Governor’s Bride - Chapter 6

The only auction that Deertes knew at this moment was the one held on a weekly basis at the capital in Ilandea Hall.

It was an auction that auctioned off items such as works of famous painters that were found in the countryside warehouses, new spices and flavours from the new port, gemstones like diamond mined from colonial mines, and colourful plumage captured by expedition teams.

Hence, it is the most lively and vibrant place in society as everyone is excited about the new things that are brought in and are given the chance to flaunt their wealth in a noble manner.

Deertes also liked Ilandea Hall, although there were times when she had encountered issues due to the overflowing energy. Especially since whenever something new came into Saul, Serene always begged Deertes to follow her there.

Usually, we were in the position to go there an buy and participate in something like that. However, at least for one time each year, it was the opposite.

Once a year, on a special auction day, the Ilandea auction house posts items donated by aristocrats. With all proceeds going to the welfare of the kingdom and for the poor.

It is not that the nobles were worried about no gaining a penny in their pockets, they were instead worried about what item they would put out since they were not daring enough to put up something shabby. Fortunately, Deertes has never had the stress of worrying about the auction.

Every year since she was born, Count Russell would donate a portrait of Deertes to the Ilandea auction house.

Portraits were items that could not be painted without the client’s permission. This makes Count Russell famous for sending back numerous painters who had wanted to paint portraits of his daughters. He did not request for any more portraits of his daughters except for the portraits of himself and the portraits to be sent to the auctioneer.

Deertes and Serene were not often allowed out of their home. Sometimes, even when visiting the Ilandea Hall, the two were always seen wearing veils. The only banquet they attend was a small one held in the royal palace several times a year. As a result, many people wanted to see the portraits of the two sisters, as they were very hard to see in person.

It was a privilege to visit Count Russell and be able to see Deertes’ portrait. With the passage of time, the portraits that hang on the walls give those who view it the satisfaction of knowing how the young girl with angelic cuteness is now turning into a beautiful lady as if she were a flower in full bloom.

Count Russell knew of his daughter’s beauty, however, he was a contradictory man. He wanted to flaunt her beauty to the world yet hide it at the same time. As he wanted only those of high rank and wealthy people to see and praise his daughter’s beauty, so he sent a portrait of Deertes to the Ilandea auction every year.

Hence, Russell’s young lady’s portraits were always the most expensive among all the donated items.

In the meantime, a huge diamond gemstone that was mined in the colonial mines were donated. It was almost like an advertisement for the colonial project and business that was funded by the royal family. Asides from the portraits, the price of the gemstones also increased drastically as it was extremely rare and valuable.

When the gemstones were sold at more than ten times the price of Deertes’ portrait last year, people predicted that her record of hitting the highest price each year would finally break.

“It’s such a shame how the record is broken.”

“Yes, I thought that Lady Deertes’ portrait would sell at the highest price once again this year.’

Although those who participated in the auction spoke with regret in their voices, there was no sincerity at all. Then, the portrait of Deertes appeared. As always, it was the last item up for auction. However, this time around, the auction house was filled with interest for the diamond gemstones that had just been taken out moments ago.

“1 thousand pounds!”

Soon, the opening song started to play as people began raising their hands as per usual. 1 thousand, 3 thousand, 4 thousand. Last year, the final price of the portrait was 9,000 while the winning bid of the gemstone that was just released was 91,000 pounds.

“9 thousand!”

Shouts that increased the bidding price by a thousand every time began to decrease. The bidders glanced at each other and soon began to increase the price by the hundreds. From this point on, it was simply just a battle of who could endure longer. Those who were satisfied with their problems lowered their hands and sat down. After a while, only two of the noble who had been frequently sending letters to Deertes since months ago remained until the end.

“10 thousand!”

When the young Marquis who had been sending flowers to the count every day, shouted a price, applause broke out around him. Ten thousand pounds was enough to purchase a mansion in the capital and still continue living comfortably.

“Are there any more bidders?”

The broker shouted out, looking through the crowd. Then, from the corner of the room, a hand was raised.

“1 hundred thousand pounds.”

For a moment, the auction house of Ilandea was completely silent. Then, almost immediately afterwards, the sound of murmuring filled the room.

“What?”

“1 hundred thousand pounds?”

“What are you talking about? Who is it who said that?”

The auction house was so loud and noisy that even the voice of the next person could not be heard clearly. The broker tried asking multiple times for the volume of the room to decrease, but the noise grew, rather than subsiding. In a flurry, the broker called out to the man who had placed the bid of 100,000, trying to restore peace in the auction house.

“1 hundred thousand pounds, if you were to win the bid, you will have to buy it no matter what.”

