Chapter 72
The young Viscount of Noilian, with thick curly brown hair and a charming beauty mark beneath his eye, was an impressive-looking man.
Early in the morning, when she had seen him in the garden, the umbrella had hidden his complexion, so she had not noticed his fair skin.
“Her Highness the Princess wishes to see both of you separately,” Tenus said, raising his eyebrows in displeasure. He looked ready to snap at anyone at a moment’s notice. Before he could open his lips, Selakia quickly responded.
“So, she wishes to speak to us individually. Understood.”
“Then shall the Viscount enter first? Do not worry, Viscount. I will attend to the lady properly,” he added.
At that moment, Tenus and Selakia’s eyes met. She thought he might be worried that she would make a mistake in front of the Viscount, and she parted her lips slightly in reassurance.
“Don’t worry.”
Then, unable to suppress her rising anxiety, she added:
“Do it well.”
She did not forget to set her eyes firmly and exude a commanding presence.
Not having received Tenus’s clear promise yesterday that he wouldn’t cause any problems still irritated her. That he tended to listen to her subtly was some comfort.
More importantly, he wasn’t an irresponsible man who would harm her territory, so she could trust him to some extent.
“…….”
Tenus watched Selakia as her face changed constantly—worry, seriousness, then suddenly a smile—and chuckled softly.
He seemed to nod faintly, then without leaving any further instructions to Selakia, he swiftly entered through the inner door.
As soon as Tenus disappeared inside, Stein spoke up as if waiting for the cue.
“While you wait, I shall show you around the villa, madam.”
“Show me around the villa?”
“This way.”
Stein gestured as if escorting her.
She had intended to sit quietly on the sofa placed in the room and wait. Refusing his courtesy would have been rude, so Selakia reluctantly followed his lead.
Stein walked very close to Selakia, yet maintained the minimum distance that etiquette demanded.
Selakia barely concealed her discomfort, glancing back at him.
A few steps behind, Roberta and Nancy were following, which gave her some comfort. As for Amy… she did not particularly pay attention.
“This place is as old as the Seidon estate. Did you happen to explore it yesterday?”
“No. I mostly stayed in the room yesterday and didn’t get to see the rest.”
“Ah, how dull that must have been. Yesterday, I was accompanying Her Highness to the city within the Seidon territory, so I could not properly entertain you. I hope you understand.”
‘Entertain me’? …Am I the only one? Why didn’t he mention Tenus?’
Selakia waited briefly, but Tenus’s name never came up in the Viscount’s speech.
Stein’s subtle manner of erasing Tenus’s presence, the heir to the Seidon estate, made her tilt her head in puzzlement.
She assumed it was her nerves making her overthink and deliberately lifted the corners of her mouth.
“Don’t worry. Instead, the villa caretaker treated me with utmost hospitality.”
“That is a relief. I am staying in a room on the fourth floor, so please come see me if needed.”
Stein smiled faintly as he met her gaze, which felt strangely unsettling.
Selakia could not respond smoothly this time and instead stared at the open corridor ahead.
“You seem to have an interest in art. Very well. Let me start by showing you the artworks kept in the room at the end of the first floor.”
Though she had intended to avoid eye contact, Stein seemed to interpret her gaze as directed at the decorations in the alcove, so he strode toward the end of the corridor.
“These are works by the unparalleled genius Robinchi from a century ago. His unfinished pieces, never publicly revealed, are also kept here. There are sculptures by Mijellan as well, so please take your time.”
Even though Selakia’s knowledge of art was limited, she had heard of these famous names. For a villa meant mainly for leisure, the collection was remarkably valuable.
In the past, she might have gawked in amazement. Fortunately, she had grown accustomed to Seidon’s wealth, allowing her to remain composed, though she could not fully suppress her spontaneous admiration.
“These are pieces mentioned even in the Empire’s art history books. Even in photos, they inspired awe, but seeing them in person is remarkable.”
“Well… I cannot say I share that sentiment. Even masterpieces praised by critics seem to be no more than paper and paint in front of you, madam.”
“…Pardon?”
