Chapter 04
It was a good idea to hide in the cart like that. The key was how to find the Duke Bellstein among all those people.
Fortunately, it was quite dark inside the auction house, so if you walk well under the table, you won’t be caught by anyone.
Luciel hurriedly hid herself under the table seat and thought.
Marquis Cavill definitely referred to him as an “old man,” so he must be and elder. The Duke of Bellstein, was not very old even when Luciel became an adult.
“Then, is he the father of the Duke?’
When she was in the Imperial City, the Crown prince once carried Luciel around like an ornament because of her splendid beauty.
At that time, I heard what the nobles said. Unlike the current Head who hardly goes outside the fief, the former Duke would frequently go outside,
Maybe collecting artworks was a hobby.
Then someone sat in the table seat where Luciel was hiding. He must be a fat and chubby man, his thick and sturdy legs like an elephant seemed to reach Luciel’s nose.
She held her breath and huddled still. She should take the opportunity to move.
Ting.
But at the next moment, the ring that the man dropped stopped next to Luciel’s foot.
“Damn!”
While spilling nonsense, the man’s head went under the table and Luciel’s hat was lifted up.
“Kya!”
A violent hand pulled Luciel out and grabbed her by the collar like she was being struggled.
“I can’t believe such a little thief is hiding here! What kind of management is this? I almost got my ring stolen!”
Luciel was on the verge of being kicked out as the man held the fallen ring and screamed.
But I didn’t want to be framed for things I didn’t do.
“I didn’t steal it. You just dropped it.”
“It’s a lie!”
“Oh my, my gosh. What happened? Where the child come from?”
People were buzzing. Luciel looked around. Would there be an Elder from the Bellstein among these people?
Then…
“I’m not a beggar! I’m a servant of Bellstein!”
The word “Bellstein” drew more attention from people.
“How dare you mention Bellstein’s name?”
The auction house manager and bodyguards rushed in and bowed their heads to the fat nobleman.
“My Lord, I’m sorry. This never happen since the we opened…….everyone drag her out!
At that moment, someone sitting next to the fat man said as he took off his hat.
“Wait. I think there is a mistake. Aren’t you ashamed, of being a noble?”
He was an impressive old gentleman with unusually sharp red eyes. The gentleman with a large pipe in his mouth looked unusual at a glance.
A firm and beautiful impression that never fades out even though he is an old man. Luxurious clothes and elegance flowed through his body.
There was a sense of intimidation that made everyone bow their heads. He must have been a great nobleman.
The man under pressure asked.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ve been watching it all with my own eyes since earlier. You dropped your ring by mistake. Am wrong?
“That’s… Anyway, what does the gentleman have to do with this child? Why are you siding with her?
“That kid, I brought her here.”
Luciel looked up at the unexpected words and made eye contact with the old gentleman standing up with a cane.
When the old gentleman sent a signal with his eyes, Luciel understood and spoke loudly.
“Now, let me go!”
The old gentleman’s eyes fluttered for a moment, and ‘he looked at the fat man as if seeing something pathetic.
“If you don’t put down the child, you’ll go through something bad.”
“….What? This is not your bussiness.”
The old gentleman immediately moved, perhaps because he felt that he couldn’t communicate.
Crack, crack.
“Argh!”
The old gentleman, who quickly broke the man’s joint, took Luciel out of the fat man’s hand.
After the old gentleman released the men, he hugged, Luciel’s small body. She felt as if she had climbed up a tree, because he was tall.
“He’s really tall.’
The old gentleman glared at the nobleman.
“If you touch Bellstein, it’s our way and our rule not to forgive anyone.”
Luciel and the fat man were all surprised by the word “Bellstein.”
“Be, Bellstein D-D-Duke? Hic! Hic! Are you talking about the Duke?”
The formed Duke replied with a light nod.
“It was like that in the past.”
He was so surprised that the fat man almost fell on his butt. I heard people around me whispering here and there.
“It’s Bellstein.” “You are over when you get in Bellstein eyes….”
However, the sound of the words also subsided at the same time as the old master’s gaze went around. The atmosphere was settled quietly, and the frightening nobleman moved his seat to another place.
The former Duke gently put Luciel next to him. She was puzzled by the kindness she received of others for the first time in her life.
“Child, you should say thank you”.
“Th… Thank you.”
‘Luciel’s eyes became more round and then bowed.
“I’m sorry I lied that I was a Bellstein’s servant….”
