Chapter 28: Alright, You Want to Give It a Try?
"Mm, slept well."
The morning sunlight filtering through the window cracks from the imperial capital offered a comfort worlds apart from the north's biting blizzards.
I'd arrived so late last night that I thought I'd be sleeping on the streets, but luck was on my side—I snagged a decent inn near the north gate.
It wasn't as luxurious as the duke's opulent bedroom, but the bed was soft enough, and the air tickling my nose was far warmer and sweeter than the north's chill.
Be ti's probably still fuming...
I sat up in bed with a low sigh.
That miserable look on her face when I'd drawn the line with my dream talk kept flashing in my mind. But I couldn't just mope here.
Just two more days. I'll bring you the most beautiful jewel in the world.
With that ironclad resolve to snag the gem at tonight's auction, I stepped out of the inn.
My first stop was the heart of the empire's economy: the Central Imperial Bank.
The bank's interior, propped up by massive marble pillars like a temple, buzzed with the clink of gold coins and the scratch of quill pens on paper. People hustled about, the air thick with the strange mix of ink and money.
I approached the counter and pulled out my imperial certified ID from my pocket—the one with the subtle royal crest at the bottom. Like a modern ID card, it was ironclad proof of my status as the empire's third imperial prince.
"I'd like a check issued. The full 2,000 gold on deposit."
The clerk, who'd eyed my shabby clothes and hood suspiciously, went wide-eyed the moment he checked the ID. His hands trembled as he handed it back, his face draining to pale as a ghost.
"Y-yes, Your Highness! R-right away! Shall I issue a high-value check for the full 2,000 gold?"
"Yeah. All of it."
Part of the Winter Rose Pepper profits that Luna had deposited here at my request. The hefty sum of 2,000 gold was now a crisp high-value check in my hand.
With this much cash, I felt confident I could outbid any big shot at tonight's auction.
Funds secured, and with hours to kill before the auction, I headed straight to Capital Street 3—the real estate hub for nobles and tycoons.
The air there reeked of money. Every carriage rolling by was flashy, and people's outfits screamed excess.
I picked the most upscale-looking brokerage and stepped inside.
"Welcome. If I may, do you have any proof of identity?"
The broker approached with a wary glance at my ragged appearance. Instead of flashing my ID, I silently doffed my hood and tipped my hat just enough.
My dazzling golden hair and striking blue eyes emerged, and the broker bowed low with a yelp.
"Y-Your Highness...! We humbly greet the Third Imperial Prince of the great Luminares Empire!"
"Yeah. Thing is, I don't want word getting out that I'm in the capital, so can we go inside?"
The broker hustled me into a private VVIP room. I sank deep into the plush velvet sofa and got to the point.
"I'm planning to open a restaurant in the capital's heart. Looking for a spot with max foot traffic but still classy."
Hands shaking, the broker unrolled a map and pointed to prime real estate right on the central boulevard.
"Your Highness, there's a perfect five-story stone building. Matches your specs on location, size, and prestige. The owner, Lady Isabella de Goldman—Count Goldman's only daughter—put it up for sale a month ago."
"Lady Isabella de Goldman of the Goldman count's house?"
"Yes. She's the sole heiress to the Goldman family, biggest backers of the southern mega-trading company 'Golden Scales.' Red hair, stunning beauty, but her business savvy's infamous—like a viper."
My brow furrowed at the name.
Golden Scales. They'd monopolized the empire's spice market through pepper distribution, but since my Winter Rose Pepper launched, they'd lost their grip badly.
"Hm... backers of Golden Scales. Think she'll sell to me? I'm basically the enemy who stole their rice bowl."
"Lady Isabella's known as a hardcore pragmatist. Offer a fair price, and she'll sell to her worst foe."
"Good. Contact her. Tell her I'll meet in person soon to discuss the building deal."
I left the brokerage with a confident stride.
I'd found the perfect capital base that fit me like a glove. Snag the gem for Be ti at tonight's auction, and everything would be perfect.
Wonder if Be ti's having lunch right now?
Thinking of her probably at lunch, I hit a promising capital restaurant for some market research and a meal.
As evening fell, I made for the auction house.
Two burly men in black uniforms stood at the entrance. They blocked my path the second they saw me.
"From which house, sir? No invitation or ID, no entry."
I glanced around, then cautiously lifted my hat to show my face.
"Gasp! The Third Imperial Pri—!"
"Shh."
I pressed a finger to my lips, silencing them.
The youngest-looking one bolted inside, soon returning with a middle-aged man who seemed like the manager. He bowed lightly in welcome.
"An honor to have you grace our auction tonight, Your Highness. This way, please..."
He handed me a white mask and escorted me personally to the VVIP seats.
The hall hummed with nobles in masks murmuring secretly.
The manager bowed apologetically beside me.
"Forgive us, Your Highness. We kept your arrival secret as requested, but some saw the entrance fuss. Word's spreading— the room's abuzz. Anything you're eyeing tonight?"
"Winter Heart."
My curt reply drew an admiring smile from him.
"As expected from Your Highness. The eye that made Winter Rose Pepper a smash hit. No one will dare bid against you."
I just nodded, no reply.
Once the auction's done, straight back to Winterfell.
Moments later, spotlights converged on the stage, and the auction began. The host in a flashy tailcoat tapped his gavel twice.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the secret auction! We'll proceed with 'silent bidding.' Raising your paddle means a 10-gold increment from the base. Calling out a price sets it immediately. Before the gavel falls three times, only those who know true value claim these treasures!"
Under the host's slick lead, the auction kicked off.
Early lots were ancient relics from ruins or rare foreign masterpieces.
"Next: the 'Tear of the Sun' pendant, unearthed from a southern ancient kingdom! Starting bid: 50 gold!"
"70 gold!" "100 gold!"
Tense bidding wars raged, the host's voice rising with each jump. After some knickknacks, he straightened his attire with a grave expression.
"And now, the highlight! Brilliance like crystallized northern blizzards! The white diamond, Winter Heart!"
Finally. Thought I'd die waiting.
As the cloth lifted, gasps echoed through the hall. The gem gleamed with transparent, icy light.
Its pure white would contrast perfectly with Be ti's cool, beautiful crimson eyes. It captivated me.
"Starting bid: 300 gold!"
I called without hesitation.
"500 gold."
The host's voice quivered with excitement.
"Oh! The gentleman with the magnificent golden hair and blue eyes jumps straight to 500 gold! A true heavyweight!"
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
Even with the mask, he's broadcasting my features—advertising my identity.
But it was fine. Let them know I'm after it; no one would compete.
"500 gold! Anyone higher? Ending already? Countdown: 3, 2..."
"600 gold."
An elegant voice shattered the hush.
The bidder: a woman with long, fiery red hair. The host glanced my way as if checking.
She met my gaze with a leisurely smile—a blatant let's see who has deeper pockets challenge.
Alright, you want to give it a try?
I gripped my paddle tighter. The capital's night, the auction's heat, was just igniting.
The Imperial Palace.
The emperor gazed out at the capital, lost in deep thought. The silence broke as the chief chamberlain approached cautiously and bowed.
"Your Majesty, a report."
"Speak."
"Prince Rian entered the capital alone through the north gate last night. Moments ago, confirmed at a real estate broker on Street 3."
The emperor's majestic voice rippled the air.
"Is that so? For now, keep our distance—no showing yourselves. Tail him."
"Understood."
As the chamberlain withdrew, the emperor stared back at the capital, pondering inwardly.
Why's the boy who should be in the north here alone? Trouble with the Winterfell duke's daughter? Or...
The emperor sank into contemplation over Rian's sudden solo visit to the capital.