Elias Leywin POV
The Helstea Auction House didn't look like it belonged in our city. It looked like something pulled straight from one of Arthur's adventure books, the kind of towering fortress where heroes battled dragons on rooftops to save princesses. The front doors alone were taller than Father and Adam stacked on each other's shoulders, carved with so many twisting shapes that my eyes nearly crossed trying to follow them all.
I tugged at the cuff of my shirt, the one Mum had made me wear for special occasions, especially when the Helsteas entertained guests. It itched around my wrists and neck, but complaining would earn me one of Mum's looks, so I stayed quiet. Instead, I pressed close to her side while Father directed the guards to their posts. Uncle Vincent barked orders like he owned the entire world. In a building this massive, maybe he did.
When we stepped inside, the place felt even bigger. The architecture was wide and bright, built so that even whispers seemed to echo. My awe felt loud in my own ears.
Rows of polished red seats climbed so high that I grew dizzy staring at them. I tightened my grip on Mum's hand as we climbed the stairs toward a private room near the ceiling. Aunt Tabitha walked ahead of us, smiling back every few steps to ask if Ellie was tired or if I was too warm.
The room we were led into smelled faintly of polished wood and something sweet, like wine or berries. I pretended to admire the view through the glass wall. Below us, nobles in elaborate clothing shuffled into their seats, their laughter rising in a steady hum.
Ellie leaned against the window beside me, leaving smudges with her fingers. Lilia sat cross-legged on a couch, humming softly while flipping through a book she had brought to pass the time.
'I should've brought one too.'
I thought as Ellie drifted over to sit beside Big Sis, peering over her shoulder while Lilia began reading aloud.
I returned to watching the crowd when Arthur joined me.
"It's massive, isn't it?" he said, looking down at me.
I looked up at him. "Yeah, it is. So, when are you getting a sword? You said you were today, right?"
He laughed lightly at my enthusiasm. "I am. Mr He- I mean, Uncle Vincent said that if a sword I like comes up during the auction, I'm free to reserve it."
"That's nice of him," I said, watching the crowd filter into their seats.
"It is." His gaze followed mine. "Is everything okay, Lias?" he asked, more carefully this time.
I lowered my head. "D-do you have to go?"
He let the question hang for a moment before answering. "I need to get stronger, Elias."
"And this is the only way?" I turned fully toward him, my voice rising despite myself.
"Lias, I-"
"What about training me? Or helping El and Big Sis become mages?"
He sighed and rested a hand on my head. "Lias, I'll be coming back every few months like I told Mom and Dad, remember?"
"I know, it's just-"
The words tangled in my throat. I couldn't explain how the space he was about to leave behind already felt too large, or how much I would miss him. So instead, I groaned and stomped away before my face betrayed me, or I said something embarrassing.
I threw myself onto the nearest sofa and curled around a cushion, holding it tight as if that would keep me from falling apart. If I shut my eyes hard enough, maybe when I opened them again, he would have changed his mind.
'Stupid brother... Why does he have to leave so soon? We were just getting close.'
I buried my face deeper into the cushion.
Behind me, Ellie squealed with laughter as Lilia and her resumed their clapping game. Aunt Tabitha hummed while arranging snack trays with careful precision, shifting grapes and cheese cubes as if they were jewels. Mum helped her when needed.
A soft knock interrupted the calm.
A servant in dark green Helstea livery slipped inside and bowed. "Madam Tabitha, Lord Vincent sends word that the VIP guests have arrived. He's escorting them up now."
Tabitha's eyes sharpened instantly. "Thank you. Make sure the hosts downstairs are prepared to greet the other nobles properly. And see that no one wanders too close to them."
"At once, Madam."
He left as quietly as he had entered.
Arthur straightened by the window as if bracing himself. Mum lifted Ellie and hushed her giggles. Even Lilia closed her book and sat up straighter.
'What's-'
Arthur walked over to me.
"Lias."
I pushed myself off the sofa and wiped my damp palms against my trousers before moving to stand beside Mum.
"What's going on?" I asked.
No one answered. Aunt Tabitha stared at the door, a bead of sweat sliding down her cheek.
