Princess, Please Fall in Love with Me-Chapter 43 : Chapter 43

Chapter 43 : Dead End, The Mastermind Behind the Scenes Will Eventually Emerge
"The final item is the Ocean Heart Gem from the distant Atlanna Deep Sea beyond the empire, known as the lost mermaid treasure!"
The lights in the entire venue suddenly dimmed.
The moment the covering golden silk cloth was unveiled, a deep blue radiance enveloped the whole venue, as if immersed in the deep sea.
In the faint haze, there were even some fish-like bubble shadows shuttling through, and the illusion of a massive whale seemed about to swallow people whole.
"The exploration team and the empire's academy of sciences have not researched any uses, but just the deep blue light it emits is identical to the color of the Atlanna Sea."
The gem's crystal-clear and smooth luster, the mysterious and grand aura of the deep sea emanating from its body, merely placed on a soft cushion, yet it made the surrounding people feel as if they were touching the ocean.
Although this small gem did not have a clear value, just the spectacle it displayed was enough to make people fantasize about the mysteries and wonders behind it.
"For this treasure of unknown specific value, are you sure you want to use this favor? This doesn't seem like the you I know, Miss Loka."
Sorensen carefully examined the treasure on the distant display stand.
Indeed, jewelry of this quality was rare throughout the empire, not to mention this spectacle; he seemed to have only seen such ancient treasures in records.
But to be fair, rushing to buy without understanding its value—such merchants were often the most likely to succeed, but also the most prone to utter ruin.
"That's right, I want it."
Loka confidently nodded.
Sorensen looked at her insistent demeanor and grew even more curious about this treasure, so he instructed the servant beside him to fetch the board he had not used in a long time.
"Then now, the starting bid—"
"The Oak Family bids one gold coin."
This short sentence was like a massive stone falling into a calm lake, stirring up violent ripples.
The Oak Family, who had always only watched from above as the host, actually bid on this treasure, and it was one gold coin!
A few clueless subordinates wanted to ask questions, but were harshly silenced by merchants nearby, who looked at them as if they were fools.
One gold coin indeed seemed insignificant compared to the tycoons throwing around hundreds of thousands or millions, but the bidder could make them willingly curry favor.
In the business world, there had always been a mysterious legend circulating: the Oak Family Head held three priceless coins.
One copper coin could win any business negotiation without a fight, even making the other side lower the price.
One silver coin could turn an unknown merchant into a renowned tycoon far and wide.
And one gold coin could even freely control a nation's wealth, dominating the entire country's economic lifeline!
The legend was not entirely credible, but it was not completely unfounded.
One coin from the Oak Family Head was simply a matter of one sentence—"Give me some face."
On the positive side, this was a chance to sell a favor to the Oak Family; the other side was clearly opening the door of opportunity, and no one would fail to seize it.
On the negative side, this was a warning from the Oak Family.
If someone overreached and tried to snatch what belonged to him, they would have to endure the business world's methods.
Of course, as a senior, Sorensen still cared about his reputation and would not use these things casually.
But precisely because of that, when he truly used it, it signified how strong his determination to obtain it was.
When the uniformed council presented the Ocean Heart to the reception room, Sorensen was thinking of examining this peculiar gem more closely.
But before he could take it, Loka casually snatched it away and carefully packaged it in a purple gift box.
"Old man, you can't go back on what you promised."
Loka gently placed the gift box into her pocket as if looking at something beautiful, and even pinned a small butterfly knot on it.
"The old man's hands aren't that unsteady yet."
"Of course not. Didn't you see I didn't touch it either?"
Loka ignored the other party's words and turned to look at a list on the table beside Sorensen.
"Old man, you really know your stuff."
"Likewise."
It was a list from the auction house, recording the true identities of every client who purchased the collections.
At that moment, in the seaside merchant group, an uninvited guest approached the solemn-faced Lubi, with a shining gold coin beside him.
"Sir, what do you mean by this?"
"Nothing, this is just our sincerity."
The other party smiled calmly at Lubi, but the gold watch in his hand kept swaying, its shiny appearance making Lubi even more irritated.
"Sincerity? Are you asking me to betray my employer? Then please leave, sir."
"How is this betrayal? It's just that sincerity isn't enough yet..."
When the other party offered even more benefits, Lubi's hand began to tremble uncontrollably, and his eyes filled with indecision.
"Good birds choose trees to perch. Didn't you also leave the Oak Family to strike out on your own here, sir?"
After a long while, Lubi's hand slowly grasped the pile of gold coins, then tightly clenched them in his palm.
On the other side, Loka slowly knocked on the door of that mysterious guest.
The door slowly opened, but there was only a figure with its back to her.
"Welcome, welcome, Loka, my dear child."
The Duke turned around with a smile as Loka walked in, but Loka had already gripped the dagger in her hand.
Whether it was the Emperor, the Empress, or the Duke, even some reckless noble wanting to make a move against her, Loka had long been prepared.
But at this moment, facing this isolated and helpless situation, the Duke not only showed no panic but smiled and invited her in.
"Ho ho, instead of running away, you came straight to me? Indeed, just like my personality."
Warily watching for shadow guards that might jump out at any moment around her, Loka carefully sized up the Duke whose plans she had thwarted multiple times, feeling an ominous premonition.
Strike first to gain the advantage.
Confirming no hidden assassins, Loka simply gripped the dagger and stabbed toward the Duke.
But the next second, the dagger was easily caught, and instead, the blade tip pointed straight at her own throat.
The Duke looked at her predicament with amusement.
"It seems that having technique without strength still won't do."
That tone, that look... that gaze she saw every time she was driven into a corner.
Mockery and disdain, yet like a cunning venomous snake tightly coiling around her, the suffocating feeling that left one unable to move.
It wasn't an illusion—it was him, the Duke who had driven her to death multiple times.
He had truly returned as well!!
The Duke smiled as he gently snapped the dagger into two pieces, then casually tossed it onto the wall.
"Welcome back, my dear son."