Charisma 100: My Academy Life As A Heartbreaking Commoner-Chapter 168: Summer Auction 1

It was the kind of place that made you feel poor just by looking at it.

Crystal chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings painted with scenes of ancient victories. Marble columns lined the entrance hall, each one carved with patterns that probably took some poor artisan years to complete. The floors gleamed so brightly Aegis could see her reflection in them.

And everywhere—everywhere—there were nobles.

They clustered in groups, laughing too loudly at jokes that weren’t funny, showing off jewelry that cost more than most people earned in a lifetime. Servants in crisp uniforms wove between them carrying trays of wine and tiny appetizers that looked like art projects.

Aegis stepped through the main entrance with Serilla on her arm.

They’d coordinated outfits. Aegis wore deep crimson—a fitted gown that hugged her figure and left her shoulders bare, with gold embroidery trailing down the bodice. Serilla had chosen midnight blue, equally fitted, with a plunging neckline that showed off half her tits.

Together, they looked like trouble.

The whispers started immediately.

"Is that Frost and Starcaller?"

"Together? Since when?"

"I heard they’re—"

"No, surely not—"

Serilla squeezed Aegis’s ass.

Aegis kept walking, not breaking stride.

"Really? We’ve been here ten seconds."

"Just establishing territory." Serilla’s smile was innocent. Her hand was not. "Everyone needs to know what’s mine."

"I’m not yours."

"Not yet." Serilla’s fingers dug in slightly. "But you will be."

"That confidence is going to bite you... well, in the ass someday."

"Promise?"

Before Aegis could fire back, she spotted familiar faces across the room.

Lady Cassandra Vermillion stood near one of the refreshment tables, resplendent in emerald green, surrounded by nobles vying for her attention. She caught Aegis’s eye and gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Lady Roseheart was nearby, chatting with a group of older women. She smiled warmly when she noticed Aegis, raising her glass in greeting.

[Good. My allies are here. Now where are my enemies?]

She didn’t have to look far.

Duke Malcolm Cindergrave was over by the far wall, a cluster of nobles hanging on his every word. White-haired, liver-spotted, with the kind of face that looked like it had never smiled genuinely in its entire existence.

[There you are, you crusty bastard.]

"Cindergrave’s already working the room," Serilla murmured. "Three houses down from when you wrote me, but he’s still got enough votes to be annoying."

"I noticed. Think he knows about Pallantine and Bellamy yet?"

"Oh, definitely. The arrests were quite public." Serilla’s smile turned sharp. "I made sure of it."

Movement caught Aegis’s attention.

Talia.

She stood near the center of the room, arm linked with Darius Goldspire. Her dress was ice-white, elegant, regal—and her expression was carved from the same material. Darius was saying something to a group of nobles, playing the charming suitor, while Talia stood beside him like a beautiful statue.

Their eyes met across the crowd.

Something flickered in Talia’s gaze. Anger, maybe. Frustration. And when her eyes slid to Serilla’s hand on Aegis’s waist—

Yeah, that was jealousy. Definitely jealousy.

[Sorry, princess. I’ll make it up to you later.] 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Aegis gave her the tiniest nod. Talia’s jaw tightened, but she looked away without responding.

"Your princess doesn’t look happy," Serilla observed.

"She’s not my princess."

"She certainly acts like it. The way she’s glaring at my hand right now? That’s not indifference."

"Serilla."

"What? I’m just observing. It’s not my fault your girlfriends are obvious."

Liora appeared from the crowd, looking slightly overwhelmed in a soft lavender gown. Her eyes darted between Aegis and Serilla.

"Aegis! You made it." She hugged Aegis briefly, then turned to Serilla with a more guarded expression. "Serilla."

"Liora."

Serilla pulled her in and kissed her.

Aegis recoiled. It had been a while, after all. Possessive, claiming. The kind of kiss designed to make a statement.

But something was different. Anyone else might not have noticed, but Aegis did.

The kiss was... performative, almost mechanical. Serilla’s eyes weren’t on Liora at all.

They were on Aegis.

[She’s trying to make me jealous. Not stake her claim on Liora. Me.]

Interesting.

Liora pulled back, flushed.

"I-I should—the performers are gathering. I need to—"

"Go," Serilla said, already looking past her. "We’ll find you later."

Liora hurried off, glancing back once with an expression Aegis couldn’t quite read.

"That was subtle," Aegis said.

"I don’t do subtle."

"Yeah, I was being sarcastic."

"Your wit shakes me."

The main doors opened again, and Aegis felt a surge of pride.

Scarlett and Kanna strode in, dressed in formal military attire—dark coats with gold trim, polished boots, swords at their hips. They looked like exactly what they were: elite retainers serving a rising house.

