Chapter 74: Death is at every corner

Chapter 74: Death is at every corner Abrielle was a bit hesitant hearing how cheap the girl was being sold, it could not be so easy. "800 silver coins," a lady bid. Unlike other goods being auctioned, the last one was over 25 years old from her appearance, which is considered an age no longer tender and pure for those perverted men, reducing her value, leaving the only ones to bid for her are noble ladies interested in having an exotic maid. The price started to climb a few hundred silver coins; Abrielle waited patiently, not to let her intentions known to arouse suspicion. "100 gold coins," a lady with fuller features bid; for someone like the assumed hermit witch, this is the best the bid could get. She was only worth a couple of gold coins. This was the best a maid could be sold unlike the ones sold as their toys. "300 gold coins," Abrielle finally joined the bid. The thick woman shot a glare at Abrielle directing, but the princess couldn’t care less. It seemed the lady could not spend that much. "Going thrice," "Going twice," "Going... Then sold to the stunning lady with silver hair at 300 gold coins." A smile graced the princess’s eyes making it sparkle. All that was left was to make successful payments and her goal would be completed. In one of the VIP loges which were small VIP boxes in the galleries of buildings like opera houses. The same man who had doubled the bid on the first girl’s eyes was intently studying the auction event. He could recognize a couple of the nobles from the capital despite their faces being covered. The lady with silver hair stood out because he was more than certain he hadn’t come across a noble native to Darconia with those features. It only increased his suspicions about her. "My lord I have looked into what you said." His aide appeared by his side. The party seemed to be coming to an end soon. He didn’t say anything in reply and just waited for his aide to continue. "It appears they are wearing features altering magic artifacts. Your suspicions were correct." His aide informed. He had a frown on his face, and there was no way the aide would have known due to the mask he had on his face to cover his appearance. The aura around him seemed to have thickened with a suffocating pressure. He was not mad but this was a bad night for her to be here. He should have expected this to happen from the start. "She isn’t doing anything wrong but why tonight." He groaned, annoyed; she was even careful Tonight to accompany herself with elite knights that could handle any mercenaries. "Inform her guard and make sure she gets out but none of the shadow claw close associate should leave these walls." The main instructed and his aide left immediately. He was curious about how a shielded high noble daughter knew about things like this. "I will my lord." The aide said then made his exit. **** Back at the regular area, Abrielle and Evelyn were being approached by one of the auction house officials for them to confirm their goods before proceeding to payment. Since the trade was illegal and some amounts of money involved were absurd amounts, no one would easily move around with it, so there was a special way in which payments were made. After the goods have been confirmed, the clients move on to sign an agreement which is sealed with magic, preventing any party from breaking the agreement. Both parties would agree on a suitable place and time to complete the transaction a comfortable zone for both parties. If any party tries to break the deal in any way, it leads to death. There are many ways to die in this world. Abrielle and Evelyn made their way through a corridor guarded by two of Cedric’s best elite guards, whose faces were also covered with masks to keep their identities anonymous. "This way, my lady," the guide instructed them in front of a rusty metal door. Abrielle nodded at him, and he knocked on the door at a specific rhythm. The door clicked open and was pulled from the inside making loud creaking and screeching sounds that wanted to make Abrielle’s ears go deaf. "You may go in alone," the guide instructed but Abrielle’s brows furrowed. "Why can’t my escorts follow me in? I don’t feel safe without them." She refused to compromise her safety to complete a quest. "Sorry, but new rules were made after one of our offices was destroyed." The guide explained but Abrielle found it fishy. She knew this had something to do with the Moonstone Harbour incident. "We cannot let our lady be endangered in any way." One of the knights said. The guide expected something like this to happen but the rules were not his fault. "I assure you she has nothing to be scared but only the lady can be allowed in." He tried to calm the tension. "I guess you leave us no choice then." Evelyn sighed beckoning on Abrielle to leave. Abrielle understood the deal was over. She nodded, then turned around. After taking a few steps away, something rolled down, hitting her leg. Her eyes darted below and she was instantly terrified to find the guide head at her feet with blood on the floor. Her hands rushed to cover her mouth as terror struck her. Evelyn rushed to her side sheathing a bloody dagger under her dress. "We need to leave your Highness. The knight will retrieve your goods." Evelyn informed her with urgency, pulling the princess’s hand as they ran down the hallway to the back entrance. Evelyn had gotten the signal that hell was about to be loose, and her duty was to ensure the princess’s safety. Abrielle ran after her, knowing this was not the time to ask questions. They exited the back entrance, and to Abrielle’s surprise, a carriage was already waiting for them. From the corners of her eyes, she found out the auction house was being secretly surrounded. After helping the princess inside the carriage, Evelyn followed after, and the couch man started the ride, the horse galloping quickly down the street. "I am sorry for the inconvenience, Your Highness, but the auction house is about to be raided by the prince. I was assigned to ensure your safety." Evelyn quickly informed Abrielle while pulling off her mask. "Who are you?" Abrielle asked unable to believe the woman in front of her was her strict personal maid. Evelyn bowed slightly to Abrielle. "I am Evelyn Shadow 2, an elite shadow knight assassin assigned to serve the princess. My loyalty belongs to the prince and princess."