If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 38

✦

The fifth princess, Sehera Istinel Magnarod. Now stripped of her title and the Magnarod name, she stood alone on the stage like a tragic protagonist in a grand drama.

 

Today, Sehera was more dazzling than on any other day of her life. Her dark green hair cascaded elegantly over one shoulder, and her dress emphasized the curves of her lower body. Draped in countless pearl accessories, she looked like a mermaid freshly captured from the sea, exuding an air of mystique. The audience murmured in awe, gazing at the auction item, which was far more breathtaking than the porcelain doll sold earlier.

 

The host assessed Sehera, his silver tongue working effortlessly. “What do you think? Isn’t she magnificent? Although she has been dethroned and lost her title and rank as a princess, she is still the daughter of His Majesty. Quite a valuable asset, don’t you think? Ah, but let me clarify, this is not a sl*ve auction.”

 

“…”

 

“What is being auctioned today is the right to take Lady Sehera as your wife. In other words, this is a dowry auction. The starting bid is one million gold!”

 

It was deceit. A marriage arranged through monetary exchange was nothing more than a well-disguised form of slavery.

 

The more formalities and justifications were added, the more intricate the insult became. Sehera, seemingly struggling not to cry, clenched the hem of her dress tightly and stared ahead with wide, unblinking eyes.

 

The hall was filled with murmurs, but no one raised their bidding paddles.

 

“Is there no bidder? Since there are none, we will restart the auction at half price.”

 

The starting bid dropped to five hundred thousand. The nobles, who had been hesitating and exchanging glances, began to clear their throats and slowly raised their paddles.

 

“500,000.”

 

“We have a bid at 500,000.”

 

“510,000!”

 

“Yes, 510,0000. Any other bids?”

 

“520,000!”

 

“530,000!”

 

The auction proceeded smoothly.

 

“…How could this be.” Sasha still couldn’t shake off her shock. Reality felt so distant that her mind went blank. Every sound around her echoed faintly, as if she were hearing them from inside an underwater cave.

 

“550,000!”

 

“We have a bid at 550,000!”

 

Sasha gripped the armrest tightly, as if holding on for dear life. She thought to herself. Her older sister, Sehera, was undoubtedly an infuriating presence. She constantly crossed the line, picking fights with absurd logic that made Sasha’s life unbearable. There had been countless times when Sehera had drained Sasha’s energy and mental strength, pestering her when she barely had the capacity to focus on her own goals.

 

“570,000!”

 

“580,000!”

 

“600,000!”

 

“The bidding is heating up! 600,000! Any higher bids?”

 

But even so, did she ever wish for Sehera to be treated this miserably? Could she truly find satisfaction in seeing her sold off to a man, not as a person, but as an object? No. No matter how much of an adversary Sehera was, this was too much. This was wrong.

 

“If there are no further bids, then the gentleman with the 600,000 bid shall—”

 

By the time Sasha came to her senses, she was already holding up her paddle. “1,000,000!”

 

“…Princess Silver Bird?”

 

Gasps filled the auction hall. With all eyes on her, Sasha kept her gaze fixed forward, refusing to back down. She made eye contact with Sehera. Desperate, pleading eyes met those filled with fury at the injustice, intertwining across the great distance.

 

The host hesitated before asking Sasha, “What do you plan to do with Lady Sehera if you win the bid, Your Highness?”

 

“You’ll find out once I win.”

 

“Hmm, I see. In any case, the amount of one million gold was incredibly bold and impressive. As the host, I must say it was thrilling enough to give me chills. However… “The host smirked. “Unfortunately, this auction is only open to noblemen between ages of fifteen to sixty!”

 

“…”

 

“Therefore, I hereby announce that the final bid goes to Viscount Orlo, who offered 600,000!”

 

The auction gavel struck twice, its clear sound sealing the outcome. That’s how the dowry auction came to an end.

