บท 29: The Bidding War (1)

In the heart of the empire, rumors were as common as the wind, but every so often, a whisper would rise above the rest, carried on a current of excitement that spread like wildfire.

This was one of those moments.

The news that a Ferre, a member of the once-powerful and now almost mythical noble family, was at the Velvet Moon Pavilion, sent shockwaves throughout the kingdom. It was a revelation that stirred the deepest desires of the elite, fueling their ambitions and fantasies in equal measure.

The revelation had started as a quiet murmur within the Pavilion itself, a secret passed from one attendant to another, their voices hushed and eyes wide with disbelief.

But secrets like this were never meant to be kept. Within hours, the news had escaped the confines of the Pavilion, slipping through the streets of the city like a shadow in the night.

By the next morning, the entire city was abuzz with talk of the Ferre.

From the lowliest servant to the highest-ranking noble, everyone had heard the tale of the rare courtesan who would be given to the highest bidder.

Ferres that are known for their beauty, grace, and almost supernatural allure, had always been a subject of fascination. But the idea that one of them could be purchased, even for just one night, was beyond belief.

In the grand halls and private chambers of the kingdom's elite, the news of a Ferre at the Velvet Moon Pavilion spread with an electrifying effect.

The Pavilion, already known for its exotic and skilled courtesans, had just become the most talked-about place in the kingdom.

Lords and merchants alike, who had once treated the Pavilion as a mere indulgence, now saw it as a place of conquest, a place where the rarest and most valuable of treasures could be claimed.

The lords of the city were the first to act, their minds racing with the possibilities. In their homes, they gathered with their advisors and confidants, their excitement barely contained as they discussed what this meant.

The Lord of House Durell, a man known for his insatiable appetite for the rare and exotic, was among the first to express his interest.

"A Ferre, you say?" Lord Durell's voice was thick with intrigue as he leaned back in his velvet armchair, a glass of wine in hand. His advisors and servants gathered around him, all equally caught up in the fervor of the moment. "I never thought I'd live to see the day. It's been decades since a Ferre has been seen, much less one available for… purchase."

His steward, a thin, wiry man with a nose for gossip, nodded eagerly. "Indeed, my lord. Madam Lula herself has confirmed it. The boy will be given to the highest bidder, to have him for a night."

Lord Durell's eyes gleamed with a hunger that went beyond mere desire. This was an opportunity to possess not just a courtesan, but a piece of a living history. The idea of having a Ferre, of tasting the forbidden, was intoxicating.

A smile played on Lord Durell's lips. "The highest bidder, they say... Huh? Well, we'll see about that. I've never shied away from a good competition."

In another part of the city, Lord Balor, a man whose wealth was only matched by his pride, was having a similar conversation. His advisor, a shrewd man named Grayson, had brought him the news as soon as it had reached his ears.

"A Ferre," Lord Balor repeated, his voice low and dangerous. He stood by the window of his study, looking out over the city. "The stories of their beauty… they've always seemed like fairy tales. And now, to think one could be mine, if only for a night."

Grayson nodded, sensing his lord's growing excitement. "Indeed, my lord. The Velvet Moon Pavilion is holding an auction. They say it will be the most competitive bidding they've ever seen. Every powerful man in the empire will want a chance at this prize."

Lord Balor's smile was cold and calculating. "Then I'll make sure I'm the one who wins. I don't care what it costs. I'll have him."

As the news continued to spread, the excitement grew to a fever pitch. Lords and wealthy merchants from across the empire began making plans to travel to the capital, each one determined to see this Ferre for themselves. The Velvet Moon Pavilion, already the most exclusive establishment in the city, became the center of attention like never before. Madam Lula, the shrewd mistress of the Pavilion, was in her element, orchestrating the event with the precision of a master puppeteer.

She knew that the key to maximizing the bids was to keep the mystery and allure of Elian alive. She carefully controlled the flow of information, allowing just enough to slip through to keep the rumors swirling. The more they talked about him, the higher the bids would go, and Madam Lula was determined to make this a night that would go down in history.

As the day of the auction approached, the Pavilion was a hive of activity. The richest and most powerful men in the empire were arriving, each one vying for a chance to outbid the others. The air was thick with anticipation, the kind that makes every breath feel electric.

Lord Durell arrived early, his entourage trailing behind him. He was greeted by Madam Lula herself, who welcomed him with a smile that promised everything and nothing at the same time.

"Lord Durell," she purred, "it's a pleasure to see you again. I trust you've heard the news?"

Durell's eyes gleamed with interest. "I have indeed, Madam Lula. A Ferre… I never thought I'd see the day."

Madam Lula's smile widened. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, my lord. And I'm sure you'll agree, such a treasure deserves only the highest bid."

Durell nodded, already mentally calculating how much he was willing to spend. "Indeed. But I assure you, Madam Lula, whatever the price, I will pay it."

Meanwhile, Lord Balor had also arrived, his expression one of steely determination. He brushed past the other guests with barely a glance, his mind focused on one thing only.

"Madam Lula," he greeted her curtly. "I trust the auction will be conducted fairly?"

Madam Lula inclined her head, her smile never wavering. "Of course, Lord Balor. The highest bidder will take the prize, as is only right."

Balor's eyes narrowed. "Then I'll make sure it's me."

As the evening progressed, the tension in the Pavilion reached its peak. The guests were ushered into a grand hall, where the auction would take place.

The room was filled with the soft glow of candlelight, the air heavy with the scent of exotic flowers. It was a setting designed to heighten the senses, to make the guests feel as though they were on the brink of something extraordinary.

Elian, unaware of the full extent of the chaos his presence had caused, was being prepared for his grand entrance.

The attendants dressed him in the finest silks, their hands trembling slightly as they realized the magnitude of what was happening. They had heard the whispers, seen the looks of awe and envy in the eyes of the guests. This was no ordinary night, and Elian was no ordinary courtesan.

As he stood before the mirror, Elian couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in his chest. He knew what was coming, knew that he was about to be paraded before the most powerful men in the kingdom like a piece of meat at a market.

The thought made him sick, but there was nothing he could do to stop it. He was a Ferre, a rare prize, and tonight, he would have to please the highest bidder.

Back in the grand hall, the auction was about to begin. The guests were seated, their eyes fixed on the stage where Elian would soon appear. Madam Lula took her place at the front of the room, her smile as sharp as a knife.

"Gentlemen," she began, her voice smooth and confident, "thank you for joining us on this historic night. Tonight, you have the opportunity to bid on a treasure like no other. A true Ferre, the last of his kind, and a man of unparalleled beauty and grace."

The room buzzed with excitement, the guests leaning forward in their seats as they waited for the bidding to begin.

"Without further ado," Madam Lula continued, "I present to you, Elian, the last of the Ferres."