Selakia furrowed her brow and looked at Stein, who was smiling so broadly that his beauty mark seemed almost animated.
“Even this work, said to depict a heavenly maiden, does not follow you…”
“….”
The smile that had appeared charming when they first met now seemed suspicious. Selakia naturally averted her gaze and quickened her pace.
“Wow. This is, um… oh.”
She replaced her thoughts on the artwork with brief exclamations, fearing Stein might make another strange comment.
She had long been aware that flattery was common in high society, having heard Nancy lavish exaggerated praise daily, so she had developed some immunity.
However, Stein’s slow, teasing speech paired with a suspicious smile made her increasingly uncomfortable.
Are all men in high society like this?
Before, without a point of comparison, she had no such thoughts, but seeing Stein changed her perception of Tenus completely.
Tenus was a refined and noble man.
“Hahaha. You have quick eyes and feet, madam. Like a rabbit. Small and cute, just like a rabbit…”
Selakia resolved to close her ears. Otherwise, she could not maintain her composure.
With a modest number of pieces, they quickly finished touring the room.
“Thanks to you, Viscount, I had a pleasant time. Thank you.”
She longed to return to the reception room.
“I am glad you enjoyed it, madam.”
But whether Selakia’s earnest expression failed to reach him or not, Stein continued enthusiastically, like a real estate agent selling the villa.
“On the opposite corridor is the banquet hall. Shall we take a look? It may be modest compared to the Seidon estate, but it should be sufficient.”
“Wow… I’m very curious.”
“I thought so. Haha. Follow me.”
This time, the Viscount extended his arm. Selakia hesitated, then placed her hand on it. The smooth fabric of his jacket felt uncomfortably sharp against her skin.
In the end, she floated her hand a small distance above his arm.
“You seem rather shy, madam.”
Stein’s assumption, volunteered so willingly, was perfectly welcome.
As they moved from one end of the corridor to the other, they passed the reception room where Tenus would presumably be. The closer they got to the kitchen, the more tempting the aroma of food became.
What will tonight’s menu be?
Selakia pondered this idly, trying to ignore Stein.
“Ah!”
She stumbled over something, nearly losing her balance.
Selakia quickly regained her posture, but Stein, who had caught her waist, did not let go.
“Be careful.”
“I-I’m fine now.”
She pushed him away, startled, but he did not remove his hand from her waist.
An unfamiliar discomfort crawled up her spine. She had stood close to men before, but never felt such unease. A faint shiver ran through her body.
“If you were to get hurt, how could I face the Viscount of Seidon?”
Acting this brazenly is supposed to reflect well on me?
Selakia unconsciously frowned but quickly composed herself.
That he was a Viscount was secondary—he was the husband of a princess. She had to behave properly.
Excessive kindness is not inherently bad. She would not misinterpret his intentions.
Struggling to suppress irritation, Selakia tried to divert his attention by asking a visible question.
“There’s some kind of ring here. Do you know what it’s for?”
She had stepped on a protruding metal ring. Stein answered without moving away from her.
“It should lead to an underground waterway.”
“An underground waterway?”
“Nowadays, newly built estates rarely have them, but during the war, every estate had one. So it makes sense for this villa to have one as well.”
He spoke at length.
Selakia half-listened, already knowing, while still trying to push him away. Stein did not budge.
“The primary purpose is sewage disposal, but it could also serve as an emergency escape route.”
Looking closely, she saw a groove around the metal ring. Lifting it seemed to open a circular door. The hinges and ring were heavily rusted, likely unused for a long time.
“Where would this underground waterway lead? The Lensh estate I lived in opened to the sea. Since the sea is close here, would it be the same?”
“Well, perhaps it leads to a river near this mountain rather than the sea.”
“I see…”
No matter how she twisted her waist, she could not shake his hand off. Resigned, she nodded blankly and finally spoke.
“Viscount, could you please let go of my hand?”
“Call me Stein,” he replied, flashing a broad smile. He did not withdraw his hand but tilted his head, bringing his lips closer to her ear.
“Does the Viscount of Seidon treat you well?”
Selakia immediately pulled back and shrank her neck, realizing his words a beat late due to her discomfort.
