"A writer?" Audrey observed Gleylint's reaction, asking seemingly casually.
The next topic was a normal one, so she didn't avoid speaking in front of her personal maid, Anne, who was accompanying them.
Gleylint straightened his body and chuckled.
"Yes, I think you must have read her work. 'The Storm of the Mountain Manor' has been widely praised for the past two months."
"I like the book, especially the calm Lady Cici." Audrey replied with a light smile.
At the same time, she rolled her eyes at her own hypocrisy internally.
This was because her recent hobby wasn't novels at all. Her progress on 'The Storm of the Mountain Manor' had been stuck at the one-third mark for almost a month now.
Ever since she joined the
Viscount Gleylint led Audrey towards the living room furnished with sofas, smiling broadly as he spoke.
"Then I'm sure you'll have a good impression of Miss
"Also, my dear Miss Audrey, will you play the piano for us later? It would be the best praise for literature, for the novel."
Audrey looked at Gleylint's profile, sensing a desire to show off from his expression, tone, and certain body movements.
*He wants me to be someone he can show off…* Audrey thought, as if meeting this old friend for the first time.
She maintained an elegant smile.
"My music teacher, the pianist Mr. Vicarnal, believes my recent level has dropped significantly and requires more practice."
"Alright." Gleylint was about to say something else when he suddenly saw a lady fetching dessert from the long table. "Audrey, this is Miss Fors Wall, the author of 'The Storm of the Mountain Manor'."
Audrey looked up and saw that Miss Fors was around twenty-three or twenty-four, about 1.65 meters tall. She wore a cream-colored, stand-up collar dress with ruffles, her brown hair slightly curled and draped down, and her light blue eyes turned over due to Gleylint's introduction, carrying a hint of mockery and amusement in her smile.
In just a three-second observation, Audrey noticed many small details: "Miss Fors's fingers have yellowed marks… she likes roll-up cigarettes…"
"There's a distinct callus on the spot where she holds a pen, which fits her identity as an author…"
"Her arm movements show she has considerable strength. This isn't a characteristic an author should have, unless she loves exercising, or was born this way, or perhaps once worked in another profession…"
"Her 'Storm of the Mountain Manor' presents a style of calm, rationality, and precision, which should be related to her previous profession…"
"Her current expression and eyes are very relaxed, with a feeling of looking down on me and Gleylint. Is this the psychological advantage a Beyonder has over ordinary people?"
"If she just randomly got discovered as a Beyonder by Gleylint, she would surely have some nervousness and anxiety, since she couldn't guess the other party's reaction and the subsequent developments. The unknown brings fear."
"…This means she actively approached Gleylint and already knew about our hobbies beforehand, having some control over what happens next…"
"Why would a Beyonder actively approach Gleylint? Needing financial support? Or extraordinary materials kept in a vault? Or is there something she wants help with…"
At this moment, Gleylint was introducing to Fors: "Miss, this is Miss Audrey I mentioned. She is the most dazzling gem in
"Good afternoon, Miss Fors. Your 'Storm of the Mountain Manor' is still by my bedside." Audrey gave a perfect curtsy according to noble etiquette.
Then, she silently added in her mind: *That's because I haven't finished reading it in a month…* Fors simply returned the greeting.
"Good afternoon, Miss Audrey. Your beauty truly makes a deep impression on me. I think I already have the material for my next novel. Ah, Viscount Gleylint also praised your outstanding musical talent."
In public, the two only exchanged a few pleasantries, not saying much else.
Watching Fors continue towards the dining table, her goal clearly a small cream cake, Audrey withdrew her gaze and followed Gleylint to the living room.
She recalled all the details she had just observed, trying to accurately grasp the other's thoughts, thus gaining the initiative for future contact.
Audrey stepped forward, cold and detached like an impartial observer, but she stepped on the hem of her dress. Her body wobbled, almost falling.
At that moment, her personal maid Anne, who was prepared for this, caught her, saving her perfect image.
"Miss, the unique design of this dress requires you not to walk too fast." Anne leaned into Audrey's ear and lowered her voice to remind her.
"I know." Audrey nodded, her face red.
*I was just too focused on observing others and forgot to watch my step…* She complained unjustly in her heart.
During the salon that followed, Audrey faced the enthusiastic writers, critics, and musicians, always maintaining an elegant and sweet smile.
Finally, feeling her cheek muscles starting to ache, she received a signal from Viscount Gleylint.
After waiting a few minutes, using the excuse of going to the restroom, she lifted her skirt, slowly stood up, and left the salon.
Confirming that no one was watching her anymore, she circled around to the study on the first floor and said to her personal maid Anne: "I need to discuss something with Gleylint. Guard the door and don't let anyone else in."