Knock.knock.

“Your grace,this humble one has come to serve appetizers.” a voice echoed from behind the door.

“Enter.” the door clicked open,a servant tip-toed in,bowing before her grace.

“Please pick whichever you may fancy.”

Her grace looked over to me and then to Hans.

“Do you fancy any?” I shook my head,Hans replied similarly.

“There’s no need then,you may leave.” her grace told the servant.

“As you wish.” the servant bowed and closed the door.

“Milady..did you not wish for any?” I asked.

“It is to avoid being poisoned,to avoid danger.” instead it was Hans who replied to me.

“Oh..” frozen in place by that response.

I wasn’t..really expecting that..

“Is it not common within your society?” Hans asked,brows furrowed.

“Well- it is but I didn’t expect nobles would outright kill another..”

“As long as tracks are hidden,anything is possible.”

“Aren’t nobles suppose-”

“Filthy. Extremely so,” her grace unexpectedly joined in, “Nobles are only a title,none act accordingly.” she scoffed.

“I..see..” it would be untrue to say I hadn’t expected such a thing,but I still hoped that nobles were different from outlaws.

During my one year as the famed thief of the slums,I had met many whom I called brothers,but in the very end greed got hold of them,ending with their angering betrayal.

Yet I have also met those who I trusted,till now,and that will remain unchanged.

Through my interactions with certain outlaws that had some sort of affiliation to nobles,never had once had they spoken with good intent about the nobles,all they ever spout was curses and frustration.

Now..now I wouldn’t defend those so-called righteous nobles,but I truly believe that there are some nobles that truly live up to the title of a ‘noble’. I had admired them..ever since I was a child that was until now..

I cackled.

Glancing at her grace,I wondered to myself,how exactly had her childhood been like?

As a noble,I assume she must have gotten that good o’l special treatment,especially since she was born in such a famed house.

I was growing curious about her life as a noble.

Should I ask..?

As if I had snapped back to reality,I reconsidered what I was thinking.

Had I gone insane? Asking about her life?

The scene of Hans slitting my throat slightly replayed.

My body shivered,remembering the cold touch of Han’s sword.

“Hans,prepare.” on queue to the statement,a knock sound was heard.

“Speak,who?” Hans asked coldly.

“Who else could it be!?” an angry voice huffed.

Hans went over to the door with a relieved expression,grabbing the handle,twisting it.

“Arlen! How could you be so cold and leave me in the middle of a god forsaken town!” it was a lady in her late 20’s,brown hair tied into a ponytail,small glasses that fit her eyes perfectly,wearing a rather costly dress.

Stolen novel; please report.

“Oh forgive me would you,Ann?”

“Shameless as you always are!.” Ann stormed her way to the couch.

“I’ve always wondered why you are constantly grumpy..” Hans laughed.

“That’s because of the two of you brats!” she yelled,pointing at them repeatedly.

“Enough,enough.” her grace laughed along.

“But who the hell is this?” Ann glared at me, “replaced your replacement eh?”

“Right on the mark!” her grace clapped.

Squinting her eyes,Ann scanned me up and down,soon averting her gaze to her grace.

“This..gentlemen? He sure looks ragged.”

Ouch.

That sure stung..to be called a rag by a maiden,have I made it to the world of rat kins now? Was I really so unkempt..?

“Ann,oh Ann,how could you introduce yourself with such rudeness? Look at how hurt this gentlemen is..” she pointed at me.

“Ahem..pardon me,apologize for that comment,though it is mere truth,” she maintained eye contact, “but I'm called Ann,pleasure meeting ya.” extending her hands out,with a forced smile.

“The pleasure is mine.” I spoke while trying to maintain a smile,exchanging handshakes.

This lady named Ann..sure is straightforward..not that it’s a bad trait to have- no,it is both favourable yet unlucky.

“Hello there! Dear nobles! Pleasure to see y’all,I’m James and tonight shall be your host! Now settle down,and prepare for the first item to be presented! There will be a total of 5 items that will be sold tonight,bid well!” out of the sudden light only shone on the middle of the stage,at a display box,inside was..some kind of sword? Blame my foggy vision or my bad eyesight. Maybe both.

“The very first item will be…! The sacred sword,long lost from history,namely the hilt of langar! Now..start your bids!” he announced.

“A hundred gold coins.” one yelled.

“A hundred and two!” another proudly announced.

“Five hundred.” someone amongst the crowd bid.

“Going once..going twice..” the auctioneer paused, “Sold! Congratulations to our dear noble who bid five hundred,please claim your possession by informing a servant or attendant once this function has been concluded.”

Fi-five hundred?! For one single sword!?

I was flabbergasted from these rich nobles.

Even I have yet to stea- I mean gain five hundred gold coins..let alone a hundred of it!

“Moving along,with the second item! The halberd of the sea,forged from mythril and crafted by the famous artisan,Beldor!”

“Fifty.”

“Sixty.”

“A hundred.”

“Two hundred.” A voice echoed from one of the balconies.

Ah,it was the smirking jerk..

Rodrick was it? From house Grandor,something along those lines!

“One,two! And sold!” the auctioneer stood there as he eyed the audiences.

“The third item of the day! Bring it in!”

A lady dressed in a suit pulled a cart out,displaying a slab of...stone?

“This ancient stone-”

“A hundred.” A deep voice resounded,interrupting the introduction.

It came from..the balcony beside us? They bid immediately? Without even knowing its origins?

It was surprising. These high ranking nobles sure are scary with the amount of money they have..

“No one else dares to bid?”

As if the silence was taken as agreement,the auctioneer deemed the slab sold.

“On to the very next,second last item of the night!”

It was a book,a silver engraved book that lost its shimmer.

“A hundred and fifty gold coins.” her grace swiftly declared.

“Two hundred~” Rodrick countered.

“Three hundred.” her grace gripped the banister.

“Four hundred!” Rodrick’s laugh vibrated through the hall.

“Five hundred!”

“And one! Two,” the auctioneer waited for a response, “Sold!”

“Lastly,our long awaited item of the night! Behold..the weaver’s ring!”

Gasp resounded from the crowds below.

The weaver’s ring? What is that?

“Begin your bids!”

“Two hundred.” Rodrick spoke.

“Four hundred.” her grace proclaimed with a grin.

“Four hundred and fifty.”

“Five hundred! Rodrick,oh Rodrick,dare bid more?” her grace smiled slyly.

“All yours,your grace.” Rodrick said with agitation,trying to keep his smile up.

“Six hundred.” the deep voice from the balcony beside us spoke.

“Duke of the north,please reconsider.” her grace asked.

“Seeing youngsters fight,how could I not join in?” a loud laughter erupted.

“Seven hundred!” Rodrick declared.

“Seven hundred and fifty!” her grace clenched her fist.

“One..two…sold!” the auctioneer cheered.

“Thank you for your participation in this auction dear nobles! Please do enjoy the rest of the night,enjoy your stay!” the lights focused on the stage flickered off,dim light soon descending on every part of the hall.