The Vantress Grand Hall was a sight that never failed to awe even the most jaded nobles.
Suspended high above the capital, the palace hovered with the quiet arrogance of something that had long forgotten what it meant to fall.
Ancient levitation arrays, etched deep into its foundation, pulsed faintly beneath layers of pristine white marble.
The structure gleamed beneath the afternoon sun, its crystal spires catching the light and scattering it into soft, shifting halos that danced across the sky.
Around it, fragments of curated beauty drifted in slow, deliberate motion.
Floating gardens, carefully maintained by unseen magic, bloomed with rare flora that should never have shared the same climate.
Lanterns of pale gold hovered nearby, their glow steady despite the open sky, as if the wind itself had been instructed not to interfere.
Inside, the grandeur sharpened.
The main auction hall unfolded like a throne room disguised as commerce.
Velvet-draped private boxes lined the upper tiers, each one a kingdom in miniature, shielding its occupants behind soft curtains and sharper intentions.
Above, crystal chandeliers floated rather than hung, rotating slowly as they cast fractured light across polished floors and gilded railings.
At the center, the stage stood in a pool of controlled brilliance.
Golden light poured down upon it, precise and unwavering, as if the world itself had agreed that whatever appeared there deserved to be seen clearly.
The hall was packed with the empire’s elite.
Legendary merchants in silk robes, high-ranking adventurers wearing enchanted armor, foreign dignitaries from distant kingdoms, and powerful nobles from every major house filled the seats and viewing boxes.
Whispers of excitement filled the air as everyone waited for the once-in-a-decade Grand Auction to begin.
Then the news spread like wildfire through the top echelons.
“The Crown Princess has arrived.”
Heads turned.
Conversations died mid-sentence.
When Aurora stepped into the grand hall on Kael’s arm, the entire room seemed to hold its breath.
Every noble and merchant in sight bowed deeply as she passed.
A few familiar faces — old family allies and high officials — approached with respectful smiles, greeting her warmly.
“Princess Aurora, it is an honor to see you here today,” one elderly duke said, bowing low.
Aurora gave them a graceful nod, maintaining her usual regal composure, though her fingers tightened slightly on Kael’s arm.
But the moment people noticed the man walking beside her, the atmosphere shifted.
At first, there was confusion.
“Who is that man with Her Highness?”
“He looks familiar… that purple hair…”
Then recognition hit like a thunderclap.
The purple hair.
The royal features.
The unmistakable Vossarian bloodline.
Gasps and murmurs erupted across the hall.
“Is that… the Void Prince? The mana-less one?”
“The trash prince? Here? With the Crown Princess?”
Some nobles exchanged shocked glances.
Others didn’t even bother to hide their mockery.
“Look at him… actually walking beside her as if he belongs there.”
One particularly loud merchant in the back row let out a sarcastic laugh.
“Well, well… the once-in-a-generation genius graces us with his presence.”
A few people chuckled darkly at the biting sarcasm.
The nickname had always been used to mock Kael — the “genius” who couldn’t even awaken his mana core.
Aurora’s jaw tightened, but she kept her expression cold and unreadable, refusing to acknowledge the whispers.
Kael, on the other hand, walked with a soft, innocent smile on his face, as if he couldn’t hear a single word.
The whispers in the grand hall had already turned into a low buzz after Aurora and Kael’s entrance.
But the moment a new presence appeared at the far entrance, the entire crowd fell into a stunned silence.
Diana Vantress had arrived.
She moved with effortless grace, long silver-gray hair cascading down her back like moonlight on silk, her glowing purple eyes sharp and calculating.
Flanked by a small group of House Vantress employees in formal black-and-gold uniforms, she looked every bit the merchant princess who could rival even the royal family in wealth and influence.
At only twenty years old, she had already reached Elite rank — the same time Aurora had achieved it — and many nobles quietly claimed her personal fortune surpassed even the Crown Princess’s.
Aurora and Diana had studied together in the empire’s most prestigious academy years ago.
What began as friendly competition had slowly turned into a quiet rivalry.
Both had harbored feelings for the same golden boy — Elarion —, but while Aurora eventually won his heart, Diana had only ever received polite pleasantries from him.
That rejection had left a deep scar.
Diana had never forgiven Aurora for it.
Elarion and Astrid had just slipped into the hall, both concealed beneath plain hooded robes.
