and had a cane that shone brighter than any silver I had previously seen. Trailing closely behind him was a lady who looked just a few years older than my mother. While my Mama had a lovely, sweet, friendly ambience, this lady's facial features reminded me of an ice sculpture due to how refined, elegant and noble she appeared to be with no apparent flaws, but she was also giving off a vibe that was cold and devoid of emotion. She was wearing a shimmering silvery-white dress that complemented her dark blue hair that draped over her shoulders like a well-kept tapestry.
Behind the lady of whom I assumed was the man's wife, were two younger kids who could only be their kin. The older child, a boy who looked to be about the age of thirteen or so, took more after his father. With his serious brown eyes, straight brows, and his short mahogany hair that had a shiny lustre just like his father's, it was apparent 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 charisma that would make him the centre of any group.
The younger one, a girl who looked to be about my age, surveyed the room carefully before locking eyes with me.
Why is she staring at me...
"I didn't know we would be in here with guests, Vincent," the man said, neither harshly nor kindly.
"I apologise, Your Majesty! I assumed you wouldn't mind having a few other people with you. You remember my wife, Tabitha, right? Well, these are our close family friends," he introduced, waving his arm in our direction.
After regarding 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 meet you. At least we'll have some company besides these guards," the lady giggled.
I raised an eyebrow in surprise at the sharp contrast in the woman's personality to her appearance. She seemed much more welcoming, despite her intimidating looks, than her husband did.
"Everyone, as you all may know, I'd like you all to meet the King and Queen of Sapin. Introduce yourselves to King Blaine Glayder and Queen Priscilla Glayder and their children, Prince Curtis and Princess Kathyln."
At their introduction, My Mother, Brother, Aunt Tabitha and Lilia all drop down onto one knee.
I look to my sister, who has the same bewildered look of confusion plastering her face. A Cough from my brother and a stern look from my mother gave me the fantastic idea that I should do the same.
Giving us 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 the King's gentle command to stand drifted over us, I hurried to push myself up from the carpet, trying not to wobble. My knees still felt weak from dropping down so fast, and from the look Mama had given me when I'd hesitated too long.
Around me, everyone seemed to breathe out at once. Arthur straightened near Uncle Vincent, lifting his chin as Sylvie poked her head from under his cloak, chirping softly. The Queen gasped at the sight, delight blooming on her cold-perfect face like sunshine cracking ice. Arthur's voice floated to my ears, answering the King's questions about Sylvie as if he'd done it a hundred times before.
I barely heard him.
Because the princess was looking at me.
The moment I lifted my eyes, I saw her standing half a step behind her mother, but her dark, sharp gaze was pinned on me.
My stomach twisted into a tight knot. I tugged at my sleeve so hard I nearly popped the button.
Is she going to tell me off for being slow to kneel?
Why is this Girl just staring at me?
Before my scrambled thoughts could catch up, she moved. Smooth as drifting snow, she stepped away from her mother's side and crossed the small gap between us.
I froze.
She stopped right in front of me. Close enough, I could see a faint freckle on her cheek. Her lashes were ridiculously long, protecting the chestnut orbs that sat upon her eyes.
For a heartbeat, neither of us spoke.
Then, in a voice as soft and even as falling rain, she said, "You looked upset."
I blinked. My mouth opened, then shut again. Behind her, Arthur explained Sylvie's bond contract to the King, but I could barely hear him over the pounding in my ears.
"Uh- I... It's nothing, Your Highness." I tried to bow my head, but nearly tipped forward like an idiot.
"That's my father's Title?" he says calmly, her hands folded in front of her.
"Huh?" I say confused almost reactionarily
"Your Highness, is used for the reigning Monarch, in this instance, Father." She says in the same matter-of-fact tone.
My mouth went even drier. I fumbled with the hem of my shirt, praying I wouldn't say something even dumber next.
"S-sorry. Then... what should I... call you?" I managed, the words tumbling out faster than I could catch them.
Why am I so...
She studied me for a second, which felt closer to an hour, though it felt the same under her stare. If she'd been anyone else, I'd think she'd have been amused.
"Princess is fine. Or you may use my name if you prefer," she said softly. Her voice barely rose above the distant hum of Arthur's conversation behind her.
I opened my mouth to say it, but it stuck in my throat, lodged behind my heartbeat. Instead, I squeaked, "O-okay... Princess Kathyln."
The corners of her mouth drop momentarily, almost as if she's disappointed.
She gives me a slight, almost invisible, nod. Before she tilted her head a fraction, that same measured calm was in her eyes.
"Why were you crying?" she asked calmly, her voice so quiet and even I almost doubted I'd heard it right.
"I-I wasn't crying!" I blurted out too fast. My ears burned as soon as I heard myself. "I just... wasn't!"
