Star was numb to the whole thing by the third day. The routine was simple, waking up in new slips that felt invasive and getting dolled up by the handlers the next minute for the buyers.

Today the silk they put on him was dark crimson and black, and as usual it stuck to every curve and left almost nothing hidden. Golden chains crossed his chest and hips like jewelry meant to draw eyes, but in reality these chains were what kept him bound.

Star stood there without protest as the handlers brushed his silver hair until it untagled and straightened and applied the scented oils that made his skin glow under the lights. He had stopped fighting the small touches. It only made things slower and more painful.

One of the older handlers tightened a chain around his waist a little too roughly. "You’ve become quite the money maker," she muttered under her breath. "The Syndicate has already earned more from you than most assets do in a full season. Some buyers even pulled last-minute financing just to get in on this."

Star’s eyes flicked to her. "And who are these last minute buyers?" He asked, just for the want of it. He didn’t really care for an answer and so when she pressed her lips together and said nothing more, he didn’t react.

But the slip was enough to catch him up to speed.

Some dangerous people had joined because of him. When they finished, Star pushed against the suppression cuffs again, for what felt like the hundredth time but was once more greeted with inward scilence.

The third batch felt heavier. The guests were not here for show anymore. They were serious, dangerous people who sat in silence and watched with calculating eyes. Star stepped onto the rotating platform. The crimson silk moved with him, teasing looks of pale skin as the lights hit from every angle.

There was really a demonic feeling about this batch and by looking everyone seemed to be humanoid and Demi human for some reason.

"Lot number one returns!" the auctioneer called. "The Silver-Haired Prize! Bidding starts at two hundred thousand gold!"

A tall dark man sat prominently near the front, with his legs crossed. His crimson eyes followed Star’s every movement and Star couldn’t help but notice his gaze, it was different from the others and terrifying too. When the bidding opened, he raised his hand smoothly.

"Two hundred and fifty thousand," He said, voice rich and persuasive. "Plus three abyssal relics that can grant eternal youth to the owner."

The hall stirred. People began countering with raw aggression. Lady Seraphine’s faction pushed back with disciplined raises. The man remained completely composed, occasionally meeting Star’s gaze with a small, knowing smile that felt like fingers tracing his spine.

During the private viewing, handlers brought Star closer to him, behind the curtains. The man stepped forward, studying every detail of his face and body.

"You are wasted on these lesser beings," he murmured, charismatic and smooth. "How did you get captured with a divine blessing?"

Star’s eyes narrowed. He could tell even when his powers were blocked out. But he didn’t want to say anything to the man yet.

"I am Mundus, Demon Lord of the South and what is your name?"

"Star" Star replied after receiving a tug from the man that held him.

"Star...how fitting, So, Star. Do you wish to be released?" ..

Star scoffed, was that really a question?

"I will take that as a yes"

"I can help you Star..but under one condition. You come back with me to my territory and become my concubine how does that sound?"

Star grunted, this was a perfect illustration of from frying pan to fire if he had ever seen one.

Star looked into those red eyes of his. "If you just want me to be your underling, bid high enough and i might just come with you. Not like i have any choice no need to play saviour "

Mundus chuckled softly, clearly delighted. "I like you, you would be fun to break"

He raised his hand again. "Three hundred thousand for him"

Day 3 ended with Lord Mundus as the strongest bidder. Star was taken back to his cell exhausted, but a strange feeling had started growing inside him. These powerful people were fighting harder each day. The humiliation still hurt, but a quiet, conflicted pride had begun to bloom. They wanted him that badly.

The morning of Day 4, the final auction, felt completely different. The air was thick with tension.

It was a closed auction that contained only the top bidders from previous days. The smaller hall had guards standing along every wall, weapons ready incase a fight broke out.

Star was dressed in the most beautiful and revealing outfit yet, flowing silver and black silk that shined like moonlight.

The three major bidders were already seated.

Duke Valerian lounged with decadent laziness, eyes burning with feral hunger. Lady Seraphine sat straight and stoic, her scarred face cold, occasionally shooting looks of pure disgust at her half-brother, Valerian whose depravity was leaving a bitter taste in the air.

Lord Mundus watched everything calmly. But there was an addition, a surprised entry

. The high elf, Prince Lirien Vale sat with quiet, cold elegance, his sharp ethereal features showing clear envy every time his eyes landed on Star.