The whispers shifted.

"Those are Starcaller’s knights?"

"The redhead’s muscles have muscles!"

"And the grey-haired one beat her in a spar last month—"

Scarlett spotted Aegis and grinned, giving an exaggerated salute. Kanna merely nodded, stoic as always.

They took positions near the wall, close enough to respond if needed, far enough to blend into the background.

[Perfect. Looking legitimate already.]

"Your muscle is impressive," Serilla admitted. "How the hell did you get Greaves to work for you?"

"Fought her one-on-one with the condition that if I won, she’d work for me."

"Good for you."

They circulated through the crowd. Serilla, to Aegis’s surprise, was genuinely useful. She made introductions, smoothed over awkward moments, and—when necessary—deployed threats with surgical precision.

"Lord Harwick, have you met Lady Starcaller? She’s the Winter Trials champion." A pause. "Oh, and how is your son’s gambling habit? I hear he’s been frequenting some... questionable establishments."

Lord Harwick went pale and suddenly found urgent business elsewhere.

"Lady Fairchild, this is my date for the evening. Lady Starcaller. We’re quite close." Another pause. "Speaking of close relationships, I trust your husband’s mistress is doing well? The one in the harbor district?"

Lady Fairchild excused herself immediately.

"You call this making friends?" Aegis murmured once they were out of earshot.

"Of course." Serilla’s eyes slowly scanned the crowd. "Think of it as pointing out the knife hidden in someone’s pants. I’m just trying to make them a bit more hesitant to pull it out."

Movement near the refreshment table caught Aegis’s eye.

Her double agent—the laborer she’d caught and turned—was lurking near Cindergrave’s faction, speaking quietly with one of the Duke’s attendants. Good. He was feeding them the false information as instructed.

[By now, Cindergrave thinks I’m panicking. That I’m considering withdrawing my offering entirely. Let him underestimate me.]

As if summoned by the thought, Cindergrave himself approached.

He moved like a man who expected the world to part for him, and it did. Nobles stepped aside, conversations paused, heads turned. He stopped in front of Aegis with the kind of smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

"Lady Starcaller. What a pleasure to finally meet you in person."

"Duke Cindergrave. The pleasure is mine."

They both knew neither of them meant it.

"I must say, I was surprised to see you here tonight." His tone dripped with false concern. "I’d heard rumors that your offering ran into some... difficulties. Knockoff products flooding the market, wasn’t it?"

"Rumors often exaggerate."

"Do they? How reassuring." He glanced at Serilla, then back to Aegis. "I do hope you’ve prepared properly. The Summer Auction is a serious affair. It would be unfortunate if a newcomer were to embarrass themselves with an... inadequate presentation."

Aegis kept her expression pleasant.

"I appreciate your concern, my lord. Though I have to wonder—if my offering is so inadequate, why spend so much effort worrying about it?"

A flicker of annoyance crossed his face, quickly hidden.

"I simply hate to see young nobles stumble. It reflects poorly on all of us."

"How generous of you."

Serilla stepped closer to Aegis, her hand tightening on her waist.

"Duke Cindergrave," she said sweetly, "I couldn’t help but notice Lord Pallantine and Lady Bellamy aren’t here tonight. Wasn’t Lord Pallantine one of your close allies? Such a shame about his son’s arrest. Murder charges, I heard. Very messy."

Cindergrave’s smile froze.

"Lady Frost. I wasn’t aware you were... involved in this matter."

"I’m involved in many matters." Serilla’s smile matched his—all teeth, no warmth. "It’s a hobby of mine. Keeping track of things. You’d be surprised what turns up when you pay attention."

"Is that a threat?"

"It’s an observation. Threats are so gauche, don’t you think?"

The temperature between them dropped several degrees.

Finally, Cindergrave inclined his head stiffly.

"Well. I look forward to seeing your offering, Lady Starcaller. I’m certain it will be... educational."

He walked away without waiting for a response.

Aegis let out a breath.

"That went well."

"He’s rattled," Serilla said with satisfaction. "Good. Rattled men make mistakes."

"Let’s hope so. Because if he doesn’t, I’m fucked."

"Mmm. Later, hopefully."

"Serilla."

"What? I’m just being optimistic."

A chime rang through the hall—a clear, musical note that silenced conversations and drew all attention to the raised platform at the room’s center.

A distinguished-looking man in ceremonial robes stepped forward. The Master of Ceremonies.

"Honored guests," he announced, his voice carrying effortlessly, "welcome to the 792nd Summer Auction of Rosevale. Before we begin the evening’s proceedings, allow me to explain how the event shall unfold..."

Aegis straightened, her heart beating faster.

Serilla’s hand found hers, squeezing once.

[Alright. Showtime.]