Eleanor of the Shadow Palace

XVI

I watched in fascination as the auction started.

I used to attend auctions back on earth. I sometimes hosted a few as well, and I always felt giddy whenever I was in one. The rush of bidding on an item always excited me, always wanting to come out on top no matter the amount I had to pay. Of course, the excitement was two-fold when I was the one hosting since I’d get a very huge amount for commission.

Anyway…

The only down side of the auction I was attending was that, they were bidding on stolen relics, cursed objects and people; slaves.

Despite being part of the underground society back on earth, I never really liked d**g and human trafficking. That was the reason I gave information to the police regarding such activities for free and I urged the then newly ascended Mafia Boss Edmund to have Sceptre stop getting involved with it.

Maybe it was because of my experiences in my past life that I disliked it, or the fact that I was a former slave myself.

It just didn’t feel right to me.

That was why as much as I enjoyed the auction, I couldn’t help but feel a little irked whenever humans or beasts were brought to be auctioned.

But…

“Our next item to be auctioned is quite the catch everyone! A pair of twins!” the announcer said excitedly. The cloth on the stage was removed which revealed a cage. And inside the cage was a pair of pre-teens with identical looks, both n***d. The two were both awake and one of them was crying while the other was holding the crying one protectively. “They were discovered in a secluded village on Kanluran Mountains.”

-You mean abducted after you guys looted their village.

“But what makes this pair of twins special is that-“ the host motioned for another man, much bigger than him, to come on stage with a sword. The big man poked one of the twins but both of them cried out. I watched in fascination as the wound slowly closed until it healed. “The two has a connection and as long as they are in contact with each other their wounds instantly heal! For those who like to collect such rare breeds of humans, this pair is definitely the one for you! Of course, because of this special connection they share, the twins are sold as a package. Now then, let’s start the bidding at five thousand gold!”

I couldn’t help but blanch at that.

-Five thousand gold? Isn’t that like ten thousand dollars or something?

But then that wasn’t really why I was interested at the twins in the first place. I mean sure I have a soft spot for twins since I had one myself but there was something about the two…

-The both of them possess mana. And isn’t one of them that guy?

Percival Mellis.

Black hair, a pair of emerald green eyes, he looked younger than the first time I met him, but it was definitely him. I remembered him becoming Anastasia’s second-in-command after he was freed from being a combat slave of the Herlais by the princess! He was also a damn good warrior! He was the best when it came to fighting with a spear!

-He will meet Anastasia five years from now. Although, I didn’t know he had a twin brother.

I couldn’t help but worry and at the same time excited.

I do not like s*****y but I felt like I should be the one to purchase the twins especially when the place was about to be raided. They might end up in bad places after becoming a ward of the country. Orphanages were just nasty.

“Henrick, buy the twins.”

“What? Why? I thought you did not like-“

“This one’s different. I am aware I sound like I’m being a hypocrite but there’s something about them. I’ll be the one to pay, don’t worry. I just need to use your name since your dad’s pretty well known here.”

“Ugh, fine.”

The bidding was like a battlefield, and my greatest enemy was the one called VIP#5 (we were VIP#3). The guy, whoever they are, wouldn’t stop and would always add half of the current bid amount after me.

“VIP#5 has bid seventy-five thousand gold!” exclaimed the host.

“One hundred thousand!” I shot back, desperate to stop the bidding already.

The room became silent and I could feel, as well as see, everyone’s gazes on where I was. The host started the countdown and thankfully, my competitor no longer put a bid so I won.

“Item number seven is sold to VIP#3! Congratulations! A servant will come to your room to process your payment as well as discuss the terms of your purchase.”

I sighed on relief and plopped on my seat.

-Ugh. Finally, the best spear wielder I know is in my grasp! Still, I’m curious about the twin brother. Did Percival have a twin back then?

“You sound exhausted.” I heard Henrick say after a few seconds of silence.

“All in a day’s work.”

“I thought you’re planning on bringing this place down. Why did you buy a pair of slaves?” he asked.

I only turned to his direction and stared at him. I could tell he was uncomfortable since he started squirming on his seat. Was my stare that intense despite wearing a mask?

“I have plans for the two of them and don’t worry, I plan on freeing them and then hiring them like regular employees that comes with benefits.”

“Oh, I guess that’s fine.”

Moments later, a servant of the casino knocked on the door and was immediately let in. She talked about the payment in which I paid in half (the other half was when I’d have the twins with me) directly (thank you spatial magic). The twins were then delivered inside the room both were bound in the wrists behind their backs, gagged and blindfolded.

The guy who brought them immediately told us of the terms of ownership.

“At the moment, the contract is up to one year. If you want to extend your ownership or if you want free it and/or re-sell it, please wait for a year. If you kill the slaves before the contract ends, well that is solely up to you. What you use it for, is also solely up to you.” said the guy. “As per the contract states, the binding magic enables you four absolute orders; pain, bind, sleep and mute. Of course, you are the only one that can order them as such.”

“Are you sure there will be no problems?” I asked, sounding skeptical.

“Yes Miss. The two are not yet trained since they were recently acquired but it’s what makes them desirable as it is up to their master on how they will turn out.”

“Hmm… I see. Let us sign the contract.”

Moments later, the servant and the handler were gone, and Henrick and I were left with the twins. Before they left I was handed the keys to their restraints. I undid their blindfolds and gags first, and I was met with a glare and a pair of teary eyes.

“Go to hell.” snarled the one I identified as Percival Mellis.

“Wow, that’s one hell of a first impression.” I said jokingly. “What are your names?”

“Why do you care?”

“Because the two of you will be under my care starting from now on.”

“Aren’t you going to give us names yourselves?” asked the meek one.

I only raised an eyebrow at his question, though I doubt he saw it because of my mask, and shook my head. “You have names given to you by your parents, why should I give you one?”

“They said-“

“You no longer have to listen to them, I’m not the kind of master you’re thinking of. Of course, let us finalize our arrangements once we get out of here. Anyway, I’ll be taking off the shackles, so be a dear and behave, okay?”

They only looked at me with confused expressions but decided to nod and not say a thing.

“My name’s Percival Orion Mellis, I prefer being called Percival.”

“And I am Hadrian Sirius Mellis!” the meek one, now identified Harry, said with a slight smile on his face. I noticed the twin calm down and relax a bit.

-I guess the meek one is a good judge of character. Not good enough though, but let’s see.

“Please call me Harry and my brother Percy, mistress!”

I couldn’t help but snicker at the thought of the names! Not to mention the irony of their second names!

-Oh my gods! Percy and Harry? Even their second names hit too close to home! Edmund will definitely fanboy at this!

“Please, just call me Ellie.” I said after calming down.

“But-“

“Ellie.” I insisted.

“Uhm… then Miss Ellie?”

I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “Works for now.”

“They’re here.” I heard Edmund say as he suddenly opened the door and hurried inside. He had just returned from scouting the area again.

I couldn’t help but smile at the news. Everything was going according to plan so far.

-I’ll tell him about Harry and Percy later.

“Uhm… who’s here exactly?” Henrick asked.

-Oh yeah, he’s here with us. I almost forgot about him.

“The First Knight Order.” was my simple answer.