After dragging his feet for half an hour, Florent finally caught sight of the villa named Melanie...
This villa was reportedly named after a socialite, Madame Melanie, who had stirred up quite a storm in Trier about twenty years ago. The villa had been her residence.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans, and Madame Melanie passed away in an accident...
Her family, grief-stricken, sold off the villa and its furnishings, and it was eventually purchased by an unknown wealthy merchant.
As time passed, long after Madame Melanie's death, the villa's owner failed to generate any noteworthy news, and the villa gradually faded into obscurity.
It was clear that the ultimate ownership of the villa now lay with Levi Crow...
However, in the decade or so since its purchase, no one had ever discussed how the now-thriving Mr. Crow had acquired the once-legendary Madame Melanie's residence.
What was even more intriguing was that the anonymous merchant who had initially purchased the villa with an exorbitant sum of cash was not Levi himself.
Rumor had it that the merchant eventually went bankrupt, and the villa changed hands several times before the gossipmongers lost interest in what they deemed an unlucky property.
In reality, the villa had always remained in Levi Crow's possession. Yet, those who sought to uncover more about the villa never discovered its true owner, not even the wealthy and noble figures who were closely associated with Levi.
This alone spoke volumes about the shrewdness of this Abraham family member who thrived in the cutthroat world of business.
Florent didn't want to delve into how Levi had managed to deceive all those involved...
But whenever Martin mentioned the matter, he always wore a mysterious smile, refusing to elaborate no matter how much Florent pressed him.
Because of this, Florent had never underestimated Levi, the head of the Abraham family in Trier, who was said to have devoted all his energy to business while neglecting his mystical studies.
As his thoughts churned, he gradually approached the front of Melanie Villa.
The large villa before him didn't appear particularly grand, bearing only a sense of historical wear and tear. This was a stark contrast to the previous locations of the family gatherings, which had always been in opulent mansions that left one breathless.
This time however, the venue was surprisingly modest, unlike the style one would expect from a business tycoon.
By now, the sweat on Florent's body had dried in the breeze, and his breathing had steadied...
Maintaining a calm expression, he walked up to the villa at a normal pace and knocked on the door of the seemingly long-slumbering mansion.
A soft, hurried set of footsteps echoed from inside the villa.
As the sound grew closer, the door suddenly opened, revealing a maid who hadn't even fully stood still before speaking, "Hello, may I ask who you are?"
Florent looked at the charming young woman before him, who exuded a delicate, refined aura...
For a moment, his heart stirred, but he quickly suppressed any wandering thoughts, 'As expected of a wealthy household,' he mused..
"Ah, hello. I am the 'Traveler', here to attend the gathering hosted by the 'Astrologer'." Florent belatedly replied.
The beautiful maid didn't seem to mind Florent's momentary distraction...
Instead, she smiled understandingly and said, "Ah, I see. Your name is on my master's guest list. Please follow me."
Florent, still somewhat distracted, felt the need to say something and blurted out, "Miss Maid, you are truly beautiful. May I know your name? And where are we headed?"
The maid chuckled softly, "Mr. 'Traveler', you flatter me. My name is Hedelin Nolan, and I am my master's personal maid at this estate. We are heading to the dressing room to change into your attire and put on your mask... I've heard that you are a regular guest at my master's gatherings... How could you have forgotten? May I know your name?"
Florent could only offer an awkward smile but still refused to reveal his name, "Let's keep it a mystery for now. A little secrecy brings people closer, don't you think?"
Uncomfortable, Florent turned his head slightly, his mind racing...
Typically, a male host would only have a personal male servant, but it seemed Mr. Crow had chosen a personal maid instead.
'Intis is indeed more open-minded than Loen in this regard,' he thought.
When they reached the dressing room, Hedelin smiled and bid him farewell, explaining that she needed to return to the entrance to greet other guests. The rest would be handled by the other servants.
Puzzled, Florent asked, "Why would a personal maid as close to the master as you be tasked with greeting guests? Isn't that beneath your station?"
Hedelin's sweet smile didn't waver as she replied, "Because I am a new addition to my master's staff and was immediately promoted to personal maid. I wanted to help my master with some tasks to prove myself and stop the other servants from gossiping about me behind my back."
Florent couldn't help but say, "You are truly a lady as beautiful in spirit as you are in appearance. If only I could..." He trailed off, suddenly feeling awkward.
Ever considerate, Hedelin didn't press further. She simply offered a comforting smile before turning to leave.
Florent watched her go, captivated for a long moment before reluctantly entering the dressing room.
As he donned the cloak and mask, his thoughts lingered on the charming woman who, while not breathtakingly beautiful, had certainly left an impression.
"That lady is truly unforgettable. If only... Wait, why am I thinking like this? I'm not usually so easily swayed by appearances... She's attractive, but not to the point of being irresistible. Could there be something unusual about her? I should mention this to Levi later..." he muttered.
Once dressed, Florent stepped out of the dressing room...
Before he could say anything, a male servant approached and said, "Please follow me. I will take you to the gathering room where my master is hosting the event."
Thankfully, this male servant didn't possess the same allure as Hedelin, so Florent didn't make a fool of himself in front of him. Reflecting on his earlier behavior, Florent inwardly scolded himself.
Quickly regaining his composure, Florent took in the sights of the villa that had once been the talk of the town twenty years ago...
The walls showed signs of wear, but the intricate murals and ornate chandeliers hinted at the extravagant tastes of its original owner.
The golden chandeliers reflected the candlelight, casting a warm glow, while the scent of burning candles filled the air, soothing Florent's mind.
In the silent walk, Florent finally arrived at a grand door adorned with agates, diamonds, pearls, and other dazzling gemstones...
...
{T/N: Well, at least bro does not have Gwababa...}