Diana’s purple eyes lingered on Kael as he gazed around the private royal box with open, almost child-like excitement.
So this is the discarded prince, she thought.
Her gaze slowly traced over his lean frame, the soft hands that had clearly never gripped a sword, the plain, common clothes, and the complete absence of any protective artifacts.
When she subtly extended her mana to probe for even a trace of power within him, Aurora’s eyes narrowed sharply.
“Don’t,” Aurora warned, her voice low but firm.
“This idiot is too fragile. You could hurt him.”
Diana glanced at Aurora, one elegant eyebrow raised.
Does she actually care about him… or is she just acting?
If not for the signature Vossarian purple hair, Diana would never have believed they shared the same blood.
In an empire this vast, the face of the mana-less prince was barely known — and most people simply didn’t care enough to remember it.
Being born as Kael Vossarian was, in the eyes of many, already a sin.
Kael turned at Aurora’s warning and faced Diana fully.
His violet eyes met her glowing purple gaze, and he offered a gentle, perfectly gentlemanly smile.
“Hello, Miss Diana Vantress,” he said smoothly.
“It is my greatest pleasure to witness your effortless beauty. I never thought I would see someone who could dim even my dear cousin’s radiance.”
Aurora blinked, momentarily stunned.
Since when did this idiot become so good with words?
Diana’s lips curved into a light, genuine smile.
He’s not bad, I suppose.
At least he has good taste.
“The pleasure is all mine, Prince,” she replied with cool elegance.
Below them, the grand main hall buzzed with energy.
The vast chamber was packed with the empire’s most powerful guests — legendary merchants draped in silk, high-ranking adventurers in enchanted armor, foreign dignitaries, and nobles from every major house.
Every VIP box was occupied, their occupants leaning forward in anticipation.
The royal box, usually empty and reserved solely for the imperial family, drew countless curious and excited glances.
Whispers spread like wildfire at the rare sight of Crown Princess Aurora attending in person.
Kael picked up a crystal decanter of fine wine and began pouring a glass for Aurora.
She stepped forward at once and took the bottle from his hand.
“I’ll do it.”
Diana watched the exchange with faint amusement.
She took the bottle from Aurora, poured a glass with graceful precision, and offered it to Kael.
“Let me pour for you, Prince. Since you are my guest today.”
Kael accepted the glass with a nod and sat down beside Aurora.
Diana smoothly took the seat on his other side, crossing one long leg over the other, her elegant figure radiating quiet confidence.
Aurora leaned forward, irritation clear in her tone.
“You. Why are you still here? Didn’t you already escort us? Fuck off.”
Kael winced visibly.
“Language, cousin…”
Aurora bit the inside of her cheek hard, forcing herself to stay composed.
She exhaled slowly, reining in her temper.
Diana raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained.
“I was about to leave, but since our prince is here for the first time, I thought I should explain how everything works.”
Aurora opened her mouth to retort, but Diana continued smoothly, a teasing glint in her purple eyes.
“By the way… where is Elarion? You wouldn’t normally leave his side like a lovesick fool.”
Aurora stiffened.
She avoided Diana’s gaze and leaned back in her chair, trying to appear indifferent.
“He’s busy with training.” This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Kael leaned in close to Aurora’s ear and whispered just loud enough for Diana to hear, his voice dripping with false concern.
“Didn’t I already suggest we should invite him, dear cousin?”
On the surface, he looked like a caring brother, but inside, he was quietly chuckling at the way Aurora struggled to keep her perfect mask intact.
A sharp clap rang through the grand hall like thunder wrapped in silk, instantly silencing every conversation.
All eyes turned toward the center stage.
There stood the auction host — a breathtaking succubus with smooth crimson skin, long obsidian horns curling elegantly from her temples, and flowing midnight hair that shimmered with inner starlight.
Her figure was pure temptation: full breasts barely contained by a deep crimson velvet gown that clung to every curve, long legs revealed through strategic slits, and a tail that swayed with hypnotic grace.
Around her slender throat rested a gleaming black collar engraved with glowing golden runes — the unmistakable mark of a bound slave.
Despite her demonic heritage and the symbol of ownership, she carried herself with regal poise, a soft, professional smile on her full lips as if she owned the entire hall.
Kael leaned forward, genuinely taken aback.
A demon — a high-born succubus, no less — serving as the public face of the empire’s most prestigious auction?
Diana noticed his surprise and spoke quietly, pride threading through her voice.
“It is a show of authority, Prince. House Vantress can even make the most arrogant demons our slaves. It reminds everyone exactly who holds the real power here.”
Kael glanced down at the main floor.
Many guests’ faces twisted with mockery and open lust.
Laughter and crude whispers spread like wildfire.
“Even a succubus queen on a leash…”
“Vantress really knows how to put demons in their place.”
“Bet she’s a good ride after the auction ends.”
In the common seating area tucked in a far corner, Elarion’s fists clenched so tightly the wood of the armrest cracked.
His divine aura flickered uncontrollably, golden sparks dancing in the air.
