Bala: The Duke's Contract Wife

Secret Lover

"Why do all these troublesome things?" asked Rose, trying to suppress her annoyance while putting a lion mask on half of Victor's face. Because the man was too tall, Rose had to climb on the chair behind him in order to tie the ribbon behind the man's head.

Victor who somehow insisted on being her 'secret lover' had to use a magic bracelet to change the color of his hair and eyes. Now the man had black hair and blue eyes. His stocky body was clad in a grey suit and pants.

Rose herself wore a black dress that showed off her smooth back. A dragon motif surrounded the dress, hugging her body elegantly. And there was a fairly low cleavage.

"Tch. Isn't there another dress you can wear?" Victor asked.

Rose saw herself in front of the glass in her room. She twisted her body. "I think it's a nice dress on my body." The sleeves of the dress were long but her neckline was indeed low.

"You showed too much skin," protested Victor.

"This is a typical Quinsai dress. Count of Rozar will expect me to hide my identity during the auction."

"And you have to choose a dress with very cleavage and shows off your back perfectly?" Victor's hand caressed Rose's back. His fingers felt warm though it created goosebumps for her.

The girl walked towards the chair in front of her dresser and picked up a scarf made of tiger skin and wore it on her body. With a black lace hat and bright red lipstick, Rose won't lie, she loved her look.

"I'm going to wear this scarf. And if it's still cold, there's you," Rose said casually. "If you don't like it, there's still time to exchange with Baldur."

"What? Do you mean you'd rather be alone with that guy?"

"Who? Baldur?" asked Rose, "For this scenario to be honest, yes. Because no one's going to recognize him. While most people will definitely recognize you."

Victor clicked his tongue doesn't like it. "Tch. No one would recognize me because I've changed the color of my hair and eyes with magic."

"Yes." Rose tapped the bracelet on Victor's right wrist. There was a black crystal stone embedded in the bracelet. "But there is a time limit. So, let's hurry up."

The man pulled Rose's chin, forcing her to stare at Victor straight. "Do you really mind taking me as your partner tonight?"

Rose frowned. "To be honest, yes... Vic, you have to hold back your emotions during the auction." The girl tidied up Victor's suit collar. "Whatever happens, don't act rashly. Even if you want to kill the count right then."

"A plan will only work if you patiently wait for the right time." She looked into Victor's now navy blue eyes, as if to say, 'Got it?'

Victor nodded.

Satisfied with the man's answer, the two finally exited Rose's room then boarded a simple horse carriage in the front yard of the residence. The carriage was wooden brown and without any décor. While in front of them, a white carriage with Maraina insignia stood. A luxurious carriage would come out of the front gate, to fool everyone that the Duchess of Maraina will visit Lady Corina. While the simple carriage they rode would come out of the back gate, circled the city, and head for the new auction site.

It had been nine days since Countess of Rozar's notice of suicide. After the last meeting, Rose immediately instructed Rositta to return to Count of Rozar and conveyed Rose's desire to buy a child. The old man was certainly happy to get Rositta back and since Rositta was able to read the memory when she came into contact with skin, it was easy for Count of Rozar to believe all her words. Before long Count Rozar and Rose had sent each other secret letters. In the third letter, Count of Rozar declared the next auction place.

At the same time, by being facilitated with Rositta–Rose told the girl to act as a poor girl–Lady Corina was willing to help Rose's plans. The middle-aged woman would cover the guise of Rose and Victor's departure toward the auction.

The new auction site turned out to be in one of Count Rozar's nightclubs, Venus Garden. A risky move, but since the man only had a short time to change the location of the venue, choosing one of his nightclubs was a logical choice.

Of course, while they were attending the auction, Johan and Gale also Baldur were tasked with leading the other knights to besiege the nightclub in silence. They had already studied the location and together with Rose pointed several places that could be used as hiding places. One of them was the public club next to Venus Garden, which everyone could visit. Another place was the inn opposite the Venus Garden club. They would stay in their respective places until Rose and Victor gave their mark.

Rose sighed. She wore her butterfly mask on the train. Everything went smoothly... For now.

Smoothly, Rose and Victor could pass the guards in front of the nightclub. They headed straight for the basement after Rose showed the bartender her invitation card at the club. Secretly, Rose slipped an envelope containing her invitation card between the basement door frames, leaving a trail for Johan and Gale.

Victor began to embrace Rose's body as they descended the basement. The man's other hand held a candle to light the way. "Slowly, it's very dark here," Victor said.

After a few minutes, they reached the end of the stairs. A spacious room with many fire torches on each side of the wall greeted them. The room was empty except for a few chairs placed in the middle. There were dozens and all were fully sat except for two seats on the second row from the back. At the end of the room opposite the stairs, there was a stage covered by curtains. And among the chairs, some waiters walked with trays containing alcohol and snacks.

