Reincarnated as a step-dad in a fantasy world

Chapter 360 : Crush

"It's time," Freya said, standing up. "The auction will begin soon, so we need to get ready," she added, glancing at Maya.

"Yeah, yeah," Maya sighed as she stood up as well.

"Given everything you told me earlier, I assume you didn't come with the agreed-upon set of potions this year?" Freya asked, turning to Kizzarae.

"You don't have to worry," Kizzarae replied, a grin spreading across her face. "The Queen doesn't like going back on her word, so I brought the full batch of potions as agreed. And... I even brought a little surprise from Her Majesty."

****

'This place is really crowded compared to yesterday,' Alex thought as he glanced through the window of his carriage.

It was only now that he was realizing just how big of a deal the yearly auction of the Drazen family truly was.

All around the auction house, carriages and people could be seen preparing to enter. The most astonishing part, however, was the fact that despite the large number of people waiting, none of them were nobodies — their refined postures, noble airs, and luxurious attires made that perfectly clear.

As he observed the surroundings of the auction house, Alex soon spotted someone he recognized — Maya.

However, the young heiress didn't look at all like how she usually appeared when she spent time with him or his sister. She was dressed in a formal and elegant dress, her hair carefully combed and cascading down her back like a waterfall. Her usual curious and relaxed expression was gone, replaced by a composed look and a courteous smile as she greeted arriving guests and invited them inside.

'So she can look like the heiress she is, huh?' Alex chuckled, already imagining how he would tease her about it later.

But since his carriage didn't seem to be stopping, Alex quickly realized he wasn't meant to descend here.

'He said Freya was waiting for me, right? So I guess she's somewhere else,' he reasoned, not too worried.

He was soon proven right.

Through the other side of his carriage window, he could now see a second entrance to the auction house, just as lively and guarded, though visibly more exclusive. A similar crowd had gathered there — yet the one welcoming the guests this time was none other than Freya herself.

'If she's the one greeting them, then these guests aren't your average people's Alex thought, focusing more intently on the crowd.

That's when he noticed it.

'These people... they are nobles,' he concluded.

As he observed the guests lining up at the private entrance, Alex recognized several familiar faces.

The first ones he spotted were his three cousins — Talia, Celine, and Marinna — who were drawing quite a bit of attention as a group of well-dressed suitors surrounded them, clearly attempting to win their favor.

Alex let his gaze linger on them for a few seconds, but seeing that none of them looked uncomfortable or annoyed by the attention, he simply looked away.

Next, he noticed Althea Wardell and Vesper Aldrion—the two people who had helped him during the battle against Earl Drickon's men. Vesper, in particular, was the one from whom he had obtained the Tear of Knowledge.

Standing beside these two were Daisy and a young boy who looked like a miniature version of Vesper—most likely his son.

Both this young man and Daisy were among the group of young nobles Alex and Amelia had escorted to Drisidd.

As he glanced further around, Alex recognized even more of the youths he had brought along. Now, however, they were nearly unrecognizable — their clothes were noble-quality and elegant, and their hair was styled with care. They looked nothing like the ragged, desperate figures they had rescued days before.

'Good for them,' Alex thought, 'though their families will still have to pay me what they owe if they want them to keep living like this.'

Initially, he had intended to pressure those families into paying him in the days immediately after arriving. But since his plans had changed and he wasn't leaving the city as soon as expected, he had decided to give them a little more time — a little being the key word. They would still have to pay in the end as he wasn't about to make concessions on that point.

As he scanned the crowd once more, his eyes eventually fell on Freya's tall and graceful figure in the distance. The instant he laid eyes on her, he felt his heart melt a little.

That warmth vanished instantly when he saw who she was speaking to.

Even from a distance, Alex could feel his blood boiling.

He had never seen this man before, but he didn't need to. The five individuals standing protectively around him were more than enough to confirm his identity as they were the same people who had ambushed him in the city. Each of them exuded the power of a level 5, and Alex remembered their faces perfectly.

'Which means that man must be the Earl,' Alex thought, his gaze sharpening into something cold and dangerous.

But after a few seconds, he forced himself to calm down. 'Everything in due time,' he reminded himself.

Moments later, his carriage came to a smooth stop.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Alex stood up and stepped outside.

Weirdly enough, the moment he appeared, all the eyes turned in his direction as if sensing his arrival.

'Why is everyone staring at me?' Alex wondered, confused by the sudden attention.

Just as he was about to take his first step forward, a voice rang out loud and clear, echoing across the area for all to hear.

"Speak of the devil," the voice said, "I was just speaking with Earl Freya here about you."

Alex didn't even need to think to recognize the voice. As he turned his head toward the entrance of the auction house, his gaze locked onto Earl Drickon, who was standing there with a smug expression plastered across his face.

"I was explaining to Earl Freya how unwise it was to associate a prestigious family like the Drazens with the likes of you," Earl Drickon continued. "Sooner rather than later, I'm certain their noble image will be dragged through the mud by barbarians like you—uncultured thugs who think nothing of assaulting an Earl's men in broad daylight."

As those venomous words left the Earl's mouth, a suffocating silence descended on the area. The tension in the air became so thick it felt like the very atmosphere was holding its breath.

All eyes immediately turned toward Arcanor, curious about his reaction.

By now, everyone present had heard the rumors about how he had held his ground against five level 5 warriors, and how just hours ago, he had singlehandedly annihilated the beast tide that had threatened the city.

Many in the crowd were already discreetly backing away, mentally preparing to flee in case he lost his temper and retaliated as none of them wanted to be caught in the brewing storm.

'Should I step in?' Freya wondered, her eyes darting between Alex and Drickon. The look she gave the Earl, however, was filled with icy contempt. She didn't appreciate his words—not even a little.

Just as the tension was reaching its peak, it shattered like glass under pressure as a light chuckle echoed through the air.

"I didn't know you were a funny guy, Earl Drickon," Alex said, laughter still dancing in his voice.

"And what exactly do you find so amusing in what I said?" the Earl asked, his sneer twisting with disdain.

"Oh, it's not about what you said," Alex replied with a relaxed chuckle.

"Then what is it?" the Earl pressed, impatience bleeding into his voice.

Alex's laughter faded, and for a moment, silence returned—heavy and expectant. Then, he spoke again, voice calm but razor-sharp.

"I just find it amusing that someone like you dares to speak so confidently..." Before anyone could react, Alex vanished from his spot and reappeared inches from Earl Drickon, his presence overwhelming. "...to someone who could crush you the very moment he decides to."

"I find it amusing that you can speak so highly..." Before anyone could react, Alex vanished from where he stood, reappearing in an instant right in front of Earl Drickon, towering over him "...to someone who could quite literally crush you the moment he wants to."