It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 10

“That color is unmistakably his.”

Erich, who had been quietly observing the auction, finally spoke. There was a faint smile on his lips, and I nodded, having had the same thought myself.

“Indeed. Oh, I remember reading about this. Perlo Shanaiyer always crafts Motus in red. That’s why he’s called the Crimson Artisan, right?”

“You’re quite interested in Motus, aren’t you? You’ve even read books on the subject?”

“Just something I skimmed while bedridden out of boredom.”

“Did you look into that artisan specifically?”

“No, he just came up often in the Motus books. The newer the publication, the more likely he was mentioned.”

“I see. We should invest more in training other Motus artisans.”

Even as emperor, he was already planning future policies. Well, aside from trying to discard the Edelheit family including me he wasn’t a bad ruler in terms of governance.

The third-tier Motus was sold for five times its starting price, and finally, the fourth-tier Motus the one everyone had been waiting for appeared on stage. The emcee didn’t embellish it with flowery words; the artifact’s presence alone was enough.

As expected, the red Motus was unusually small. But there was only one piece visible. The twin piece, the Dimotus, was missing, causing a stir among the crowd.

“The other half is right here.”

Perlo reappeared on stage, holding the fourth-tier Dimotus in one hand.

“Since this is a rare item, I thought I’d give a little demonstration. Just a simple movement across the stage. But this Motus can travel over twenty times the stage’s length. Quite useful, I’d say.”

The emcee placed one Dimotus at the far right of the stage, while Perlo took the other to the far left.

“Everyone knows you must handle third- and fourth-tier Motus with care. They activate upon contact. That’s why we usually wrap them in enchanted cloth or paper to prevent accidental teleportation. So, if I unwrap this and touch the Dimotus…”

The Motus glowed red. In an instant, Perlo vanished from the left side of the stage and reappeared beside the emcee on the right.

I nearly toppled over the railing one that Rui had warned me about repeatedly. It looked like a magic trick from my original world’s TV shows. But this was no illusion; it was a real phenomenon in this world.

I had hoped it might be the key to returning to my original world.

The thunderous applause and cheers made me realize Perlo’s true intention. This fourth-tier Motus would fetch a record-breaking price.

“I hope someone who will actually use this Motus wins the bid. And to everyone here, look forward to my future creations. I’ve recently discovered something incredible! Someday, I’ll craft a Motus that can travel beyond this continent even to other worlds.”

With that ambiguous farewell, Perlo vanished teleporting back to his lab. In his place remained the other fourth-tier Dimotus, not up for auction. Likely, Martavid would deliver it along with the payment.

It was strange how calmly I was thinking. I was utterly captivated by Perlo’s mention of traveling to other worlds.

Could it really be possible?

None of the books I’d read mentioned inter-world travel. But if anyone could make it happen, it would be a genius Motus artisan like him.

I stood frozen, staring at the spot where Perlo had vanished. Rui, worried, placed a hand on my shoulder, but I couldn’t look away.

Then a shadow blocked my view.

“Five hundred million Drang.”

It was Erich’s voice. I turned to see him standing confidently at the railing, facing the stage.

“Five hundred million Drang? That’s absurd…”

“Is he insane? Whatever house he’s from, it’s doomed.”

“Even a duke couldn’t afford that!”

“Wait, isn’t that His Majesty the Emperor?”

“The Emperor? Here? That’s impossible…”

“He looks just like him. Exactly like him.”

“Could someone really resemble him that much?”

“Why would the Emperor be here?”

The auction turned into a chaotic marketplace. The previously elegant event now resembled a noisy street bazaar.

The emcee was overwhelmed, barely managing to stay upright.

Erich ignored the chaos he’d caused and approached me, who was still calculating how many prime properties in the capital could be bought with five hundred million Drang.

“A modest gift for you. You offered me a token of love, so I must reciprocate. Though it can’t be used in the palace due to teleportation wards, the fourth-tier Motus itself will symbolize imperial authority.”

“I’ve been played!”

That was the first thing I said upon returning to Arlin Palace and collecting my thoughts. I should’ve realized why Erich insisted on attending the auction. The guards were just a cover he had dozens of fully armed knights.

Erich planned to reveal his identity by winning the highest bid, regardless of how the auction unfolded. A simple yet effective way to humiliate me.

Why else would he personally bid, exposing his face to the entire audience? He wanted the nobles to know the Emperor was present.

And five hundred million Drang…

A mind-boggling amount. It was the highest bid ever recorded. Even for a fourth-tier Motus, that price was unprecedented.

Now, one piece of the Motus sat before me. The other was with Erich probably tucked away in Berna Palace.

So Erich, upon winning the Motus, kept one Dimotus and gave me the other. He called it a token of love, since the two pieces form a whole.

Already exhausted, the pressure of that price was overwhelming. I couldn’t refuse and accepted the Dimotus.

By the next morning, gossip about the auction had spread like wildfire.

There were many versions, but the main story was this: The Emperor gifted a five-hundred-million-Drang Motus to Arne. Of course, rumors claimed I begged for it and would treat it like a toy, useless in the palace.

Saying it wasn’t my idea, that I didn’t beg, that it was Erich’s decision none of it mattered. Once an image is formed, it’s hard to change. And so, the image of Arne as a vain, extravagant woman was reinforced.

Just as Erich intended.

Even if Perlo hadn’t appeared, Erich would’ve bid an outrageous amount on some other jewel to reveal his identity.

I cursed my own foolishness and ruffled my hair. But the damage was done.

“Sigh.”

Rui rushed over at my deep sigh.

“Is something wrong? Are you uncomfortable?”

I wanted to say, “Yeah, I feel like I’ve been hit in the head with that red rock,” but instead, I waved my hand.

“Just store that expensive rock somewhere safe. Deep in the jewelry box, out of sight.”

“Yes, understood. What about the gold bars?”

The mention of gold made my lips curl into a smile. I turned away from the red Dimotus on the table and gazed at the small mountain of gold bars.

“Leave them out for a few more days. I want to admire them.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Rui smiled and stepped back. I took a deep breath, staring at the gold. The realization of Erich’s trap still stung, but the gold helped soothe my frustration.

The gold was the auction payment from Martavid. Even after deducting their fee, it was a massive sum—enough to generously reward every servant in Arlene Palace.

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