Crimson and Gold

“Yes!!!” the Handler jumped, unable to hide his excitement, “I told you, she’s one of a kind!”

Seeing the beast fall by the girl’s hand, Sevus felt like he was blessed by the God of Luck, Hilaros himself. He was certain that having Thirteen fall into his hands, of all people, couldn’t be explained with anything but divine intervention.

After the show she gave, there wouldn’t be anyone who wouldn’t be willing to pay a fortune to buy her. Sevus could smell all the money he was about to make.

It was surely the best day of his life!

The Emperor nodded, pleased with what he saw.

Having known the Handler for many years, the Emperor had gotten used to his flattery and tendency to make things more than they really were. So he was really surprised that the woman was indeed as impressive as Sevus had claimed.

“Prepare the auction,” he said, “we’ll be right there.”

Lysandra almost didn’t hear her father.

Her gaze fixed on the woman in the arena and the fallen beast.

Chimeras were feared by many, even skilled warriors. With their skin tough as iron, it was extremely difficult to wound it. For that reason, the beasts had a reputation for being impossible to kill by normal humans.

While most used magic to slay the monstrosity, very few people knew that the flesh inside didn’t have the same resistance.

Lysandra suspected that, perhaps, the fight was staged and the woman was told about the beast’s weakness beforehand. However, watching the fight, she realized that this couldn’t have been the case.

Even if the girl knew about the weakness before, the maneuver she executed was more than any ordinary person could do.

Her speed and agility were beyond anything someone without some sort of powers could do.

The more she thought about the woman, the more curious she became.

“Let’s go,” she said to her father, as she got up from her seat and headed to the auction.

Thirteen had to be carried out of the arena by the guards. The strain on the muscles and the wound on her back was more than her body could handle.

Fortunately, it was the auction day, so the Handler didn’t spare expenses to make sure that all of his ‘merchandise’ was in a presentable shape. He wouldn’t risk his reputation, selling ‘damaged goods’.

Everyone who participated in the fights that day was taken care of by a healer from the local temple whom he had hired.

Unlike physicians, they used magic to cure their patients. And unlike medications, magic had an immediate effect.

Every scratch, cut, or burn healed in an instant. Even Thirteen’s wound on her back stood no chance against the flash of bright magic coming from the hands of an old monk.

Afterwards, they got bathed and dressed in fresh clothes.

All the costs the handlers sunk into preparations would soon be reclaimed with significant gains on top.

Opportunities like this didn’t happen often.

Auctions would usually be held when an important guest was going to show up, to mitigate the cost.

The most promising event was, of course, the Emperor’s visit.

Every public outing of the head of the Empire was a perfect opportunity for the noblemen to try to gain his favor. Where he went, they followed.

And along with them, their deep pockets.

That was creating the most opportune environment to sell many people in a short time.

Outside of auctions, it was also possible to buy someone from the handlers, however, it would take place in much less beneficial circumstances.

The price would be negotiated between the buyer and the seller, and it would often start at a significantly higher point than during the auction.

It was also difficult to properly assess the worth of the subject of the transaction, as it required frequent visits to the Arena to compare the people on the market.

For that reason, a direct sale was more often practiced when buying thaels—servants—or someone that didn’t require any special skills.

For fighters, the auction was one of the most important events.

Sevus was waiting with other handlers for the slaves to be brought by the guards. A smile didn’t leave his face even for a second.

Glancing at the crowd of nobles waiting for the auction, all he could see were moneybags. Filled to the brim with shiny, precious gold. Just waiting for him to take it.

All thanks to one person.

Thirteen.

He blessed in his heart whoever decided to sell her, and that it was he who got the spoils.

Moments later, the guards with the slaves finally arrived.

They lined them up in a long row in front of the crowd.

All locked in shackles, but with impeccable appearance, thanks to the healers and a proper bath.

Thirteen looked around.

She wasn’t certain what exactly she was expecting, but seeing groups of people in rich clothing simply standing and chatting over a goblet of wine felt somewhat odd.

It was like they were participating in a party or some other social gathering and not a slave auction. Even more so, they seemed to be completely oblivious to their presence.

Confused with the lack of any development, she inched closer to Tally.

“Why is nothing happening?” she asked with a hushed voice.

“They’re waiting for the Emperor. He gets the first pick outside of the proper auction. Once he chooses, the others will start betting.”

“So when will the Emperor come?”

Tally shrugged in return. “I don’t know. Why are you so impatient?”

