Received the Obsession of a Chaste Dark Lord - Chapter 17

At the mention of Isolde’s Tears, a suffocating silence fell over the auction house.

The imperial family’s treasure that had disappeared from the empress’s coffin one day, but according to rumors, was certainly inside the imperial palace’s treasury.

The fact that Isolde’s Tears was here meant that the jewel had vanished from the imperial palace’s treasury.

Except for the auctioneer who boldly removed the cloth covering the item with a confident gesture, everyone else kept their mouths firmly shut due to the fact they had just realized.

“If you thought Isolde’s Tears was in the imperial palace, you’ve all been fooled! But that’s to be expected, since all politicians are liars.”

And it was the auctioneer’s witty comment that broke that atmosphere.

The auctioneer who deliberately adopted a humorous tone to change the mood slowly paced across the stage.

Then suddenly, he bent towards Isolde’s Tears, which was gleaming brilliantly under the stage lights.

“Have you ever seen a diamond shine so brilliantly? It boasts a purity that appears only once in several hundred years. Although originally blue, its high purity makes it appear sky blue at a glance.”

The auctioneer, bending exaggeratedly at the waist, continued speaking while moving back and forth as if closely examining Isolde’s Tears.

“There’s even a saying that with this jewel alone, you can achieve any miracle you wish!”

It was a highly exaggerated gesture, as if watching a play.

“Didn’t the first empress actually do that? Bringing rain during droughts, stopping rain during floods! Didn’t she even make flower petals rain down unexpectedly?”

He then lifted the jewel with a very careful touch.

Then he held it up to the light, making it sparkle and shine.

To show how its transparency even allowed light to pass through.

“Can you see? Do you think this level of purity can be faked?”

As if to say, this is the real thing. Stop doubting whether the one in the imperial palace is real.

People swallowed quietly at the nuance that seemed to be saying just that.

“Then are you saying His Majesty lied?”

“A lie… can we call it that? He merely ordered silence on the matter.”

“In any case, no one knows what the truth is.”

Whispers could be heard nearby.

The never-ending debate about the truth of Isolde’s Tears was igniting once again.

I glanced at the auctioneer, who was still excitedly talking, while checking Leoprick’s expression in the seat next to me.

First of all, the size of that jewel alone was not something commonly seen, and its transparency that allowed light to pass through was high.

On top of that, the cutting technique that reflected light.

‘That jewel is indeed the real Isolde’s Tears.’

And decisively, I vaguely remembered Hayley’s report that she had obtained the item from an auction house in the past.

Calculating where Betty, whom I had sent on an errand, might be, I leaned over and whispered to Leoprick.

“It seems we’ve found the right thing.”

At my words, Leoprick, who had been staring intently at the auctioneer and the jewel he was holding, nodded slightly.

“In many ways, indeed.”

If I say I heard a small sound like teeth grinding at the end of his quietly added words, would it be my imagination?

Outwardly calm and composed, he was simply staring intently at the stage.

After watching him for a moment, I turned my head back to the stage.

The auctioneer’s excited tone once again filled the space.

“Isolde’s Tears, which no one can doubt! We’ll start at 10,000 gold!”

10,000 gold.

At the mention of starting from an amount equivalent to a small territory’s annual living expenses, small gasps could be heard here and there.

I thought it made sense since it was the real Isolde’s Tears, but…

“15,000!”

And breaking that brief silence, someone raised their hand.

Then those who had been just watching each other began to raise their hands one by one.

“17,000!”

“20,000! 20,000!”

“21,000!”

Whether they really had that much money, or were just boldly shouting out of stubbornness and bravado, I wasn’t sure, but the amount kept increasing as time passed.

And proportionally, Leoprick’s face grew more and more stern.

“It seems their livers have come out of their bellies.”

Finally, when the amount called out reached 50,000, equivalent to half a year’s budget for the empire.

Leoprick muttered in a low, menacing voice.

At that moment, when I strongly felt that this auction house and those who had set foot in it would likely not escape unscathed.

He raised his hand.

“100,000.”

Though his voice was low, his attitude quiet, and his gesture simple, that one word was enough to instantly plunge the auction house into silence.

100,000 is equivalent to the empire’s annual budget, and not many people have that amount in cash.

Even for a great noble.

As he spat out that large amount as if throwing it away, Count Daeon, who had been hiding in a corner with his face covered by a mask, stood up from his seat.

As attention turned to him, Leoprick murmured softly.

“That will be accepted in place of everyone’s life here.”

That word became the signal.

The soldiers hidden here and there on Leoprick’s orders, and the people from the merchant group who were pretending to be of the same affiliation as I had asked Betty to do.

Everyone sprang out from their hiding places at once.

“Criminals who have violated the sacred law! Arrest them all!”

With a resounding voice, the knights of Wayne’s territory all drew their swords and blocked the entrance.

Starting with the auctioneer who had been making a fuss holding Isolde’s Tears on stage, those who dared to try to buy a national treasure for personal use, and everyone else in the auction house began to be bound one by one.

