Chapter 29 (1/2)

First Test

Lilia got up from her seat at the news that House Evantheon’s carriage had arrived.

As she went down to the porch, she saw Karhan and Tession, just getting off the carriage.

For some reason, the two already looked exhausted.

“Welcome.”

At Lilia’s greeting, Tession murmured in a daze.

“…It is endless.”

“What’s endless?”

“I thought if I filled the sea with grass, it would be Bloden’s garden.”

Lilia was somewhat in agreement. Sometimes it was frustrating because it takes a long time to get to the gate of the mansion.

“But I’m glad the house is in the middle of the garden. If it was built at the end, it would have taken twice as long.”

Tession gave up with Lilia’s reply.

And Karhan opened his mouth for the first time.

“Thank you for inviting me.”

Karhan held out a bouquet of flowers in his hand. Lilia received the bouquet that was neither big nor small.

“Thank you. Wasn’t it too sudden?”

“It’s all right.”

“I tried to stop it somehow…”

Lilia tried to stop the family, but this time they didn’t back down. Now she wanted them to see with their own eyes that Karhan was a decent man.

It reminded her of the time when she introduced Richard before.

It was almost an interrogation.

Even the eloquent Richard had to return with a defeated face. Since then, Richard hadn’t done anything to Bloden.

“Come on in.”

Lilia took her step first, and Tession looked around.

“Anyway, those two…”

As if he had already become acquainted with them, Tession was naturally looking for Franchse and Malik.

“They’re probably practicing swordsmanship on the training ground.”

“I see.”

“Shall I call them?”

“No. I can’t interfere with their practice.”

Tession politely declined saying it was okay.

Lilia, Karhan and Tession passed through the door of the mansion.

Karhan’s shoulders stiffened slightly at the enormous size of the porch.

“Oh, my parents and my brother haven’t come back yet, would you like to take a look around the house in the meantime?”

At Lilia’s suggestion, Karhan and Tession nodded their heads.

Lilia started walking slowly down the hallway.

Tession, who looked around, admired the masterpiece hanging on the wall. For him, who was interested in art, the Bloden Mansion looked more impressive than any other art museum.

“Oh, this painting is famous.”

Tession looked at a picture and stopped for a moment.

“It’s in our house too.”

It was a portrait of a smiling woman.

This painting was painted by Sigris, a genius painter hundreds of years ago, it was so famous that even counterfeits had been sold out.

Among them, this painting appeared to be a particularly elaborate imitation.

“Yes? I didn’t know that Sigris painted the same picture twice.”

“……Is it authentic?!”

Tession, shocked, asked with an excited voice.

“My father was very interested in art.”

“Oh my god…….”

It would take hundreds of thousands of Kroel for that one painting, Tession thought.

Karhan’s expression darkened as he listened to the two of them.

Tession, who came to his senses late, slapped himself on the mouth.

Their spirit had already passed at the sight of the tremendous garden that it couldn’t be killed any more.

“The Duke of Evantheon has a lot of great art.”

To raise the flag of Karhan, Tession worked tirelessly. However, comparing one’s wealth in front of the Bloden family was nothing less than having a wrinkle on the surface of a chrysalis.

Eventually, Tession shut his mouth.

Karhan and Tession, who were looking around the house, couldn’t concentrate on the splendor of the Bloden mansion.

Stone statues carved from gemstones, greenhouse gardens, rooms plastered with gold, and large libraries like the National Library.

Instead of a mansion, it definitely felt more like a trip.

Lilia, who had been showing them around for a while, finally brought up the reason why she called Karhan earlier than she had promised.

“Before I introduce my family, there is something I want to tell you.”

At this state, if Karhan and her family meet now…it would be a little difficult.

Lilia, contemplating on what to say, spoke up.

“My family is a little…We have a special personality.”

Seeing Karhan already nervous, Lilia felt sorry for him.

“My mother is strict enough to be nicknamed the Iron-Blood Woman…while my father is more comfortable to be with. He likes to talk about art.”

Lilia briefly described the family.

“My brother and I don’t get along well, so I think we should be especially careful. It wasn’t like that in the past, but these days, his tone was a bit sharper…”

“……I will keep that in mind.”

“When they ask, I’ll answer as many questions as I can.”

Karhan was a little relieved.

“Miss!”

A servant came running from afar.

“Everyone is waiting.”

Her parents and Heinley had returned.

Lilia glanced at Karhan.

His eyes had lost focus and were trembling.

‘If I tell him not to be nervous, he’ll be more nervous.’

Lilia thought she shouldn’t say anything.

The three walked along with the servant.

And when she arrived in front of a room, Lilia stopped.

“Are you sure it’s here…?”

Lilia had an unusually bewildered look.

Karhan and Tession wondered why Lilia was reacting like that.

“Don’t be too surprised.”