6. Traven
“Today in Lily Hall, we have ten general items and one special item on display.”
Anika spoke to Gophrid, who sat in the corner of the dark auditorium wearing a black mask. The tall stage at the center of Lily Hall was still shrouded in shadow. A moment later, as the show was about to begin, the host in a white mask emerged from behind the curtain, stepping down to the front of the stage, while attendants in black uniforms lined up along the back wall.
“Fewer items than usual. What's the expected price for this special item?”
Anika fell silent for a moment, considering Gophrid's question.
“Today's special item is Estelle, a girl I've personally trained over the past five months. Starting bid is five thousand gold. I expect the contract to close around eight thousand.”
“Not bad.”
The young master murmured softly, and Anika glanced at him.
“Did the gift I sent please you?”
“Mm.”
With no further words forthcoming, Anika held her tongue. She hadn't fully grasped the young master's preferences yet, but like his father, he was taciturn.
The dark hall gradually filled as masked guests entered one by one, until about twenty had settled into the plush sofas at the front. After a suitable interval, the white-masked host at the front gestured, and suddenly bright light flooded the darkened stage.
“The show will begin shortly, my lord.”
Anika watched the young master's expression as she spoke. He stared at the stage impassively. His calm, emotionless gaze set him apart from the eager guests in the seats ahead, their eyes burning with anticipation—befitting Stunel's master.
As the host exchanged signals with attendants behind the curtain, preparing for the imminent show, a heavy white door at the rear of Lily Hall opened quietly. A figure of average male height, cloaked head to toe in thick black robes, entered alongside a smaller person in identical garb. The smaller one appeared female from build and form. They took seats far off to the side.
Anika immediately recalled the guest who had reserved Lily Hall three days prior.
“Anika.”
The young master had noticed them too. Fixing his gaze there, he turned to her.
“Yes, my lord.”
Anika bowed respectfully.
“See to them with special care. No discomforts.”
With that, the young master returned his attention to the stage. Anika eyed the newcomers—retainers of the Traven count family. She hadn't anticipated their acquaintance with Stunel's young master.
“Understood, my lord.”
Soon, the host standing beside the stage climbed up and faced the audience, bowing deeply before announcing loudly:
“The auction will now commence!”
With a gesture toward the curtain, the stage lights widened and brightened further. The white-masked host stepped down into the glare and took position to the side. Moments later, the curtain fluttered, and the first auction item emerged, striding calmly to center stage.
The woman in a white slip stood poised under the harsh light, the sheer fabric revealing the pert swell of her bare breasts beneath. Her figure was a masterpiece of curves—narrow waist flaring to generous hips. Transparent blue eyes lent an air of innocence to her clean features, contrasted by sensual red lips.
“We begin with today's special item: Estelle.”
Estelle bowed gracefully toward the audience. As she bent, her full breasts shifted enticingly within the slip. The masked guests' ravenous gazes devoured her.
“Estelle starts at five thousand gold.”
At the host's signal, she turned. Soft waves of light brown hair cascaded past her shoulders, the thin slip translucent against her straight back and dizzying hip curves. Her languid posture evoked a woman fresh from bed and lover. Hot stares poured over her from all sides.
Tensing under the sudden scrutiny, Estelle bit her lip, her eyes flickering unsteadily.
“Does she please you?”
Meredis whispered to Kylie in a low voice. Kylie stared at Estelle center stage. Until now, her substitutes like K had been procured via letter to Stunel's madam—specifying needs and payment, end of process. No choices involved.
But seeing the items live allowed for tastes, sparking mild interest. After all, whatever she chose today was destined for her bed.
“Not bad. But isn't the price steep? Unlike last week's order, auction items require four times the deposit.”
To take Estelle not to Stunel but to the Traven estate would cost twenty thousand gold—a sum befitting a special item.
Meredis nodded.
“Expensive, yes. But unlike before, they have long lifespans and can live normally.”
“Hmm.”
Kylie examined Estelle closely. Large eyes, proportionate nose, plump red lips, flawless contours. With her voluptuous figure, Estelle was a rare beauty justifying the price. Still, it was beyond her budget—ten thousand gold at most.
“Pretty, but too costly.”
Meredis nodded again. Meanwhile, bids heated up front; the host called out cheerfully.
“Seven thousand five hundred gold! Ah, now eight thousand!”
Enthusiasm for the special item surged, jumping from five to eight thousand swiftly.
“Any further bids? Then countdown: 3, 2—”
A single finger rose from the front row.
“Eight thousand five hundred. Countdown: 3, 2, 1. Sold!”
Estelle vanished behind the curtain at the signal. Moments later, it parted again, revealing two women center stage—ordinary in looks compared to Estelle, numbered tags on their hips.
The auction continued; Kylie watched indifferently as items rotated. Faces would be hooded anyway—irrelevant. What mattered: price and temperament. Without magical restraints, they needed innate compliance to meet Count Traven's demands.
This visual auction revealed nothing of personality. Kylie crossed her arms, leaning back.
She'd lost interest. Better to consult the madam for recommendations matching that temperament.
“Meredis.”
Kylie called softly. Meredis turned from the stage.
“We need to see the madam.”
Meredis rose quietly, approaching an attendant in black by the wall. He nodded and led her away. Soon, a sleek woman approached Kylie's seat, bowing politely.
“You summoned me, my lord?”
A striking woman in her mid-thirties, her red dress accentuating lush curves, smiled appraisingly. “Stunel's madam, Anika.”