Auction part 1

I already know the fact that he is hitting on me but that does not explain why his behavior took a whole one-eighty when everyone else's behavior is the same as in the novel.

"Humans have a tendency to change significantly in an instant when something hits them unexpectedly, no? No matter the case I will support my brother if he plans to marry you"

"You majesty, Lady Emond is already engaged to someone"

"That does not matter. It is only an engagement anyway. My brother still has a chance!"

Its amazing how she can say that so brazenly right in front of me.

"Going back, what do you think about my brother lady Emond?"

"First, I do not like men with long hair"

"Is something wrong with men with long hair?"

"No, your majesty. I just prefer men with short hair. It is just a matter of preference I suppose"

"What about personality?"

"That is a secret your majesty. And anything you may ask about my preference will remain a secret. I fear that you might tell prince Henry if I did tell you about it"

"Tsk!"

We arrived in front of the count's estate.

As the empress, her scheduled time was a bit later than the others, just like how V.I.P's in my world do their things.

"Your majesty, I am Owen, the head butler of the estate. Please follow me to your designated seat"

"Very well"

We followed the old man to an upper floor. There, luxurious seat with the same quality as the furniture in the Diamond palace, the main palace.

"We meet again Lady Emond"

The prince stood up and held out his hand.

"Give up, my cute little brother. Lady Emond does not like men with long hair"

"I see. I guess I will have to cut it then"

We stop.

Me, the empress, John and the captain of the imperial knights stop on our place.

Long hair is a tradition of the imperial family, whether you are a male or female. Whenever someone from the imperial family is exiled, though very rare, their hair are cut as a sign that they were exiled by the ruler of the empire.

How can someone like him, who values honor even more than his lust say something absurd so nonchalantly?!

"HAHAHA!"

The tension in the air vanish with the empress' laugh.

"That is a good joke, little brother"

"Hehe!"

The two siblings laugh it off while the three of us were still frozen in place, confused.

A few second later, I was able to act normally and sat down beside the empress on her left side while prince Henry is at her right side.

The lights, focused on one place, showed the host of the auction for this year, the current count of Olbrecht.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to see you all participate on our annual auction this year as well. We have so many things to show you this time around. As a matter of fact, her majesty the empress and his highness prince Henry is also here tonight with us"

Some of the light were shifted to our direction.

The nobles applauded but soon stop when they saw an unfamiliar face right beside the empress.

"Oh, how rude of me. I apologize for not introducing her as well. The young lady right beside her majesty is the guest of honor from the kingdom of Loate, Lady Dianna Emond"

Some had curious looks. Some were cursing me under their breath while some simply looked at me to see my face.

The lights went back to the stage.

"Without further ado, let us start the auction!"

A man pushed a cart to the center of the stage. The count removed the cover.

It was a dagger.

"As our starting item for tonight is an ancient dagger from the kingdom of Mheodure. It is a ceremonial dagger that was hailed as a family heirloom by one of the duchy's in the kingdom of Mheodure. We will start with 30 golds!"

The price went higher by the second as there were a lot who were interested at the shining dagger that was imbued with gems beautifully.

"Your majesty"

"Yes?"

"I would like to have that dagger"

"Surely you aren't planning on stabbing me with such a dull blade"

"Not at all. Even if I did, it is not like someone like me can even scratch you when Sir Aiden and Sir John can't even graze you"

"I supposed that is true"

Our attention went back to the stage.

The empress stood up.

"And we have 200 hundred gold coins! Going once... going twice-"

She deeply inhaled.

"1,000 gold coins!" She yelled.

The children that some nobles brought with them started to cry after hearing that deafening voice. Though everyone was startled by the empress' sudden action, I wasn't. The same thing goes for John and Sir Aiden.

Meanwhile, prince Henry wasn't able to cover his ears on time, rather, it looked like as if he didn't knew about the empress' antics.

A moment passed and the count spoke again.

"1,000 gold coins! Going once... going twice... sold!"

Ting!

Whether it was out of fear or admiration, the nobles downstairs were clapping for the empress.

The other items appeared at the stage one by one and the auction started anew after seeing that the empress was not bidding anymore.

"Lady Emond"

"Yes, your majesty"

"What do you think about becoming my concubine?"

"...I beg your pardon. Did you by any chance said for me to become your concubine?"

"Yes!"

What is this person even talking about?

"I don't mind sleeping with women, so long as they aren't incompetent"

"I believe I have already said that I am not interested as I am in love with my fiance. Not to mention, I like those who have short hair, be it man or woman, your majesty"

"...."

Empress Lucia gently twirled her hair using her finger, as if she was actually thinking whether to cut her hair or not.

"Your majesty, from what you said just now, I take it that you would sleep with anyone you find 'competent'. Am I wrong?"

"No, not at all"

"Then" I pointed at the captain of the imperial knights. "What about Sir. Aiden? Is he not worthy of your attention?"

The captain of the imperial knights flinch.

The empress look at Sir Aiden from head to toe. The captain stood still as the empress scan him.

"You are right, but I believe that the air around us would only become awkward if we were to do it. As the next duke of house Theano and as the empress"

While that is true, it is also true that the captain of the imperial knights have feelings for the empress.

"Lady Emond, how come you never ask me about Aiden's name?"

"You mean how people call him as 'Aiden' instead of 'Frederick, your majesty?"

"Yes"

"Though others don't, I already knew the reason behind it. The reason is quite cute if I do say so myself"