 

✦

After the auction ended, the nobles began to leave one by one. I remained seated, staring blankly ahead. My sisters offered a few words of concern before departing, but they too had no room to care for others. If they didn’t return to their quarters to receive the comforting words of their maids, cry while indulging in sweet desserts, or crush the flowers in their vases to vent their frustration, even breathing would feel unbearable right now.

 

A shadow fell before me. Regen had quietly approached and was standing there.

 

“Sasha.”

 

“…”

 

“Are you alright?”

 

“…” My throat felt tight, so I just nodded in response.

 

The stage was still visible in my line of sight. The man who had won the bid for Sehera, Viscount Orlo, was an old man, much older than the mad emperor. He looked pleased as he tried to take Sehera away, but Sehera suddenly asked for a moment, requesting permission.

 

Flanked by two knights keeping watch to prevent her escape, Sehera approached me. I looked up at her from my seat. Her heavily painted red lips moved slightly.

 

“Why did you do that?”

 

“…”

 

I couldn’t answer right away. It was a question I needed to think about too.

 

“I don’t know. Why do you think I did it?”

 

“…”

 

“I never liked you, but I never wished for something like this to happen to you.”

 

“Is it hypocrisy? To make me indebted to you?”

 

“I don’t think so. You’re someone who would resent me no matter what I did, so there’s nothing for me to gain.”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

We locked eyes in silence, both of us pressing our lips together tightly. It felt like yet another round of the countless battles of wills we’d had before. But this time, there was no hostility in either of our gazes. At some point, Sehera let out a bitter laugh, her face looking as though she might cry.

 

“It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? The only person who tried to help me in the end is the sister I tormented the most.”

 

“…It was pointless anyway, so it was a futile effort.”

 

“Still.”

 

“…”

 

“I won’t forget this.”

 

It was probably this moment that gave meaning to a mere futile attempt.

 

“T-Thank you. And take care.”

 

The farewell she offered before turning away felt awkward, as if it was the first time she’d ever spoken those words in her life.

 

“… Let’s go back. To the chambers.”

 

It was only after Sehera disappeared completely from sight that I could finally shake off the moment and stand up. I had endured enough mental trials for one day. At this point, it seemed reasonable for the world to grant me the small wish of returning to the safety of my own space to rest. But this merciless world still had more torment in store for me. Not long after I left the main palace and began walking, I ran into someone I least wanted to see.

 

“Princess Rosasia.”

 

“…”

 

A blonde knight stood before me. Objectively handsome, but subjectively repulsive—Dominic Mizekal. How long had it been since he dragged Archbishop Gremol away? And now he was back, blocking my path again.

 

I tried to ignore him and walk past, but Dominic deliberately stepped in my way, obstructing me. With a sigh, I spat out my words. “I’m tired. What do you want?”

 

“I’ve come to retrieve my handkerchief.”

 

“I lost it. Move.”

 

“What a pity. I wanted to get it back before heading off on a long journey.”

 

“…”

 

The rare bit of good news slightly eased my irritation. When I looked at him, my gaze silently asking where he was going, he opened his mouth without hesitation. But of course, it wasn’t like he was going to say something I’d want to hear.

 

“I’m heading to the southern front. Gotta earn that dowry money.”

 

“…”

 

I almost lost control of my expression. Maybe my reaction amused him, because he kept running his mouth.

 

“Don’t worry. Aren’t I your escape route? If you ever want to flee the imperial palace, just come to me. The position of Countess Mizekal is always open for you.”

 

Dominic tried to take my hand and kiss it as he pleased, but I yanked my hand away roughly.

 

“Get lost.”

 

“You’re unusually sensitive today. Did you know? That just makes you even more my type.”

 

Today, I realized something for sure. That Dominic Mizekal wasn’t worth wasting words. Not even curses.

 

“Sir Dominic.”

 

A low yet refreshing voice flowed into my ears, cooling the heat in my head. It was Regen.

 

“You’re a knight too, aren’t you? If there’s even a shred of sincerity in your affections, you should step back for today.”

 

“…”

 

For some reason, those words worked. Dominic twitched his eyebrows but restrained himself.