Chapter 180 – Auction [9]
"I guess this is fine, too." Cassius said with an amused smile, looking at the strange turn of the Auction. "I doubt people at this auction will dare to share anything significant, considering not only is it the first Auction but we also didn’t prepare for it."
"We should change how the Auction functions then." Isolde added, her head still on Cassius’s shoulder. "Maybe we could make it anonymous. aning, each person who attends will wear a mask. And since I doubt everyone would be able to afford anti-divination masks, it’s better that we inscribe anti-divination into the rooms and the amphitheatre."
"Oh?" Cassius exclaid, nodding slowly. "Seems like a good idea. We also need to find a way for them to share their information without others knowing the content. That would protect them better, and would unconsciously put pressure on the others to bid more."
"The items to be auctioned must be known in advance then, for them to prepare correctly. So why not create a small elite group where that information is shared?" Isolde smiled. "We could create multiple grades of Devil’s Cards according to the status and importance of the person. The higher the status, the higher the Card — and thus the more information received and the greater the benefits from us."
"Then we need to make it worth it." He added. "Like giving them sothing they want, while at the sa ti obtaining what we want from them. So what do you think could make these wealthy n choose the highest Devil’s Card? After all, it’s like a subscription."
"Hmmm." Isolde made a thinking sound, her mind going through all the possible things these n could possibly love.
For that, she needed to understand who they were. And it was simpler than anything: they were wealthy, greedy, and wicked bastards. Not all of them, of course. But most of them.
What could people like that possibly love? And what could they possibly give them?
"I think we are already giving them what they love most." Isolde finally said. "Prestige and reputation. Obtaining the highest Devil’s Card ans being close to adow. Being close to adow ans being close to the Wealth Family. And being close to the Wealth Family ans having the most economically powerful family at your side. A family with connections far and wide. A family even the Hood does not dare to disrespect, let alone other families. Is there anything better than that?"
"adow will be in far more danger in situations like that." Cassius frowned slightly.
"That is a valid concern. So we need soone to protect her in the shadows." Isolde said. "Or powerful artifacts, just in case."
"I will see what cos up in the next Origin Store. adow is the foundation of all this and she is my author." He chuckled. "I can’t let her be in danger. Now I must find soone to enslave to protect her."
"Why was enslave the first thing you thought of?"
"Because it’s the fastest way."
"Maybe I can give you the man known as my father then." Isolde said, her voice suddenly dropping cold.
Cassius imdiately paused at those words. Without needing to be told, he knew Isolde was finally ready to speak. He focused and listened attentively.
And as if feeling his full attention on her, Isolde followed after a weary, exhausted sigh.
"Cassius, he is worse than I initially believed. That man — I disdain even saying his na — does not see won as human beings. That is the only way I can describe it. I don’t know why or how, but he sees them as things to collect, enslave, use and discard."
Cassius frowned. "What did he do?"
"He enslaved his maid, Veronica, and he is doing the sa with the Kanam Matriarch. So, you see, the reason he accepted the proposal was simply because he wanted her."
"...is that why Anesthesia left? Because of this?"
"Aye. She was Cole’s darling and wanted to make him proud. I can’t imagine the disappointnt she must feel knowing her own father is such a person."
"I cannot imagine either, honestly. It must be sothing truly beyond my understanding. But I can guess it is painful enough. She will need soone to help her out of that state faster than she could manage alone, or knowing Anesthesia, she will busy herself hurting anything close to her because of it."
"I tried, you see." Isolde smiled sadly. "I told her I want to know her."
Cassius arched an eyebrow. "What did she say?"
"Nothing, Cass."
"Does it hurt you?"
"Yes, Cass."
"So you do love your sister."
"...love? I don’t know. I truly don’t. But I...I simply want to know her. I want to know what could have been if I was not so insecure. I am better now, I believe, Cass. I know my worth and I...I no longer feel any jealousy toward her. I am healed."
Cassius let out a gentle smile.
