Return to Jorgaldur Volume IV: Reunion

Imperial neighbors (III)

The auction went smoothly. They had won some materials, and had lost others. Rather, the children had won them, including the prince. It was when a level 50 high-quality armor was being auctioned that Gjaki frowned.

It's not that it was an extraordinary item, but there weren't many armors of that level and that much quality. The price had risen to 4000 when a voice intervened.

"I'd like to gift this armor to my fiancée on her birthday. I thank you for your consideration towards me, the heir to the throne of Engenak. I raise to 5000," he said.

Without saying it, he was threatening anyone who bid to become an enemy of his kingdom. The vampiress was tempted to bid just for that, and even Goldmi. The princes of Engenak didn't bring her back good memories.

Eldi, for his part, was once again disappointed with the Engenak royalty. They were using their power to oppress others even outside their territory.

"This's a first warning to box three. This type of exhortation is against the rules of the auction. Therefore, I'm forced to cancel your participation in this bid. If it happens again, you must leave the hall," the host of the auction intervened.

"How dare you!? Do you know who I am!?" the prince exclaimed.

"It'd be difficult not to know, since you yourself have announced it. That doesn't change the rules. Please don't make things more difficult for me. I'd hate to have to expel such an illustrious client," the host threatened. He was a middle-aged man with an athletic body. His level was at least 70.

There was a moment of silence. The prince was furious. He wanted to shout again, to threaten to wipe out all the branches in his kingdom. Luckily, his assistants and guardians were able to calm him down. It wasn't a good idea to have the Chamber of Commerce as an enemy, and even less so under the current circumstances.

"The last bid was 4000. Please, state your bids," the host announced.

"Oh, so the rumors were true," the emperor said out loud, with perhaps some admiration.

"What rumors?" Gjaki asked.

She believed that he was going to explain something about the prince of Engenak, and all information was welcome. That's not what happened, though.

"It's said that the Chamber of Commerce has become stricter with auction rules. In recent times, episodes like this were common, but they've really decided to eliminate them. It's a good move. It may have a short-term cost, but in the long run, their reputation will make up for it, and so will their benefits. Nobody wants their item to sell cheaper because someone powerful wants it," explained the emperor. "I wonder what has happened to make them react like that, but it's good news."

The three companions looked away, or had somewhat uncomfortable expressions. Not everyone realized it, but Krinia knew her friend very well.

"Gjaki? What do you know about that? Don't you dare say that you have no idea!" the reptilian mage demanded.

"Well... We had a small problem at an auction, and I complained to the Chamber of Commerce, nothing more," the vampiress responded.

"Oh... Where does one complain?" Kroco asked curiously.

"Well, I went to tell Tihgla..." she answered, with a rather low voice.

The reptilians didn't give much importance to that name, as they didn't know it. The only exception was the emperor.

"Wait... Did you say Tihgla? She's not the boss of the Chamber of Commerce, is she?" he wanted to make sure.

The vampiress just nodded as she looked away. Coinin, who was with the children, giggled. Goldmi concentrated on what she was cooking. Eldi was reviewing the list of items that remained to be auctioned.

"Aah... Why am I not surprised?" the emperor sighed. He looked tired.

"Ha, ha. So, it's all your fault," Krongo laughed.

"She can't be left alone," Kroquia sighed while trying not to laugh.

The truth is that the empress was more relaxed than she had been in a long time. There were no enemies or spies there. She didn't have to worry about what the members of the court said, or watch every word that came out of her mouth. At times, it was exhausting.

She glanced askance at her husband. Although he was shaking his head, in disbelief at what he had heard, she knew he felt relaxed too. There, he could forget about all the problems for a moment. Besides, they could see their son playing with other children, who didn't behave differently because their parents wanted to establish relationships.

They may be emperors in their land, but, in front of them, there was none other than the Blood Queen. As if that weren't enough, there was also Eldi Hnefa. Not only had they heard about him often in recent months, but he had turned out to be a master blacksmith.

Lastly, there was Goldmi, whom they knew from her last visit. Therefore, they knew of her mastery in cooking, although it wasn't the only thing. Her power was as high as Gjaki's, and reports of a huge Kraken that had appeared and disappeared pointed to her. The being she had put in a small portable pool was too small, but the appearance matched the reports. Without a doubt, that elf was also very special.

The elf's husband had been quite quiet, as he was watching his daughters. However, the mana fluctuations were quite revealing. His power was also not something that could be ignored.

Even that rabbit-eared vampiress was powerful, although not on the level of the others.

They were surrounded by monsters, but monsters that were friends, and treated them as such. Not as emperors, not to gain their favor, not to suck up to them. It was strangely refreshing.

"We'll have to accept the invitation to go to her mansion from time to time," Kroquia whispered to her husband.

He didn't nod, but didn't say no either. Normally, her husband would have refused to do anything unbecoming of an emperor, but now he was looking at his son with a smile.

"It seems that it won't be very difficult to convince him," the empress said to herself, as she tasted a filled puff pastry that Krinia had passed her. "Mmmmm! That's so good! You have to give us the recipe!"

"She has to give us twenty recipes, at least. Couldn't we hire you as a cook?" Grikdra asked, while licking her lips.

"No way! She's mine!" Gjaki refused, and stood between them and her friend.

"Ah! Mom is ours!" Gjami appeared, while grabbing her mother from her apron.

"Mom, don't go with them!" Eldmi worried, and also grabbed her.

The truth was that the twins didn't really know what it was about. They had just heard something about her mother, and that aunt Gjaki had said she was hers.

They all laughed. The twins were too adorable.

"I'm not going anywhere. Here, give it to the other children," the elf bent down, ruffled their hair, and gave them some sweet rolls filled with delicious jam.

Reassured by their mother, the girls ran back to their playmates, while the auction for the gem was about to begin.