“I know.”

The man answered coolly and calmly. With that, the broker whacked his wooden hammer on the platform. Once again, Deertes’ portrait has broken another record. Watching the whole ordeal from the balcony of the second floor, Deertes noticed a middle-aged male enter the store with the broker.

‘His appearance has changed a little bit… but I’m sure he must’ve been the one who bought it five years ago…’

Her portrait was sold to a different person every year. And according to the Ilandea auction house, all the payments that have been made were all accomplished neatly and normally. However, the buyer did not give any information on his status or position.

Therefore, despite Count Russell being extremely pleased with the amount the annual portrait had sold for, he was displeased at not knowing who the buyer was.

“It doesn’t feel good to think that a group of dirty people with a lot of money to spare have my portrait.”

“It can’t be helped it. Anyone is allowed to participate in the auction.”

“I have no idea who it is every time. I don’t feel good being unaware of who it is who has bought it. So far, there is only one Marquis, Marquis of Beerdin, who has known or has found out the whereabouts of the painting so far. I’m going to stop putting out the portraits as I’m sure that there’s someone who’s buying all the portraits behind them.”

The Marquis of Beerdin was an old aristocrat situated in a remote territory and did not show himself to the social circles of the capital. His young grandson was the one who actively shows himself on his behalf. A couple of people assumed the Marquis had bought the portrait of Deertes for his grandson.

Yet, the grandson had rebutted, saying how he has yet to see the end of Deertes’ portrait and is often seen complaining of how he had only come to the capital after his grandfather had left the prize.

“But at least it’s a good thing since they’re helping the poor.”

She said, trying to soother her father. But internally, she too was curious of where the portraits are now at and whose hands they are in.

“Everyone, wake up! The boss is coming.”

Deertes woke up from where she was deep in thought at the man’s cry.

The men woke up the women with a shout. Soon, a new group of men approached the bonfire. Among the group was one man who was exceptionally large and wore a rugged expression. And unlike the men around him, he was wearing Ramedes’ military uniform, with its very vivid red and navy.

He soon approached the man who had shouted for the boss and kicked him hard in the shins.

“Ack!”

The man who was kicked rolled over onto the sand and screamed, clutching the injured location.

“I told you to call me the governor.”

The boss said while stepping on the arm of the man. A shriek sounded, this time followed by a crack. In front of the violence that was happening in front of their eyes, they instinctively knew that something bad could happen to them from now onwards.

The man was kicked a couple more times before he started shaking as if having a seizure and fainted. Then, as if now uninterested, the boss turned away from him. Quickly, the women backed away. They did not want to get entangled in the fierce and powerful expressions that the men were wearing.

Approaching Deertes, he stood in front of her. Bringing one arm in front of him and bending down, greeting her. This was an etiquette of nobility.

“Welcome to Saul, Lady Deertes.”

At his words, Deertes took a step back. The captain had mentioned while they were on the boat that only a small handful of people were aware of who she was and that she was on board the ship.

So the crew must have known who she was and did not mention her name. It was to prevent the female prisoners from figuring out her identity. So, how does this man know about it?

Slowly, Deertes faced the man. The first thing she felt was awkwardness. He was wearing a military uniform, and strangely enough, there was no theft found from the soldiers of Ramedes. Moreover, his greeting now had a clumsy attitude to it. With one arm being held too low and the fist that should not be moving was shaking.

When she had first seen the military uniform, the medals were not as visible. However, now that she was able to observe them closely she could tell that the location and order in which the medals were placed were all wrong.

‘This man must not be a nobleman.’

This man is neither an aristocrat nor a soldier. Despite noting that fact, she did not dare say it aloud. After all, his victim, the fainted man, was still lying in the sand behind her. It was not hard to assume or predict that doing anything that bothered this man would result in her turning out like that.

Noticing how Deertes was standing still without answering, the boss straightened his back.

“I’m Alex Fisher, Governor of Razman.”

“Razman?”

The names of the two cities in Saul was Bernst and Endeavour. She has yet to hear of such a city that went by the name ‘Razman’. Moreover, if one were good enough to be appointed as governor, she would have heard of their name at least once. Yet, this was the first time she has heard of the name ‘Alex Fisher’.

“Razman is not classified or known as a country, but it is the third city in Saul. It’s about to be certified by our home country very soon.”

“…”

So, in other words, they had built it themselves. She was told that everything in Saul must first be approved by the home country. Yet, he just mentioned how he was not certified by the home country yet. She was doubtful whether such a city did actually exist, but she was more doubtful whether the man standing in front of her was really qualified to be called a ‘governor’.