—
As they arrived at the city plaza, Juliane couldn't help but marvel at the sight before her. She had seen the busy city plaza during the day, but it never crossed her mind that it could look magical at night. The fountain at the center of the plaza was adorned with colorful, lit candles, casting a mesmerizing glow that danced upon the water's surface. The entire plaza was abuzz with activity as elegantly dressed nobles mingled and exchanged greetings and laughed, as their voices echoing through the air.
When Amon and Juliane stepped out of the automobile, heads turned, and whispers of curiosity followed. It was a rare sight: the eldest son of Stefan Midas, who was known to be cold and aloof towards women, was seen walking on the city plaza with a lady accompanying him. Some of the guests deduced that the lady was the one in the rumors, while others who had worked with Amon in the past guessed that the lady was a mere assistant of some sort. Whichever it was, Amon became the hot topic before the auction even started, even though he didn't organize the charity event. Anyhow, the young master was already used to it.
Ignoring the chitchats outside, Amon led Juliane towards the grand auditorium, a magnificent structure located beside the city hall. While he walked straight towards the designated seat, Juliane looked around the luxurious space, feeling a sense of awe. The interior was decorated with red carpeting, guiding their path toward rows of plush seats.
The young master of the Midas family and his assistant were escorted to the front row, reserved exclusively for the renowned and exceedingly wealthy attendees. Juliane couldn't help but feel excited yet pressured as she took her seat beside Amon. It was a contrast from her previous life, and she found herself immersed in a world she had to get used to, that is, if Amon could really push to marry her to a rich gentleman.
As the lights in the hall dimmed and the stage lights flashed, the curtains gracefully parted, revealing the charismatic male host of the evening. His commanding presence instantly captured the attention of the audience, and silence fell over the hall.
"Thank you, distinguished guests, for gracing us with your presence at our annual charity event," the host began, and his voice resonated through the auditorium. "Tonight, we gather to raise funds for the Blind and Deaf Community in Riverton Village, a noble cause that deserves our unwavering support. All proceeds from tonight's auction will be dedicated to improving the lives of those in need."
The audience erupted in applause, acknowledging the importance of the cause they were about to contribute to. While Juliane felt a swell of pride in being part of such a philanthropic event, Amon, however, only attended for formalities and courtesy to the mayor of Grythwill who invited him, just like how it was in the past years. He only watched such events but never placed any bids. The young master felt like big amounts of money should be invested in businesses instead.
As the audience held their binoculars, the host announced, "We shall now commence with the bidding," marking the beginning of an exciting auction. With the flick of his wrist, he transformed the stage into a showcase of valuable items, each meticulously curated to entice the highest bids.
Juliane's gaze shifted from one item to another, her eyes widening at the display of opulence and rarity. Diamonds as large as a fist, vases made of gold with intricate carvings, and other items that had been first seen in the auction were bid for a price Juliane couldn't even imagine. But then, she couldn't help but wonder about the impact these generous donations would have on the lives of those less fortunate. She felt like it was a reminder of the stark disparities in society, and the responsibility of the privileged to make a difference. But, Juliane didn't know that her seatmate Amon thought differently.
As the bidding continued, Amon leaned towards Juliane and whispered, "Observe closely, Ms. Johara. This is a chance for you to understand the dynamics of high society."
Juliane nodded, fully aware of the significance of the moment. With every bid placed and each item sold, she found herself becoming more immersed in the world of the elite, gaining insight and understanding that might be useful in the future for living as a noble lady.
"And last, but certainly not least," the host's voice resonated through the hall, capturing the attention of the eager attendees. With a flourish, he unveiled the mysterious item, concealed beneath a pristine linen cloth. "Behold, a painting of a garden and a child on a swing. Though the artist remains unknown, the enchantment of this piece lies in its ability to transport you to a world where the swing sways and the trees dance before your very eyes."
As the linen cloth fell, revealing the captivating artwork, Amon's breath caught in his throat. His eyes gleamed with astonishment, when he saw that the painting depicted the gardens of the Golden Mansion where he currently lived. The child on the swing, whose hair matched his own distinctive golden hue, seemed to call to him from the canvas. There's more: the painting technique bore a striking resemblance to the artworks that adorned the second floor of the mansion's hallways, where his room was located.
Amon's heart raced with intrigue as he felt an unexplainable connection to the painting. Although he had never cared about winning in auctions, he was now determined to possess it, and he knew he would spare no expense.
The host then announced, "For an initial bid of 200 silver coins…!"