I was expecting not to meet him again. However, a fateful encounter has once again occurred. With me, patrolling the town. Searching for a good bargain of interesting garments.

The Crown Prince bump into my shoulder, he was gasping for air. His actions were in hurried yet cautious. It seems like he was being chased by someone. For I'm guessing that he's in the middle of escaping his guards again.

When he saw me, realization hit him across his face. He immediately grabbed my hand and we run together that made my mind turned into blank. For sure, Celine that was standing beside me was also shocked from the scenario.

As she just witnessed right before her, my disappearance with this unknown man. Perhaps, she's panicking right now. Knights will hunt me for sure at her per orders.

"Your Royal Highness, why did you tag me along?"

"Shh." Hushing me while were hiding in the dark street of alley. "Let's go inside there."

"But- "

"Hush," he whispered and drag me inside that looks like a mysterious shop. As we entered, we were covered in pitch black surroundings and only a few candles were being lighted. Enough to see our path.

A creepy man stood beside a huge door just like a shadow. Guarding the only room inside of this store. I couldn't clearly discern his face for the dimness crept him as he's presence were weak and might be staying shallow.

"Welcome to the Panget Auction, here's your masks and paddle numbers. "

So, this strange place was for bidding the things you wanted to buy. I look at the white mask that was handed to me, this is for hiding your identity. To ensure your privacy and that the other participants will not recognize you.

If ever you will be won over a rare item that the others also wanted. Certainly, they might plot to backstab you if they know which family you came from. However, with this method, it will be hard to investigate.

Yet again, why are we here?

Never mind rather. Perhaps, I will be able to purchase a good product.

When I gaze up to see the Crown Prince, he was already wearing the black mask instantly. I was about to open my mouth when he interrupted me for another time. He glanced the man. "Very well, Sir."

"You may enter, the event has been started."

We were greeted by the cool breeze as we step inside of the room. Deciding to silently sit down at the very back to not gain attention. The soft chairs were the color of enticing red, the same with the walls.

Chandelier above the host and an item was being presented, shielded with a glass container with its surround. He was introducing the history of a painting by the famous artist. And the bidding starts from here on.

"Do I hear one-hundred silvers?" An anonymous guest raised its own paddle number.

"Yes! One-hundred silvers! Going once?" Unexpected, a person bid twice the amount.

"Two-hundred silvers!" exclaim of the host. The hall suddenly quiets and this was a signal for him to assume that no one will offer higher. He smites the wooden block with the small mallet and it produce a sound that was deafening. "Sold!"

The people clap their hands to the winning bidder. Then, the next item was brought by the assistants to display. When the object was expose, the place was filled with murmurs.

"Oh, a golden jewelry," I gasped enough for the only Crown Prince to hear.

"You want it?" I look at him with my eyes wide open.

"No, I have a bountiful of those sparkling things." From the Grand Duke's gifts, he sure bought so much that it filled my wardrobe drawers. I don't have any used for it though. Until now, it was left unscathed.

"Hmm, Alcide must adore you."

"Pardon?" He can see clearly on my face, behind my mask. The confuse look that was staring at him.

"Your husband, Grand Duchess Madelaine."

How did he know that I was married to him? He swiftly let out a soft laugh from his mouth. "Of course, he's a friend."

"Friend?" Such an impossible thing that I didn't expect to be revealed. My tyrant spouse has a friend?

"Yeah. I'm his self-proclaim friend."

"Oh," I nodded, when I understood what he wants to imply. "That's sad."

He chuckled that there was something to be funny and rest his hand on his chest, acting like he was in pain. "He didn't introduce my existence huh, I'm deeply hurt."

By then, we never noticed as we continue to chat that the product in front of us was already sold. When I look at the host, another expensive object is being exhibit. Once again, astonished occupy my gaze. Leaving an awe impression.

"You want that?"

"No," I rejected him with my eyebrows knitted. Every time the next item will appear, he will ask me with the same question straightway and I will answer the usual.

"What is your motive?" a tone that filled with doubt. He meekly scratches his neck despite the hood of his black cloak blocking his skin.

"Nothing. I just thought that I have to repay you."

He might be talking about yesterday. I shook my head. "You brought money with you?"

"That's rude."

"Well. you don't have to."

"Ahh, yes. But of course, you're the wife of the 'one of the richest men' in the continent. You don't need petty coins."

I glared at him, feeling quite offended. "I don't think that's what I want to explicit. I'm just grateful for the healer you lend to us."

He stared at me; his lips formed a grin. "That's nothing. Well then, pick one and I will bid it for you."

A sighed came out from my chest when I couldn't win the debate between us. I focused myself at the host standing on a small platform while uncovering the white cloth of the glass container. When the item was revealed, no one got their interest except but me.

