C142 Price of Pride
C142 Price of Pride
“I’m curious. If your excellency didn’t wish to sell the sarcophagus, why did you put it up at the auction?”
“I was looking for…like minded people. When I saw your highness betting so fervently for the item, it made me overjoyed. I’m a collector of antiques like this so it pained me to put it up for sale. But they say you have to sacrifice some things to get what you want.”
“I see. How much do you want to offer for the sarcophagus?”
“2,000 high quality mana stones and 50 supreme quality mana stones.”
Princess Denitra found it hard to hide her surprise. Mana stones were rare and expensive. Low quality mana stones could be purchased for 5 gold coins a piece. Mid quality mana stones could go for 50 gold coins a piece. High quality mana stones could go for 2,000 gold coins a piece. Supreme quality mana stones were so rare that they could go for up to 150,000 gold coins a piece.
“This must be the capability of the Ambassador of the Merchant Association,” Princess Denitra commented. Natalia understood it was a backhanded compliment but she didn’t say anything in response. Because she started conducting trade around the continent, she stumbled upon a mana stone deposit, purchased it and started escalating it. She became the largest importer of mana stones, she had a large reserve. It was only just a portion of the wealth she personally possessed.
“Is your highness interested in trading?”
“It certainly is a tempting trade but you know the sarcophagus is worth more.”
“You bid 650,000 gold coins on the sarcophagus. How is it more? Might I remind you that in the rules, it was expressly stated that the Merchant Association had the right to refuse to hand over items bought and will refund twice the amount. You agreed to those rules, your highness. I was just trying to create a fair environment for trade. By bidding that price for the sarcophagus, you put a value on it, a value which I have exceeded with what I have offered. If your highness is still not interested in trading, then I will act according to the rules.”
The high trading ground Princess Denitra had suddenly disappeared. If she refused the trade, she would be refunded twice the amount but would’ve lost the opportunity to procure rare mana stones.
“You were insidious to add this rule. Did you know this kind of thing would happen?”
“Perhaps. Everyone read the rules and decided to come regardless. I couldn’t be blamed for that.”
Princess Denitra’s hatred for Natalia increased. Although she was smiling shrewdly on the outside, Natalia was taking note of the princess’s expressions. She put their agreement in writing and both of them appended their signatures on it.
“It’s a pleasure to work with you, your highness. I would like to give you one of your membership cards. With this card, you can get a discount at all Affiliated branches around the continent and access to our VIP sections.”
“Fine, I’ll accept the price of my pride.”
“I’m glad. Since you asked me a question, I would like to ask one of my own. This is the first time I’m hearing about another Princess in Berinda. It’s a curious situation. I’m not doubting your royal heritage, I just wonder why you hide your face so much.”
“I think it's a personal decision not to bare one’s face, is it?”
“It’s a decision particularly taken by those who have chosen to dedicate their youth to the powers that be. Do you belong in that category?”
“I had no idea the Ambassador was a nosy person.”
“I normally am not but I apologize if this is a gross violation of your privacy. The mana stones and the card will be delivered to you soon. I’ll be leaving now,” Natalia said, leaving the back room. She smirked, walking back into the main event. She was soon found by Marvis, who had a panicked expression on his face. He clung to her the moment he saw her.
“What’s wrong, my dear Marvis?”
“The women…they are like a pack of wild hyenas. They kept surrounding me and…touching me. I’m scared, Natalia.”
“Hmm, I wonder if it was a mistake not to stake my claim more obviously. You look so pale. My poor darling has suffered so much,” she kissed his forehead. He nuzzled against her touch, sticking close to her.
From behind her, Denitra watched them, feeling her heart skip. She had many men in her lifetime but none could compare to Marvis. Not only was he handsome, he had abundant mana, so bountiful and pure.
“Ambassador, who might this be?”
Natalia stopped in her tracks, turning to face the curious princess. The polite smile Natalia had earlier was no longer there. She held Marvis’s hand, teasing his palm as she replied.
“This is Baron Marvis Jane, my fiancé.”
“I never heard about the Ambassador having a fiancé. This is a surprise.”
“Well, I don’t go out discussing personal matters. I thought you didn’t like personal questions, your highness. Doing this kind of thing makes you look like a hypocrite.”
“I didn't mean it like that. I was just wondering if you weren’t using your position and wealth to oppress this man here. How could an ordinary Baron compare to the Ambassador of the Merchant Association and daughter of the famous Adamantine family? An engagement like that is almost never heard of.”
“For someone who hates people being in her business, you’re straying so far into mine. I won’t entertain this embarrassment any longer, your highness,” Natalia said, mana gathering around her. They started to draw a crowd and Natalia’s friends soon saw the commotion. This alarmed Marvis, who was aware everything at stake.
“Your highness, it’s nice to meet you. Unfortunately, we have a private appointment and might not be able to entertain you any further. If you would excuse us,” Marvis intervened, pulling Natalia away. He pulled her to a secluded place where they couldn’t be seen by anybody else.
“That was intense. I thought you were about to fight her.”
“Trying to kill me and steal from me, I could let that go. But insulting you? I will make sure she never does it again.”
“That’s what you’re upset about?!”
“What? There isn’t a single person who is allowed to disrespect my fiancé.”
“Natalia, you…are very confusing. You’d throw everything you’ve worked for away just to protect my dignity? I can’t be fine with that. I’m the one who’s supposed to protect your honor and everything you’ve worked for. I don’t want that to be the price you pay.”
“…fine. But she was pushing it!”
“I know. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen you this angry. If I’m being honest, it’s arousing,” he whispered in her ears, kissing her neck.
“I thought you weren’t a fan of doing this in public.”
“What do you mean? There isn’t another person here.”
“Ahem! How rude of you to ignore us, Sir Jane,” Alana loudly said. He froze in place, slowly turning his head to look at the three ladies watching what was happening with an amused expression. He hid behind Natalia as she laughed her heart out.
“That was something else, Lady Natalia. I never thought you were capable of being annoyed, not to talk about being angry. I didn’t realize the feelings between you and Sir Jane were that deep,” Princess Temara said, her eyes twinkling. She was clearly asking for gossip. Natalia took Marvis’s hand and kissed the back of it.
“Isn’t it obvious? He belongs to me.”
All four of them blushed. Such possessiveness would’ve seemed odd on a woman but it seemed to fit Natalia like a glove. Marvis didn’t deny it as well, making the situation worse.
“Why do I feel like Princess Denitra is fishing for trouble? I feel like she’s up to no good, especially with the way she walks around like she’s better than everyone even though we’re princesses as well,” Alana said, frowning.
“It’s because she is. We’ve been sizing each other up ever since we met. I don’t know her intentions yet but I want to see what she does with the direct access to me I’ve given her.”
“What do you mean by direct access?”
“One, I flaunted off the fact that I have a large fortune. Two, I made her feel like a valuable ‘friend’ to make. Three, although it wasn’t intentional, I have shown her a ‘weakness’. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does.”
“I can't imagine it would be that easy to harm Sir Jane or you, especially with their security.”
“You need to realize that the reason for her pride is the fact that she is surrounded by several Semi-Transcendentals as guards, even as maids. She’s not an easy opponent either.”
“That’s…nearly impossible. Right?”