Red Tears.

The large red diamond was said to have been found long ago across the sea in Goldran.

As clear and luminous as freshly spilled blood, its red hue was unrivaled by any gemstone thus far.

The only flaw was that one corner contained a transparent inclusion, which, unfortunately, took the shape of a human heart.

The King of Goldran fashioned it into a teardrop-shaped necklace and offered it to a lady.

“I shall give you my red heart, become my concubine.”

She accepted the king’s courtship, but the end was tragic. She was poisoned by the queen.

Thereafter, the “Red Tears” fell into the hands of the Queen of Goldran, only for the king to be beheaded for treason and the royal palace burned. That was over forty years ago.

Since then, it changed hands among pirates in the open sea.

And about twenty years ago, it was rumored to have drifted back to the imperial mainland. Yet no one had verified the appearance of the “Red Tears.”

But now it adorned the stage at Riley’s auction.

Now, the “Red Tears” had a large gash resembling a knife mark on its metal ornament.

However, the gash ironically proved that it had been the protagonist of a perilous fate over the years.

Greyon muttered as he looked at it.

“Like a tiny sun. A blood-red sun.”

“Yes. It would suit you well.”

Princes and princesses are ceremonially called ‘Little Suns of Tagar.’ When Rocard made a joking reference to this, Greyon chuckled.

The auctioneer spoke.

“The auction for the first item today, the large red diamond, the legendary ‘Red Tears,’ will now begin! Authenticity guaranteed by Riley’s Auction House.”

Rocard laughed.

“To guarantee that, they must be quite certain.”

“We should investigate if they’re dealing with pirates.”

“What does it matter? It will be useless soon.”

Greyon opened his eyes wider, looked at Rocard, and slowly shook his head.

“The ‘Red Tears’ starts at five million gold, with increments of one hundred thousand gold. Five million gold, bidder 31. Five million one hundred thousand, bidder 6.”

The bids quickly escalated. The surprisingly low starting price seemed to be due to the fatal gash on the metal ornament.

“Five million seven hundred thousand gold, bidder 17.”

Then a woman spoke.

“Seven million gold.”

“Seven million gold from lady bidder 29. Bidding now increases by five hundred thousand gold. Seven million five hundred thousand, 17. Eight million, 29. Eight million five hundred thousand, 17….”

Rocard recognized bidder 29 and narrowed his brows.

Greyon whispered with a frustrated look.

“Damn. My budget is only up to twelve million.”

“That’s Karlyn Ankhart. The academy’s second-ranking student.”

“Ankhart family?”

“Will bidder 17 participate at ten million?”

But Greyon just glared at the auctioneer and didn’t raise his bid card.

Rocard muttered lowly.

“I’ll cover the additional amount. What are you doing?”

But Greyon had his bidding card pressed firmly against his knee.

Rocard barely managed to restrain himself from snatching the bid card from Greyon.

Money is not the issue here!

“You’re making a mistake, Your Highness.”

“Ten million gold for ‘Red Tears,’ going once, going twice, going thrice! The first item in Riley’s Auction, the legendary red diamond ‘Red Tears,’ is awarded to bidder 29!”

Applause and murmurs filled the auction room.

Karlyn Ankhart had no intention of hiding that she was now the owner of the ‘Red Tears.’ She elegantly stood and bowed lightly to the guests.

She didn’t forget to give a meaningful smile toward group 17.

“Now, let’s begin the second auction. The second item is….”

Meanwhile, the two men left their seats amidst the enthusiastic voice of the auctioneer.

In a secluded corner, Rocard whispered menacingly.
“Why are you doing this? Without it, you won’t have a birthday present!”

However, Greyan’s gaze was fixed on the back of Karlin, who was going to make the payment.

He muttered with a smirk.

“If there’s no money, you have to charm your way through it.”

“…….”

Duke Rocard hoped Greyan’s plan was not what he thought it was.

But Karlin, who had already acquired the ‘Red Tear,’ was approaching with her escort knights.

Duke Rocard took a step forward with a stern face, and Karlin approached, leaving her escort knights at a distance, and smiled.

“I thought you were Duke Kaidel. I never thought I’d meet you here during the break.”

“Lady Ankhart.”

“I apologize, but I won the ‘Red Tear.’ I hope you’re not upset.”

“I am. Upset.”

Karlin covered her mouth with her hand, her face slightly flushed by the unexpected reply. She was very elegant.

She spoke softly with a smile.

“Still, it’s true that I’m happy to beat you in something like this.”

Then Greyan stepped forward.

“Ankhart.”

Duke Rocard sighed internally but introduced him quietly so no one could hear.

“This is His Highness, Greyan, the second prince. You’re insightful, so let’s skip the formalities.”

“His Highness Prince Greyan!”

Karlin was surprised and whispered as she bowed her head.