What Diana aimed for was precisely that one meal. Her blue-violet eyes discreetly turned towards Fiona.
Fiona and Cedric were chatting and clapping as Chairman Lireul announced the auction winners.
“It’s almost all jewelry, wooden sculptures, or paintings. Ah, this time, it’s an instrument.”
“That instrument will probably sell for around… 5 million Mote.”
Just as Cedric predicted, the violin on display sold for 5.3 million Mote.
He’s so smart. Fiona blushed slightly as she looked at Cedric.
Kind and intelligent. No matter how she looked at it, there was no one as suitable as Cedric Haieren among her peers.
“The next item is…”
At that moment, Chairman Lireul’s previously energetic voice faltered a bit. Unintentionally trailing off, he quickly changed his expression and unveiled the item.
“A bouquet blessed with eternal preservation!”
“…Huh?”
“A bouquet…? Did I hear that right?”
People doubted their ears at the mention of a ‘bouquet’ amidst the high-priced or artistic items like jewelry, sculptures, and instruments. But when the cloth was removed, a simple peony bouquet indeed lay on the display stand.
The crowd murmured. Chairman Lireul, noticing the puzzled reactions, hurriedly added more information. “Even though it looks like this, the ribbon decorating the bouquet is adorned with Opera Diamond! Moreover, it has the blessing of eternal preservation, so it will never wither. Let’s start the bidding at 500,000 Mote.”
“Isn’t the Opera Diamond the main item here?”
“But even so… it’s too small. No matter how rare the Opera Diamond is.”
“Even for a charity auction, 500,000 Mote for a bouquet seems a bit much…”
People eyed the bouquet on the display stand skeptically. Despite Chairman Lireul’s efforts, no one stepped forward to bid.
“500,000 Mote, anyone?” Chairman Lireul looked around anxiously. It was understandable, as this bouquet was a special request from someone who had donated an amount comparable to the Third Prince Kayden for this auction.
“I know that this bouquet doesn’t match the other auction items. But could you please include it anyway?”
Chairman Lireul, thinking of his benefactor, earnestly explained the bouquet’s value, but the audience remained unimpressed.
Fiona, her gaze fixed on the white peony bouquet under the spotlight, whispered to Cedric. “Why isn’t anyone bidding? It’s so beautiful.”
“The blessing of eternal preservation is indeed rare… But the items should match the overall quality of the auction.” Cedric barely restrained himself from calling it ‘ridiculous’ and responded kindly.
Unless it’s a joke, it doesn’t make sense. To put something like that up for auction? Cedric subtly furrowed his brow. After all, he didn’t like flowers, except those with some use as poisons.
The Cedric Haieren that Fiona knew was meticulously prepared according to her tastes. Though Cedric didn’t share Fiona’s love for flowers, he tried to play along with her.
Unlike him, Fiona began to show signs of anxiety as no one placed a bid. It’s a matter of the donor’s pride and intentions… What’s so wrong with the flowers? Feeling a bit upset, Fiona pouted. Maybe it was because the bouquet on display was a flower that symbolizes her name.
“Uum, if there are no bidders, then we’ll—
“W-Wait! I’ll bid! 500,000 Mote!” Finally, as Chairman Lireul was about to conclude the bidding, Fiona raised her hand and shouted.
“Lady Fiona?” Cedric turned to her in astonishment.
Fiona looked back at him with an apologetic face. “Sorry, Cedric. Even though you came as my partner…”
“…N-No, it’s fine. I was just surprised.”
Cedric swallowed his anger and forced a smile. But he couldn’t stop the grinding sound of his teeth. How dare she make a fool of me?
Cedric was here solely to act as Fiona’s partner. But by impulsively purchasing the auction item, Fiona would have to dine alone with the one who donated it.
Well, if the one who donated it is a woman, then it’s fine. But if it was a man, just in case… Cedric hid his anxiety by resting his chin on his hand and biting his lip.
“3, 2, 1… Congratulations! The bouquet is sold for 500,000 Mote! This concludes the auction!”
Meanwhile, Chairman Lireul concluded the auction cheerfully. Amidst the applause, the announcement everyone had been waiting for was made.
“Now, let’s begin the banquet! First, the donor of the Emerald Earrings, please come forward!”
As Chairman Lireul introduced the donors, cheers and applause erupted each time someone took the stage. Those on stage wore shy smiles as they were escorted to the dining hall.
After the earrings, necklaces, rings, wooden sculptures, rare bonsai from the West, and instruments, it was time to reveal the donor of the bouquet. Everyone was curious about who had donated such a humble item to the charity auction.
Chairman Lireul spoke. “Would the donor of the bouquet please come forward?”
Cedric clenched his fists. Everyone held their breath and watched.
“Huh? That person is…”
Antar slowly stood up. He climbed onto the stage, looking a bit nervous. As he firmly planted his feet on the stage, the crowd openly expressed their surprise.
“My goodness, it was him…”
“Well, since he’s an elementalist with earth attributes, it would be easy for him to cast the blessing of eternal preservation.”
“Seeing that it was decorated with Opera Diamond, could it be that the third princess consort helped him?”
Meanwhile, Kayden was equally surprised. He muttered in confusion. “Antar prepared that?”
“Yes. Sir Antar is officially listed as an attendee at the party as our guard. I offered to replace his donation item if preparing an item was too burdensome for him, but he insisted on auctioning that bouquet. So, I just added the ribbon.” Diana calmly whispered her lie. In reality, she had practically coerced Chairman Lireul under the alias D. Obscure.
Antar glanced once at Diana, who was conversing with Kayden, then straightened up and looked forward again.
Cedric was so shocked by Antar standing on stage that he forgot to maintain his composure. That guy…
Dark brown curly hair, a strikingly handsome face that stood out in formal attire, a tall and imposing figure partially hidden by his cloak. The man named Antar on stage was precisely Fiona’s ideal type.
“Would the purchaser of the bouquet please come to the stage?”
Chairman Lireul’s voice rang out. Cedric instinctively looked at Fiona.
“…”
With an unreadable expression, Fiona fixed her gaze on Antar and slowly stood up.
Cedric, realizing that people were glancing at him as he was left alone, bowed his head to hide his embarrassment. No way… it can’t be. He glared at the stage while keeping his head down.
Chairman Lireul introduced the pair cheerfully. Eventually, the two carefully held hands and disappeared into the banquet hall.
Cedric couldn’t take his eyes off Antar’s back until Chairman Lireul announced that everyone should move to the banquet hall. A chilling anxiety clouded his mind.
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