Princess, Please Fall in Love with Me-Chapter 42 : Chapter 42

Chapter 42 : Trap, A Stratagem to Lure the Enemy
"Welcome everyone to the auction house organized by the Oak Family. Please wear your masks. All auction transactions will fully protect the guests' true identities and will be personally delivered to each of you."
The uniformed council lady raised the announcement board, greeting the distinguished guests as they entered.
In the host's reception room, Loka leaned against the window, quietly observing the lively audience seats below.
"To be in the best viewing position in the entire auction house, even with priority bidding rights, it seems Miss Loka is quite satisfied with our services?"
"Not bad, at least, for watching a good show."
Loka elegantly raised a glass filled with juice, took a leisurely sip, and then focused her eyes intently on the auction about to begin.
As the guests arrived one by one, the council lady raised the announcement board high.
As masked servants brought the exhibits onto the stage one by one, the audience seats began to buzz with excitement.
As expected of the Oak Family, the exhibits were either rare treasures or priceless.
One by one, the exhibits were gradually taken by wealthy bidders.
Loka's eyes flickered uncertainly as she watched the bidding boards rise and fall, until the servant pulled off the red cloth covering the item, and her eyes finally lit up.
"Now, the next item is 'The History of the Oak Family's Commercial Beginnings,' personally written by the Oak Family Head, documenting the history of the Oak Family's development from the Old Family Head to the present."
At these words, the entire venue erupted.
Some tycoons who had already spent lavishly looked at their remaining reserves and clutched their heads in regret.
This unexpected item disrupted everyone's plans.
Even so, this seemingly unremarkable notebook was a treasure that the merchants present would sacrifice their entire fortunes to obtain—after all, the reputation of the Oak Old Family Head was undeniable, and even a sliver of his experience could make an ordinary person fabulously wealthy for generations.
"Fifty thousand, one million, five million... Is there anyone who will raise the bid further?!"
In the end, this casually written booklet was bought by a wealthy merchant for an astronomical price.
The merchant held the booklet as if it were a priceless treasure, but within just a few minutes, the door to the host's reception room was gently knocked.
"Family Head, the Tarik Merchant Group has returned your notebook, along with some exotic sweets unique to their group."
The expressionless butler was accustomed to this, but since it was his master's item, he politely accepted it and courteously sent the other party away under their eager gaze.
"These exotic pastries are not bad. Doesn't the old man consider a partnership?"
Loka skillfully picked up a pastry and tasted it casually.
Sorensen took one and examined it closely, but in the end, he shook his head reluctantly and put it down.
"If Miss Loka likes them, I’ll have someone send some over."
Seeing Sorensen, who was also accustomed to such situations, Loka grew curious.
The other party had spent a fortune to buy a notebook he deemed insignificant and respectfully returned it.
Anyone could see this was an attempt to curry favor.
"Do you think an item bought with half a fortune can earn a favor?"
"For ordinary people, this is a very sincere gift, but for you, it might not even amount to a day's pocket change."
A merchant had thrown away a fortune, but the benefits obtained from Sorensen’s hands were merely a fraction of the wealth that slipped through his fingers.
If this alone could earn the favor of an established family head, it would be far too cheap.
Hearing Loka’s analysis, Sorensen nodded at her with a hint of appreciation.
The wine glass in his hand swayed gently, and the spilled red wine might have been worth more than that merchant’s entire fortune.
"Well said. Favors are priceless, and priceless things are often the most expensive. The more casually a favor is given, the cheaper it becomes. For merchants, every favor has already been secretly assigned its price."
Sorensen looked at the token of Saito's Grand Duke in Loka’s hand.
The seemingly unremarkable badge held value far beyond its appearance, and this favor was one he willingly traded.
"Enough of that. Are you sure this favor is sufficient? This time, consider it my appreciation for you. My promise still holds."
Sorensen referred to auctioning the notebook under his name.
To him, this was hardly noteworthy, as routine as eating breakfast.
"No rush. Just keep watching."
Loka carefully observed the next item as it made its grand appearance.
The eyes of the entire audience were fixed on the red cloth covering the item, waiting for the council to reveal it.
"The next item is a historical book from the Eryus Kingdom, recording the development history of the Eryus Kingdom. Although copies exist in major libraries, this is undoubtedly the original, handwritten by the founder."
As soon as the item was revealed, everyone’s expectations immediately dropped.
Despite the book’s value, its contents, replicated by libraries, were nearly worthless beyond collectible appeal.
Soon, the raised bidding boards were lowered one by one. Seeing this, the council prepared to move on to the next round, but suddenly, a board was raised high from a corner.
"Fifty thousand."
All eyes turned to the source of the bid.
A mysterious, tall masked man held the board high, firmly stating an exorbitant price far beyond its value. But the next moment, another board was raised high from the opposite side.
"Sixty thousand."
"Seventy-five thousand."
"Eighty thousand."
At this point, everyone’s attention was on the two figures confronting each other from opposite sides of the audience seats.
For this ordinary collectible book, the two seemed to be competing relentlessly, raising the price.
"This stack of books is worth about fifteen thousand. Did you deliberately drive the price that high? What a cunning, quirky little girl."
The tall masked man finally lowered his board. In the end, the other mysterious bidder bought the historical book worth fifteen thousand for one million.
To thank them for clearing inventory, the host even gifted a VIP card.
"If I’m not mistaken, their masters ordered them to buy what we want at all costs. In that case, I can only fulfill their wishes."
From the moment the merchant group’s goods were targeted with malicious overbidding, Loka had guessed the other side was deliberately attacking the group.
All she needed was to cast the bait, and the opponent, having tasted victory, would not let it go.
"Well done. It seems this deal wasn’t a bad choice..."
As the two chatted leisurely, the final item made its grand appearance.
Even before it was unveiled, the exhibit, covered in golden silk cloth, already dazzled the entire venue.
Watching the council carefully lift the exhibit’s cloth and gently hold the item, a strange glint flashed in Loka’s eyes.
She turned to Sorensen with a smile.
"It looks like I can use that favor now."