The Fierce Sword Count and his brother had a good friendship going on with Count Constantine. These two counties were in the north. Trades between them took place regularly. And they fought side by side in the war twenty years ago. Thus, when they found out what his youngest son had been through, they invited him to stay in their house and promised that they would get him escorted back to his home.
When the count came to meet Julian, Roy was treated as empty air by the Count. But he treated the red-eyed man similarly and even walked out on him. 'You want to ignore me? Great! I have also been meaning to ignore you!'
Roy would take revenge for getting ignored by this fake father of his later. He would become famous in the future. He wondered how the Count would act then. But at that time, he'll show him a cold face and only that.
Julian started living in the same house as Roy. This also meant that Roy got to check if, like a good child, he was doing his "homework" or not. This homework was superimposed on Julian. But forced by Roy, he had no choice but to do it. His hours were slaved away creating magic papers for Roy. But he was given time to rest.
Four people could be seen on the rooftop, enjoying the fresh air.
One man was lying flat and picking up freshly baked cookies from the plate behind him and putting them into his mind. The sound of his teeth crushing the cookies to bit was audible. This wild man was none other than Roy.
'Is this how a noble should act?' Delilah felt Roy was better suited to be a rough wandered than a noble.
"I have something to tell you in private." Delilah signaled Roy to send Julian and Amelia away.
Roy, however, beckoned her to come close: "Just whisper it into my ears."
She went up to him and leaned over, bringing her lips closer to his ears. But this also created a scenario in which Roy couldn't take his eyes off her long, slender neck. He didn't know why he was feeling like this, but he wanted to bite it. Now, he wasn't a damn vampire, so he shrugged this thought off his mind.
"Two silver-ranked assassins are coming for you," Delilah whispered in his ears.
Roy's eyes curved into slits. A sly look was revealed on his face. "Oh... who hired them?"
"It's your ex-fiance, Rose," Delilah answered.
"How did you find out?" Roy questioned.
Delilah replied, "When I went to get dirt of Master Gray, I happened to chance upon his conversation with a Yama's contractor and found that out."
"She doesn't know how to give up. Since she's so unnecessarily ruthless, I will just have to destroy her thoroughly." Roy said strongly; his eyes showed an intense desire to kill.
Rose had poked a poisonous hornet nest. She was bound to get stung to death.
"How should the assassins be dealt with, my lord?" Delilah snapped him out of his thoughts. "That's the more pressing matter. They could be hiding just anywhere, waiting to catch you alone to assassinate you."
Roy: "I've been meaning to try out my ability in a fight to check out its effectiveness. I will act as the bait after the auction. Once they're lured out, let's strike them dead."
The auction was to happen tomorrow.
...
Overnight, hundreds of luxurious carriages were driven into the County from the grand entrance that looked 60 meters high and 30 meters wide.
They were all here to attend the opening ceremony of the Golden Pixiu Auction House and participate in the auction that would take place right after. As plenty of items to be auctioned had caught their eyes, they brought a great sum of wealth with them
They needed a place to stay, which was quite apparent from the way they were looking around. At the sight of them, the innkeepers rubbed their palms together and signaled their staff to get the. Moments later, servicers of different inns were sent out to talk the newly arrived guests into staying at their place. As the guests wanted the best service and a comfortable stay, they were paid a handsome sum. Some of this would, of course, go to the county's treasury in the form of tax. The county thus experienced a boon in business.
It was noon, and the opening ceremony of the Jade Branch was basically over when a luxurious carriage stopped before the Auction House.
A single look at it told the onlookers who it belonged to.
The Baldwins have arrived!
The door opened up, and three finely dressed men stepped out, followed by two gorgeous beauties that didn't lose to the radiance of diamond and brought with them the smell of flowers.
These four people together looked ridiculously eye-catching.
All eyes subconsciously or consciously fell on them.
Roy ignored the gazes directed his way.
Made anxious by their gaze, Amelia, who for the first time was dressed like a maiden, hid behind her master's back.
Roy grabbed her hand, gently pulling her to his side.
"You don't need to feel discomforted by their gaze. Although a maid, your status is higher than theirs. Remember who you serve. Walk side by side with me with your head up high." Roy encouraged the lass.
"Y-yes, master." She stuttered and tried to walk at his pace.
Swift Death was used to the attention she was getting, but she couldn't be indifferent to the disgusting stare directed her way. However, she did her best to walk ahead without bothering to look back at those trying tons trip her naked with their gaze. Internally, she seethed, 'What the-- these bastards are looking at me too licentiously. If this was not the Jade Branch, I would've already blinded them.'
"They are too shameless." Julian suddenly appeared before her and gave a middle finger, and stuck his tongue out to the bastards ogling at her.
His antics made their eyes twitch rapidly, but because he was accompanied by the Count's brother, no one picked a fight with him and instead looked away.
