Chapter 12: Auction

A few weeks had passed and Jerome finally settled in his new manor with some new staffs that Henry hired. He managed to carefully chosen and hired five gardeners, ten maids, ten men, and five chefs and with how the Rosen Gems shop was gaining customers since Hardwicke's downfall, Jerome could say that he was getting closer to buying a title.

At the moment, he was in his office with Henry pouring him tea when a knock on the door was heard, "Sire, Sir Liao is here with a company." His maid announced.

He assumed that it was Dynila with Liao, probably done with sharing her statements at the Royal Court.

"Let them in."

Just as he expected, Dynila came in with Liao. She immediately bowed and smiled at Jerome, "Thank you... Thank you very much for all you've done."

The older man just sat down the couch and let Henry pour him tea before eating some snacks from the coffee table.

"I didn't do it for you. If I let Hardwicke around for long, he'll be even more of an obstacle to my success. Plus, it's not me you should thank for. The crown prince was the one who gathered everything."

The woman lifted her head up and her eyes lit up as he felt more admiration for the man in front of him, "Don't be so modest..." She kept her smile.

"I'm not." Jerome looked at his papers, "I assume Liao informed you of the job I'm offering you. I want you to lie and be a merchant. Not that much different from what Hardwicke was making you do."

Dynila nodded, "I'll do it. I can understand why you wanted to sell discreetly to commoners, don't worry. I'll do my best."

Liao took this as a chance to pitch in, "Now that's settled, my lord... A diamond mine was discovered and is going to be sold in an auction this March." He smirked before sipping his tea.

In this novel, there are thirteen months; April, May, June, Sol, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February and March. March being the last month of the year.

Jerome didn't notice that it was already that time. Based on the novel, Jerome was able to buy a normal mine and became successful enough to buy himself a title in a span of three years. However, for him, he already managed to buy himself a mine and store for a year since his father died.

Everything was earlier than he expected and he was actually getting a bit overwhelmed.

His silence didn't go unnoticed to the others and Liao was quick to assure him, "If it's the money that you are worried about, then there's no need, my lord. I am here to assist you. To add to that, Rosen Gems' profits were higher since Hardwicke disappeared from the competition."

"I'm not worried about that..." Jerome sighed, shaking his head, "Don't mind me, I'm just thinking. Let's prepare for the auction in March but even if we don't get it, we can just invest to other mines... We should also hire mages now... We can't drain the magical gem mine of its resources, we can make magical gems ourselves."

The Eastern man kept his smirk as the younger immediately went back to talking business, he knew nothing would faze his favorite client.

"As you wish, my lord."

"Dynila, we will contact you once we prepared your stocks to be sold, for now, assess areas in the kingdom which needs more protection. Once you found a suitable area, sell the protection rings to them and keep normal rings on display to avoid thieves stealing the ones with magical gems. You could probably judge someone who's in need, right? I'll trust you on that." The black haired man ordered which the woman nodded to, amazed by how calculated Jerome is.

"Y-Yes, my lord..."

Jerome sighed softly, Liao was influencing everyone in calling him a lord that Henry can't help but chuckle softly.

The Eastern man shrugged, "You are on the way to nobility anyways, there's no need to correct the lady."

"Wait... he's not a noble yet?" Dynila asked who was shocked at that information.

"I'll be." The black haired man said with determination.

"And we'll help you with that, my lord." Liao chuckled before standing up, "Well, it is time to go to work."

The woman also stood up, following the older. "We'll be on our way, my lord."

Jerome nodded, "Henry, please escort them out."

The old man nodded and bowed in polite before leaving with the others.

The black haired man sighed and slumped on his chair, thinking about what could possibly happen next. Everything in his life now is a mix of new and exact events in the novel and instead of giving him assurance of the possibilities in the future, it only served to give him more anxiety since there are mild changes in the story.

Jerome shook his head and fixed himself, he tried not to think of his new life as a story as much as he can. 'This is my life now...' And to his disbelief, he has to live it.

A few more months later and it is already March. Liao came to the auction with Jerome wearing a mask and a cloak once again. They were required to wear them to avoid conflict.

The young man could understand why that is. Since people are going to buy expensive things that numerous probably want, a conflict caused by jealousy might occur and the host of the auction wanted to avoid that. Politics is already dirty as it is, there's no need for an auction event to dirty it further.

