The jewel gleamed behind the glass, its deep crimson hue shimmering like a blood-red moon at its zenith. A ruby—radiant, alluring, impossible to ignore. It demanded attention, its beauty undeniable, its worth immeasurable. And like everything else in this auction, it was up for the taking.

Here, anything could be bought—for the right price. Gems, ancient relics, paintings… even people. If it had a price tag, it was fair game.

You weren’t the only one drawn to the ruby’s brilliance. Others had their eyes on it, just as you did. But in your quiet admiration, you failed to notice the presence of another watching you.

A shadow loomed beside you—a tall, commanding figure. The moment you glanced up, your breath caught in your throat.

Sir Crocodile. The Desert King of Arabasta.

His gaze was unreadable, sharp yet distant, assessing you just as he had the ruby moments before. The red silk of your dress mirrored the gem’s rich shade, a detail not lost on him. As you quickly averted your gaze, he let slip the faintest curve of his lips—something dangerously close to amusement.

“Hard to imagine anything more beautiful,” you murmured, hoping to mask the fact that you’d been caught staring. But your voice betrayed you, the slight tremor unmistakable.

Silence stretched between you, thick with unspoken weight. You half-expected him to ignore you entirely. But then, in a low, deliberate drawl, he finally spoke.

“Not that hard.”

His dark eyes never left yours. And in that moment, he had already decided—he wanted you. Whether you liked it or not.