How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 233

Anyway, that’s a story for later.

 

“Ugh, what should I do to prove my love….?”

 

‘Should I really just close my eyes and blow a kiss?’

 

As I was seriously debating such a bold move, Layla offered a suggestion.

 

“When His Highness the Marquis proposed to you, he presented you with nine carriages of jewels, which became a huge topic of conversation.”

 

Layla’s gaze turned to my left ring finger.

 

As I absentmindedly stroked the coral pearl on my ring, a good idea popped into my head.

 

“Yes, money! Money!”

 

There’s nothing more certain than money when it comes to confirming a person’s affection!

 

What a perfect excuse. Hadn’t my sister just scolded me for not spending money even when I had it?

 

Since it’s come to this, I should spend all my money.

 

I asked Layla excitedly.

 

“Can you check the capital auction schedule for me?”

 

* * *

 

The Golden Brew Auction House in the capital holds auctions just once a week.

 

Sometimes, if they receive a large number of items, auctions happen every three or four days, but once a week was the standard.

 

And once a month, a Royal Auction is held, featuring items with a starting price of at least one million gold.

 

The only people who can receive an invitation to this royal auction are those who have spent a certain amount of gold coins in a regular auction.

 

Of course, that “certain amount” is an outrageously huge sum.

 

In fact, the auction house was a place I had no connection with.

 

Even getting the catalog for a regular auction was beyond my allowance.

 

But now, I held an invitation to the Royal Auction—a place I had never even dreamed of entering.

 

Because my husband had spent far more than a certain amount in just one day at a regular auction.

 

“Kind of funny to say this now, but… you really spent a lot of money just to marry me.”

 

“I spent less than I planned. There weren’t as many jewels at the auction as I expected.”

 

Leonhard answered indifferently, giving Noah the juice and snacks that the auction house staff had given him.

 

Then Rake shouted, “Me too, me too!”

 

I sighed softly, putting a cookie in her beak.

 

‘Less than planned, my foot. The staff were so shocked they pulled out something reserved for the Royal Auction and put it in the regular one!’

 

That “something” turned out to be the coral pearl—Odette’s Tear—that became my wedding ring.

 

I looked out at the stage beyond the transparent glass while fiddling with the pearl on my left ring finger.

 

Unlike regular auctions, all customers participating in a royal auction are guided to a separate room.

 

Which meant my plan to flaunt my extravagant spending for my husband and son in front of everyone… kind of fell apart.

 

“Hmm… how should I spend money so that people talk about it…?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Ah, nothing. Oh—looks like it’s starting.”

 

The lights came on in the dark stage, and a well-dressed host appeared, bowing to everyone and greeting them.

 

He held a megaphone to his mouth and thanked the customers who attended the auction.

 

While he explained the auction process, I opened the catalog and checked the item I wanted to bid on again.

 

– What is this? Why is the picture so small?

 

“This is not a painting, it’s a catalog. It’s a drawing of items sold at an auction.”

 

-Why draw them if they’re selling them?

 

“It’s to advertise. They’re saying, ‘Hey, we’re selling this stuff—come buy it if you’re interested.’ Wanna look? If you like something, I’ll buy it for you.”

 

As I briefly handed over the catalog, Rake flew up and started looking through it.

 

However, Rake, who had been flipping through the pictures of jewels, weapons, artwork, and magical tools, showed no interest and flew back to the plate where she was sitting.

 

– I like cake better. Buy me cake.

 

She couldn’t have sounded less interested. She was more enthusiastic about flipping through the menu at a café.

 

“Okay. Just wait a minute.”

 

Participants of the Royal Auction are served refreshments—alcohol, tea, juice, and snacks.

 

There were no limits on variety or quantity, so Rake soon had all the desserts she could want.

 

– Yummy! Not as good as home, but still!

 

Rake happily claimed an entire three-tier tray stacked with cake, tarts, and cookies.

 

To be that thrilled over sweets instead of gold or jewels—Rake really was a humble dragon.

 

“Eat as much as you like. Let me know if you want more.”

 

– Yes!

 

‘So cute. I forgive you just for being that cute.’

 

I rubbed Rake’s head with my index finger and then looked at Noah and asked.

 

“Noah, what about you? Is there anything you want?”

 

“Not really.”

 

Noah, who was flipping through the catalog, shook his head without any hesitation.

 

Well, nothing here seemed suitable for a five-year-old anyway.