"No champagne for you tonight," whispered Victor in Rose's ear.

"Come on Victor, we have to blend in," Rose said while picking up two glasses of champagne from a waiter, "Of course we should drink."

Victor quickly took both glasses and sipped half the contents of one glass. Then gave the glass he just drank to Rose. The girl's mouth opened in shock at Victor's behavior, but the next second the same mouth sneered. Nevertheless, Rose still received the glass.

They sat in the two empty chairs just as the curtains were exposed.

The figure of a short, puffy man with a thick mustache appeared. The man was wearing a red suit with long tails on the back. "Count of Rozar does not look sad at all by the death of the countess" whispered Victor.

"Who's going to miss that old woman with that boneless tongue of hers?" whispers her back. The girl's eyes caught Rositta's gaze standing on the left edge of the podium. The girl had only been back at Rozar's residence for a week and already looked thinner than ever. Her cheek cavity was increasingly visible as well as her eye bags.

"After this, the girl comes home with us," hissed Rose with determination.

"home?"

They both found each other's eyes. Rose herself was very surprised by the word that emerged from her mouth spontaneously. She just referred to the Maraina's residence as her place to 'go home'. As her home.

Victor opened his mouth to say something, but Count of Rozar was already saying, "Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the largest annual auction in Maraina!" Boisterous applause rang out in response to Count Rozar's remarks. Rose saw Victor's jaw hardened after hearing the word 'annual' and saw everyone in the room was proud of it. Victor was angry that for years he had not been able to stop the illegal trafficking of children in his own area.

"Let's start the auction today! The first child to open tonight's event comes from Maraina. She is twelve years old and..." The man fell silent for dramatic effect. A girl wearing only a piece of burlap dress stepped out from backstage. No shoes, no ties or chains. But on the child's neck, there was a chain. The child's face looked terrified, her whole body was trembling.

"... she's a virgin." Rose swore she saw Count Rozar blinking at the auction participants. "For your eyes, ladies and gentlemen, this is Angel!" Whistling began to be heard from male participants.

Instinctively, Rose grasped Victor's hand and squeezed it. Reminding the man not to be rash. Because Rose could already feel the gripping aura coming out of Victor.

Rose herself didn't like the show in front of her. But if they stopped the auction right then before learning more about how the auction transaction was used by Marquis Ferinde's faction then everything would be in vain. At least they had to get the auction accounting book to find out all of Count Rozar's customers that Rositta didn't know. Otherwise, they may be able to capture Count Rozar but will lose track of the other nobles.

To fish bigger fishes, we have to dive deeper.

In response, Victor squeezed Rose's hand back. Expressing his intention to refrain.

"The price starts from six thousand gold. Does anyone want to bid?" asked Count Rozar from the stage.

One by one hands began to be lifted. Each time brought a higher offer. While the girl's face on stage was getting paler. Rose linked her fingers with Victor's fingers, still squeezing her husband's hand.

"Sold for thirty thousand gold to the man in purple silk suit!" Although covered in a mask, it was clear that the man who managed to win the young girl was very old. That man lewdly looked at the girl on stage...

Disgusting.

Twelve children in total were auctioned. Both women and men. All were young, under eighteen. Their clothes were all skimpy and their faces pale. Rose and Victor went through the auction clutching each other. Both had silent promises to save all the children.

It was only when the auction was completed that the remaining seven people were invited to a tour by Count Rozar to see his 'special collection'. These seven nobles were the loyal customers of Count of Rozar, including Rose and Victor. 

"Nice to meet you here," said Count Rozar to Rose. The man took Rose's hand and landed a kiss on the back of her hand.

Then Count Rozar's eyes glanced at Victor. "Ah, this must be that guy!" Victor accepted Count Rozar's hand. But then Count Rozar whispered to them, "You deserve a turn, this man is much more charming than the Duke of Maraina." The count chuckled while Rose quickly linked his fingers to Victor's arm again. The girl squeezed the muscular hand, again reminding him to be patient.

Luckily Victor was able to smile. "Thank you.

Count Rozar again spoke to the entire entourage, "Come on all, let's take a look at the latest collection that just came this month."

The old man confidently led the entourage of nobles. Rose and Victor followed from behind. During the walk, Victor whispered to Rose, "There is no easy death for the man, Rose. I'll make sure it doesn't exist." Victor's jaw hardened.

Rose responded, "Line up, Vic. I'll kill him first."

"I really want to see his expression when we surround him."

"Patience, my husband," Rose said quietly, "All in good time."