As Vicente and Layla arrived at the theater, Shelby arrived in a carriage different from her family's, next to only Molly and Mira.
The orange-haired woman had a serious look, ignoring the crowds on the way to the local theater, while her blonde friend saw how anxious this woman was.
Mira asked her. "Are you and your friend acting tonight?"
Shelby didn't answer right away, but she was sincere after a moment of silence. "Yes. Today is a big day for me. If I don't achieve my goals today, then everything I aim for will be out of reach."
"Do you intend to deal with him?"
"The less you know, Mira, the better for you. The city will be in chaos after today. This will be an opportunity for us, but great dangers will be ahead. It's best not to know things that will complicate your life."
Mira understood her friend's words and sighed, imagining the support she had given Vicente, and the fact that Shelby's wedding was so close meant that some heads would roll.
'They'll probably eliminate Marcus... But what about Viscount Symons? He is now a Mid-level Mage. It won't be easy to deal with someone connected to him... Besides, the army has recently suffered a tragedy, and soldiers are already coming here from the capital.'
The blonde woman sighed as she thought about the number of complicated problems in Millfall lately.
'All this will only make sense if the Viscount falls... But can they bring down someone so strong?' She wondered somewhat pessimistically.
But while they arrived at the theater for the evening, Viscount Symons' party arrived in a much more positive mood.
Marcus stood beside his mother and father with a broad smile on his face, waiting for this great event to begin.
He would marry Shelby in the next few days and knew his old man would buy something at this auction to give to him and Shelby.
Considering the number of valuable items that were rumored to be in this auction, he couldn't help but feel anxious about the evening.
'With the help of my father and the wedding gifts, I might be able to raise my magical foundation to the level of a Mage within the next 12 months.' Thought the blond man as he watched the crowds on the sidewalks.
Meanwhile, the Viscount smiled as he thought about his own goals.
'After Marcus' wedding, I'll take care of that brat Cesar before he gets any further. The wretch is progressing very fast. I'd better put an end to him once and for all.
Everything will be in my favor with Cesar dying and Shelby marrying Marcus. It will only be a matter of time before I have access to the main branch of House Staples and the backing of the Marquis!'
As Vicente had thought, it was not only the Staples family that would benefit from Marcus and Shelby's marriage. The Symons family had much to gain because Shelby's family was a branch of another noble family in the kingdom, a family that held the title of Marquis in another province.
The main branch of the Staples family and the Millfall branch were not close. However, there was nothing in the magic world that couldn't change.
Today, the Staples of Millfall are not relevant to the main branch. But with the marriage to the Symons family, things could change.
With that change, Viscount Symons might be able to start talks with a Marquis, a good start for him to get closer to the title of Count.
'I could reach the title of Count in the next five years!' He smiled as he placed a hand on one of his wife's thighs and squeezed it with interest.
"Darling..." The Viscount's wife looked at him with a smile, seeing that her husband might be excited to do something more after the auction...
So, all those who would be attending the evening auction arrived at the local theater and soon followed the red carpet from the building's entrance to their respective seats.
The local theater building basically had two levels. The first was the common grandstand, where there wasn't much privacy or services.
Usually, less wealthy people stayed in this area. Still, on this night, those who were curious about the powers involved in this auction, such as children and students, would stay in such an area.
The second level was the VIP rooms, which were spread over three floors but offered very similar services, with individual bathrooms, snacks and drinks, and meeting and socializing areas.
An auction like tonight's could easily take two or three hours from start to finish. But between the start and the end of the auction, people might become more or less interested in the items being auctioned.
In these situations, it was very common for people to rest, eat, or even negotiate with other people at the auction while waiting for the items they were interested in.
Of course, admission was not free, and each group had to pay a fee based on the number of people and the area where they would be staying.
Vicente had paid a fee of 100 gold coins for a room at this event, a hefty sum, but one that couldn't compare to the total value of the items to be auctioned tonight.
So he and Layla made their way to the location designated by the event organizers, doing the same as the other attendees.
Halfway to their location, Shelby and her group encountered a group from Dryhaven that included a green-haired woman, a blond man, and a middle-aged man.
"Shelby Staples..." The green-haired woman, Livia Norris, smiled at the sight of her old colleague.
"Livia..." Shelby's eyes narrowed as she saw Livia take one of young master Grant's hands.
"I forgot your family was from Millfall... Haha, I didn't expect to see you here today, Shelby." Livia said with an exuberant smile on her face. "by the way, I heard you're engaged. Is that right?"
"Yes, that's right." Shelby smiled stiffly at Livia, imagining that this green woman had something on her mind.
Livia narrowed her eyes and said. "I'm engaged too, haha, what a coincidence. Shelby, have you met my fiancé? This is Nicolas Grant. The young master and heir of the Grant family." She gave Shelby a superior look.
"Who was your fiancé again?"
"Marcus Symons."
"Yes, that's right, little Marcus Symons." Livia smiled, showing Shelby that they were different even in terms of future partners.
Nicolas didn't know their history and formally introduced himself to Shelby.
"Miss Staples, nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about your family."
"The pleasure is mine, young master Grant." Shelby smiled graciously at him. "Anyway, I hope to see you again soon. I'm going to my office now."
"See you later." Livia left with her companions, a few levels happier for the moment.