The black haired man was ushered with his Eastern companion to their seats before the auction started.

Jerome already knew who'll manage to buy the diamond mine but it was better to try than not.

It was Rowan Lennox. From the novel, it was revealed at the late chapters that Rowan was collecting diamond mines in search of the Rosaria Stone, the same stone that called Jerome from the mine.

There was a rumor back then or more like a myth that Rosaria Stones are found in the deepest of Earth which the purest of hearts could find. Since diamonds are found in the deepest of Earth, Rowan probably assumed that the Rosaria Stone could be found there as well.

The young man unconsciously held his rose pendant, he started thinking since then, that if Rowan really wanted to become the King who could be free and someone who could help those in need, 'Why did he need the Rosaria Stone when he could just do it himself?'

It was one of the plot holes that was in the novel which Jerome couldn't even think of a reason, like an itch he couldn't scratch since no one even acknowledged it. 

After Rowan defeated the assassins who were said to be sent by some unruly nobles who were scared that their misdeeds will be found out, the crown prince had them punished and executed.

After that, the King deemed him worthy and crowned him the King and the readers just went and accepted this end of the novel.

Jerome's thoughts were interrupted when the auction began. They started off with some authentic resources first such as lumbers from North Frostvale which are quite sturdy and expensive.

Next are kaolin which came from the Kingdom of Kithage in the East. Fossil fuel and oil from the South, the Ivrecoven Empire and lastly, the diamond gem mine in the Rosaria Kingdom of West.

All the rare and expensive resources are being sold but when the diamond gem mine's bidding started, Jerome raised his card, "10,000 gold."

Everyone was shocked at the sudden high bid right from the start. It was already a high bid during their era.

Just as Jerome expected, Rowan bid higher, "15,000 gold."

He looked at the hooded man who stood up, staring at his golden eyes who also stared at him. Rowan smirked at him as if glad to meet him again.

"30,000 gold." The black haired man bid.

Everyone in the room could feel the intensity of their bidding, the two men are the only one standing and every person in the theater was looking at them.

The crown prince remained composed and bid higher, "50,000 gold."

"Is that the final bid...?" The host who also felt the intensity asked, waiting for Jerome to bid.

"75,000."

"100,000."

Jerome was immediately rivaled, the host who was ecstatic with their fight began to put some pressure, "Is this the hammer price?! The diamond mine is about to be sold to the man at the third row. Sir at the first row, are you withdrawing?!"

"We still have enough money, my lord... bid for 200,000." Liao whispered but Jerome sat down, implying that he's withdrawing.

The Eastern man was confused by the young man's decision but he didn't question it.

"The diamond mine is sold to the man who bid for 100,000 gold! Going once! Going twice? Going thrice?!" The host urged for anyone to bid higher but seeing no one trying to fight Rowan anymore, the host hammered the price, finalizing it. "Then sold! To the man at the third row!"

After the auction, Jerome and Liao stood up along with the other bidders, ready to leave the premises.

"My lord, why did you withdraw? You can fight against that guy, you have quite the revenue." Liao seemed disappointed.

"Don't worry too much about it, it's just one diamond mine. We have plenty of resources. Plus, showering all my money to one mine is quite a waste, there's also the risk that diamonds won't be as much of a demand to customers than my magical gems... It's a gamble." The younger replied.

The older only pouted but he understands Jerome, he has faith that the young man is wiser compared to any entrepreneurs he worked with.

The two men walked behind the other bidders to avoid being caught in the crowd when Jerome was approached by a hooded and masked Rowan.

"It's nice to meet you again." The crown prince said with a smile, Liao was confused as to who the person was but Jerome knew who it is.

Yet he chose to act as if he's none the wiser, "Have we met, Sir?"

Rowan pouted, he pulled his hood down and took off his mask, "It is me, the crown prince... Rowan Lennox."

The shorter bowed in polite and to keep his act up, "I apologize for being disrespectful but I think you've mistaken me for someone else."

"Oh, I wouldn't mistaken you for anyone else, Princess." The taller held his chin up to look up at him and Jerome was frozen, his eyes were wide and his cheeks were warm.

Liao who was ignored and at the side was blushing, silently cooing at the sight.

Jerome immediately pulled away, "I-I believe that we need to go. Come on..." He pulled Liao and walked past Rowan.

"I hope to see you again, Sweetheart!" The crown prince bid farewell with a grin.