Chapter 153: The Second Prince

As the shadow magic veil slowly dissipated like smoke vanishing into the air, the outlines of massively built knights first appeared, standing in terrifyingly orderly lines on both sides of the box. They wore heavy armor of polished black metal, with a prominent silver star centered on their chests, while their hands rested near the hilts of their swords in a steady defensive stance.

Directly behind them stood two mages clad in dark crimson robes, surrounded by a faint magical aura. Their feet did not touch the floor of the box. Instead, they appeared to be floating slightly above it, while the amulets fastened to their robes glowed with a faint light.

In the center of the luxurious box, two figures appeared, sitting in complete comfort on plush seats that conveyed an imposing sense of dignity. One was a young man, while the other looked to be in his mid-thirties.

All eyes turned toward the seated young man in awe. His pure white hair flowed with vitality and an attractive messiness, framing a face with sharp, carefully sculpted features. He wore a luxurious white garment adorned with highly intricate gold embroidery spanning his chest and broad shoulders. A dark navy sash with gilded edges draped over his shoulders.

Right beside him sat a massively built man with soft features, black hair combed back with meticulous care, and calm blue eyes. His portly build gave him a heavy presence, while his dignified bearing only added to his imposing aura. He wore a luxurious white robe embroidered with thick golden threads that seemed almost like polished metal plates across its surface.

Amidst the heavy silence, the white-haired young man slowly rose from his seat and took confident steps toward the glass balcony rail.

He raised his hand and waved to the people below with a gentle, warm smile before tilting his head slightly in a friendly nod.

Instantly, everyone below bowed in complete submission. No one dared to raise their head or linger with their gaze on a direct descendant of the Emperor.

The impact of his appearance did not stop at the lower auction floor. His presence extended to the upper boxes as well.

In that brief moment, the concealment magic faded from all the VIP boxes surrounding the hall. One by one, the boxes were revealed, and the faces of high-ranking nobles appeared behind the glass.

They all bowed as well, in reverence to the Second Prince.

The Second Prince’s gaze swept over the crowds, taking in the entire hall as they bowed before him in submission, before gradually moving toward the upper boxes surrounding him.

Amidst this awe-inspiring scene, the situation in Malrik’s box was completely different.

The expressions of Malrik and Velrosa did not change in the slightest. They remained seated with their heads held high, quiet pride reflected in their expressions. Even Cedric, Orin, and Velrosa’s maid stood firmly at the back of the box, none of them showing the slightest intention of bowing or displaying reverence.

The Second Prince’s gaze settled directly on Malrik’s box. Yet, not a hint of surprise appeared on his face at seeing them still seated, nor any displeasure at their refusal to offer him the customary respect. It seemed as though he had expected this exact response.

In that charged moment, Velrosa’s displeased eyes, burning with suppressed anger, met the calm, friendly eyes of the Second Prince.

For a moment, neither of them moved... Then the Second Prince’s smile widened slightly.

But Velrosa showed no sign of anger. The sharp displeasure faded from her eyes in an instant, replaced by absolute, icy coldness.

Velrosa slowly rose from her seat and took a step back, completely ignoring the adjacent box and the Prince who was still watching her, as though he wasn’t even there.

She turned to her brother and spoke in a calm tone.

"Stay here, Mal. I will leave now, as I’ve remembered that I have more important matters to attend to than staying here."

Malrik looked at her in surprise. "Should I come with you?"

Velrosa shook her head.

"No. If we both leave now, that arrogant fool on the other side will think he has won..."

A brief silence fell inside the box as the siblings’ gazes met. Malrik then nodded.

"Understood."

Velrosa then turned toward Cedric, the old man standing in the shadows behind them, and looked directly into his eyes.

"Cedric, stay with him. Don’t leave him for a moment... you know what I mean."

Cedric calmly nodded to her, as though her words needed no further explanation.

"Don’t worry, My Lady."

Before leaving, Velrosa turned to her personal maid.

"Bella, you stay as well. You know what I’m looking for. If you find something, buy it."

Bella nodded quietly.

Velrosa turned and left the box with confident steps.

As Velrosa left, the Second Prince’s gaze followed her without interruption, while his calm smile remained on his face. Yet, Velrosa did not glance at him even once.

With Velrosa’s departure, the Second Prince’s gaze shifted to the young man who remained quietly seated in his place. Their eyes met, and Malrik looked back at him in turn.

