I suddenly felt more nervous. His laughter reminded me of something unpleasant. Indeed, for some reason, Duke Arganus's presence was strikingly similar to that of my uncle in America.
My uncle was a war veteran who often joked with the same hearty laughter. Despite his friendliness, there was always a hint of intimidation behind his booming voice, as if he could read minds and judge intentions just by looking into someone's eyes. Duke Arganus seemed to possess a similar aura — behind his amiability and laughter lay the strength and vigilance of a true warrior.
As his laughter subsided, Duke Arganus looked at me with a softer yet still authoritative gaze. Seeing my tense demeanor, he sighed. "Come now, young man, no need to be so uptight," he said in a slightly relaxed tone.
