"Twenty-three million, huh?" Amusement was heard in the man's voice.
"This is getting way more serious than I thought."
He clapped along with the other nobles, and he liked that he fit in so well amongst the crowd.
He turned his head, glancing at Shim Ju-Won for a second and then looking away again.
"Tch."
He scratched at the back of his head, lightly.
His long, dark hair was in the form of a medium-length loc and was all pulled into a loose, messy bun with some strands of hair falling out around his head, giving way to the streaks of neon green that were intertwined in the locs.
"I'll wait," he said quietly to himself.
He returned his eyes to the VIP area.
"I could actually have fun with this."
Assad was astounded at the amount Shim JuWon was willing to pay for the Wyvern. Turning to the Emperor next to him, he saw both he and his son Shim Masin bowing in appreciation of the Wyvern purchase. That gesture alone is enough to indicate that the Wyvern was purchased by the prince but for what purpose?
The auction continued well past the point that I could reasonably expect it to. Relics, artifacts, rare animals, one after another more extravagant than the next erupted from the stage, each with bidding wars erupting among nobles. I stood there dumbfounded at the amount of money spent on items within just a handful of seconds.
Eventually Arnid came back to the stage and adjusted his sleeves with a satisfied smirk.
"Tonight has been unbelievably fun," he said to the crowd. There were a few chuckles but most of the crowd couldn't agree more and still clap at the same time. He put his right hand to his left palm and transitioned into his next point as he talked, raising one finger with every point he made.
"But even the best of nights require a breather," he said.
He raised his forefinger and said, "We will take a short intermission of ten minutes. After that we return only to experience the next item will exceed those already sold."
The crowd cheered as the curtains behind Arnid slowly closed, the lights in the hall surged slightly. After a moderate amount of time passed conversation levels began to ramp back up and return to normal.
Vonessia exhaled softly.
"I take this as we finally have a break?" she said quietly.
Sévon gave a slight nod in response.
With graceful movements, Vonessia stands from her seat with actual movement. Sévon, watching from across the table, cannot help but feel a little confused, asking himself where Vonessia could possibly be going. As Vonessia walks in the general direction of the three large families, her attention is primarily focused towards the Amore family.
The Amore family representative stands upon seeing her approach.
"I was just about to approach you," the Amore family representative states.
"There was no need to, I thought at least noble class individuals that are considered of higher caste would be approached or am I wrong?" Vonessia replies.
The woman agrees; thus, everyone sitting at the table has equal respect amongst each other.
Next, the representative turns towards Assad and Sévon.
"Your choice of bodyguards is very unique."
Vonessia gives an appreciative laugh in response.
"That's an understatement. They are incredibly devoted to what they do, but also interestingly enough, the individual we previously discussed actually acts as my own bodyguard as well, did you happen to forget that piece?"
The representative had a pleasant smile on his face.
"How could I forget? Based on his body language and the way he carries himself, he is definitely worthy of being associated with the clan."
Vonessia, grinning at the comment, directs her attention toward Assad. The sudden stare catches him by surprise; she advances toward him, and she seems ready to get closer than ever before...
"Do you remember the first time we talked? You told me you were all alone in this world, family-wise."
Assad had difficulty recalling the past experiences as he can no longer remember. He nods in acceptance of Vonessia's words as he seems lost in thought.
"I have located a family that should meet your standards well enough...or am I mistaken?" Vonessia spoke her sentence almost "invitingly" but with strength as well as intimidation.
After very briefly feeling frightened, the momentum of agreeing to what Vonessia stated quickly overtook that moment. Vonessia grinned at the representative of the Amore Clan, who seemed very intrigued by the person Vonessia introduced her to Assad.
The representative stood up, gazed down at him, and he felt her gaze was almost like pressure on his chest. In his head, he thought of his mind as drowning in water with the representative's gaze pushing him further into the depths of the water.
Though he didn't give it away in his body language, he was, in fact, dying. He did have one sweat bead roll down his forehead. The representative finished with her evaluation of him and smiled once she had completed her evaluation.
"Hello. My name is Zaire Amore. I am the wife of the Amore Clan Head."
Assad, still trying to not expose himself, bows down and says his name.
"Since you are now part of the Clan you would naturally have to meet the other members however the issue is I only brought my daughter and that is all, what a shame but that will do."
Assad was terrified of what had just happened. He was trying to get a grip again so he could recover his original stature and found it hard to do.
Vonessia and Sévon looked on as Assad and Zaire went to meet Zaire's daughter.
"Still tryna act friendly aren't you?"
"What do you mean by that Sévon?"
Sévon sighed as he watched Vonessia turn to look at Zaire and Assad.
"Never mind," he said.
Vonessia giggled as she turned her back to Zaire and Assad again.
Zaire and Assad finally arrive where Zaire's daughter was sitting. The 17-18 year old girl had shaggy black hair that hung beautifullyly over her well-defined and friendly face, small blue eyes, and an incredibly fit body for 17-18 years old, e still carrying a youthful softness despite her fit build.
Assad looked at the girl and he thought she was truly gorgeous, yet he felt nothing towards her. Perhaps it was due to all of the girls he had known from his "normal" past life, who were nothing but skanky bitches that would do anything for money.
He had never felt any sense of love for them, which may have been why he had ended up living that lifestyle as well. There would not be any difference this time than there had been before, he would have no regrets then and won't have any regrets now as well.
Upon seeing her mother and Assad, the girl looks up and recognizes them.
"Meet your new older brother, Acura. This is Assad. From now on his name will be Assad Amore."
Acura and Assad meet gazes, almost as if they are both sizing each other up to try to understand what's the deal with the person in front of them.
"I don't understand why he is older than me?" Acura questions.
"My dear daughter, you obviously have misinterpreted this situation. The reason he is your older brother is due to the fact that you are 17 years old, and he is 19," said Zaira's mother.