 

‘Maybe I shouldn’t have brought him…?’

 

I slightly regret not just letting him sleep at home, then Leonhard picks up the catalog that Noah had put down.

 

“So, what do you want to get?”

 

“It’s a secret. Is there anything you want?”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Leonhard flipped through the catalog with little enthusiasm.

 

I suddenly became curious about what he looked like when he came here to buy my engagement gift.

 

Would he have flipped through the catalog with such an indifferent look on his face back then?

 

“Did you come alone last time you were here?”

 

“No, I came with Robert.”

 

He answered in a seemingly indifferent voice, glanced beyond the glass window of the separate room, and lifted up a paddle with numbers written on it.

 

That’s when I finally looked through the glass too.

 

—Two million! Customer #21 has bid two million gold! Any higher bids? The next bid is at least 2.1 million…

 

— Two and a half million! Customer #13 has bid 2.5 million gold!”

 

Before the announcement even finished, Leonhard lifted another paddle.

 

— Three million! Customer #21 has bid three million gold! Any higher bids? We’ve jumped in 500k increments twice, so the next bid must be at least 3.5 million. Three… two… one… Sold! This lavender opal is sold to customer #21. Thank you!

 

“Lavender Opal? Why did you buy that?”

 

“I thought it would suit you. Judging by the size, it could make a nice pair of earrings. I’ll need to buy another one for a matching necklace.”

 

Leonhard started looking through the catalog to see if there were any more opals, but soon called the staff over, as he couldn’t find anything he liked.

 

“Yes, sir. Did you call?”

 

“Are there any more lavender opals, aside from the one just auctioned?”

 

“There is nothing for auction. Instead, if you give us two days, we will buy another one of the same type.”

 

The staff spoke with full confidence.

 

Leonhard immediately wrote down the total—6 million gold for two opals—and signed.

 

“I just won an auction for an opal and would like to have it polished right away. Can you connect me with a craftsman?”

 

“Of course! Just tell me the design you want and the other gems you want to go with it, and I’ll place an order right away and have it delivered to the Paul Herbina mansion as soon as it’s finished!”

 

Although we didn’t bring anything that specifically revealed our family background, it seemed like the staff already knew our identities.

 

Leonhard received the order form from the staff and began to write something down with great focus.

 

It’s not even a military order, so why are you working so hard on my accessory order?

 

Somehow, I felt a little embarrassed, so I lifted Noah and sat him on my lap.

 

“Can’t you see the stage well from sitting there? Let’s watch it together from here.”

 

“Yes, Mother.”

 

Leonhard continued purchasing earrings, necklaces, and even multiple expensive gemstones.

 

Earrings, bracelets, necklaces—so many that I told him they were unnecessary, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

 

It was hard to believe he was the same person who had first flipped through the catalog so indifferently.

 

And finally.

 

— Thank you for waiting. I’m sure some of you have joined today’s auction just for this moment.

 

He was right. That applied to me as well.

 

— When we think of diamonds, we think of diamonds from Mount Peritz in the Kingdom of Canel. Everyone here likely knows—there’s nothing as clear and pure as a diamond from there. However…

 

The host trailed off, sweeping his gaze slowly across the room.

 

His eyes slowly scanned the surroundings, scanning each of the glass windows of the separate room, and when they reached mine, I felt as if our eyes met.

 

Despite the soundproofing in this private room, it felt like he could hear the restless murmurs from inside, because he smiled slyly and pulled the cloth off the box beside him with a dramatic swush!

 

— For the first time in the 67 years since the mine’s development, we present to you the first blue diamond mined from the Peritz Mine!

 

The diamond, which was placed in the middle of a box covered with red cloth and received light pouring in from all directions, was shining brightly in a transparent blue color. It was a dazzling 20-carat gem.

 

“Nell, did you come here to buy that diamond?”

 

“W-what? How did you… Ahem.”

 

Before I knew it, the chair I was sitting on was closer to the glass window.

 

‘Noah is on my lap too. When did I get here?’

 

I cleared my throat and returned to my original spot.

 

As the host continued his explanation of the blue diamond, a sudden thought struck me, and I quickly warned Leonhard:

 

“I’m going to buy that with my own money, so don’t interfere, okay?”

 

Leonhard smiled broadly and gestured gracefully toward the window as if to say, “Ladies first.”

 

Meanwhile, the auction began.

 

* * *