People who had been calling out higher and higher amounts to get their hands on the precious item now found themselves bringing shame to their family names because of that very item.

Moreover, they would also face enormous fines and punishments.

“This is a false accusation! A false accusation!”

“I didn’t buy anything! I just came out of curiosity!”

“How dare you! Do you know who I am!”

And of course, not a single one of these people admitted their wrongdoing willingly.

How ridiculous.

“Arrest everyone without exception!”

And according to Leoprick’s plan of not wanting to reveal his involvement in this affair, I and he too were arrested with some feigned resistance.

On our way, unlike the others, we were expected to arrive safely at our lodgings.

“Not a single person should be missed.”

“Do not worry. We’re ensuring that not even a rat from the auction house escapes.”

“Has the item been secured safely?”

“Yes. I’ve instructed trustworthy individuals to transport it safely.”

“Good. Send someone as soon as it’s confirmed.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

While Leoprick was quietly conversing with Count Daeon who was escorting him, I watched a group of knights disappearing behind the stage.

These men, with swords at their waists, moving in an orderly fashion and surveying their surroundings, clearly looked like well-trained knights to anyone who saw them.

After observing the unfamiliar backs, I turned my head and followed Leoprick again.

As they were all in civilian clothes for infiltration, I couldn’t tell exactly who among them was from the merchant group, but one thing was certain.

Today, Isolde’s Tears that was here would come into my hands, not Leoprick’s.

And the fact that it would be used entirely for my husband, Leoprick.

* * *

“…You couldn’t find Isolde’s Tears?”

That evening, Leoprick’s face hardened terribly as he received reports from the knights of Wayne.

Apparently, the knight commander and Count Daeon reported that while they had searched all other jewels and precious items, they couldn’t locate Isolde’s Tears.

Standing behind him, brewing the tea Betty had brought, I had to be careful not to show any change in my expression.

Well, that was my intention after all.

Having heard the whole story from Betty who had arrived ahead of the knights’ return, I struggled not to laugh alone in the increasingly tense atmosphere.

Then I quietly put down the teacup and slowly left the room.

Perhaps to Leoprick and the other knights, it would appear that I had hurriedly left unable to bear the atmosphere.

Only after the door closed with a click and I returned to my room could I relax the stiff set of my lips.

“You’re back, Lady? How was the atmosphere over there?”

As soon as I returned to the room, Betty came running as if she had been waiting.

Her eyes were sparkling with curiosity about the situation over there.

I smirked at Betty and sat down.

“Don’t even ask. His Highness seemed incredibly angry.”

“Hmm. He has reason to be angry. It’s like losing everything at the last moment. I’d be furious too if I were him.”

Betty said with a slight shudder.

But even so, there was nothing I could do.

Because I was the one who had planned all of this.

From now on, I will continue to do my best to complete the big picture I’m drawing, pretending to interfere with his work like this.

“So, it’s at the merchant group’s Wayne branch, right?”

“Yes, Lady. For now, it’s stored in the branch’s safe. Even the Wayne branch manager doesn’t know the password.”

I had asked Betty for just two things.

To disguise the merchant group’s people as knights and infiltrate them into the auction house.

And to have those people smuggle out Isolde’s Tears.

Betty had done both tasks admirably, and Isolde’s Tears was now with the merchant group.

“I guess I’ll have to go and see it.”

“If you’re going, should I prepare? But you’ll have to be sure to avoid His Highness’s eyes.”

“I know. Nothing good will come from being caught.”

I nodded at Betty’s words and stood up again.

“Let’s first find a way to go as quietly as possible. We also need someone who can stay in my place when I’m gone, even if it’s in secret. And…”

“Mela. Are you inside?”

It was then, as I was discussing various possibilities with Betty.

A small knock was heard from outside.

Along with Mela, a name that was no longer needed.

I quickly stopped talking at the familiar voice.

Betty glanced at me and headed towards the door.

She was probably going to open it.

I gave her a small nod, and Betty slowly opened the door and let the person outside in.

“Did you finish your conversation well, Your Highness?”

The door opened and Leoprick entered.

His face was a bit brighter than before, but still stern as he shook his head slightly at my words.

“I think I need to go out for a while. It seems there’s been a bit of a problem.”

“Are you going to Wayne Castle?”

“Yes. There’s something I need to check at the castle. You should go to bed first tonight.”

He smiled at me, but perhaps because he had come in with such a dark expression, it didn’t look particularly bright.

Feeling unnecessarily sorry, I smiled brightly at him.

“Don’t worry and go. If I’m tired, I’ll go to bed first.”

“…I’m sorry. This honeymoon doesn’t feel much like a honeymoon.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m really fine.”

Leoprick kept repeating that he was sorry until the knights finished their preparations and came to fetch him.

Even though the person who should be more sorry was someone else.

Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)

One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.

Synopsis:

Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.

Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.

Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.

Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.

There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.