Chương 87: Thế Lực Của Một Người

“Looks like not many here are your allies.”

Forest Ghost half-closed his eyes, his voice tinged with weariness.

Unlike outside, where many minor nobles and wealthy merchants greeted him.

In this place where top dignitaries gathered.

The gazes cast toward Elvia were only filled with detachment.

Hearing this, Elvia merely picked up the black tea served by the maid with elegance, taking a shallow sip, her poise impeccable.

In sharp contrast to Forest Ghost beside her, who was nearly collapsing into the soft seat.

She leaned slightly to the side, close to Forest Ghost’s ear.

Whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear.

“Here, there are only four factions.”

“The First Princess faction, the Second Prince faction, the Third Prince faction, and... me.”

“I am different from them.”

“My mother was merely a top dancing courtesan and courtesan flower of the comedy theater, taken a fancy to by my father the king on a whim because of her looks.”

“On my mother’s side, not even a shred of political resource was left for me.”

“Everything I have today was carved out by myself using various means.”

“And as for father...” Mentioning that King Carter, Elvia’s face held no filial affection at all, only pure apathy.

“He probably can’t even remember how many children he has, let alone a ‘courtesan’s daughter’ like me.”

“The contributions I made through life-and-death struggles didn't even buy me the qualification to freely step into the core area of the royal palace.”

“The last time I saw him was for the matter of the ‘Shadow Tree Flower’.”

“That old fellow who is on the verge of death, in order to live, personally promised.”

“Whoever can find that damn flower that can extend his life will be the next King Carter.”

Forest Ghost was slightly stunned.

Because he knew very well that the Shadow Tree Flower.

Was currently lying quietly in Elvia’s personal pouch.

“You don't want to be king?” he asked.

Elvia smiled, that smile carrying a hint of complexity.

“I do, who wouldn't want to become the ruler of a nation above all others, wielding supreme authority? But... it’s already too late.”

Her gaze swept across the well-dressed, imposing dignitaries filling the hall.

“Almost all figures of any standing in King Carter’s court are present, but look at these people—how many of them still truly swear allegiance to my ‘father’?”

“During the time I was away from the royal capital, that incompetent king was completely hollowed out long ago.”

“His promises made from a sickbed are no longer worth a single coin.”

At that moment, the lights on the auction stage focused.

The obese Duke Joseph walked up with a glowing face.

Delivering the opening speech as the main organizer of this auction.

His few humorous yet flattering words immediately drew rounds of echoing cheers and applause from the audience.

Many nobles and powerful figures responded with smiles, making the atmosphere lively.

The auction officially began.

Piece after piece of dazzling merchandise was carefully brought onto the stage by graceful slaves.

Breathtakingly exorbitant prices were unhesitatingly shouted out by people in different seats.

Every fall of the hammer was accompanied by a small commotion and discussion.

Elvia sat straight throughout, her back upright, her etiquette flawless.

A faint, formulaic smile lingered on her face.

Yet deep within those beautiful eyes lay an icy calm, completely devoid of mirth.

She watched the three factions standing distinctly apart.

Sometimes probing each other, sometimes tacitly carving up benefits.

As for herself, she stood entirely alone.

Now, even the powerful mercenary subordinates she had once relied on most had all betrayed her.

The only playable cards left in her hand were a scattered handful of low-level mercenaries whose loyalty was unknown.

And that sprawling civilian intelligence network that was hard to translate directly into military might.

A nameless sense of desolation, like a chilling tide, quietly crept into her heart.

She smiled, looking coldly at this game of power.

Watching item after item get hammered down amid the cheers and struggles of various factions.

She seemed like a complete outsider, isolated from this prosperity and hustle.

Suddenly, she felt a weight sink onto her shoulder.

Elvia turned her head to find that Forest Ghost had somehow leaned against her shoulder and fallen sound asleep.

His breathing was even, and the heavy dark circles under his eyes were even more prominent up close.

What on earth did this guy go off to do last night to get this exhausted?

Subconsciously, Elvia wanted to use her finger to push his head to the other side.

Her fingertip had just touched his slightly cool forehead when the motion paused.

She looked at Forest Ghost’s defenceless sleeping face.

She looked at the unshakeable exhaustion carved between his brows.

Suddenly, the corners of her lips curved slightly.

Revealing a faint smile carrying a trace of genuine warmth, unlike any of the previous ones.

This smile seemed to instantly dispel the coldness in her eyes and the desolation surrounding her.

She gently withdrew her finger and sighed silently in her heart.

Whatever... he is still, nominally, a husband for a week anyway.

I’ll let you... take advantage for a little while.

Just then, a new auction item was presented on the stage.

It was a mask with an archaic design, radiating a strange, magical luster.

The patterns on the mask seemed capable of absorbing light.

khiến người ta không thể nhìn rõ diện mạo đằng sau.

"Vật phẩm tiếp theo, trang bị ma pháp truyền thuyết 'Mặt Nạ Thiên Huan'!"

"Có thể biến đổi hoàn hảo diện mạo cùng khí tức người đeo, dưới cấp Sử Thi tuyệt đối không thể nhìn thấu!" Mái bán đấu giá sư cất giọng xướng lớn giới thiệu.

Dưới đài lập tức vang lên một hồi tiếng thì thầm to nhỏ.

Loại thần khí giữ mạng và ngụy trang này xửa nay luôn là hàng sốt dẻo.

Tuy rằng Mặt Nạ Thiên Huan nằm ở phân cấp thấp nhất trong số các đạo cụ truyền thuyết.

Nhưng dù sao cũng là cấp Truyền Thuyết.

Mấy vị quý tộc bắt đầu xướng giá, mức giá nhanh chóng leo thang.

50 vạn tiền vàng, 53 vạn tiền vàng......

Thế nhưng, ngay thời điểm cái giá đạt tới đỉnh điểm, nhịp đấu giá có chút khựng lại.

"100 vạn tiền vàng."

Một giọng nữ trong trẻo, bình thản nhưng mang theo uy lực không thể nghi ngờ vang lên ở hàng ghế sau.

Trong phút chốc, toàn trường lặng ngắt như tờ.

Tất cả ánh mắt, bao gồm cả Tam hoàng tử, Trưởng công chúa, Nhị hoàng tử cùng đám vây cánh ở hàng ghế đầu.

Đều mang theo vẻ kinh ngạc, dò xét cùng khó tin, đồng loạt quay về hướng phát ra âm thanh.

Công chúa Elvia đang ngồi ngay ngắn ở hàng ghế sau, trên vai còn tựa vào một người đàn ông đang mê ngủ.

Trên mặt cô vẫn đọng lại nụ cười nhạt nhòa ấy, nhưng dường như đã có chút khác biệt so với trước.

Cô nhã nhặn hạ thẻ đấu giá trong tay xuống.