"Now, this necklace was said to be the favorite accessory of the Queen in the Kingdom of Velez," informed of the host.

Subconsciously, my fingers tightly grip the cloak of the man sitting beside me. While my gaze was nailed at the pieces of the ornaments. The necklace doesn't hold shine nor glitter, for the materials was used to made was pressed petals of the flowers. Now, it turned dried.

Though. Fresh or not, I couldn't still have them beside me. I'm just being cautious with this allergy. However, I shall obtain it. I badly desire the efforts that was put in the necklace and make it as my collection. Perhaps the reason why, these people not giving much appreciation because they think it's not something to boast in a social gathering.

Sadly, when did the people not judge the appearance? Doesn't mean it looks unpleasant on the outside, it will be the same inside. It might not extravagant, just what the other luxurious gems.

But it was the thought that values. Words weren't enough to express the emotions of the person who crafted this for his queen.

I was about to bid when a person came first.

"One-thousand golds!" exclaim the host with his unbelievable eyes.

And that person was the man none other than sitting beside me. I glared at him, not minding my impoliteness to the son of the next-in-line to the throne. "Why are you bidding?"

"I'm the Crown Prince after all," he arrogantly stated. I clicked my tongue with irritation. I raised my paddle number. I will use every last drop of the golds that I did not dare to spend if I have to.

"Going once? Oh my, Five-thousand golds!" the host declared. "It's getting hot in here; do I even hear seven-thousand?"

I peek at him with a smugly face as I heard him groan. Yet, my proud smile vanished and my lips parted when he increased the bid.

"Yes! Seven-thousand golds!"

My arms folded over my chest. I hissed as the amount kept going higher. No one wants to back down between us the two. Until it reached twenty-thousand golds, the limitation of my savings.

Because of that, the Crown Prince had won against me. His teasing smirk didn't let me escaped. He laughs over a trivial matter like there was no tomorrow.

People around us started to flew gossips in the air. "Twenty-thousand golds for just a piece of crap? You can already purchase a large ship with that!"

"Goodness. Might be there's a hidden gem beneath with it?"

"What a waste."

I shrug my shoulders as I ignore their whispering. When the auction was finished, we found ourselves walking back to the busy market. It was night by then and the moon reign over us.

My grumpiness to the Crown Prince didn't last. He patted my head and mess my hair that took a long time for Celine to fix it. Speaking of my maid, I wonder how she's doing? Perhaps she's getting anxious.

"Your Highness, for a mere necklace that will break if you do not hold it gently. Why would you go far as to spending twenty-thousand golds?"

He chuckled. "Don't mind what other people says. I promised that I will bid the item you want."

"You should've just let me purchase it."

"Hey now. What's done is done. Aren't I receiving much more important than complain?" he said while raising his both hands like he was just caught.

I stayed silent and look at the other way. The feeling of my cheeks burning made my voice humble. "Thank you."

"I'm sorry, I can't hear you. Care to repeat it?"

My feet continue to walk as its owned, turning my back at him and leaving him with his expectations. Giving him the dead air instead. "Never."

"Alright. Then answer my question. Why do you want that necklace to begin with?" he asks, catching me up to my pace.

"Didn't you listen well? The Queen of the Kingdom of Velez was the owner of the necklace." I wonder how that precious thing end up in Arello. She must be looking for it now. Finders keepers, I must say.

"So?"

"Because I idolized their King with their innovations. With this, I feel closer to their country."

His head tilted, processing just what I stated. The beam light partly hit his face, with a tender smile filled with visible hope. "When I become the ruler, serve me for I will make the world a better place and favor will remain by your side."

His cold voice that soothes the pain of the weak. A glimpse of his words touched my heart. I chuckled. "Then, you must ascend to the throne first."

The announcement of his official inheritance will be held on the exact date of his birthday. Every royals and nobles must attend to the ball. No one must be exempted even us.

"Right before I forgot. I will send the invitation letter along the necklace when I find some spare time."

"You must be busy," I sarcastically pointed, pertaining how he's still straying in the middle of the night. But the scene of him, spending thousands of golds for my sake appeared in my mind. "Please don't stressed about it. I will wait patiently."

He smirked. "One second you were like a fierce lion then you're acting the opposite now? How interesting."

We stared at each other intensively. I know that the necklace in the auction will take months perhaps. Because the papers are still processing for a legal transaction. They couldn't just let the customer take it home right after winning the bid.

"My lady!"

We both turned around as we were interrupted and I saw Celine, breathing heavily with the knights behind her back. "Graciousness! Where have you been? We've been searching for every corner."

The Crown Prince suddenly reach out for the back of my hand and slightly damp a kiss. "Well then, Farewell for now. We shall meet again if destiny will permit."

When I split-second blink my eyes, all I ever witness was his back running away from me before my maid could walk closer to my ground.