CHAPTER 171: BLACK MARKET [3]

Julies tilted his head, watching her with eyes that seemed to pierce through every defense she built. "Strange, then. You push Alice away to run straight into my arms."

The words dripped with mockery, but there was something heavier beneath them—something Amelia hated herself for noticing.

Amelia wanted nothing more than to freeze this bastard demon with her magic, to end that sly smile once and for all. But she couldn’t. Not after the deal they had made. Not after knowing, deep down, that he was stronger than her.

"Don’t play with me," she hissed, trying to keep her voice steady. Her eyes flicked to the side, finally noticing the man slumped beside him. "And who’s this drunken bastard next to you?"

Julies followed her gaze and gave a lazy shrug. "Oh, him? Just an acquaintance. An uncle who insists on giving me a hard time. Nothing important."

The man was clearly drunk beyond reason, mumbling incoherently while swaying in his seat.

Amelia narrowed her eyes, not convinced for a second. "What’s your scheme this time?"

Julies’s lips curved into that infuriating grin. "Nothing serious. Just some business with this friend here. But what about you, Lady Frost? What brings you to such a dark little corner? This isn’t exactly where nobles usually stroll."

Her mouth snapped shut at once. She knew better than to give him even the smallest thread to pull on.

The gaze behind that ever-shifting mask of his lingered on her, scanning her expression as if peeling away layers.

Be careful. I can’t read this Parasite either.

Velra’s voice—her mentor’s advice—echoed sharply in her mind.

"What does it matter to you?" she finally muttered.

Julies chuckled softly. "Why so cold? I thought we were partners in crime."

"Get your hand off me," she snapped, batting away the touch of his fingers as he brushed aside the drunkard. "Partners in crime, my foot."

"Tch, touchy." He smirked. "So? Why are you here?"

"I came for the auction," she answered curtly, folding her arms. "And to guide Alice."

"Really now?" He tilted his head, amused. "That’s surprising. I didn’t take her for someone who’d willingly walk into a place like this."

For a brief moment, he rubbed his chin, as though genuinely pondering. Then his eyes gleamed.

"Shall we talk a little?"

Amelia arched a brow. "...About what?"

He leaned in, close enough that she could feel the faint brush of his breath against her ear. His voice was low, conspiratorial.

"How about we swipe something from the auction?"

"...What?"

Her heart dropped like a stone, blood rushing to her ears.

He wasn’t joking. She could see it in the way his smile never wavered, the way his eyes glittered with reckless delight.

The auction wasn’t some shady street deal—it was an underground gathering of nobles, guarded by private soldiers and mercenaries handpicked for their loyalty. Security was tight, ruthless.

If anyone was caught... punishment would be swift, and unforgiving.

And yet, Julies was grinning as if he’d just suggested a casual stroll in the park.

Amelia’s fingers clenched around the fabric of her dress. "You must be out of your mind," she whispered harshly.

Julies only chuckled, tilting his head like a mischievous fox who had cornered its prey. "Out of my mind? No, no. Just... ambitious. And I thought, perhaps, you were the same."

"I have no interest in your reckless games."

"Oh?" His masked face leaned closer, his voice smooth, taunting. "That’s strange. I was under the impression that Lady Frost was clever enough to understand opportunity when it’s dangling right in front of her nose."

Her chest tightened, but she forced her expression to stay neutral. "You’re insane if you think I’d help you steal from nobles."

Julies smirked, resting his chin on his palm as though amused by a child’s tantrum. "Don’t flatter yourself. I don’t need your help. I just thought... wouldn’t it be fun if we shared the spoils?"

Her jaw tightened. "Fun? Do you have any idea what happens if we’re caught?"

"Of course I do," he said, his tone light, almost playful. "But that’s the difference between you and me. You see punishment, I see possibility." His fingers drummed lazily on the table, then he added, almost mockingly, "Though, if you’re that worried, I could always tell Alice about this little conversation. I’m sure she’d love to hear how you and I have been... negotiating in the shadows."

Her blood ran cold. "You wouldn’t dare."

His grin widened, sharp as a blade. "Wouldn’t I?"

The drunk beside him let out a loud, incoherent groan, slamming his head against the table. Julies barely spared the man a glance before turning his full attention back to Amelia.

"You should think carefully, Lady Frost. You and I... we’re bound, one way or another. You might hate me, but you can’t shake me off. And the sooner you realize that, the easier it’ll be."

Amelia’s nails dug into her palm until it hurt, her magic itching at her fingertips, begging to be unleashed. But she swallowed it down. Not here. Not now.

He had her cornered, and he knew it.

Still, somewhere deep inside her mind Amelia couldn’t help but thought.

What if we succeed?

The thought slid into her mind unbidden, poisonous and seductive. Amelia gritted her teeth, trying to shake it off. But it lingered.

The underground auction was filled with artifacts, tomes, enchanted relics—things hidden away from the world. Treasures that even nobles whispered about but rarely touched. What if, among them, there was something that could give her an edge? Something that could make her stronger... stronger than him?

She hated herself for even entertaining it.

Julies seemed to sense it instantly. His grin widened, sharp and knowing. "Oh... I see it now. You are tempted."

Her eyes snapped to his, icy and furious. "Don’t delude yourself."

But his chuckle cut through her denial, lazy and mocking. "You’re trembling, Amelia. Not from fear. From possibility. You want it just as much as I do."

Her lips parted to retort, but no sound came. That smug look on his face made her chest burn with anger.

"I don’t want anything from you," she hissed.

"Liar." He leaned closer, his voice a velvet blade. "You’ve wanted to beat me from the moment we met. Admit it. You want power—enough to crush me, enough to keep Alice from ever... slipping into my shadow."

Amelia’s breath caught. For a second, her carefully built composure cracked, and she hated that he saw it.

Julies chuckled again, resting his elbow lazily on the table. "Oh, Amelia... you’re so transparent. That jealousy of yours—it’s delicious."

Her nails dug deeper into her palm until she almost broke skin. "Say another word about Alice, and I’ll—"

"You’ll what?" His grin sharpened. "Freeze me here? In front of everyone? In front of your precious Alice, none the wiser? You wouldn’t dare."

His words twisted the knife. He was right. She couldn’t. Not yet.

But her silence was already an answer.

Julies leaned back, satisfied, his sly smile refusing to fade. "That’s what I thought. You’ll play along, Amelia. Not because you want to... but because deep down, you’re terrified that I’m right."