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Mengdie, focused only on her necklace, paid no heed to the absurd claims of seduction and smooth talk. She quickly reached out to Edward.
"What do you want?" she asked with a mischievous smile. "Edward, my good brother, could you lend me two million Sula? They've raised the price of my necklace so high, and I have no money. Don't worry, as soon as I regain my strength, I'll repay you with my own abilities."
Edward followed Mengdie's gaze to the necklace, tightly held by the host. After a brief explanation of the situation to Edward, he looked at Mengdie with a puzzled expression. Was she really willing to do "anything" just for a simple ruby necklace? Did it mean more to her than her own dignity?
While Edward remained silent, Dika approached, standing shoulder to shoulder with Edward in front of Mengdie. He smiled courteously, saying, "Dear Mengdie, don't worry. Our prince here, my cousin, can't possibly lend you that amount. Now that the necklace is mine, according to your promise, you'll come home with me tonight, right?"
Mengdie nodded, misunderstanding the arrangement as the beginning of her life as a bodyguard.
"Understood, I'll go home with you."
"No! This is absolutely not happening! Too absurd! Host, how much did this man bid?!"
The host, panicked, knelt down, stammering, "It was... two million Sula..."
Edward, even as a royal heir, was shocked by the sum. Honestly, he couldn't possibly produce that amount. Almost all of the kingdom's financial power was in the hands of Dika's father, Edward's uncle—Jin Lanxide Mul. Not two million, even accessing twenty thousand Sula would be a hassle.
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But if he couldn't produce the money, Mengdie, so naive and innocent, would be forced to go home with Dika! Distressed and unwilling, Edward's expression revealed his inner turmoil.
"Hold on, Your Highness," intervened Duke, Edward's attendant, with a look of blame towards Mengdie but resentment towards Dika. He whispered something to Edward, who suddenly perked up.
"Right! I hereby declare, as Edward Lanxide Mul, that this ruby necklace's auction is canceled! Ownership reverts to the royal family!"
Dika's triumphant demeanor collapsed at Edward's declaration. He stepped forward, reaching for Edward's collar, but Edward, more adept at combat, easily dodged.
"This necklace is mine! It was already auctioned!!!"
"But the gavel hadn't fallen, Lord Dika. According to the law, the necklace still belongs to the legitimate royal family, my master, the future king of Silver Moon, Prince Edward Lanxide Mul. As a collateral branch, you have no right to its use," Duke pointed out timely. Edward followed Duke's lead, trusting the old man's words.
With a logical argument, Dika was left speechless. Edward, sensing his advantage, stepped forward to shield Mengdie.
"You... you!" Dika pointed at Edward and Duke, his angry gaze drifting. Finally, he stormed off, warning, "Fine, you've got guts, Edward. Just wait and see how long you can keep your 'legitimate' position!"
After another snort, Dika left the auction hall with his entourage, marking the end of the chaotic auction. But the seeds of disaster had been sown...
"He had murder in his eyes."
Mengdie noticed the flash of cold light in Dika's eyes as he left. Unfortunately, she didn't delve deeper, as it wasn't her concern. Her focus remained on the ruby necklace.
"You're a true friend for life," Mengdie cheerfully approached the host, pointing at the box and turning to Edward with a sunny smile, "Edward, I'm not asking for much. Could you give me this necklace? It's very important to me."
Faced with her request, Edward blushed. How could anyone refuse a beautiful girl asking for jewelry?
"Do you really like it?" Edward approached the host, who knelt and handed him the box.
"Ara... Lapona, I don't like it. In fact, I hate it," Mengdie said candidly, "But it's indeed important to me. It's originally mine, please return it."
Edward, though not fully understanding, stepped forward, holding out the box to Mengdie.
"So... Mengdie, will you come to my ball later?"
Mengdie, fixated on the necklace and the prospect of regaining unparalleled strength and possibly reverting to a man, had no interest in Edward's invitation.
"A ball? Ah... yes, I'll attend. My necklace~!"
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