“If you didn’t, no one would have listened to you. However, it would have been dangerous if you had named another family. Don’t do that from now on.”
“……Yes.”
Finally, I met Bellstein’s old Duke. But not knowing what to say, I only looked up at him.
“If you’re here alone, stay here for a while and go. That would be safe. Now, choose what you want to
eat.”
He handed over the menu in front of her. Luciel looked into it for a long time, but she couldn’t choose.
It was all new to her.
Luciel had never eaten a variety of foods. Not only in the Count, but the Marquis and the Imperial place did, not allow her to eat delicious food.
‘To make more transparent jewelry, you have to eat something clear and transparent!’
Those who knew the existence of the Crystal Fairy believed in these false rumors.
As a result, she only ate transparent tea, liquid food, or porridge with little solid food until she died. Even a small amount of bread or meat was very rare.
Just looking at the gorgeous desserts at the banquet made the eyes of the maids who watched her sharpen. So she couldn’t eat.
Luciel’s cheeks quickly turned red with shame because she was not sure which to choose.
“……Something warm.”
“Then warm milk tea would be good. I also ordered a tart with whipped cream and strawberry.”
Soon after, Luciel’s crimson eyes grew even bigger when two cups of milk tea and whipped cream strawberry tarts came out.
“Warm milk tea is the best to warm up your body.”
The old Duke put a mug of milk tea in front of Luciel.
“It’s hot, so be careful.”
“Yes.”
Luciel wrapped the cup with both hands and looked quietly into what was inside. White and fluffy bubbles were on top.
It was the first time I’ve seen it in my life. When the old Duke lifted the cup first and drank it, there was white milk foam around his mouth.
Luciel also lifter the mug and tasted it carefully. When the milk bubbles touched her tongue, it melted gently.
‘It’s soft and sweet.’
When Luciel tilted her head in wonder, the gentleman let her know with a sly smile.
“The real thing is hidden under the bubbles.”
Then he handed over a teaspoon.
Luciel, who received the spoon, gently and carefully removed the white foam. Then a light brown liquid appeared.
It had a rich and sweet flavor. Luciel, who ate it with a teaspoon, was surprised.
‘It’s so sweet and delicious.’
Said Luciel.
“It’s my first time eating something this sweet. It tastes as happy as when I fall asleep.”
“That’s a unique expression I’ve never heard of before. Eat that, too. It’s yours.”
Luciel looked down and stared at the plate he pointed at.
Even in a short moment, Luciel felt happy with milk tea. However, compared to strawberry whipped cream tarts, milk tea was nothing.
I took a bite of fresh cream, fresh strawberries, and crispy tart snacks like fluffy clouds.
Luciel’s cheeks swelled up automatically.
The sweet harmony I felt in my mouth every time I ate, was truly an ecstatic taste as if an angel were blowing a trumpet in heaven.
The child who was chewing tarts in his mouth was like a small squirrel.
“Seeing your face, I should order one more.”
With the consideration of the old master, Luciel was able to eat delicious desserts. The auction, immediately began, and Luciel glanced at the old man sitting next to him.
”I can’t believe it, but we really met. Bellstein’s grandfather Duke.
Luciel sips the slightly cooled milk tea and falls into thought.
‘What should I say? First, let’s wait until the auction is over.’
The auction went on for a long time. It was the first time I had seen so many rare objects.
But there was one annoying thing.
Marquis of Cavill, she heard the voice of her father-inlaw from the past. He was bidding in so many auctions that it was impossible to ignore.
Luciel, who remembered bad memories, shrugged her body involuntarily.
Meanwhile, Luciel’s familiar object came up on the auction table.
‘That’s… … .’
It was a pottery from the ancient kingdom of Iskail, which the Marquis of Cavill had enshrined in his study.
But now, no one at the auction house knew its worth. It was only in the future that the identity of the pottery would be revealed.
“This is a detailed and beautiful pottery that came out of the backyard of a certain artist. It starts with 200,000 tilling.”
The Marquis won the bid for 500,000 Tillings, the original value will exceed over 1000 times the low price it was bought for.
Luciel stared at the seat next to her.
“Excuse me…”
As soon as he felt the child’s gaze, the old duke looked at her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Can you listen to me for a moment?”
At Luciel’s shy words, he willingly gave up his ears.
“I will make you rich. Bid on that pottery with 700,000 Tillings.”
“……Hm?”
“The price will jump a thousand times later. I can assure you.”