Elarion’s eyes immediately locked onto Aurora’s hand resting on Kael’s arm.
His breath caught.
Confusion and pain twisted in his chest, but he forced himself to remain still and hidden among the crowd.
Kael suddenly winced theatrically, clutching his side.
“Cousin, did you really need to kick me that harshly? My ribs feel broken…”
Aurora almost snapped at him out of pure habit.
She caught herself just in time, forcing a sweet, practiced smile onto her face.
“Dear brother… what do you think happens when you try to kiss me like that?”
Kael’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Can’t a brother kiss his cute Elder Cousin when he finds her adorable?”
Aurora’s smile remained frozen in place, but her voice carried a dangerous edge beneath the sweetness.
“Kael…”
Just then, the crowd parted smoothly as Diana approached.
Her employees bowed deeply behind her.
“We are deeply honored by your presence, Your Highness,” one of them intoned.
Aurora gave a graceful nod, then turned her gaze to Diana with a teasing lilt in her voice.
“Why are you not greeting your princess, Diana Vantress?”
Diana’s purple eyes flicked over Aurora’s rare midnight-violet gown, a tiny twitch of irritation crossing her perfect features.
If I had known she was coming, I would have dressed better, she thought bitterly.
She offered the barest inclination of her head — barely qualifying as a bow.
“Welcome,” she said coolly.
Kael, still standing beside Aurora, watched the exchange with open amusement.
His violet eyes lingered on Diana’s striking figure and glowing purple gaze.
The tension between the two women was thick enough to cut with a blade, and Kael’s smile only widened as he realized this date had suddenly become far more entertaining than he had planned.
Diana fell into step beside them without being invited, her silver-gray hair swaying with each confident stride.
Aurora glanced sideways at her old rival and said coolly, “You can leave, you know.”
Diana grumbled under her breath, loud enough for both of them to hear.
“It’s not like I loved accompanying you either, Princess. My father ordered it.”
As Diana walked a few steps ahead to greet the auction staff, Kael’s violet eyes stayed glued to the sway of her hips and the elegant curve of her back.
He let out a slow, appreciative whistle.
Aurora caught it instantly.
Her hand slipped off Kael’s arm as if burned.
“Eyes forward, you disgusting pig,” she hissed under her breath.
Kael turned to her with that soft, innocent smile, but his eyes sparkled with mischief.
“What’s wrong, dear Cousin? You look a little… jealous.”
“I am not jealous,” Aurora snapped, voice low and sharp.
“I just find it repulsive that you’re drooling over another woman while you’re supposed to be pretending to be my Date.”
Kael leaned in closer, his breath brushing her ear.
“Oh? Then why did you remove your hand so quickly? Were you hoping I’d only have eyes for you today?” He chuckled softly.
“Don’t worry. Even if I admire a pretty face, you’re still the one I get to walk with… for now.”
Aurora’s cheeks burned with a mix of rage and embarrassment.
She forced another fake smile for the sake of the watching nobles, but her golden eyes promised murder the moment they were alone.
Elarion and Astrid followed the group at a careful distance, still hidden beneath their plain hooded robes.
They trailed them all the way to the VIP section reserved for royalty and the highest nobility.
Two stern guards in House Vantress livery stepped forward and blocked their path.
Astrid whispered urgently, “What should we do? We can’t follow them inside without revealing ourselves…”
Elarion’s jaw tightened.
His thoughts spun wildly.
If we reveal ourselves now, Aurora might feel like I don’t trust her… and that I secretly followed her here.
I can’t allow that.
He forced a calm tone.
“No. Don’t. Let’s sit in the common area instead. I’ll explain everything later.”
Astrid looked like she wanted to argue, but she nodded and followed him toward the general seating.
Back in the opulent private royal box, the luxury was overwhelming.
The chamber floated slightly above the main hall, offering a perfect view of the stage while remaining completely secluded.
Thick velvet drapes, floating crystal lanterns, plush golden sofas, and a private refreshment table stocked with the finest wines and delicacies made it feel more like a personal palace than an auction seat.
Diana stood at the corner of the box, arms crossed, watching the two of them with sharp purple eyes.
“By the way, Aurora… who was that person beside you?”
Aurora answered without hesitation, still forcing her polite mask.
“My Cousin.”
Diana’s eyes widened in genuine shock.
For a moment, her usual composure cracked completely.