Chapter 5.1

The man had such a beautiful face that she would not have dared to look at it. The pupils in the sculptural face were dark red, and they emitted a red light akin to the color of blood.

He had a towering nose and sensually thick lips, as well as a sharp jawline. His features were masculine and dark. Thanks to that, he exuded a sharp and cold energy. His impression was also cold, because the black hair that fell loosely highlighted the man’s pale skin.

Beautiful. It was the first word that most people would think of when they first saw the man.

However, Anne vaguely thought that if she misstepped her feet because of the beautiful appearance, she would be pushed to a place where only danger would lurk. It’s because the moment she met the man’s eyes, the irrational desire to run away immediately surged.

This sensation she felt was her instinct to run away. But now was not the time to rely on such an uncertain feeling.

“You are late.”

The man who had been staring at Anne coolly for a long time slowly opened his mouth.

She cleared her mind at the sound of the man’s heavy voice ringing in the hall. Arms powerfully stretched over the railings illuminated his graceful body lines, and sharp-looking facial muscles followed them.

With a strong physique resembling a huge mountain range, Anne looked at him as if possessed again this time. It was the first time she had admired a person’s appearance and body so much, so Anne realized one fact belatedly.

I heard that he was definitely over seventy . . .

The known age of the Grand Duke in the capital was an old man close to seventy years old. Judging from the fact that he was not married, it was impossible for him to bestow the title to his successor.

Do you have an undisclosed son? Or maybe he’s from a collateral family . . .

The answer came a little late. Anne gathered her thoughts.

“I’m sorry. I was a little delayed.”

“Who was the cause of your delay?”

As if he was going to find him and question him right away, the low tone sounded dangerously somewhere. Anne slowly exhaled her uncomfortable breath and opened her mouth.

“Greetings, Grand Duke Cromund. I am Angroanne Libelois.”

“. . .”

Spreading her skirt wide open, Anne introduced herself in the manner of an elegant noble family. She deliberately paid attention to her perfect posture without any deviation in order to make a good first impression on him.

She couldn’t see the Grand Duke’s face because she lowered her gaze, but she could feel he was still staring at her. Her head felt like it was going to heat up at the pouring gaze.

“Is the woman who will be my wife stubborn? Or is she making fun of her husband?”

The man’s voice was low and drowsy, but it felt uncomfortable. As if indirectly suggesting that she will not be welcomed here.

“How dare I, Grand Duke. It was my first trip, so I was nervous and asked for understanding.”

Just saying she was sorry and moving on, she didn’t do anything wrong. It was the Grand Duke’s knights who dragged her with all their rudeness, and to be sure, she wasn’t even the Grand Duchess yet.

Still, there was no need to deliberately ignite a sharp voice, so she gracefully bent her knees slightly and asked for his pardon. Just when the uncomfortable silence seemed to last longer, the man said still.

“. . . It must be cold.”

It was only then that Anne realized that her shoulders were shaking. As she entered the room, she thought her body had melted, but she did not know if it was because her body had not adapted to the unfamiliar climate or whether it was because she was obsessed with the man’s intimidation. Perhaps he wasn’t expecting an answer in the first place, and the man turned around as if his business was over with those words.

“Whoo . . .”

At the same time as the Grand Duke disappeared, the sound of the stiffened employees exhaling with difficulty filled the spacious lobby. It meant she wasn’t the only one getting nervous.

“Then I will guide you to your room.”

The maid, who had been clasping her hands together tightly, released her hands and guided Anne. When she turned around, the woman named Marie had disappeared.

Anne followed the maid chief and made her way to the central staircase, which was lined with an impressive red carpet.

Every time she stepped up the auburn-colored wooden steps, there was a faint sound at the seams. She found it to be well maintained, and she looked at the décor of the concourse, the dilapidated staircase, and the passage.

“This is the main building. From now on, the Madam will live in the east wing, and the master will mainly live in the west wing. On the third floor of the main building, there is a hallway connecting the east and west buildings.”

“I understand.”

Listening to the maid chief, Anne turned her eyes away like a child visiting a house. She needed to pay attention to her breathing, as she had been very nervous a moment ago.

Like the old-fashioned exterior, the interior was full of old things, as if proving its long history. A landscape painting from an unknown artist was hung on the dark wallpaper, and there were rare still life paintings that stood out.

However, no portraits were hung on any wall. Usually, the portrait of the family head is hung on the front side closest to the ceiling.

Are the portraits of the previous heads hanging elsewhere?

As she continued to think about it, she reached the third floor before she knew it. In front of it, the hallway splits on both sides exactly.