Case 130: Upon an encounter with Cecilia.
Before Valerie could call out to Cecilia, the auction suddenly began.
'...No, calm down. There's a chance this is a different person. That woman hadn't been going to these auctions lately.'
Or so the girl told herself. Still, her eyes were practically glued to the suspicious figure.
The more she looked, the more her uneasiness grew. Even in the empire, there weren't many people who could match Cecilia's figure. She wasn't just voluptuous, but also unbelievably slender. This, in turn, had made recognizing her a lot easier.
Valerie sat listlessly for a long while, hesitating. Time seemed to be stretched endlessly, drowning the noises around her. It wasn't until the auctioneer announced the final item—the Soul Flute itself—that she snapped out. It had been two hours.
'Already?!'
The princess nervously wiped the sweat on her palm, glancing at the figure beside her.
'She didn't bid on anything. Nothing caught her eye? Or...'
Soon enough, the answer showed itself, and Valerie's worst prediction became true. The auctioneer had just finished introducing the flute when Cecilia raised her number.
''Two million.'' A soft, melodious voice rang.
Amidst the sea of people using voice distortion artifacts, hers didn't garner any suspicion, yet Valarie was horrified. She knew that voice. The little princess's hands trembled.
Cecilia used to bid on shady items, but they were, at most, shady, whereas the Soul Flute was known for its immoral operational method. The fact that she appeared during such a sensitive time and desired this exact item... something was definitely wrong.
Valerie's mind raced.
While she was racking her brain to somehow find a way to resolve this justly, the bids were steadily rising.
''Three and a half million.''
''Three point six.''
''Three point sixty-five.''
The whole underground space was rowdy with constant bids and whispers. Clearly, many present were determined to snatch this tool for themselves, regardless of the danger it would bring.
Still, nobody's fund was unlimited. As the price rocketed to four and a half million, the number of bidders noticeably lessened, and the increments got smaller.
''F-Four point seventy-five.'' A hoarse voice sounded, tugging a bit more on the tension.
If one paid attention, they would realize that this person was the most persistent bidder so far. 'His background must not be ordinary,' some keen participants thought.
Seeing that no one was willing to raise the bid, the auctioneer began the countdown.
''Four point seventy-five million, one time—''
At that moment, the elegant figure beside Valerie raised her number, ''Five million.''
In an instant, the space fell into silence. The jump was unnaturally steep, as if she were declaring her ownership over the item. Many turned around to glimpse the madwoman, only to be met with a full-face mask.
The earlier man who bid before the woman trembled in anger, but he didn't have the kind of financial prowess to go further. A sigh escaped his mouth, perhaps the pent-up stress. At least this way, he wouldn't be targeted later after the auction concluded.
It took the stunned auctioneer a few seconds to realize the newest bid and begin the countdown again. This time, no one interfered, and the mysterious woman won the flute.
'This is bad...!'
Valerie bit her lips hard.
As she stood outside, waiting for the item distribution to end, a wave of chill went down her spine. Cecilia was a well-known figure in high society after her debut five years earlier. Her connections weren't something an ordinary noble could achieve in their lifetime, not to mention her romantic involvements with three prominent magnates in central Libre.
If she ever used the flute on any of her connections with malicious intent, the empire—no, the whole continent would be plunged into chaos. She would have absolute control over the monarchy sooner or later, and worse, if she had ties with the demons...
'I... I have to confront her. I have to do it before it's too late.'
The decision came quickly. Valerie wasted no time notifying her bodyguards to get into a formation and to request further reinforcements. The only silver lining in this case would be if the bidder earlier wasn't Cecilia. Though that possibility seemed thin, considering the obvious signs.
Valerie swallowed anxiously as she paced outside. A tense wait later, she finally spotted that familiar silhouette exiting the building.
''Wait up.'' The princess immediately blocked her way. ''Can we talk?''
''...Do I know you?'' The woman replied after a brief moment. ''Please get out of the way.''
The soft, elegant tone, the polite words—Valerie knew them too well. Gritting her teeth, she snorted, ''Stop pretending, Cecilia de Orleans. Follow me, or I'll have you arrested right here and now.''
The woman, presumably Cecilia, stood blankly for a while with her suitcase containing the flute. When the tension reached its peak, she finally nodded, ''Sure.''
Although Valerie's threat worked, she didn't feel one bit better.
'It really is that vixen...'
Anger and frustration swelled up. She had been thinking of Rachael, who doted on her, and this woman had completely deceived her big sister.
In a deserted alley, Valerie stood facing Cecilia's back. Her boduguards hid nearby, ready for action.
''I've already warned you before, didn't I?'' The princess coldly asked. ''Surrender that thing immediately.''
A faint laughter could be heard. Cecilia turned around, boldly taking off her mask, revealing her stunning face. The dull red eyes stared straight at the little princess, sending her a shudder.
''Why should I?'' Cecilia's lips parted. ''I've been preparing for this all this time... you don't expect me to give up just because of your cute threat, do you?''
''You... you...'' Valerie's body trembled with fury. Words seemed to be stuck in her throat.
''Don't try anything reckless, little detective.'' Cecilia's thin smile deepened. ''Your precious ones' lives are already in my hands. Be obedient and wait for the big show.''
Hearing that statement, the princess felt her heart stop beating, ''What do you mean?!'' Her flimsy pretense instantly fell, showing her true, still-naive self, ''What about my sister?! Don't tell me...''
''Tell anyone about this, and she'll be gone in a heartbeat.'' The calm reply came readily. ''Be grateful I left you alive until now.''
''N-No...''
As if amused, Cecilia slowly approached the little girl. An inexplicable aura enveloped the personnel nearby, immobilizing their movements. Slender fingers caught Valerie's chin as she was forced to look up.
The girl was breathless, pale.
''Perhaps you reaching this far is fate. Why don't we place a bet, then?'' Cecilia softly whispered, making sure only Valerie could hear it. ''On the heroine's birthday next year, I shall be present. If you could stop me by then, I will let your sister go. If not... you know the rest.''
''I-I...''
''Good luck, little detective.''
Cecilia chuckled, leaving but a sentence, and vanished without a trace.
After she disappeared, people quickly poured in from all directions, forming a shield around the imperial princess.
''Your Highness! Are you alright?!'' A female personnel member frantically asked.
''Quickly track that woman down! Someone, call the Knight Brigade and report Cecilia de Orleans! Put a bounty on her!'' The captain of the team instructed.
''Wait!''
Valerie, despite being terrified, resolutely spoke up, ''...Don't do that. Keep everything you see today a secret.''
''But, Your Highness—''
''This is an order!''
''...Understood.''
Thinking about what Cecilia said to her earlier, Valerie felt relieved she hadn't brought ordinary knights but her own team. They, the people she most trusted, could keep it quiet.
The princess's thoughts were jumbled.
Her body instinctively remembered the primal fear she had experienced just now. The invisible yet infinitely cold blade that pressed tightly against every inch of her skin as she faced those eyes—that was... something far from human. Yet, she gritted her teeth, a look of determination on her face.
'I won't let you harm my sister... never!'