"That’s why...that’s why I want to know her. I am ready for that. But—!"
"She is not ready, is she?" he guessed.
"I would say she doesn’t want to."
"Well, don’t say that then." He shook his head. "You needed ti and soone’s help to reach this point. Anesthesia simply needs the sa things. Give her ti. Who knows? Maybe she will co to you herself. After all, after today, she only has you and your mother. And no matter what we say about Anesthesia..."
He turned to look at Isolde, smiling wider.
"...she truly loves her family. She is greedy and ambitious, yes, but so is your mother."
"That’s why you like her, isn’t it?" Isolde scoffed, annoyed. "Because she loves her family despite everything."
"Well," Cassius laughed, "I certainly don’t hate her. I enjoy bothering her."
"So the solution is to give her ti and space, you an?"
"That’s the healthiest approach."
"I am not fond of that type of approach."
"Sa. Then just force her." He grinned mischievously.
Isolde chuckled softly, then fell silent. Cassius was now caressing her hair gently, soothing both her mind and body.
After another couple of seconds of comfortable silence, she spoke again.
"Husband."
"Aye?"
"Is it hypocritical and weak of to...to no longer wish to kill my family?"
"I would say it is honest and strong of you."
"Even after everything I went through?"
"Aye."
"Even after my own mother once threatened to kill ?"
Cassius halted at that, and turned to look at Isolde, and saw a sight that made his heart ache.
Isolde was there; silent, agonising tears streaming from her purple eyes.
He imdiately shifted their positions and made Isolde sit on top of him, facing him.
He reached up and began wiping away her tears, his movents gentle and loving.
"Did she really do that?"
"S-She did." She sobbed, holding his two hands tightly. "She did it, Cass. She truly did. I am her daughter but she did it."
"Do you hate her?"
"I do." She answered imdiately. "But...fuck, Cass. She is my mother. She is the woman I always wanted to beco since I was young. I admire her, and... I lo—! fuck fuck fuck..."
She cursed again and again, crying harder, unable to bring herself to say the words she wanted to say without feeling like a pathetic daughter seeking love from a mother who did not care about her.
She felt disgusted with herself, realising that despite everything her mother had done, she still wanted her mother to acknowledge her and love her.
So Isolde blad herself. And blad her heart for being so weak and pathetic.
However...
"Aren’t you being too hard on yourself?" Cassius said, pulling her into a hug and letting her head fall against his chest. "It is quite natural to seek the love and acknowledgnt of your mother. She might not be the best of mothers, but your desire is not sinful, Isolde. It’s natural."
"But why do I want it despite everything, Cass?"
"I am sorry, darling, but that is sothing I honestly don’t know the answer to." He smiled sadly. "We tend to love those who hurt us, maybe because they are the only ones who can give us the kind of love we want, and not anyone else? I don’t know, darling, but it’s fine to not know and not understand."
"But I need to know and understand." She retorted, her voice rising slightly. "I am lost within my own feelings, Cass. What should I do?"
"Is it worth it to you?" he asked. "If yes, then find within yourself the strength to forgive your mother and try again. You said it yourself, darling, you have healed. Don’t let the past destroy your inner peace. However, if it’s not worth it, then you have every right to take your distance from her and walk your own path."
He paused, taking a deep breath.
"Tell , Isolde. Is it worth it or not?" he asked, then smiled gently. "Don’t answer now. Answer when you are sure. Keep my words in your head and think about it when you are calr."
"And I know you look beautiful even while crying, but I prefer you without those tears, darling. They stop from losing myself in your eyes."
Isolde let out a low chuckle. "I cry a lot, don’t I?"
"You just feel a lot. And that’s okay."
"Will you not grow tired of it?"
"Cry whenever you want, and watch wipe every single one of those tears." He said, wiping her face. "But have rcy on too, darling. My heart aches every ti I see you in tears."
Isolde smiled faintly, closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest.
"I will be strong, Cassius."
He kissed her head.
"You already are, darling."
—End of Chapter 180—
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