4. New Family

The man in front of Rose, who is now her legal husband, sat casually, as if unconcerned by the circumstance. Robin reclined back on the sofa, his right arm resting on the armrest, and looked at Poppy with calm yet observant eyes.

“My grandfather, Dante Luciano, wants us to stay at his house for one week,” he stated, breaking the silence.

Poppy raised her head, looking at Robin with a puzzled expression. “At his house?” she asked hesitantly.

Robin gave a nod. “He wants to ensure that this marriage meets his expectations. Dante is a man who seeks certainty at all costs, and I'm sure he'll be keeping an eye on you from now on.”

Poppy gazed down, her fingers squeezing together. “I understand.”

Robin leaned forward slightly and focused more intently on Poppy. “Don’t worry. Your job is just to play our role. Make sure you comply with our agreement. There’s nothing to be afraid of if you do it well.”

Poppy nodded lightly. Despite the fact that her heart was still racing with anxiety, she tried to take it easy. However, a new question sprang to her thoughts. What is Dante Luciano's personality like?

Robin, as usual, looked uninterested. He rose up calmly and returned to his desk, gathering a few more documents before returning his gaze to Poppy. “We're leaving this afternoon. Prepare yourself,” he added shortly before continuing to his task.

Poppy can only take heavy breaths. Her new life as Robin Luciano's wife turned out to be much more complicated than she thought.

***

Robin and Poppy arrived at Dante Luciano's mansion. Dante's house stands out for its classical style of construction. The enormous pillars stood sturdy along the terrace, and the light from the crystal chandeliers inside shone through the large glass windows, forming an almost terrifying figure.

Poppy swallowed and clutched her own fingers to relieve the nervousness that was holding her. Robin's steps next to her sounded calm, as if he were unaffected by the tense atmosphere at his grandfather's house.

Robin hadn't said anything since they got out of the car. He just led with a cold and confident gesture.

When they entered the main hall, Dante Luciano was already there. The old man sat in a large chair with a determined attitude, despite the fact that his age was clear. His face was filled with authority, and his eyes appeared to be able to read the thoughts of anyone standing in front of him.

“Welcome, Robin,” Dante said, his voice heavy with power that Poppy couldn't ignore. His attention turned to Poppy, and his lips twisted into a slight smile, though his eyes remained rigid. “You are, of course, Poppy, right? My grandson's wife, nice to meet you.”

Poppy immediately bowed her body slightly. “Thank you for welcoming me, Mr. Dante,” she replied in a soft voice, attempting to seem courteous despite his hammering pulse.

Dante laughed softly, sounding formal rather than warm. “Call me Grandpa, just like Robin did. You are now a member of our family.”

His smile persisted, but his gaze was still sharp. His words were pleasant, but his tone made Poppy feel as if she was being tested.

“I'm glad Robin finally had a woman in his life,” Dante said, glancing at his grandson. “This is unusual for him. I mean, he doesn't want to marry before. You must be very special to him.”

Robin did not respond, instead nodding slightly without expression. He stood peacefully behind Poppy, not taking a single moment to express himself in front of his grandfather.

“We appreciate your invitation to stay here, Grandpa,” Robin finally said, his voice low and frigid.

Dante nodded, carefully rising from his seat. “Of course. You must be exhausted after such a long journey. Your room has been prepared.”

Poppy bowed to Dante, expressing her gratitude and respect for the house's owner.

Dante looked at her again, this time with a slightly nicer smile, but Poppy could tell there was an inevitable sharp observation behind it. “Poppy, I hope you feel at home here. Consider this home to be your own.”

However, Poppy believed that every Dante word had more than just a kind greeting. Dante seemed to have suspicions that would continue to bother her.

Poppy Dan Robin then left the hall and walked through the long corridor. She took a quick peek at Robin. Her spouse stayed quiet. His face was hard, like a statue, and showed no emotion.

“Grandpa...” Poppy attempting to break the silence. “He looks friendly, but why do I feel he is so terrifying?”

Robin gave her a quick glance but did not answer immediately. He paused a few seconds before responding in a cold tone, “Be careful of him. Dante is a dangerous man.”