“Just curious… and bored.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, but it wasn’t the full truth either.

Part of the reason she was so anxious was wanting to see Princess Lysandra.

She wondered if the woman would stir anything in her memory or lead her to some new discovery. It would be even more welcome if the Princess recognized her and offered the answers she was looking for.

And, perhaps, she was somewhat curious if Lysandra really was as beautiful as the rumors had it.

Just a little curious…

“Ah, Your Radiancy, we were waiting for you!” the Handler exclaimed, seeing the Emperor and the Princess finally arrive.

Thirteen’s gaze followed, and she saw a tall man wearing a red pallium swung over his shoulder. His age was visible in the creases around his sharp golden eyes and aquiline nose. On his head, a golden olive branch was resting on his short white hair.

Despite quite an ordinary look, the man certainly had an air of a leader around him.

But he wasn’t the one who stole Thirteen’s attention.

Her eyes darted to the woman behind him.

Her golden hair was partially gathered loosely at the back of her head, while the rest flowed down her delicate shoulders. The long black eyelashes fluttered with every movement of her striking golden eyes.

Her peach-colored lips parted gracefully as she said something to the people around her.

Then a wind rustled her red crimson toga draped over a soft white tunic, causing the fabric to offer a glimpse of the alluring curve of her body.

Even without her memories, Thirteen was able to tell that this was, in fact, the most beautiful woman to ever walk this earth.

“Everyone is here?” the Handler quickly looked around, making sure everything was ready, “Wonderful. We can begin.”

The Emperor nodded and looked at his daughter, “Please, daughter, you first.”

Lysandra smiled at him sweetly and went to the beginning of the line.

She walked along the row of people, looking at them one by one. She laughed at heart, seeing how some of them straightened their backs and puffed their chest when she passed by them.

Others would stand agape under the influence of her beauty.

And then, her golden eyes met deep crimson.

Clear, clever eyes locked onto her the moment she entered the arena. Following her every move without a blink.

There was strength in them, vigor, but also a vague sense of loneliness and loss.

And… admiration—that earned a smirk from her.

Lysandra looked closely at the woman before her.

Her black as night hair was tied in a neat braid. Her face was unexpectedly pretty, her body slender and graceful. It wasn’t the image one could have of someone so deadly.

Underneath the crude tunic, something caught Lysandra’s attention.

A glimpse of a familiar pendant flashed before her eyes.

The Princess moved closer, her gaze focused on Thirteen’s.

One hand moved to the back of her head, the other to her chest.

Without a word, Lysandra closed the distance and pressed a long kiss against her lips.

Thirteen’s breath hitched. Her mind went blank.

It wasn’t just the surprise, but also the ravishing taste and the scent of citrus that veiled her senses enticingly. It overpowered her in ways she couldn’t even imagine.

She simply couldn’t pull away, but it didn’t matter. She wouldn’t even if it were the case.

Surrender never tasted sweeter.

Lysandra parted her lips and deepened the kiss, sending a jolt down her spine.

The heat surged through Thirteen, melting away the last voice of reason that still told her to resist.

But then, she felt a pull around her neck.

A quiet click.

The silver chain of her necklace came loose and disappeared in Lysandra’s hand.

“He—” the protest died in her throat as Lysandra took her lower lip between hers and bit it painfully.

The Princess slowly pulled away from the kiss. Her eyes lingered on Thirteen’s lips for a heartbeat before moving up to meet hers. There was a shadow of challenge hiding behind the golden irises, emphasized by a satisfied smirk.

“This one,” she said.

Still looking into her eyes, she licked Thirteen’s blood off her lips and walked away.

The Emperor looked at her with a pained expression.

“Darling, are you sure? She’s a really good fi—”

“She can fight and then keep me company in bed,” Lysandra said and tilted her head to look at Thirteen, “Shouldn’t be a problem for someone who singlehandedly killed a chimera, should it?”

Octavius sighed in resignation. “So be it,” he said and gestured at his men to pay the Handler.

Holding a hefty pouch full of gold, Sevus was close to dancing from happiness.

“Escort her out and prepare the transport,” he ordered the guards.

The Emperor and the Princess headed to the exit. Halfway through, Lysandra looked over her shoulder to steal one more glance at Thirteen.

“Shit. You won,” Tally murmured upon recovering from the shock. Having a front row seat at the show Lysandra just gave, rendered him unresponsive for a good few minutes.

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Thirteen replied. Her eyes followed Lysandra, who just stole the only clue she had about her past.