Chapter – 29
Philon, who wanted nothing more to do with complicated matters, shook his head. It was already late at night—hardly the sort of hour when anything could happen. The only places still open were the clubhouse where card gambling was held, a few taverns along the streets, or at best the auction house that opened on a periodic schedule.
“Ah, come to think of it, I heard Levaron’s pretty noisy tonight. Something good coming up?”
“……”
Decarno slung his coat over his arm as if he hadn’t heard a word. Whatever was being sold at some auction house—what did it matter to him? The only thing he wanted to know was her situation, which would be perfectly concluded after today, and the date of their wedding. Until then, he intended to drown his splitting headache in even stronger liquor.
“Your Excellency!”
“……”
But his plan didn’t last long. Mikael burst through the door, breath catching in his throat.
“Y-You must go to Levaron at once!”
◇ ◆ ◇
Levaron was the largest auction house in Roak, opening only four times a year. Unlike other auctions that dealt in modest jewels or paintings, the items handled here were so substantial that it couldn’t possibly be held often. Mansions of immeasurable value, vast tracts of land—properties of that scale were typically listed.
Given the circumstances, the clientele was anything but ordinary.
Wealth magnates who moved enormous sums of money, nouveaux riches who collected estates—those were common sights. But most of those present this time had not come to purchase anything. More precisely, they were creditors crowding in to see how much the goods would sell for and to collect their money.
“If Duke Teje’s Roadka Plains and vineyard sell, we’ll definitely get paid, right?”
“How many times must I tell you that you will?”
The auction manager tried to calm the swarm. The final lot was about to begin, and at this rate they couldn’t even proceed.
“His Grace has already transferred all authority. As soon as the bidding concludes, the lawyer will pay the overdue principal and interest in full.”
“And what if it doesn’t sell? Everyone knows how massive that land is. What if no one dares to bid?”
“That won’t happen. The clients seated over there have been waiting for this land to go up. They’re planning to build hotels and villas—there’s no scenery finer than that location.”
Only after the manager’s patient explanation did they retreat, half suspicious, half hopeful.
It wasn’t entirely false.
There was no shortage of people waiting to buy land from the Teje ducal house. Purchasing a single property wouldn’t allow anyone to surpass the duke’s family, but plenty were eager to ride on the prestige of the Teje name.
“Now then, let us resume—”
Unfortunately, even after the crowd stepped back, the auction could not continue. Just as the manager was about to present the documents and map of the Teje lands, someone approached the podium slowly. His mouth fell open.
“Ah… Lady Ohara. What brings you here…?”
“I heard there was an auction.”
“……”
At Evangelin’s indifferent glance—was there any other reason to come to an auction house?—the manager flinched. From afar, the Teje family’s lawyers and even the creditors began to stir.
Why is that woman here so shamelessly?
Resentment toward the Ohara family had not yet faded, and people openly whispered or cast her hostile looks. Caught in the middle, the manager postponed the auction and guided her behind the curtain.
“With respect, my lady, this may not be the most comfortable place for you. Once the results are decided, we will notify your residence immediately. Might it not be better to return home and wait?”
“In my position, is there anywhere comfortable? I will remain here.”
“But—”
“If there is some law or reason why I may not be here, I will gladly comply.”
She clearly knew there was none. Unable to refuse further, the manager hesitated before leading her to a private box separated from the outside.
“Very well… then please take the Teje ducal family’s private box.”
“No. That is merely for observing the auction, is it not?”
“Pardon? As you would surely wish to see the price at which the ducal lands sell—”
“I came to put something up for auction today.”
“……”
At her shake of the head, the manager’s expression turned strange—like a man wondering how to deal with a lady ignorant of the world.
“I understand what you mean. However, Levaron does not handle ladies’ jewelry or valuables.”
He smiled as kindly as he could, trying to persuade her. He could understand the desire to sell whatever jewels she had to make up the difference, but it was naïve—far too naïve.
“If you wish, I can introduce you to another auction house. I must now present His Grace’s Roadka Plains.”
“How about my item instead of Roadka?”
“Pardon?”
Now the manager could hardly maintain his courtesy, looking utterly baffled. Even if she had brought a chest full of diamonds, it wouldn’t be enough to purchase a tenth of Roadka.
Moreover, Evangelin carried only a small handbag. What could she possibly mean? If she were not the future Duchess of Teje, he would have had her thrown out already—but he had to consider the duke’s dignity.
“Lady Ohara, I’m truly sorry, but it has already been announced to our clients that Roadka Plains will be the final lot. If we break that promise, it will damage our credibility.”
“As I understand it, in auctions, substitutions can be made if circumstances arise.”
“That is only when the substitute is of equal or greater value.”
“…I see.”
“So please understand. According to our tradition, the largest and most valuable item is presented last—”
“Then how about this?”
Rustle.
Evangelin withdrew a thin envelope from within her dress. Sighing, the manager reluctantly accepted it. He was mildly surprised it wasn’t some trivial jewelry—but he knew she was penniless.
At best, perhaps a deed to some villa…
“Gasp! M-My lady, th-this is…!”
“It’s the registry certificate for the Maikar Sea. The white sand beaches, as well as the nearby islands, are all included.”
“Good heavens…”
Even as the manager stood speechless, breath caught in his throat, she remained perfectly composed. Sliding the documents across the auction table for all to see, Evangelin continued in a refined voice.
“I heard most of the bidders for Roadka Plains intend to build hotels and resorts. Would this not serve as a suitable alternative?”
“H-How do you possess this? We have searched for the owner for so long, but no one ever appeared!”
“Is that what matters right now?”
“Th-That’s not what I meant…”
Under her sharp gaze, the manager faltered. In truth, the details hardly mattered. For years, the southern coastline—its owner unknown, little more than a mysterious land—had now appeared as an auction lot. That alone was enough to blind any auctioneer.
What should I choose?
The manager’s throat bobbed as he weighed the two documents. One was the most fertile land in the empire; the other, an unparalleled coastline of breathtaking beauty. As he clutched both treasures, trying to buy time, Evangelin decisively snatched back her papers.
“I’ll give you three seconds. If not, I’ll take it to another auction house.”
◇ ◆ ◇
About an hour later, when the auction concluded, the entire hall erupted into chaos.
Creditors rushed about, eager to collect their share of the record-breaking sum paid for the coastline. Some waved bundles of money in triumph; others shoved and scrambled to receive their portion first. In that pandemonium, only one person stood silently at the center—Evangelin.
“…Young Madam.”
“Later. It’s not finished yet.”
Philip lifted his tearful face, but Evangelin merely smiled faintly, her gaze fixed ahead. She could already guess what he would say.
Why did you do such a thing?
A faint smirk tugged at her lips as she folded her hands lightly. The noise gradually began to subside; it seemed this dreadful clearing of debts was nearly complete. Once the creditors had calmed and secured their money, they began, one by one, to turn toward Evangelin.
“Um… Lady.”
“Ahem.”
Among them were those who had insulted her or even grabbed at her sleeve. Given their strained relations, it would have been easier to pretend nothing had happened and leave. But she seemed to think otherwise.
“I understand what feelings brought each of you here today.”
“……”
“Even if it was not intentional, I caused you distress and financial loss. I offer my apology only now.”
