"Here are your waterstones!" A man working at the auction handed me a small bag full of beautiful blue stones. He smiles, a bright cheery grin. The same can't be said about me. Turning to walk away, I let out a sigh of disappointment. At least I didn't lose any real money.
I just couldn't get that man bidding out of my head. How could someone have that much money?!
Stepping out of the auction house, I dashed into an alleyway. Now that I've come to investigate this place, I should really head home before someone notices I was gone.
"What a show there, don't you think?"
A voice caused me to stop in my tracks. Spinning my heels, I turn to see the same cloaked figure from the auction. It's the same strange man.
"I couldn't stop laughing because of you."
" It was the auctioneer hyping everything up. It was not the result of my actions." I flinched.
"My my, this little lady sure hates being the center of attention, doesn't she?" A cold laugh came from his grinning face.
"You know nothing of me, cut the mockery," I narrowed my brow.
Another laugh erupted from the man, colder and irritating. I couldn't let my guard down. I don't recognize him from the book at all. Is this man a noble from overseas?
That's surmountable to an extraordinary Noble's wealth. Even someone like Emory wouldn't be able to spend that on a piece of jewelry.
While he laughed, I began to examine his appearance thoroughly. He wore decent clothes under that cloak from what I can see. A few charms decorated his shirt. Black raven hair, ruffled but not unclean paired with pink eyes resembling cherry blossoms in full bloom. I don't recall anyone like that from the books.
"It's rude to stare, my lady." He smugly grins, before taking a few steps towards me. I didn't take a step back. If he wanted to hurt me, he wouldn't have given it away that he was here.
"So many charms you own under that cloak… What are you using all of them for?" I instigated, hoping to see how he would react. All those charms must mean something, maybe one of them is the same one I'm wearing. He might be someone in disguise.
He lets out a cheerful hum as strides closer. Lifting his finger as he points to a charm hanging on his chest. The man leans, side to side as if swaying playfully.
"This one allows me to see through spells that disguise others."
I blinked, surprised. I took a step back as my mouth wrapped with surprise, my hands clenched out of instinct.
"Y-you!"
Another laugh came from the man, sinister and demeaning.
"My oh my, you should see the look on my lady's face!" He knew I was in disguise from the start. He definitely knows who I am. Violette is a noblewoman afterall, he must have at least heard of her.
This bastard. Just who does he think he is?
"You have no respect at all, do you? Just who in the world are you?"
The man continued to sway his head, as if a song was playing in his head.
"Perhaps I shall give you a name to call me someday, but that's not why I'm here you see." He said as he reached into his cloak. As he dragged his hand out, he kept his eyes locked on me.
In his hand was the necklace, the White Hyacinth. The necklace dangled back and forth, glistening even in this dark alleyway.
That's supposed to go to Emory, which will then go to Isadora. However, it was in the hands of a character I don't recognize. I wanted it, Emory wanted it, Isadora was supposed to have it, but now none of us can have it.
"What are you going to do with it?"
"I don't know!" The man simply shrugged.
I…blinked. What? He bought it and he didn't know what to do with it?
"What do you mean?"
He stayed silent, admiring the necklace.
"W-why not use it as a regalia to channel your magic?" I stuttered.
"The diamond doesn't correspond to my magic, so really I have no use for it other than jewelry," He pauses, looking up at me with those blossom eyes, "But frankly, I would never wear something like this."
"Then why did you buy it?"
There was a small moment when his smile dropped.
"You two looked like you were having fun making all that chaos. I just had to join in. If you hadn't, I'd never buy this useless trash."
"You…spent a fortune on something like that?"
What a joke.
"Do you take me for an entertainer?" I bite my lip, my cheeks flushing with anger.
"I wouldn't dare," A scoff escaped him, "Still, I have no use for it."
The man pauses, looking up and down at me. The necklace dangling from his hand suddenly was tossed towards me. I barely managed to catch it.
"Wh-what the hell? You can't just throw things like this!"
"I'm just giving it to you!"
"Huh?" I paused, "Wait, why?!"
"Consider it charity, my lady!"
This bastard!
Gritting my teeth, I clutch the necklace tightly in my hand. I would be angrier, but I do need this necklace. This necklace seems valuable, not just in price but to the one man I need on my side the most. This is a bargaining chip I cannot throw away.
"Tch! Very well then!" I held the necklace out.
Suddenly, the air felt strange. The winds shifted as if to the commands of someone. The man's pink eyes looked towards the other side of the alleyway. My eyes followed his gaze.
