Chapter 33

Ariadne knew that Cesare's expression very well. It was the look he made when he found a bit of interest in someone who was otherwise unremarkable. Indescribable shame and anger welled up from the depths of her stomach. Ariadne's feelings manifested as a determination to obtain the "Madonna of the Narcissus" at all costs.

"10 ducats! Any more bids?"

The effect of Ariadne's glare, which seemed to want to kill Cesare, was such that he did not bid again but merely shrugged and put his hand down.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1⋯⋯!"

The merchant pointed to the "Madonna of the Narcissus" neatly placed on the table and dramatically stamped a large brown seal on the parchment.

"Auctioned to Lady de Mare―!!"

Ariadne finally exhaled deeply and covered her face with her hands. The next piece was also by Urbino's Bernardino. When Ariadne bid at the starting price of 5 ducats, Cesare immediately followed.

Cesare called out the price in his pleasant tenor voice.

"10 ducats!"

This time, Ariadne gave Cesare, who was sitting next to her, a cold stare and did not raise her hand again.

"10 ducats! Auctioned to Count de Como!"

The cheerful sound of the stamp and the second piece went to Cesare. The last third piece was something Ariadne could not give up.

Today's auction featured three paintings by Urbino's Bernardino. The first two were approached for financial purposes, but this last piece had value as a gift or bribe to a specific person. To gain favor with her, Ariadne needed this last piece.

"The works of a new artist are popular! Good, very good! Next is the last piece by this artist today. 'Madonna of the Urbino Castle'!"

This painting was modeled after Caterina, the Duchess of Taranto, who was Bianca of Taranto's mother and is now deceased. Urbino's Bernardino, who had never left Urbino in his life, had a few months when the previous Duchess of Taranto, Caterina, visited her cousin, the Marchioness of Urbino. At that time, the young Bernardino saw the noble young duchess from a distance and was inspired to complete the "Madonna of the Urbino Castle."

However, as Bernardino was not an official court painter, he could not attach the lady's name to the painting and present it to her, nor could he publicly announce that she was the model. Initially, he had no way to explain where and how he saw her, and it could have tarnished the lady's reputation. Therefore, he published it as a religious painting, naming it after the place where he saw her. The true model of the painting was known a few years later.

In both her past and present life, Ariadne had no connection with Bianca of Taranto, but she wanted to meet her someday. The portrait of her deceased mother, painted by the young Bernardino who admired a noble lady he saw from a distance, would be the perfect gift.

"Are there any bidders? Starting at 5 ducats!"

"15 ducats!"

Ariadne's husky low voice echoed through the hall of the Chibo Marquis family.

- "Is it worth investing so much in a complete newcomer?"

- "Did she lose her composure because of Count Cesare?"

- "She's brave⋯⋯."

The audience seemed intimidated by Ariadne's momentum. Cesare seemed to ponder for a moment. Indeed, 15 ducats (approximately 15 million won) was a high price for a young artist in his 20s who still looked like a student. Cesare shrugged and did not bid. After all, he already owned one of this artist's works.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1⋯⋯! Auctioned to Lady de Mare!"

- *Thud!*

The sound of the stamp was cheerful.

'Even with the interference, I've achieved my purpose for coming here today.'

Ariadne exhaled and slumped in her chair. Now she could just enjoy the rest. It had been a more tiring day than she expected, even though it was just a casual outing. Several other artists' works were also auctioned. A few pieces had no bidders and were withdrawn, a few pieces were bid on by nobles and sold at high prices, some were sold at low prices, and some at absurdly high prices. Finally, the highlight of the day, the "Viktoria Nike," was brought to the podium.

"Gentlemen and ladies―!! The 'Viktoria Nike'!!!"

The nobles focused on the statue on the podium, holding their breath. The marble statue, carried on a wheeled stand by eight workers, had a pinkish hue overall. It was a dynamic statue of a young woman with her hair tied up, wearing a wreath of olive branches, and stepping forward with one foot while spreading her arms.

- "Oh, it's amazing⋯⋯!"

- "I've never seen an ancient artifact in such good condition!"

- "Usually, Hellenian marble sculptures are a bit dull and gray, but this one is a lovely pink."

The Porto merchant looked confident.