“These sick bastards…” he growled under his breath.
Astrid immediately placed her hand over his, squeezing firmly.
“Hero, not now. You have to control yourself.”
Elarion breathed out slowly, jaw tight.
No matter the race, forcing someone into slavery against their will was a sin in his eyes.
He had spent years trying to curb the empire’s worst excesses of the slave trade, always believing that one day he would end the practice entirely.
On stage, the succubus host didn’t even flinch at the mocking laughter.
She simply smiled gracefully, as if the jeers were gentle applause, and raised her hands with elegant poise.
“Honored guests,” her voice flowed like warm honey, magically amplified throughout the hall, “welcome to the 37th Grand Auction of House Vantress. Tonight, we present treasures capable of rewriting destinies.”
Floating gently above the golden platform was the first item — a magnificent enchanted garment that shimmered with subtle silver and deep sapphire threads, looking like liquid moonlight woven into fabric.
The succubus smiled serenely.
“This enchanted garment will fit its host’s physique perfectly, remain forever self-cleaning and self-repairing, and can withstand up to three full strikes from an Elite-grade warrior. A true masterpiece by Master Elandor Veilweaver. Bidding begins at ten thousand gold crowns.”
A wave of impressed murmurs swept through the crowd.
“Wow… the first item is already this impressive?”
“Everyone truly envies Master Elandor’s creations. Even kings fight over his work.”
“Self-repairing and protective? That’s practically armor disguised as fashion!”
From the main floor, a wealthy merchant shouted immediately, “Twenty thousand!”
A noble in one of the lower VIP boxes countered lazily, “Forty thousand.”
The bidding climbed steadily until it began to stagnate around fifty thousand gold crowns.
Several bidders hesitated, weighing the value against the high starting price.
Then a calm, clear male voice echoed from the royal box high above.
“One hundred thousand.”
A pin-drop silence fell over the entire hall.
Fifty thousand in a single leap.
The sheer boldness stunned everyone.
Whispers erupted instantly. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“Wait… that was a male voice. Who bid from the royal box?”
“Wasn’t the princess supposed to be alone up there?”
“You don’t know? That’s the trash prince accompanying the princess today.”
Shock rippled through the crowd.
Heads turned toward the royal box as realization spread like wildfire.
The mana-less prince — the one everyone called worthless — had just made a massive bid while standing beside the Crown Princess herself.
In the common seats below, Elarion’s fists tightened even harder.
The succubus host’s crimson lips curved into a bright, delighted smile.
She bowed gracefully toward the royal box.
“Sold to Prince Kael Vossarian for one hundred thousand gold crowns!”
The entire hall erupted into a storm of astonished murmurs and speculative glances.
But what happened next left the entire hall in stunned confusion.
The second item appeared — a rare mana-infused dagger capable of piercing through Elite-grade armor.
The third — a necklace that enhanced natural charm and mana attraction.
The fourth — a set of self-repairing traveler’s boots enchanted for speed and comfort.
Every single time the succubus announced a new treasure, the same calm male voice echoed from the royal box.
“One hundred and fifty thousand.”
“Two hundred thousand.”
“Three hundred thousand.”
At first, many nobles and merchants chuckled, assuming the prince was simply excited on his very first visit to the Grand Auction.
“Poor boy… he’s probably never seen such treasures before,” one merchant whispered with a smirk.
But the bidding never stopped.
Kael kept raising the stakes with effortless calm, winning item after item in rapid succession.
The prices climbed higher and higher, far beyond what most had expected for the early lots.
In the main hall, several wealthy merchants began cursing under their breath.
“Damn that worthless prince… he’s inflating every price!”
“Who does that trash think he is? He’s ruining the auction for the rest of us!”
“Someone shut that mana-less idiot up before he buys the whole damn stage!”
The succubus host, however, smiled brighter with every sale, her voice dripping with professional praise.
“Another masterful bid from Prince Kael Vossarian! Your generosity and refined taste continue to impress us all, Your Highness. House Vantress is truly honored.”
Up in the royal box, Diana’s purple eyes gleamed with open satisfaction.
Every inflated price meant massive profit for House Vantress.
She leaned back comfortably, a small, genuine smile playing on her lips.
Keep going, Prince.
The higher the better.
Aurora, on the other hand, sat rigid in her seat, her face a mask of forced composure while her mind screamed.
This idiot… is he trying to humiliate me in front of the entire empire?
Every time Kael’s voice rang out, she felt the weight of hundreds of eyes turning toward their box.
The whispers, the mockery, the disbelief — all of it was aimed at her now.
She was the Crown Princess, yet here she sat beside the empire’s greatest joke while he casually spent a fortune that wasn’t even his.
Her fingers dug into the armrest, nails threatening to snap.
If he keeps this up, the whole empire will talk about nothing else tomorrow.
The succubus raised her hand gracefully for the next item, her tail swaying elegantly.
“And now, honored guests, the next treasure…”
The hall held its breath once more, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade.