The villa had stone walls and iron gates.
The ground was paved with flagstones, so even when it rained, it would not **.
Exquisite sculptures stood in the garden. Generally speaking, nobles all possessed such sculptures, accumulated bit by bit over several centuries.
But now, these had all been sent by others, either as congratulations or praise.
Naturally, every one of those sculptures had been inspected.
Romon passed through absentmindedly, ignoring the saluting guards. Only upon entering his study did he give an order. "I have matters to attend to. Unless it is something major, do not disturb me!"
"Yes, my lord!"
After the steward withdrew, Romon sat down in a wicker chair. A small table stood beside him, directly before the window, and the brilliant afternoon sunlight streamed in.
Several documents lay on the small table, which he had originally planned to review that afternoon.
But at that moment, Romon had no mind for any of them.
The setting sun shone. It was early June, and winged insects and birds flew outside, while the room itself remained utterly still.
Now that he had calmed down, an indescribable feeling rose within Romon.
There was terror, and there was joy as well.
With his sighs and contemplation, time passed minute by minute.
"I wish to see the lord!" A man dressed as a clerk spoke to a servant of the estate. "I have intelligence that Lord Nick ordered delivered with all speed."
"Wait here. I'll report to the steward and the master!" Having heard this, the servant turned and ran into the house.
The servant hurried back, passed through the corridor, and first came before the steward.
This steward had been personally selected by Eileen. He appeared to be around forty and retained a faint air of nobility. He wore