Chapter 32 Circlet
\[Lilia\]
The collar around my neck just fit right. Not too tight, not too loose. It has a soft cushion underneath the cold silver circlet, so it wouldn't feel cold against my skin.
Kael acted so nonchalantly right after he put the thing on me. He even petted the top of my head like some good dog obeying its master. All I could do was shot him a hateful stare before I pushed myself up and dusted my dress, adjusting miserably to at least maintain a little modesty, and followed right behind the beast, conjuring up a million ways to murder him inside my head.
He humiliated me in front of everybody, and then, in just a span of ten seconds, his aura wholly changed into a whole different persona. Now, he wasn't even giving me a single glance. If ever I act out in haste in this place, I'll be good as a lump of dead meat. Just like he said, no one will ever look after me.
Val, later on, joined our little procession as we made our way towards the grandest establishment around here, just as most of the crowd were going to. I saw that several of the "pets," as I referred to the folks on leashes, were casting interested glances my way. Their expressions changed to one of intense bemusement as they tried to comprehend how I was still alive after what had happened. I have no idea as well.
However, the longer they stared at me, their expression suddenly changed. I could not read any kind of body language of a person, but I could say they are kind of begging for help.
As much as I wanted to help, I cannot. I have my own demon to fight, plus I couldn't even get myself out of this situation. I am so much more like them.
Since that little spectacle a while ago, people around here go on about their own businesses as though they hadn't witnessed any form of violence happen.
Not that I am surprised at all. They didn't even look at Kael in the eyes or dare to cross him as we paved down the walkway.
This place is horrendous.
No law existed here. All are free to do what they want, and none has ever stopped them. If I am not mistaken, I heard a gunshot echoed not too far from us. I know what it sounds like, and no one had ever batted an eye or even looked towards the direction where it came, except me.
“Get along, sweet cake. You don't want to know what happened in there.” Val suddenly came to my side, and I hadn't noticed that I had stopped walking. I look at him, blinking out all my marveled thoughts, and begrudgingly turn my attention back to the cobbled pavement leading toward the auction house.
Inside the below-ground city dome—that’s what I call this place—the infrastructures around here reach almost the maximum of twenty-story buildings. I don't know how they made it possible, but this place is wide enough to cover the whole city if it flipped upside down. And the auction house stood out among the rest, like it was the center of all the events here. The architectural design is a kind of mansion-style inspired by the Renaissance with its iconic massive columns right in front of the entrance. Archways, hallways, and gargoyles stone sculptures perched on top of every column, not too big, not too small, but enough to hold a large crowd gathering, like a convention hall.
I am not a gossiper, but hell, the people around here, talk so loud as though they were on the market. I have learned that aside from this auction house, there's another center of crowd attraction here. If I am not mistaken, they called it “sanguis anulus.” I don't even know what it means, but I recognize the term “krovavoye,” which means blood.
I don't even want to know what it is.
A red carpet had been laid right on the patio, and masked men dressed in tuxedos were standing right at the glass door, ushering everyone inside.
“Why did Kael have to bring me here?” I turned closer to Val and asked, my gaze wandering around the murals painted on the ceiling.
I haven't remembered this auction house looking like this on the outside. We were blindfolded most of the time as we were being transported, so we didn't see a thing about where we were heading.
Moreover, I was caged.
“He bought you. He can do whatever he wants with you,” his cold, detached voice made me almost falter on my steps. Instantaneously, my gaze was drawn in his direction. He's at it again, saying things to me without even thinking about how his words have struck me in the gut like bullets straight through my soul.
“I know that. You don't have to slap it in my face.” I hissed, I swallowed the wrath that had begun to boil in the depths of my veins, lifted my chin and pointed at the item that was clasped around my neck. “See this collar? Does it seem not enough? Do I still have to be leashed?”
I have known Val only for a short time, and I know that even with his bulk, he's a good person to me. I even recalled the time when he tended my wounds and carried me when I could no longer walk. It's just that the way he speaks unfiltered words. So callous and uncaring.
Just like his boss.
“If he wants to, I'll have no qualms about it,” he added, nodding towards the butler that ushered us inside and to where our seats.
The inside of the auction house is dimly lighted and I can only see the part that I walked in, just enough for me not to grope in the dark, but I have to keep up my pace or else I would be left behind.
“Do you have to be so harsh?”
“We are not harsh, sweet cake,” he says, “the world is. It molds us this way.” As we turned to follow the butler, he just looked down at me and buttoned the cuff of his long sleeves in a nonchalant manner.
The rest of Kael’s bodyguards remained outside the auction house. Only the three of us proceeded to the forefront area. Kael's name was written on an elegant-looking piece of cardboard, which was then beautifully placed in a basket full of white roses on top of a round table with a golden-colored satin-covered top that could only accommodate two people.
The table reserved for him was placed directly adjacent to the stage I recognized the most.
My heart plummeted with dread at the sight of it. The image of myself inside of a cage flashed in my head. I had to lock my knees to prevent myself from bolting out of this place as the horrific flashes of memories rained down on me. My heart pounded loudly through my ears, blocking all the sound coming from the murmuring crowd.
Kael and Val walked over to the chair and sat down, while I stayed riveted to the spot where I was left standing, completely unsure of what I should do.
Where the hell would I sit?
I was breathing in shallows but none seemed to have noticed, or even care. Cold, dreaded rivulets of sweat are coursing down my spine, and I have to fight back a shudder from erupting from within me.
I want to get out of this place. To run away far as possible. Yet, if I do that, I’d be dead before I could even take my third step.
Just then the butler that led us here came to my attention. He was carrying a red velvety cushion, fringed with golden tassels, and placed it down right beside Kael’s feet.
The butler bowed to him before leaving, then a pair of mossy green eyes landed on my frame, cocking his head towards the cushion laid at his feet.
“Take your place, кукла (kukla).”