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196. UNDERGROUND AUCTIONS
SIGRID
arrived in the city of Valles, though, in truth, I had no real idea
where exactly I was in the realm.
So much had changed over time, and I was relying solely on
Electra’s memories to guide me.
"Where is the auction house?" I asked the guards at the city’s
entrance, and they gave me directions.
We navigated through the streets, weaving between carriages and
bustling crowds, until we trotted up to an enormous mansion set
apart from the noise.
"Ma’am, excuse me, but this is a private residence," two guards
stood watch at the tall iron gates.
"Dm an invited guest to today’s event," I said, extending the
invitation, which they inspected.
"and him?"
"He’s my ve. Any problem with that?" I raised a brow.
The horse fidgeted, restless from the long journey, and my
patience was wearing thin.
"No, no issue at all. Please proceed, Lady de Croix. A stablehand
will guide you."
Atst, the towering gates, wrapped in ivy, swung open to reveal a
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beautiful garden.
"Follow me this way," the stablehand led me toward the back,
where more horses and carriages were being arranged in the
stables.
"I can handle it myself. Wait for me outside," I ordered, mustering
all the arrogance I could.
1 led the horse toward the stable front, but the way we were
positioned made it impossible for me to dismount properly.
“Are you trying to strangle me to death?" I turned as best as I
could.
My waist had gonepletely numb from the iron grip that had
mped around me the entire trip.
My gaze met Ss’s golden eye—we were close enough that I could
hear his heartbeat hammering against my back.
"My apologies, mydy," he lowered his head and finally released
me.
That had to be the most ufortable horse ride in history.
“Alright, let’s dismount," I instructed—and that turned into
another ordeal.
He almost toppled onto me, nearly crushing me like a biscuit as he
got down.
"Ss, my Ss, I should’ve named you Cmity," I huffed, finally
leading the horse into the stable and securing it. ""Let’s just get this
over with."