Down below, this scene did not escape Magnus’s keen eyes. The auction manager noticed Countess Velrosa’s departure, as well as Malrik remaining seated in his box without showing any reaction to what had happened.

Magnus sensed that the atmosphere was becoming more tense than it should be, so he decided to lighten it a little.

"And just as we are honored today by the presence of the Imperial Family..."

Magnus raised his resonant voice and gestured politely toward Malrik’s box.

"I am also delighted to welcome our exceptional guest, the Seventh Banner Bearer and youngest son of the current Duke of the Vesperion Duchy... Young Master Malrik Vesperion!"

Magnus then gave a slight, respectful bow toward the box. Immediately, hundreds of eyes that had been directed downward turned toward Box A07.

This time, Malrik did not stand as the Second Prince had done. Instead, he remained seated with complete ease. He simply raised his hand and waved to the people below with a calm smile.

Meanwhile, in Box A06, the massively built man standing beside the Prince turned his gaze toward the adjacent box after Magnus’s announcement.

As soon as his eyes fell upon Malrik’s face, his blue eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to recall a distant memory.

In the next moment, his eyes widened in obvious shock, and his soft features froze completely.

The aura of dignity surrounding him vanished. Even the heavy magical aura radiating from him violently fluctuated for a fraction of a second, causing the air in the box to suddenly grow heavy and prompting the Second Prince to tilt his head toward him in curiosity.

In the opposite box, Cedric’s sharp senses caught the sudden disturbance, and Malrik noticed it as well. Both turned toward the massive man in the white robe.

Malrik frowned slightly as he stared at the man’s face. There was something annoyingly familiar about him, but Malrik couldn’t quite place where he had seen him before.

He searched his memory for a moment, and then... realization struck him like lightning.

"Oh..."

Malrik’s smile widened slightly. He had recognized the man’s identity.

This man was Archbishop Matthias of the Temple of Lumiel, the very same person who had once tried to recruit him with a condescending attitude back in the Ashmore Marquisate, when he had no idea who Malrik really was.

Malrik remained seated in complete comfort. He crossed one leg over the other and rested his chin on his hand, a faint smile spreading across his lips as he stared directly at the shocked man before him.

Both the Second Prince and Cedric watched the silent exchange intently. Neither of them understood the reason behind the sudden tension between Malrik and the Archbishop.

Matthias quickly realized the slip in his aura in front of everyone. He took a deep breath and redrew the mask of dignity and coldness over his soft features, trying to salvage the situation and erase that moment of weakness as if nothing had happened.

But the young Prince did not miss his belated attempt.

The Second Prince shifted his gaze from Matthias back to Malrik, who remained quietly seated. But this time, the amusement vanished from his eyes, replaced by an entirely different gleam.

For a brief moment, he simply studied Malrik in silence, as though trying to understand the young man sitting across from him.

Then, without saying a word, he raised his hand.

The charged silence between the two boxes was finally broken by that simple gesture.

One of the knights in heavy black armor immediately stepped forward and bowed until his head was level with the Prince’s.

The Second Prince whispered a few words to him, his eyes remaining fixed on Malrik. As soon as he finished, the knight gave a stern nod, then turned and left the box with heavy footsteps.

Malrik watched the knight disappear into the adjacent box.

Barely a minute later, three knocks echoed against the heavy wooden door of Box A07.

In the background, Cedric immediately turned toward the door. He stepped forward with almost completely silent footsteps despite his imposing build, then grasped the handle and slowly opened the door.

Standing outside the door was the Prince’s massive knight.

Despite his size, the knight made no attempt to enter by force. He simply waited for Cedric to step aside before entering.

Cedric gave him a cold warning look as he passed, but the knight paid it no mind.

He took a single step into the box and looked directly at Malrik, who was still sitting comfortably with his chin resting on one hand.

The knight struck his right fist against the silver star on his chest and gave a slight bow in a formal military salute.

"Young Master Malrik... His Highness the Second Prince invites you to join him in his box."

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Author’s Note

I’ve seen some readers complaining about me releasing only one Chapter a day lately, so I wanted to explain what’s going on.

I’ve already prepared a new privilege pack with 10 Chapters, but I’m still waiting for the support team to resolve my issue.

I still haven’t received my August earnings, and honestly, the situation has left me feeling extremely frustrated and unappreciated despite all the effort I’ve put into the novel.

If it weren’t for your continued support, dear readers, I probably would have stopped updating back in September.

I truly hope you understand my frustration, and as always, thank you for continuing to support me and the novel.