The Majestic Mansion
The Majestic Mansion
Rose didn't reply. She just smiled. Her mind was filled with her memories with Leon as soon as the car stopped in front of an enormous white gate.
Automatically, the gate opened and Mr. Rolland drove the car through the gate smoothly. The luxury car moved in and went along a fairly long road with lush trees on either side of it.
Rune could see how wealthy the Fournier family was. Their house was in the middle of the city, which must have been very expensive. However, the land it was built on was extremely big.
From the front gate to the mansion inside, their car had to pass a road that was almost 2 km long. Their land was so spacious. In front of the main building, Rune saw there was a huge garden that looked very well maintained.
The mansion itself looked like a small castle from hundreds of years ago. Really, very beautiful. As soon as the car stopped and Rune opened the door and stepped out of the car, he felt like he just walked to the past.
"This ... is beautiful," he commented to Rose. The girl smiled at Rune's admiration.
"Ahh ... it's okay. It's a house." She replied lightly.
Rose thought Rune's reaction was exaggerated much because the man had never come to a wealthy nobleman's house before, so he thought everything was beautiful and amazing, even though for Rose's standard everything was normal.
Rose didn't know that Rune was honest with his opinion just now. He had seen so many luxurious castles and historical buildings. He actually spent his childhood in a castle. So that his assessment was not biased.
However, he understood that he was currently pretending to be a poor man. Of course, Rose would think everything he said was exaggerated because he was never exposed to such wealth before.
Ahh ... that's the downside of pretending, thought Rune. He was forced to hold back and not talk about his experiences living in magnificent places.
Mr. Rolland took out their suitcases and signaled for Rune to follow Rose, who was already walking toward the main entrance.
"Please go in, sir. Let me take care of the luggage," said the driver, smiling broadly. He then raised his thumb as if giving Rune support.
Rune smiled broadly at the chauffeur. Ahh ... it's nice to have such support.
He hoped Rose's parents would also react the same and supported him with Rose.
"Come on, let's go in," said Rose as she watched Rune walk up to her. She waved and then pulled Rune's hand as soon as the man was within reach. "Welcome to the Fournier's Estate."
The huge white wooden doors opened to the left and right and revealed a huge living room that looked more like a hall, with luxurious furnishings that made Rune feel as if he had just entered a gallery.
The Fourniers was indeed a noble family that came from old money. This could be seen from the house size and classy design. Much like Rune's own homes.
"Your living room is enormous," said Rune. He suspected that this living room had been deliberately designed to be huge because the Fourniers were used to having parties.
His guess was correct.
"Well, we need it bigger because our family often entertains guests," Rose explained. "The living room downstairs is big enough to accommodate 200-300 guests in case of a big celebration. We welcome personal guests on the side terrace, also the living room to the right - near the library, or in the living room on the second floor."
Rose's expression looked very casual when she talked about their extraordinarily magnificent house with several types of living rooms for receiving guests.
The girl seemed to observe Rune and find out whether the man felt intimidated by her family's wealth or not.
Ahhh ... she felt relieved when she saw that Rune only nodded and smiled. He didn't look intimidated. This was really good!
This young man carried himself really well, she thought. Rose felt she had chosen the right man to be her fake boyfriend.
"Rose!!! You have arrived!"
From the white staircase in the middle of the majestic living room, an extraordinarily beautiful woman was walking downstairs with excited steps.
Rune stared at the woman and Rose alternately. Ahh ... this must be Duchess Fournier, he thought. This woman's face looked very similar to Rose's.
Her face was beautiful and she looked young for her age. She must be in her mid-forties or close to 50 now, but if she stood next to her daughter, people might think they were sisters.
Her silky blonde hair was cut in a bob style and made her look fresh and graceful.
"Mom!" exclaimed Rose, smiling broadly. She let go of Rune's hand and walked with long strides to meet her mother. "Hey, I miss you."
Duchess Fournier, who had already reached her daughter, immediately hugged Rose tightly. She kissed the girl's left and right cheeks then let her go and looked at her with a loving look.
"You rarely give any news. I am very worried," she said, patting her daughter on the shoulder. She then turned to Rune. The smile on her face disappeared into an expression full of curiosity. "Who is this?"
Rose stepped back and cleared her throat. "Ahem... This is Rune. He is my boyfriend..."
"Boyfriend?" Duchess Fournier was visibly surprised. She narrowed her eyes toward Rune, as if trying to look at the man better.
She then turned to Rose, as if asking with her eyes whether she misheard her or not. Rose smiled sheepishly and nodded. She walked over to Rune and held his hand affectionately.
"Mom, you heard me correctly. This is my boyfriend, Rune Schneider," said Rose with a smile. "We've been in a relationship for a few months and for the past month we've been living together in New York."
Duchess Fournier was stunned. "Oh ... really?"
"That's right, Mom..." Rose glanced at Rune and raised an eyebrow, trying to signal for the young man to introduce himself.
"Oh .. right. I fell in love with Rose the moment I saw her. She's a very nice girl. I hope our relationship will keep going strong until the day we can walk down the aisle," said the young man with a beaming face. "I love Rose, and I promise to protect her and make her happy forever."
Rose coughed when she heard Rune's blunt words. That's not what she wanted him to say, actually.
Rose just wanted Rune to introduce himself and briefly describe their meeting and how they could get into a relationship.
Before they flew to Medion, the two of them had practiced a scenario to tell Rose's family.
The plan was for them to tell that Rune and Rose met accidentally in Paris while Rose was living there, then they had a long-distance relationship as Rune traveled to various parts of the world for work, and Rose moved to New York.
It was only after they met again in New York that the two decided to live together. After getting into a serious relationship and living together, Rose decided that it was time to introduce Rune to her family.
However, the man confessed his love for her and even talk about going down the aisle? Gosh.
It's too fast, Rose could only complain inwardly.
"I think my mom wants to know about you and how we met," said the girl, pinching Rune in the arm.
"Oh ... that's right. You must want to know how we met," said Rune with a shy laugh. He then bowed respectfully to Duchess Fournier. "Uhm .. Your Grace, you can call me Rune."
Duchess Fournier saw the interaction between Rose and Rune and she had to admit that they looked good together. Her heart slowly softened.
She felt that her daughter had good taste physically. According to Duchess Fournier, Rune was very handsome, well-groomed, and well-mannered.
She now hoped that the young man also came from good family background and that they were a good match. She couldn't wait to hear all about Rune and how they met.
"Nice to meet you, Rune. About the introductions and the like ... I don't think it's too urgent," said Duchess Fournier with a smile. "You'd better get some rest now. The trip here must be tiring."