Footsteps echoed beyond the hallway.
Arthur caught my eye and gave me a small nod.
'Copy me.' He telepathically commanded.
The door swung open.
Uncle Vincent entered first, smiling broadly. Behind him came a tall man with deep crimson hair streaked with grey. His posture was rigid and commanding; he walked in as if he were the most important person in the world. A red robe lined with white fur draped over his broad shoulders, and the silver of his cane gleamed under the light.
At his side walked a woman with dark blue hair. It cascaded over the shimmering white of her gown. She looked refined and flawless, as if she were carved from ice. She was beauty personified.
Behind them stood two children. The boy resembled his father; his face mirrored the older man's seriousness as he stood stalwart. The girl at his side looked about my age; her hair was like her mother's, falling gracefully over her shoulders. Her twin chestnut orbs scanned the room before her gaze locked onto mine.
'Why is she staring at me...'
"I didn't know we would be in here with guests, Vincent," the man said evenly.
"I apologise, Your Majesty! I assumed you wouldn't mind having a few other people with you. You remember my wife, Tabitha, right? Well, these are our close family friends." Vincent said, gesturing toward us.
After regarding us for a moment, his lips curled up into a smile. "If they are your friends, Vincent, then they are mine as well."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. At least we'll have some company besides these guards," the lady added with a soft giggle.
I blinked at the contrast between her icy appearance and the warmth in her voice. She looked carved from crystal, but she sounded genuinely pleased.
"Everyone," Vincent continued, "I'd like you to meet the King and Queen of Sapin. King Blaine Glayder, Queen Priscilla Glayder, and their children, Prince Curtis and Princess Kathyln."
The moment their names were spoken, Mum, Arthur, Aunt Tabitha, and Lilia dropped to one knee.
I looked to my sister, who had the same bewildered look of confusion plastered on her face. A Cough from my brother and a stern look from my mother gave me the fantastic idea that I should do the same. I hurried to kneel, my movement clumsy and far less graceful than the others.
Giving us a nod, the King gestured for us to stand. "No more of this, now. No need to be stiff, we're just here for the auction, after all."
I scrambled back to my feet, trying not to wobble. My knees still tingled from hitting the carpet too quickly, and from Mum's sharp glance when I hesitated.
The tension in the room eased all at once.
Arthur straightened near Uncle Vincent, lifting his chin as Sylvie poked her head from beneath his cloak and chirped softly. The Queen gasped, delight lighting up her face in a way that softened her sharp features completely. Arthur began explaining Sylvie's bond to the King with the calm confidence of someone who had done so many times before.
I barely heard him.
Because the princess was staring at me.
The moment I lifted my eyes, I saw her standing half a step behind her mother, but her dark, sharp gaze was pinned on me.
My stomach twisted into a tight knot.
'Is she going to tell me off for being slow to kneel? Why is this Girl just staring at me?'
Before my scrambled thoughts could catch up, she moved. As Smooth as drifting snow, she stepped away from her mother's side and crossed the short distance between us.
I stood frozen as she stopped right in front of me. Close enough that I could see a faint freckle near her cheek and the fine detail in her long lashes framing her chestnut eyes.
For a heartbeat, neither of us spoke.
"You looked upset." She said softly.
I blinked. My mouth opened, then shut again. Behind her, Arthur explained Sylvie's bond contract to the King, but I could barely hear him over the pounding in my ears.
"Uh- I... It's nothing, Your Highness." I tried to bow my head, but nearly tipped forward like an idiot.
"That's my father's Title," she said calmly, her hands neatly folded in front of her.
"Huh?"
"Your Highness, is used for the reigning Monarch, in this instance, Father." She said in the same matter-of-fact tone.
My mouth grew even drier as I fumbled with the hem of my shirt, praying I wouldn't say something even dumber next. "S-sorry. Then... what should I... call you?" I managed, the words tumbling out faster than I could catch them.
'Why am I so...'
She studied me in silence. It only lasted a second, but it felt much longer.
"Princess is fine. Or you may use my name if you prefer," she said softly.
