On her way to the study, Dana had stopped for a while to appreciate the painting caught in the hallway.
‘Each and every piece of art here is a national treasure-class art.’
She didn’t know why she had this perspective, but she knew right away that this painting was unusual. She was so deeply entranced by it, when a voice suddenly sounded from behind her.
“Isn’t it cool? Makela said she had been offered a court painter position several times, but she refused everytime.”
Dana looked back in surprise, and there stood a man with a grin. However, as soon as he saw Dana, the laughter hanging around his mouth disappeared.
“…”
“Oh, thank you for letting me know. Then, I’ll get going.”
He asked a question, blocking Dana as she tried to leave in a hurry.
“Who are you?”
Unlike before, his expression was solemn, so Dana hesitated for a while and roughly glossed over.
“I… Well, I’m a guest of the Grand Duke who is staying in this castle for a while.”
Marvin couldn’t take his eyes off the woman with blue eyes, not to mention her dazzling blonde hair, white lustrous skin, and goddess-like features that he had never seen in his life.
He probed further because he thought there was something hidden in her answer.
“Are you Leon’s distant relative?”
He didn’t readily understand that the picky person would let a strange woman stay in the castle, but he thought it could be because of circumstances.
To be honest, it didn’t matter. Marvin liked women, but he didn’t believe he could fall in love at first sight.
Today however, he desperately realized what it meant.
On the other hand, Dana was just pondering whether the answer was wrong. This was because the man was staring at her with a firm look on his face.
“Then, who are you, Mister?”
Marvin looked surprised when she opened her mouth as if he didn’t know he would be asked.
“Oh, I…”
Unexpectedly, he stuttered his words.
“Leon… I’m an old friend of Grand Duke Tertius.”
“I see.”
Dana nodded lightly and spoke a little more politely. If the man were his friend, this person would also be of nobility. Of course, she knew it the instant she saw him.
“Yes, I see. Take your time and enjoy it. I’ll be on my way.”
“Well, my lady.”
When he stopped her again, Dana sighed silently but looked back with a smile.
“What?”
Marvin calmed down his pounding heart and made his expression as soft as possible.
“Can I introduce myself again?”
Dana only wondered why he was doing this. Didn’t he just suddenly appear from behind with a straight face, and now he introduces himself?
She simply nodded lightly, then she reached out gracefully, taking a posture that would only be seen in the ball.
“Let me introduce myself officially. I’m Count Marvin Coast. It’s an honor to meet you, my lady.”
Dana looked at him, puzzled. If he weren’t Leon’s friend, she would have thought he was a little out of his mind. But she thought, ‘It’s not like he is starting to get familiar. Let’s give a quick bow and leave.’
Marvin gripped her hand tightly and pressed his lips against the back of it. Usually, it was polite to reach from a distance at times like this.
Dana, surprised and embarrassed, tried pulling her hand away, but Marvin held her tightly.
“Are you staying here? For how long?”
“Ah, there, I… some of this.”
When he didn’t let go of her hand, Dana was embarrassed and confused.
“Let go this instant! You’re being rude even though we just met.”
She said so firmly because she thought he would get the memo, but Marvin, who thought it was a moment of his life, did not hear it.
“If you tell me, I’ll let go. Oh my god!”
Marvin screamed as a grip caught hold of his wrist firmly and he let go of Dana’s hand.
“What should I say?”
Leon said, staring at Marvin with a brutal look. Dana and Marvin saw him at the same time, and Dana took a step back, clenching her tingling hands.
“When did you get here? Ah… Let go, let go…!”
Leon frowned, staring at Marvin as he tried to pull away and let go after a short time.
Marvin blew his hand and huffed.
“What is this?”
“What did you do to this woman?”
“Where are my manners? Oh, well, I see. I’m sorry, my lady. I was rude on our first meeting.”
When Marvin spoke casually again as if conscious of Dana’s gaze, Dana didn’t answer and shifted her gaze to Leon.
“Get out of my house.”
Leon grabbed Dana’s arm and dragged her behind him.
“By the way, who is she?”
“What’s the point of doing this? I told you to leave.”
“You told me to eat and go.”
“If you don’t want to go out on your own, I’ll get you out of here, Chedon!”
Marvin waved his hands and stepped back when he noticed Leon was serious.
“Oh, okay. I’ll go. But who is she…?”
When Leon replied him with an angry glare, Marvin turned around with his mouth shut like a clam. He tried looking behind but regretfully remembered the pain he had just received.
After he had passed the lobby on the first floor and opened the central door, he waved toward the second floor where Dana was.
“See you again! I’m Marvin Coast. Please remember that!”
Finally, Marvin left, and the door was closed. There was silence in the mansion. The servants did not appear because they felt the heaviness of the air.