Her head tipped the other way, that same tiny tilt, studying my face like she was reading a boring page in a book.
"You looked like you were."
I clenched my fists at my sides. "I wasn't." I say before I murmur as I look to the floor, "it's just my brother..."
Her eyes didn't waver. If anything, they seemed to soften, or maybe I just imagined it because I wanted her to.
"Your brother?" she asked, same calm tone, like she was pointing out something on a page I'd missed.
I swallowed, wishing my stupid tongue would stay still. But it didn't.
"He... he's leaving soon. To become an Adventurer. And he didn't even ask if I was okay with it..."
"Why is he becoming an adventurer? He doesn't look Old enough to be a Warrior, let alone a Mage," she asks, tilting her head in confusion at me.
"Why wouldn't he be old enough to be a mage?" I ask, mirroring her expression
She straightens herself and lets out a slight cough as she asks, "How old is He?"
"8"
"Humans awaken at ages around 12", she says, pointing a finger at me
"Papa said Big B- I mean Arthur awoke at 2", I say, correcting myself. She looks at me with wide eyes as I continue, "Mama said that he destroyed half of their Hou-"
"It's impossible to awaken at 2!" she protests, raising her voice a few octaves.
"How so?" I asked, still confused by her surprise
"Because it is", she says in the same tone.
"He helped me awaken a few months ago as well", I say, holding my hand to my chin.
She doesn't say anything, looks at me, slightly bewildered.
"B-but you're my age..." she says sadly as she looks downwards towards the floor.
Uhhh...
"Art is also helping Lilia and El become mages, maybe he can help you too," I say as she raises her head slightly to face me.
"...He would do that?" she asked, her voice quieter than before, almost lost under the distant murmurs of the auction hall behind us.
I nodded, a little too eager. "Yeah! He says it's easier when you're young. He showed me... and El, and Big Sis Lilia too, so it should be easy for someone of Royalty." I say before adding "Probably at least", I scratch my cheek.
Kathyln pressed her lips together, and for the first time since she'd come over to me, she looked... like just a girl, my age. Not like some porcelain doll that her parents had dressed up as an accessory.
"When Arthur comes back, or maybe before if he's not busy, I can ask him for you. He likes teaching people."
Kathyln's fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress. It was the first time I'd seen her move without that careful calm. "...Thank you," she murmured. Then, a little firmer, her eyes meeting mine again: "That is... kind of you. Elais."
The corners of her mouth twitch into a slight smile.
Why is sh-
My thoughts are cut short as the auctioneer's voice booms from below, echoing through the grand hall. We both jumped a little at the sudden cheer from the crowd.
"I should go back," Kathyln said, her voice slipping back into that soft, careful tone. But her eyes lingered on me a heartbeat longer than before. "May I... stand with you again later?"
I blinked, stunned. Then I found my tongue: "Yeah! I mean- yes. You can, that would be nice."
She dipped her head, almost a nod, almost a bow, then turned and drifted back to stand beside her mother and brother.
I stood there stunned for a few more seconds.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Why am I-
I'm cut off from my little crisis as a hand is placed on my shoulder from behind.
"Come on, Lias, it's about to start", my brother's voice calls as a slight smirk creeps on the corner of his mouth.
"Why are you smiling like that?" I ask, feeling a strange mix of annoyance and embarrassment for some reason.
"Nothing, Nothing at all, little Brother" He places a hand behind my back as he leads me to our seat.
I climb up on the sofa next to Mama as Art lends me a hand in climbing up, before he himself takes a seat next to me, resting his arm on that of the chair's, with Sylvie curling up there too.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! May I say that it is of the highest honour for me to be here tonight? All of you are gathered here today for one reason and one reason only, I presume? It is to have the chance to obtain rare and valuable items in this auction!"
Applause thundered in enthusiasm at the old gentleman's ardent introduction.
"If everyone in the audience would now kindly turn to face the back room at the very top, we have a few exceedingly important figures that have decided to bless us with their presence. Please join me in welcoming the King and Queen of Sapin!" The auctioneer was the first to flick out the tail of his suit and genuflect. The audience immediately followed suit, lowering themselves respectfully in a bow since they couldn't kneel in their seats.
The King and Queen, in response, stepped out towards the window in front of me and waved their arms slowly in a practised motion.
"Next, the one that made this whole event possible. Please give a big round of applause for Vincent Helstea!"
The auctioneer's introduction was followed by another round of applause as Vincent stepped up next to the King and Queen, giving a deep bow in return.
With the introductions complete, the Auction officially began.
WC – 3258
Thanks for reading this chapter. Hope you all enjoyed it. 😊
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The next chapter is out at 12 Likes or Wednesday.
Rius out.