----
Something in my chest demanded it, screamed that I could not let
him fall into anyone else’s hands.
My head pounded, my emotions spiraled out of control, and the
Goddess’s words echoed relentlessly in my mind.
There was no doubt. This was the man I had to save.
What connection did he have to the future?
Ididn’t know.
But she told me there would be signs, and what greater sign than
this—than this desperation, this overwhelming certainty?
‘And yet, my hope was crushed in an instant.
"2 million gold coins!" amanding voice rang out from one of
the booths as its curtain was drawn open.
A woman stepped into the light—-breathtaking, mature, her
chestnut-brown hair cascading in soft curls down to her hips.
Her sharp olive-green eyes held a defiant gleam, her posture
exuding challenge, as if daring anyone to outbid her.
Who would dare surpass the obscene offer of Lucrecia Silver?
I clenched my teeth, my fingers digging into the armrests.
I didn’t have that much gold readily avable—not without
requesting it from Morgana. And she would never approve such a
ridiculous sum for a mere ve.
----
Lucrecia was her father’s spoiled princess, which was why she
spent money like water.
Acold, murderous wind blew from behind me.
Damn it! I had forgotten about Ss!
My mind was split in too many directions at once, my gaze
flickering between the bound man on stage and my ve standing
far too still behind me.
I pressed a hand to my chest—I was losing control.
Electra fought harder than ever against the prison I had built for
her soul.
"Anyone else willing to outbid the lovely Lady Lucrecia Silver?"
The auctioneer taunted, despite the murmurs of protest and envy
rippling through the audience.
Few were willing to pay that much for an elemental, no matter how
exquisite he was.
"Step outside and wait for me discreetly," I turned to Ss—and as
Thad suspected, he had already moved, standing dangerously close
to the curtain’s edge.
He was staring at Lucrecia in a way that would send chills down
anyone’s spine.
"T said leave. I know what you want, but this is neither the time nor
the ce," I stepped forward, blocking his line of sight.
----
We were nearly pressed together, whispering, his raw emotions
seething—pure hatred and rage pouring from him.
If we stayed like this any longer, Lucrecia would inevitably notice
this booth.
las," I grabbed his chin, forcing him to face me.
That single golden eye darted wildly, madness wing its way to
the surface,
"Look at me. Just look at me."
I murmured, acting purely on instinct. His ragged breathing began
to steady, his pupils constricting until they locked onto mine.
Our breaths mingled, darkness swallowing us whole, shielding us
from the outside world.
"[ know you want revenge. I won’t stop you. But I didn’t pull you
from death just so you could throw yourself onto her tter like a
sacrificialmb. This isn’t... your moment."
I whispered through gritted teeth.