I opened my mouth to say it, but it stuck in my throat, lodged behind the thumping in my chest. "O-okay... Princess Kathyln."
The corners of her mouth dipped very slightly. She gave a small curt nod. "Why were you crying?" she asked calmly, her voice so quiet and even I almost doubted I had heard it right.
"I-I wasn't crying!" I blurted far too quickly. My ears burned as soon as I heard myself. "I just... wasn't."
Her head tilted slightly as she examined me. "You looked like you were."
I clenched my fists at my sides. "I wasn't." I said before I murmured as I looked to the floor, "It's just my brother..."
"Your brother?"
"He... he's leaving soon. To become an Adventurer. And he didn't even ask if I was okay with it..."
"Why is he becoming an adventurer? He doesn't look Old enough to be a Warrior, let alone a Mage." She said with a faint frown.
"Why wouldn't he be old enough to be a mage?" I asked, mirroring her expression
She straightened herself and let out a slight cough as she asked, "How old is He?"
"Big Bro's nearly eight"
"That's impossible. Stop lying to me." She pointed a finger at me. "Humans awaken at ages around 12."
"Dad said Big B- I mean Arthur awoke at 2." I added correcting myself.
Her eyes widened.
"Mum said that he destroyed half of their Hou-"
"It's impossible to awaken at 2!" she protested, raising her voice a few octaves as she edged forwards.
"How so?" I asked, still confused by her surprise
"Because it is", she said in the same tone.
"He helped me awaken a few months ago as well", I said, holding my hand to my chin.
She didn't say anything, just looked at me with bewilderment.
"B-but you're my age..." she said sadly as she looked downwards towards the floor.
'Uhhh...'
"Art is also helping Lilia and El become mages; maybe he can help you, too," I said as she raised her head slightly to face me.
"...He would do that?" she asked, her voice quieter than before.
I nodded, a little too eager. "Of course, Big B- Art is cool, and he said it's easier when you're young. He showed me... and El, and Big Sis Lilia too, so it should be easy for someone of Royalty." I smiled.
Kathyln pressed her lips together, and for the first time since she had come over to me, she looked like just a girl. Not some porcelain doll that her parents had dressed up as an accessory.
"When Arthur comes back, or maybe before if he's not busy, I can ask him for you. He likes teaching people."
Kathyln's fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress. It was the first time I had seen her move without that careful calm. "...Thank you," she murmured. Her eyes meet mine again. "That is... kind of you. Elias." The corners of her mouth twitched into a slight smile.
'Why is sh-'
My thoughts were cut short as the auctioneer's voice boomed from below, echoing through the grand hall.
"I should go back," she said, her voice returning to its usual calm. "May I... stand with you again later?"
I blinked, stunned. "Yeah! I mean- yes. You can, that would be nice."
She dipped her head and drifted back to stand beside her mother and brother.
'What the hell was wrong with me?'
'Why was I-'
"Come on, Lias, it's about to start", my brother's voice called as a slight smirk crept onto the corner of his mouth.
"Why are you smiling like that?" I asked, feeling a strange mix of annoyance and embarrassment.
"Nothing, Nothing at all, little brother." He placed a hand behind my back as he led me to our seat.
I climbed up on the sofa next to Mum as Art took a seat next to me, resting his arm on the chair's arm, with Sylvie curling up there too.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" the auctioneer boomed. "It is my highest honour to welcome you all tonight. You are gathered here for one reason and one reason only. The opportunity to obtain rare and valuable treasures!"
Applause thundered through the hall.
"If everyone would kindly turn to the private room at the very top, we are blessed tonight by the presence of exceedingly important figures. Please join me in welcoming the King and Queen of Sapin!"
The auctioneer bowed deeply. The audience followed with respectful bows from their seats.
The King and Queen stepped forward to the window and waved with practised ease.
"Next, the man who made this event possible. A round of applause for Vincent Helstea!"
Another wave of applause rolled through the room as Vincent stepped forward and bowed in return.
With the introductions complete, the auction officially began.
---
Hello everyone, Rius here,
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. See you tomorrow for Chapter 8.
Thank you to Lancelot Dragonroad for beta-reading and editing.
Rius Out.