"Why a charity shop?" Rune asked in puzzlement.

Rose cleared her throat. "Usually items that don't sell in stores are donated to a charity shop or sold through discount stores for people to buy cheaply. That's why we can get the same item for a low price."

Rune laughed too at Rose's explanation. Ah ... that's right.

He didn't think that way. He was just happy to be able to wear clothes similar to Rose so that they looked like a couple.

"I don't mind," said the young man lightly.

Rose nodded. "Very well. If you are not ashamed, I will not be ashamed either."

She then pulled Rune's hand to walk following her down from the second floor. The young man was of course very happy.

It's really very nice to be in Rose's country. Since his status here was as the girl's boyfriend, of course, Rose will always act affectionate with him.

They then walked hand in hand down the corridor on the second floor and down to the living room.

Rose took Rune to the side of the house and found her mother waiting for them on a pretty terrace decorated with lots of potted greenery, overlooking a large garden with a massive lawn.

On the terrace, there was a beautiful wooden table with several rattan sofas that had light blue cushions that looked very comfortable.

On the table, there was a teapot and three cups, as well as several plates of beautifully arranged pastries. Duchess Fournier's face beamed when she saw them coming.

She invited the two of them to sit on her left and right. Rune and Rose looked at each other then smiled and sat down.

Rune nodded. "I've been resting, Your Grace. Thank you for providing a very comfortable room."

"Ahh .. do not call me Your Grace. Just call me Ma'am," said Duchess Fournier kindly.

Rune was pleased that Rose's mother was very friendly to him. He felt this was a very good start.

At first, he thought that as a woman from the upper classes, Duchess Fournier would act stiff or at least appear classy.

He heard from Rose how her mother from the beginning forbade Rose to fall in love with Leon because she thought that man was not equal to Rose, who was a Duke's daughter.

This caused Rune to have negative expectations for Duchess Fournier. He was ready to be ignored, or judged by the woman.

But it turns out, from the first time they met, the woman was warm and friendly to him. Duchess Fournier really looked like her daughter, both in appearance and personality.

"Uhm ... okay, Ma'am," said the man with a shy smile. He thought Duchess Fournier would be a very lovely mother-in-law.

Duchess Fournier stared at the two alternately and then offered them a drink. "Would you like tea or coffee? I said earlier that this was tea, but actually, we can also provide coffee if you want."

Rune shook his head and chuckled. "I love tea, Ma'am. Thank you. Let me pour it for us."

He volunteered to pour them tea. Duchess Fournier nodded and invited Rune to pour tea.

The young man did so with impeccable manners. He poured tea for the three of them, then handed the cups to Duchess Fournier and Rose with respect.

He then took his own cup and sat down to enjoy his tea.

"Thank you for pouring tea for us," said Duchess Fournier kindly. "Please have a drink."

"This tea is delicious," Rune commented after he took a sip of the tea.

"Ah ... this tea is indeed special," said Duchess Fournier. "We ordered it straight from Bhutan."

"Ah, really?" Rune knew that in Bhutan there was a very exclusive tea-producing company. This tea grown in the mountains of Bhutan had a very special taste and was very expensive.

Rune's mother also used to drinking this tea so Rune knew exactly what tea Duchess Fournier meant. But the young man pretended not to understand and just nodded.

Ufff.. it was not easy to be a poor person, Rune thought inwardly. So far, he had had little trouble pretending to be poor in front of Rose because she lived a relatively modest lifestyle in New York City.

But the situation became more difficult when Rune followed her to Medion because it turned out that he had to deal with the lavish lifestyle of the high-class people.

He became caught in the middle between trying to act like a poor guy who was not used to a luxurious lifestyle, or acting casual and presenting himself well among the rich people around Rose.

One thing for sure, Rune didn't want to embarrass Rose. Therefore he always tried to maintain his attitude in front of others, especially Rose's family who mattered the most to him since their approval was that he needed to enter into their family.

"Yes, this tea is very special," said Duchess Fournier as she raised her glass to her lips and closed her eyes sipping the fragrance of the tea.

Seeing Duchess Fournier enjoying her tea in such a manner, Rune became reminded of her mother.

Ah, he thought that if Finland Schneider and Duchess Fournier met, they would be able to get along very well because they had so much in common.

He then took up his cup and enjoyed the delicious tea. After the initial pleasantries, finally, they arrived at an important moment which became their main goal of having this tea together.

"Is this your first time visiting Medion?" asked Duchess Fournier to Rune attentively.

Rune nodded. "Yes, Ma'am."