The night was already deep. The customers were able to buy the items they desired and already making their transactions.

Rhyme was feeling cold from the cold ground of the cell and along with the chilly wind blowing from time to time. Though he was imprisoned already once. But he would never really got used to such situations. He patiently waited inside his cage. He looked at the other slaves who were also sold just now. Some had the eyes of lifeless and hopeless. The others were cold and unfeeling as if to hide the contempt and hatred inside them from the humans who didn’t fairly treat them as living beings. 

Rhyme had a heavy feeling inside him as unwanted memories of the life he had forgotten and escaped resurfaced in his mind. It was the life where he was treated as a tool in order for his family honor to rise up and not put in disdain. A faint smile escaped his lips. ‘It is really true that when you’re alone in hardships, nothing good comes to your mind.’

“These are the goods, you purchased Milady.” Rhyme raised his head to see five silhouetted people talking. ‘They must be the ones who bought me.’ Rhyme thought.

Rhyme was oblivious that the one who bought him was Malaya. Since her voice when she yelled for the bidding was being amplified by the magic device that the auction facilitator gave to its clients. It was almost a silver pin attached that could be attached to the dress and could change the voice during the biddings.

‘How should I escape from those people who bought objects for their own fun. Will I be able to become a plaything for some creepy nobles?’ Rhyme touched the metal on his neck that prevented him from the use of his magic. And at the same time made he would be obedient to the people who enslaved them. ‘Iris always wear this metal collar on her neck. I don’t know that this will be too uncomfortable to wear. Iris had suffered slavery since she was a child and was even battled to death for the sake of people’s entertainment.’ Rhyme couldn’t help but felt sympathetic and at the same time curse himself. ‘At such things, I only experienced this now. It must be a hard life for her.’

“Here is now your esteemed items, Milady.” All the slaves looked when the red curtain separating them from the buyer and them was removed. From there it revealed four individuals. One was the auction house owner, and Rhyme’s eyes widened seeing the appearance of the other three people who were with the owner. Though they wearing masks their striking hair colors were something that Rhyme had already seen.

‘Green hair? Black hair? And blue hair? They certainly looked familiar.’ 

Malaya seeing Rhyme was looking at them intently. When their eyes meet, Malaya winked at him.

‘Rhyme, be grateful that you have such a magnanimous friend.’ Malaya proudly said inside her mind.

However, Rhyme on the other hand shivered when Malaya winked at him. Although her color was familiar to him, his mind still failed to register that it was in fact his captain and other crewmates. Well except Oliver, since he only saw his striking green hair once, when he appeared in the ship all of the sudden before. And vanished at the same time. And since they were still wearing voice changers tool, Rhyme couldn’t ascertain that it was really them right now.

‘Why did she wink at me?’ Rhyme shivered as he hugged himself. ‘Am I going to be sold to a weird and creepy noble?’

“Milady, may I ask for your address, I will bring the slaves directly to your household.” Ga-ul Dal said.

“No need, I brought carriages with me outside. Let the slaves ride there.” Malaya said. 

“I see. Then I will gladly bring the slaves there. As for the payment…” Ga-ul Dal was still skeptical since the total amount that this lady was bought was 18477 golds. If this customer was playing pranks on him, he already had people hiding in the shadows to apprehend this group. But if she had that kind of money, then it was really a good thing for him.

Malaya smiled, then she gestured towards Seth. Seth stepped forward without a word and gave the box towards Ga-ul Dal. “This is my payment.”

‘So that was the small box for. But it is too small to contain 18477 golds.” Oliver who was watching the exchange thought.

Doubt also began to filled Ga-ul Dal’s eyes when he saw the small box. 

“If you’re doubtful, you can open it to check its contents,” Malaya said as if she was reading his doubtful mind.

When Ga-ul Dal opened the box, his eyes widened with astonishment and surprise. “These are…”

“Three finest diamonds,” Malaya said calmly which shocked all the people there. “You can have the change, and the fees for bringing the slaves to the carriage are also there. And also there is one more thing if one asked for our identity, never reveal it to anyone.”

‘This is definitely more expensive than gold! Just who is this lady to have such treasure.’ He glanced towards the lady who remained composed. ‘I shouldn’t pry any deeper.’ Ga-ul Dal bowed down. “Yes, Milady. Even without the payment, it is in our utmost policy to keep the privacy of the identity of our customers.’

“Very well. I’m reassured to hear that.” Malaya said.

After she received the contract of the slaves and the device and keys for their chains. Malaya and the others finally walked out of the hall. They were at the back of the auction hall where there were no other people other than them and the slaves being transported now to the carriages Malaya prepared.

“You!” Seth was seemingly looking frustrating at her. “How can you make me hold such an extremely valuable item?!” He said as soon as they made their way out of the hall.

“Well, you take good care of it,” Malaya said with a smile on her face. 

“You really are full of surprises,” Oliver said. “How can you have such items?”

“Well, I’m lucky that it got washed away with me,” Malaya said. “Though it is quite saddening that some of the hard-earned jewels that I brought with me already got lost.”

“Why did you give him three instead of one? One would be enough already.” Hyun Jae asked. ‘It’s a diamond and huge ones too.’

“I still have some hidden on the compartment,” Malaya said with a smile. Then her gaze went to Rhyme who was being pushed by the other servants of the auction house.

“That slave, bring him to him. There is no need to bring him to the carriage with the others.” Malaya said.

Rhyme hearing her words felt even more nervous. The servant pushed him towards Malaya. ‘What is she planning to do towards me.’

Malaya first removed the voice changer from her dress, then went to remove her mask. However, Rhyme thought that she was going to touch him. He put both his chained hands in defense!

“Ah! I’m just a lowly human being! Don’t take any interest in me creepy noble!” He screamed. But then he felt unease when the air was filled with silence,

“I really wanted to congratulate you for being a free man again. However, I’m a creepy noble, you say?” 

He flinched when that voice. That voice definitely belonged to someone he knew. He immediately looked at Malaya who had now a menacing aura surrounding her.

“Ca-captain?” He couldn’t believe his eyes. It was indeed Malaya. However, he couldn’t completely become happy and their reunion.

‘Pfft.’ Oliver tried to stop himself from laughing. His shoulders were trembling as he tried to contain his laugh. 

‘Tch. I hope you choke.’ Malaya cursed inside her mind seeing Oliver. Then she returned her gaze back at Rhyme.

“After I save you and lost quite a fortune,” Though in reality Malaya really didn’t care about the fortune she lost. She was just having fun teasing Rhyme. “Is this how you are going to repay your savior, you worthless scum who at least worth 3001 golds?”

Rhyme felt numerous knives stabbed hearing Malaya’s words. “No captain! I didn’t mean to!” He was already on the verge of tears.

“Malaya stopped teasing, Rhyme already.” Hyun Jae said as she lightly punched Malaya’s right shoulder. She completely looked like an angry mother squirrel right now reprimanding her mischievous daughter. She also removed her mask now as well.

‘Ah, Hyun Jae, you’re really an angel.’ Rhyme looked at her with gratitude.

However, Malaya was not yet done. She was going to make fun of his miseries when she noticed someone was approaching them. She immediately covered her face with her fan. “It seems we have unwanted people here.”

All of them looked at the four people approaching them. And from their clothes, they seemed not ordinary people. Especially the one who was leading them. Just from the first glance, he had a higher air of superiority and grace from the rest of his companions. And that flowy long silver hair and purple calculating eyes. Malaya eyed with him great wariness.

“Milady,” the stranger smiled. “Will it be alright, if I can invite you and your companions to have dinner with me?”