"Yo!"
I greet Dawn Montello who was sitting on the chair at the entrance of garden waiting for me.
"Is that a way to greet a daughter of noble family?"
She glares at me. Her eyes stern as always.
"Come on, we are comrades right? Also now that I look at you properly, you are drop dead gorgeous."
I say flirtingly, checking her curves and grinning wide.
Of course! She blushed hearing such remarks.
"Ahem! Please don't say such things."
She strokes her white hair, looking at me with nervousness and anticipation.
'She wants me to complement her more?'
I approach her closer, reducing the distance between her plump lips and mine.
She blushed looking at me, clearly showing hints of affection.
"Damn, you're something else. The way your perfume lingers, it's intoxicating, like I could follow that scent through a dream. Those plump red lips? One look and I'm forgetting what I was saying."
"W-what are you saying?"
She says stroking her hair, still nervous, averting her eyes.
I unconsciously smile, finding it amusing and wanting to tease her more.
"Your legs, long and elegant and that curve-hugging body of yours, it makes me crave you even more."
She hides her face in embarrassment.
Ahaha
And I react with a small laugh.
"Y-you don't play with me."
"I could see you wanted complement so I gave it to you."
Still hiding her face, she blushes a bit, but looking a bit melancholic.
I take off her hand from her face and look at her directly.
"I meant every word you know."
She smiles a bit upon hearing that.
"Really? I-I am not that expressive you know. Don't you find me boring?"
"First impression is lasting impression. I found you amusing since the first time we met."
Overwhelmed by happiness she tries to brush off the topic.
"Ahem, I have pinpointed the location."
"O-okay!"
"There is a big auction happening on the secluded underground of Skyford's outskirts."
"As suspected..... When is it happening?"
"It's day after tomorrow."
So it is in 2 days huh?
"Do you have any plan?"
She asks staring into my eyes.
"I think I have one."
"Let's hear it."
* * * * * * * * *
Day of auction-
The air smelled like mildew and expensive perfume two things that should never mix. I kept my head down and my wrists bound in front of me with iron shackles that were more for show than security.
The thick collar around my neck itched like hell. Sweat trickled down the back of my shirt as we stepped through the metal door and descended through the narrow staircase.
The walls were very narrow and suffocating that made me feel like I was walking into a grave rather than a basement.
the hallway opened up and we entered the main chamber.
People were already gathering, chatting like this was a damn cocktail party instead of a freak show.
Every single one of them wore a joker mask. Not funny clowns either—these were stylized, grotesque things.
Nobles, shady aristocrats, sadistic merchants they all hid behind those clown masks.
"Fucking animals."
Dawn says gripping her hand.
"Name and details?"
A short, stiff man at the entrance asked.
"This one's from the borderlands."
Dawn beside me said, pushing me forward like I was just another crate of goods.
"Caught during the last sweep. Strong build, intact. No known diseases. No brandings."
She further adds.
The man looked me over, barely hiding his disgust or disinterest probably both.
"Name?"
"He doesn't need one,"
Dawn replied.
"Montello property. Unmarked, unspoiled. Let the bidders name him if they like."
I didn't react. Just sat in the cage in silence looking down.
"Put him in Holding Chamber Three. He'll go up third round."
He said holding his clipboard writing the record.
Dawn led me deeper into the basement.
The crowd thickened. Laughter echoed somewhere behind the walls.
They hadn't seen me yet not the real me. Not the reason I was here.
But soon.
Let them laugh behind their masks.
I'd tear off every single one.