It was a lovely afternoon for many whom Marcus had employed for construction work.
Just a few days ago, a night after Marcus returned from the Ball, he had given the order to redirect most of the construction workers to focus on building a learning center.
A massive grey structure that spanned over sixty meters, and more than twenty feet tall loomed before hundreds of people.
Its walls had been plastered and smoothed with cement mix, giving it a grey finish.
As for its roofing, they used wood to construct it, creating a contrast in its wholesome stature.
Whether it was the farmers, slaves, or even others who had been loitering and moving about the premises of Marcus's estate, gathered in front of this structure.
Many of them were filled with disbelief.
"How was something like this built in just a few days?"
"Is it even stable? If a strong wind blows, won't it collapse?"
"I heard that the young lord ordered blacksmiths to make iron pillars for this structure."
Talks sprawled amidst the crowd.
Many of them had seen when the planning and digging for this structure had begun.
Never did they imagine that it would be completed in over a week.
Even Marcus felt a bit giddy looking at this building.
The power of manpower… he thought.
He too hadn't expected that this learning center would be built so fast.
Havard had told him that he had allocated way too many men in the construction of the building, but Marcus didn't listen.
"Milord, we built over ten lecture rooms, and forty small rooms. All that's left is the furnishing." Havard reported.
Marcus nodded, not really concerned about these details at the moment. The carpenters would handle that when the time came.
Currently, this could be dubbed the biggest project he had commissioned and was successful with.
"Big, quick, but soulless. Buildings meant for learning usually cause more thought." A voice that Marcus had found annoying for the last week, reached his ears.
The evaluation caused less frustration than the voice did to the young lord.
He looked to his side to see Veronica, standing with her arms folded over her chest with a look of scrutiny.
"Why haven't you left my estate? Haven't you gotten the memo that you're not a welcome guest?"
"Return my donation of two thousand coins and I'll leave." She looked back at him.
***
A few days ago.
Zach left Marcus's estate with Eddy and Sam, saying that they would send word to their families and backers about what they discussed.
Even pulling the Royal Council into this, however, they made no promises of what their response would be.
Ron decided to stay behind, saying that he had something to say to Marcus.
Marcus saw the rest of the students off.
"Young sir, Ron, what is it you want to speak to me about?"
Veronica leaned forward and stared at Marcus. "Lord Marcus," She began.
"Yes?" Calm and curious, Marcus waited.
"I wanted to ask you about what you said last night."
"Hmm, last night? Could you elaborate? I had a few drinks and was in a bad mood, so I can't recall last night's events in totality." Marcus chuckled.
"Why did you call me boy-girl?" She asked sternly.
"I did that? Wow, I just have been drunk, my apologies, young master."
"You seemed sober to me."
"I'm a good drinker."
"You didn't smell of alcohol," she retorted.
"I'm a good, light drinker. I had little to drink, that's why I didn't smell of alcohol."
"Are you messing around with me?" Veronica frowned, obviously annoyed. Marcus's smile seemed to be getting on her nerves.
"I have no interest in doing that, Sir Ron. So if you'll please, if you don't have anything valuable to say or contribute regarding the main objectives at stake, take your leave. I'm a busy man." He sighed, as though he was tired of talking to her.
What good will it do me to admit that I know that you're a girl? If your family has worked this hard to hide your identity, then my safety would be at risk the moment I admit that.
Be it deranged cultists or scions of Duchies, Marcus wanted to avoid them like a plague.
Veronica said nothing for a while.
"I want to make a donation." She finally said.
"Huh?"
His curiosity was aroused, but he remained cautious. Another donation out of nowhere, the world hasn't turned a new leaf and is suddenly generous.
"What do you mean?" Marcus asked.
"Didn't you receive a generous donation from Sir Maney?"
Marcus's brows twitched, but he maintained his smile. From what he knew, only he and a few other people were aware of who his anonymous donor was.
She must have investigated me before coming here.
"I did receive a donation," Marcus said.
"From Sir Maney."
"That, I don't know about." He denied firmly.
Veronica sneered.
"A thousand gold coins, and you let me stay in your estate until we're done with this assignment."
Marcus didn't seem to hear the rest of the statement, or rather, he heard but everything after the thousand gold coins didn't register.
He quickly adjusted himself, "Two thousand."
"Deal," Veronica said.
"Huh?" Marcus didn't seem to know what he had just agreed to. His mind slowly arranged the information and came to a realization.
"You don't need to provide accommodations for me, as a man, there's no better place to lay my head than the wilderness."
Whom are you trying to fool, yourself?
"Unfortunately, I'm less of a man than you are, even though I'm older than you." He sighed dramatically.
"Hmph! Then walk around wearing a gown." Picking up on his sarcasm, Veronica stood up and began walking away.
Unintentionally, Marcus's eyes were trained on trying to look for flaws in her illusion, making it seem like he was checking her backside out.
As Veronica reached the door, she paused and turned around.
She could feel his eyes on her.
"I occasionally blind perverts, be warned."
Marcus maintained his smile as she left the parlor.
I knew it! This girl is crazy!
Over the days, she had occasionally disturbed him, annoying Marcus to no end.
But there was nothing he could do as he had accepted her donation…
***
Present day.
"Milord," Havard called out, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Yes?"
"We can go in now if you want to." He mentioned this because he could see the satisfaction within the young lord's gaze.
"Sure, let's go."
Let's just continue to ignore her. She'll leave once she's bored.