"My, it seems the Count has appeared." The cloaked man chuckles.
Standing in front of the alleyway was Emory Zephyr. The light from the streets outlined his silhouette as he glared at the two of us. I felt my hands twitching from a sudden fear.
"You!" Emory strides towards us, approaching with a dangerous fury. Though, the man next to me didn't seem to mind his presence.
"Good evening my lord," The cloaked man gave a pitiful bow.
"That necklace, hand it over!"
"Nooo, I don't think I will." He chuckles, turning to me, "Afterall, I already gave it to this young lady."
I felt a chill go up my spine as both the man and the count gaze at me.
"You can go ask her yourself," With that, the man leaves.
As he vanished, I felt winds surging within the alleyway. Powerful gusts of wind that threatened to slice me alive. The Count looked at me, then at the necklace in my hands.
"Give me that, please," There was a forced smile on his face. Even in the dark alleyway, I could clearly see the corners of his mouth twitching.
I took a much shaky breath, hesitant.
"M-my apologies sir," I tried to force a brave voice, "But I must take this back."
I paused, somewhat hesitant.
"And why is that?!" Despite that forced smile, his voice was loud and angry, " Don't you think that necklace would be better off with a mage such as myself?!"
I took a step back, scared. My eyes never looked away from this man. No, this monster.
Emory Zephyr was no ordinary nobleman. He possesses the highest concentration of magic in this kingdom. At any moment, he can slice my head off with his powerful wind magic.
Still, that didn't answer something.
He was a wind magic user, a white diamond is not compatible with him, no matter how powerful he is. This necklace would never be of use to a mage like him. Even then, no matter the regalia, he'll still be extremely dangerous. Besides…
"Your very own regalia is hanging from your ear, am I correct?" Maybe I should try gauging his motive, "Why would you need this?"
His regalia was his earring, bright and flashy. That wasn't the reason to come out here, so what would it be? Emory's smile disappeared from his face. Now he was facing me with his unfiltered rage.
"Do you think that's all gems and jewels are worth?!" His voice echoed throughout the alleyway, "Do you not realize there is more to this than jewelry?! You common folks and lesser mages don't understand magic!"
I began to slowly creep away, but he took another step forward.
"I will not ask again, hand that over!"
Emory grabbed my hand causing me to jolt. His grip on me was tight. Looking down at me with his blue eyes, the angry expression of the Count felt like that of a wild animal.
"L-let go!" I yell, pulling myself away pitifully.
This isn't good, how long have I been here? If I'm not careful, my disguise will run out!
"I'll pay you twice-no, thrice the bid for that necklace!" He continued shouting, "Give it to me!"
I reached for my pockets. For anything that can make him let go of me. I need to leave now!
As I panicked, I felt the stones I had just won in my pockets. I picked one of them up, and hit the Count's face with it. A large amount of water erupted from where the rock was hit.
Emory let out a pained yell and let go of me. Without a thought, I sprint away. I got out of the alley and made my way towards the safety of the festival.
While running through the crowd of people, I kept looking back to see how far away he was. He's definitely faster, but the crowd would become his obstacle. He wouldn't dare to use magic in a place like this. I just need to get to safety.
Though eventually, the distance between us became less and less. I was tired, and it seemed like Emory could keep running. I need to look for help. But just from who?
I was on the outskirts of the festivities when I suddenly bumped into someone. I fell to the ground, nearly letting go of the necklace I was wearing.
Looking up, I see a young man standing confused.He must have good balance, I bumped into him really hard but he barely swayed.
"Um…" He mumbled quietly as he looked down at me.
In front of me was a young man. He stood tall, with a muscular build. Soft brown hair, with gentle brown eyes. He had nice, strong features, though I could see some specks of dirt in his nails.
"...Are you-"
"There you are!!" The familiar rage of Zephyr draws near. His voice cuts off the stranger mid-sentence.
I spun my head to see that he's already too close for me to run away. Sweat dripped from his brow from exhaustion, but his anger was still true and clear.
Damn it, I won't have time to run away now. It's over, I'm-
"Just what are you doing, Count Zephyr?" The man I bumped into steps in front, "I didn't take a 'high-class' noble like yourself to be in festivities like this."
Despite the gentle look on his face earlier, his voice was full of venom. Underneath his tone was an anger that rivaled what the count was feeling right now.
"Get out of my way, Jeremy!"
When I heard that name, I felt a rush of hope flutter in my stomach.
Jeremy Quartz, one of the male leads!