The auctioneer stepped forward. "For this final closed session, we have a special pairing, . The Silver-Haired Prize will be sold together with our second high-value asset Lady Elara Vale."

The veiled Handlers brought out a beautiful elven girl with long silver-blonde hair and delicate features, she was the same height as him and looked almost identical to him.

Star recognized her immediately from the backstage area. She had been one of the trembling captives he had seen before. Now she stood beside him, wrists bound, with a dignified look on her face that pissed Star off.

Prince Lirien leaned forward, his cold mask cracking slightly.

Bidding started at an insane level.

Duke Valerian opened with a wide, depraved grin. "Three hundred thousand gold. Plus two of my finest estates. Those soft bodies will be mine for the taking!. I will enjoy every scream."

He yelled, blushing and giggling with estacy and some kind of pleasure.

Lady Seraphine countered firmly, voice disciplined. "Three hundred and fifty thousand. And the full loyalty of my personal knight order for one campaign. He deserves respect and purpose, not your twisted sickness." She glared at Valerian with open disgust.

"Oh come on sister! You don’t have to do family like that!" Valerian replied and Seraphine winced in annoyance.

Lord Mundus smiled with dangerous charm. "Four hundred thousand gold. Plus a fragment of an abyssal lord’s soul"

The tension in the hall grew thicker as the prices went up. Five hundred, one million, an offer of an estate, a partnership and any powerful thing they could throw at the bidder.

"How desperate "

The high Eld finally spoke, his voice calm but commanding.

"I have searched for my cousin Elara for decades. If she is truly here, then I will take both her and the Silver Prize. No one else is worthy of my bloodline."

Cousin? "Oh!" Star caught up immediately, the reason the Elf girl had that look on her face was because she had seen her saviour! Now it made sense why that look of hope had annoyed him so bad.

"Two million gold coins and Five Elven treasures"

The war turned brutal.

Duke Valerian grew more unhinged with every raise, his decadent mask cracking into pure feral greed. "Four hundred house goblins and three million! I need him! I will ruin that pretty face in the most delicious ways!"

The feracity was unnerving and disgusting.

Lady Seraphine remained stoic but intense. "You shrewd woman," she said coldly toward Madame Velvet’s box. "You have always been an opportunist. Using his cousin to drive the price higher like this."

Lord Mundus added with a terrifyingly calm smile. "You deserve to be beheaded for this setup, Velvet."

Madame Velvet smiled sweetly from her seat. "Oh my lords and lady, I have no idea what you are talking about. Business is business."

Guards gripped their weapons tighter, ready to step in.

Star stood beside Elara on the platform, listening to everything. Humiliation still sat heavy in his stomach, but the strange pride had grown stronger. These powerful, terrifying people were offering fortunes, titles, and ancient relics... all for him, Just what was the deal about him?

.

In the end, Prince Lirien delivered the final blow. "Seven million gold coins "

The hall fell silent.

"Sold to Prince Lirien Vale!" the auctioneer announced.

Duke Valerian snapped.

He shot up from his seat, clawing at his own face with his nails, drawing blood as he screamed. "No! I wanted to have him! You stupid elf! Give him to me! I will offer twenty more estates! Three! Anything!" His voice turned completely feral, eyes wild with rage. Guards rushed in immediately, grabbing him and dragging the screaming, thrashing man out of the hall.

Prince Lirien rose gracefully, ignoring the chaos. He looked at Star, his expression unreadable

"You were quite an expensive purchase"

Star met his gaze without lowering his eyes.

Handlers led both Star and Lady Elara away from the stage. Once they reached a private side chamber, Prince Lirien personally unbound Elara’s wrists with careful fingers.

"Cousin..." Elara whispered, stepping closer to him with tears in her eyes. They hugged briefly.

"You really do have a problem causing issue"

Elara chuckled "Thank you"

Lirien nodded, but his attention kept shifting back to Star.

Star couldn’t help but notice a silent resentment between him and the Prince. He could feel it in the way Lirien’s jaw tightened every time their eyes met.

As they were taken toward their new future, Star kept his head high. The golden chains on his body still jingled softly with every step.

From one cage to another... but this one might have doors he could open.