“It seems you don't have many allies here,” Lin Gui said, his eyes half-closed and his voice heavy with exhaustion.
Unlike outside, where many minor nobles and wealthy merchants had greeted them, in this venue where the top power players gathered, the glances cast toward Elvia were filled only with distance.
Hearing this, Elvia merely picked up the black tea brought by a maid and took an elegant, shallow sip, her poise absolutely flawless.
She stood in stark contrast to Lin Gui, who was practically slumped into the soft chair beside her.
She leaned in slightly, whispering into Lin Gui's ear in a voice so quiet that only the two of them could hear.
“In this place, there are only four factions.”
“The Eldest Princess's faction, the Second Prince's faction, the Third Prince's faction, and... me.”
“I am different from them.”
“My mother was merely a top dancer and courtesan at the playhouse. My royal father took a fancy to her on a whim because of her looks.”
“My maternal side didn't leave me even a shred of political resources.”
“Everything I have today, I fought for and built on my own using whatever means necessary.”
“As for my father...” When mentioning King Carter, there was no filial affection on Elvia's face, only a cold indifference.
“He probably doesn't even remember how many children he has, let alone a 'daughter of a courtesan' like me.”
“The achievements I risked my life to earn haven't even bought me the right to freely step into the core area of the palace.”
“The last time I saw him was because of the Umbral Tree Flower.”
“That old man who is on the verge of death, in order to survive, personally promised:”
“Whoever can find that damn flower to extend his life will be the next King of Carter.”
Lin Gui was slightly taken aback.
Because he knew very well that the Umbral Tree Flower was currently lying quietly inside Elvia's travel bag.
“You don't want to be the ruler?” he asked.
Elvia smiled, a trace of complexity in her expression.
“Of course I do. Who wouldn't want to stand above everyone else and hold the reins of power over an entire kingdom? But... it's already too late.”
Her gaze swept across the well-dressed, imposing nobles and figures of power in the hall.
“Almost every person of repute in the Carter Royal Capital is present, but look at them. How many of them are still truly loyal to my 'father'?”
“During the time I was away from the Royal Capital, that incompetent king was completely stripped of his power.”
“The promises he makes from his deathbed are already worthless.”
Just then, the lights on the auction stage focused.
The obese Duke Joseph walked up, his face flushed with excitement.
As the main host of this auction, he delivered the opening remarks.
His few humorous yet complimentary words immediately drew waves of cheers and applause from the audience.
Many nobles and powerful figures responded with smiles, making the atmosphere exceptionally lively.
The auction officially began.
Glittering and radiant items were carefully brought onto the stage by graceful slaves.
Astronomical, jaw-dropping prices were shouted out without hesitation by people in various seats.
Every fall of the gavel was accompanied by a small stir and whispering.
Elvia remained seated upright, her back straight and her etiquette flawless.
A faint, formulaic smile rested on her face.
Yet, deep within her beautiful eyes lay a cold tranquility, devoid of any real warmth.
She watched the members of the three factions, clearly divided.
At times they probed each other, and at other times they tacitly carved up the profits.
Meanwhile, she was entirely alone.
Now, even the powerful adventurer subordinates she had once relied on the most had all betrayed her.
The only cards left in her hand were a few low-rank adventurers whose loyalty was uncertain, as well as that widespread commoner intelligence network, which was difficult to directly convert into military force.
An indescribable sense of loneliness, like a cold tide, quietly welled up in her heart.
Smiling, she watched this game of thrones with cold detachment.
She watched item after item get sold amidst the cheers and rivalry of the various factions.
She felt like a complete outsider, isolated from this prosperity and clamor.
Suddenly, she felt a weight sink onto her shoulder.
Elvia turned her head and realized that at some point, Lin Gui had leaned against her shoulder and fallen fast asleep.
His breathing was steady, and his heavy dark circles were even more prominent from up close.
What on earth did this guy do last night to be this exhausted?
Instantly, Elvia wanted to use her finger to push his head to the other side.
But just as her fingertip brushed against his slightly cool forehead, her movement paused.
She looked at Lin Gui's completely defenseless sleeping face.
She looked at the deep exhaustion etched between his brows.
Suddenly, the corners of her mouth curved up slightly.
She wore a gentle smile, unlike any of her previous smiles, carrying a hint of genuine warmth.
This smile seemed to instantly dispel the coldness in her eyes and the loneliness surrounding her.
She gently retracted her finger and sighed silently in her heart.
Whatever... he is my husband in name for a week, after all.
I'll let you... take advantage of me for a bit.
Just then, a new item was presented on the auction stage.
It was an ancient-looking mask, shimmering with a strange, magical luster.
The patterns on the mask seemed to absorb light, making it impossible to clearly see what lay behind it.
“Our next item is the Legendary magic item, the Mask of a Thousand Illusions!”
“It can perfectly alter the wearer's appearance and aura, and anyone below the Epic Rank cannot see through it!” the auctioneer announced loudly.
A flurry of whispers immediately broke out among the audience.
Such life-saving and disguise treasures were always highly sought after.
Although the Mask of a Thousand Illusions was of the lowest tier among Legendary items,
it was still a Legendary item after all.
Several nobles began bidding, and the price climbed rapidly.
“Five hundred thousand gold coins!” “Five hundred and thirty thousand!”
However, just as the price reached a peak and the bidding slowed for a brief moment,
“One million gold coins.”
A clear, calm, yet undeniably powerful female voice rang out from the back row.
Instantly, the entire hall fell silent.
Every gaze—including the Third Prince, the Eldest Princess, the Second Prince, and their supporters in the front rows—
turned in unison toward the source of the voice, filled with shock, scrutiny, and disbelief.
It was Princess Elvia, sitting upright in the back row with a sleeping man still leaning against her shoulder.
The faint smile remained on her face, yet it seemed somewhat different from before.
She elegantly lowered her bidding paddle.
Rate on N.U.
