His Despised Stray Is A Hidden Queen

Cristina Acosta POV:

On the night of the auction, I wore my plain black Azure Gale House robe and walked into the opulent Empyrean Vault with Holli Warner at my side. Holli, disguised in a conservative emerald cloak, was the best information broker in the underground, but in the light of day, she fronted as a struggling magical antique appraiser.

The place was dripping with wealth. Witches and wizards in robes embroidered with their family crests turned to stare. We might as well have had "poor and unimportant" stamped on our foreheads.

"Well, well, if it isn't Holli Warner," a sickly sweet voice chirped behind us. "Still trying to peddle your second-rate appraisals to actual purebloods? And who is this?" The girl's eyes shifted to me, raking over my plain robe. "Bringing an uneducated little charity case to a place like this? How pathetic."

I turned. A girl in an expensive lace robe, Juliana Sterling, was clinging to an older man's arm, her eyes sizing us up with blatant disdain. Juliana was a notorious gossip from a minor pureblood family. Holli had once publicly exposed one of Juliana's fake heirloom necklaces, earning her a petty, relentless grudge.

Holli stiffened, her fists clenching, but I just smiled coldly. Before Juliana could utter another insult, I flicked my wrist. A silent silencing charm hit her throat. She opened her mouth to mock us again, but not a single sound came out. She clawed at her own throat in panic while the nearby crowd gasped.

"Enjoy the silence, Juliana," I whispered, walking past her terrified form to find a seat in a dark corner.

The auction began. I paid no attention until the pristine Dragon's Breath Amber was presented. The bidding started at three thousand Glowgold.

I immediately raised my paddle. "Five thousand."

Before the attendant could register my bid, the curtain of a private box on the second floor was drawn back. A cold, imposing figure stood there. Burrell Black. He didn't even raise a paddle, just gave a slight nod to The Attendant.

"Commander Burrell Black bids ten thousand Glowgold!" The Attendant boomed. The hall fell silent.

I frowned. Holli leaned in. "He needs it for his grandmother. She is suffering from insomnia due to her curse."

I raised my paddle again. "Twelve thousand."

Burrell's icy blue eyes locked onto me from the balcony. He didn't hesitate. "Twenty thousand."

I gritted my teeth. I had the money, but spending a fortune on a sleeping aid was ridiculous. I lowered my paddle, glaring up at him. Let the arrogant fool overpay.

Burrell won the Dragon's Breath Amber for a staggering fifteen thousand Glowgold, though he ended up paying twenty due to my interference. As he left his box, his gaze swept in my direction, a flicker of something unreadable in their depths.

I pulled Holli away. I didn't get my amber, but I was definitely going to make him pay for crossing me. "Send a message to Collins," I told Holli as we stepped out of the Vault. "Tell him the master is willing to intervene tonight. The fee is one hundred and fifty thousand Glowgold. Not a single copper less."

BURRELL BLACK POV:

In the grand study of the main estate, I stared at the glowing Dragon's Breath Amber resting on the velvet cushion. Finally, something to ease my grandmother's suffering.

But before I could summon the Healers, the heavy oak doors banged open. Holden Croft rushed in, his usually immaculate suit rumpled, holding a glowing communication slate.

"Commander!" Holden gasped. "We have a message from Lord Collins. He says he found the legendary master who can actually cure the matron's curse!"

I stiffened, a surge of hope washing over me. The current doctor, Cecile, was useless. "Bring this master here immediately. Whatever the cost."

Holden swallowed hard, looking like he was about to be executed. "Lord Collins says the master is willing to intervene tonight, but her consultation fee is astronomical. She is demanding exactly one hundred and fifty thousand Glowgold just to step through our doors."

"One hundred and fifty thousand?" I repeated, the sheer absurdity of the number hanging in the quiet study.

Holden braced himself, likely expecting me to shatter the desk in a fit of rage. "Yes, sir. Shall I decline the offer and negotiate?"

Instead of fury, a low, dark chuckle escaped my lips. I leaned back in my chair, tapping my fingers against the mahogany wood. I had more than enough gold in the Black family vaults. The money itself meant absolutely nothing to me. But the audacity? That was entirely new.

"No one has ever dared to extort the Black family so blatantly," I murmured, a dangerous, amused smirk playing on my lips. "Fascinating."

"Sir?" Holden asked, thoroughly confused.

"Pay it," I said, grabbing the authorization quill. I smoothly signed my name on the magical contract, transferring a fortune into the unknown master's account without a second thought.

"My grandmother is dying, and if this master can save her, she is worth the gold," I said, standing up. "But I am incredibly curious to see what kind of person has the nerve to demand such a price from me."

I grabbed my coat and walked out of the study, looking forward to meeting this bold, expensive healer.