Author's notes: Okay, so this story is nowhere near done-I have chapters 1-3 more or less written, but the rest of the chapters are extremely rough drafts, and I'm only about halfway through the "Wandering Child" scene. But HOLY SHIT THE V ROUTE HAS BEEN RELEASED I NEED TO RIDE THE HYPE TRAIN NOW. Anyway, to the prologue!
"Welcome, monsieurs and mademoiselles! Sit yourselves down, and see the best auction house in town!"
Jumin Han watched the auctioneer prance about the stage, her plum-colored skirts trailing behind her. Mademoiselle Marie—for that is what she insisted on being called—presented herself as a well-to-do dame dressed in the latest fashions, from her black-buckled shoes to the gigantic hat nestled atop her red mane. Her crimson lips stretched across her face in a tremendous smile that showed too much teeth and gums, an expression that matched her dynamic hand gestures and loud, booming voice. On the whole, she seemed like a person well-suited for showmanship; someone who could live their entire life onstage happily, if they were allowed to do so.
Yet, Jumin was aware that underneath all the makeup and petticoats, there laid another person entirely.
Settling herself behind a long wooden table, Mademoiselle Marie gestured at her assistant to start the show. The assistant walked onto the stage with a large, antique clock, scowling at the audience before him. Mademoiselle Marie either didn't notice her assistant's displeasure, or she just didn't care—both options were equally likely.
"Thank you, Monsieur Vanderwood!" Mademoiselle Marie chirped. She turned towards the audience with an all too familiar grin on her face. "Now, what we have here is…"
Jumin tuned out her chattering. He was only there for one certain item, after all.
The auction droned on: Mademoiselle Marie cracked jokes, the audience members made bids on various knick-knacks, and Jumin felt as though he'd melt from the heat. Still, he did manage to obtain a large, ornate painting of an old chapel—not because he wanted it for himself, but because he knew Jihyun had been searching all over for that particular work of art.
When he called out his number, he saw Mademoiselle Marie's gaze flicker over to him. Her golden eyes widened slightly before they went back to normal, as if she hadn't seen him in the first place.
"Any other offers…? No? Going once, going twice...SOLD!"
She knocked her gavel against the table. Her assistant grimaced at the noise and grabbed the painting, hefting it under his right arm.
"Oh! Monsieur Vanderwood?" Mademoiselle Marie asked. "Might it be possible to skip to another one of our fine items… perhaps, if I dare be so bold, lot 666?"
Even though Jumin was some distance away from the stage, he could clearly see Monsieur Vanderwood's eyes roll as he mumbled something under his breath. Nonetheless, he turned around and walked towards the right wing of the stage.
Jumin's lips twitched upwards, briefly resembling a smile.
"Well!" Mademoiselle Marie exclaimed, clapping her hands. A mischievous smile spread across her face as she leaned towards the audience. "Perhaps I ought to explain the history of lot 666, yes? After all, this is a rare, one-of-a-kind item—the only one in the world, in fact!"
Again, Jumin only half-listened to the woman's rambles. He already knew what lot 666 was, of course. How could he not, when it held so much significance to both him and his darling Jihyun?
Finally, Monsieur Vanderwood stepped onto the stage, holding lot 666 in his hands.
Lot 666 was a music box, and at first glance, it didn't seem like much. The box itself was made of white-painted oak, although the golden trim engraved on the wood suggested that the item held some value. Still, that didn't seem to be enough for the audience; based on the murmurs Jumin overheard, it was clear they thought Mademoiselle Marie was trying to scam them.
Then, Monsieur Vanderwood shifted his hand, revealing the strange green eye painted on the side of the box.
All at once, it seemed as though the audience's doubts were silenced. Jumin heard gasps coming from the crowd, though he supposed that reaction was to be expected—after all, how many of these commoners thought they'd be seeing such an infamous object that day?
"Behold, monsieurs and mademoiselles! The phantom's music box!" Mademoiselle Marie exclaimed triumphantly. She took the music box from Monsieur Vanderwood and held it up towards the audience. "Isn't it lovely? Look at the beautiful craftsmanship! Marvel at how fresh the paint looks, even after all these years! Ah, but this box is no mere toy, my darlings—the tune contained in this box can drive someone to madness!"
Jumin rolled his eyes at Mademoiselle Marie's theatrics. Still, he had to admit that she was good at riling people up—already, the crowd was clamoring for information, hurling question after question at the auctioneer.
A sharp whistle interrupted their cries, courtesy of Monsieur Vanderwood. Mademoiselle Marie gave him a nod of thanks before she turned her attention back towards the audience.
"Ah… you know, I was there when the phantom terrorized the opera house." Mademoiselle Marie smiled nostalgically. "It is a beautiful tale, of course—yet, it is also one full of horror and sadness, the likes of which you've never heard before. A tale about a poor, lost soul who falls in love with a handsome opera singer… and the tragedy that occurs when the singer gives his heart to another."
Jumin snorted. Really? He makes the whole situation sound like a trashy romance novel.
Still, Mademoiselle Marie continued to speak. "I can tell you all about it, my darlings. It shan't take too long… hopefully."
And so, the auctioneer began her tale.