"There's nothing more to say about the 'Viktoria Nike'! A masterpiece from the Hellenian era, recently excavated from the ruins of Lastera in the northern city! The very statue mentioned in the 'Hellenian Travelogue' by the historian Halicarnassus! Let's start!"

The Porto merchant announced the start of the auction with enthusiasm.

"The starting price is 1200 ducats (approximately 1.2 billion won)―!"

The crowd buzzed. Both those who intended to buy and those who came just to watch were interested.

- "Wait, the starting price is lower than expected?"

- "Yes, why is such a well-preserved item starting so cheaply?"

- "If someone can get it at the starting price, wouldn't that be a great deal? Who will get it?"

Ariadne planned to just watch and eat some snacks. Her memory was a bit fuzzy, but she thought the Baldissera Marquis family had won the auction.

"Or was it the Marquez Marquis family?"

Ariadne tilted her head and took another snack, as she did not see anyone from the Baldissera Marquis family in the crowd today. She remembered the scandal but the details were a bit hazy over time.

"Is there anyone!"

In response to the merchant's call, a person sitting in the front, center of the hall raised their hand.

"I'll bid."

It was Prince Alfonso, with his golden hair and the royal purple cloak.

Ariadne almost spat out her snack.

'Why are you here!'

Unaware of Ariadne's frustration, the prince calmly raised his hand, and the auctioneer counted down.

"The starting price is in! But wouldn't it be a shame to let such a precious item go at the starting price? Is there anyone else?"

The crowd buzzed, but no one bid.

"I'll start the countdown!"

"5!"

"4!"

"3!"

"2!"

"1300 ducats!"

A hand rose from the corner of the hall, and a middle-aged man's voice called out the bid.

"Who is it! ⋯⋯Oh, it's Count Marcello! 1300 ducats!"

'Ah, he's making a ten-year investment.'

Ariadne exhaled in relief. It was fortunate that someone bid. However, she was confused. The Marcello Marquis family was an old, prestigious family in the capital, but according to her memory, they were not the ones who won the "Viktoria Nike."

'Was it the Baldissera Marquis family? Or the Marquez Marquis family? Where are they!'

Ariadne looked around the hall but saw no one from the Baldissera or Marquez Marquis families. She had expected that her actions could change the course of events. For example, stopping the apostle of Asereto could change the power structure within the Holy See. The butterfly effect, where a bishop's promotion failure leads to the decline of his family and the rise of a rival family, causing changes elsewhere, was within her calculations.

However, she did not expect changes at this early stage, especially from something as trivial as a minor incident. Ariadne never imagined that her morning walk with Prince Alfonso in the garden could have stirred his heart, leading him to impulsively bid.

Prince Alfonso, unaware of Ariadne's thoughts, continued to bid against Count Marcello.

"1500 ducats!"

"1500 ducats! Is there anyone else!"

The Porto merchant's desperate cry filled the hall. Spectators who were not involved in the bidding watched with bated breath.

- "1600!"

- "1700!"

The competition between Prince Alfonso and Count Marcello for the "Viktoria Nike" was intense. Neither seemed willing to give up.

"2000 ducats!"

At that moment, Ariadne, who had been anxiously scanning the hall, finally spotted the Marquez Marquis and his wife. The Marquez Marquis, who wanted to bid, was being held back by his wife.

'Right, the Marquez Marquis's wife is a close confidante of Queen Margherita⋯⋯!'

Suddenly, a missing piece of the puzzle clicked into place, and her memory aligned. In her past life, the Marquez Marquis family had indeed won the auction. She even remembered the unnecessarily grand pedestal they built to display the statue, demolishing the fountain in front of the main gate.

In this life, Prince Alfonso's unexpected bid was a misstep. The Marquez Marquis's wife, being close to the queen, was likely persuading her husband not to bid so that Prince Alfonso, the queen's son, could win the "Viktoria Nike."

It was a subtle act of loyalty, but it could not be allowed.

"No, the Marquez Marquis family must get it."

As Ariadne muttered to herself and was about to go and stop the Marquez Marquis's wife,

"Why can't Prince Alfonso buy the statue, little lady?"

Cesare, who had been watching the auction from the side with his hat pulled down, spoke. Ariadne turned to him with wide