"It has been a while. Father."

For a moment, the courtyard stayed silent.

The maids and knights lowered their eyes, careful not to meet Leon's gaze. The Duke stood in front of him, hands behind his back, his expression unreadable as he looked at his son.

Everyone in the Dukedom already knew about Leon's achievement. Ranked second in Eclipse. It was a position that should never be taken lightly.

Rowan, who was ranked fifth in his third year, had once been praised as the pride of the family. Yet the one who had been dismissed as useless, talentless, unremarkable Leon, had surpassed him within only a month of awakening.

That's just absolutely monstrous.

Rank 2 meant he stood above two thousand students his age. Princes and princesses from foreign nations trained there, children of war heroes, descendants of old clans. To rise above all of them was something no one could ignore.

That was why none of the maids dared to raise their heads now.

If they did, they would remember the way they treated him before. The whispers, the quiet mockery. The way they looked at him like he was a burden to the family name.

Fear lingered beneath their obedience. Fear that the young master they had once scorned would now return that treatment.

Leon simply stood there, expressionless, meeting the duke's gaze without wavering slightly…

Leon had no interest in them.

But they did not know that.

Leon looked at his father waiting for him to say something, but the words that came out of his mouth were limited.

"I have been informed of your achievement in Eclipse."

This was what he had to say when he saw his son after so many days.

Leon almost laughed hearing this. But he kept it in.

'Still as cold as ever.' Leon thought.

Not even a single praise.

Leon inclined his head a fraction as just replied. "It was necessary."

To his reply, the duke simply looked at Leon and said.

"I see."

His tone did not carry praise. It was the kind of response one would give to a report, and not to a son.

The Duke turned slightly toward the manor doors.

"You may settle your belongings in your old room. Your uncle and cousins will be here anytime soon."

The servants froze.

Even Myra's eyes shifted slightly.

Even after all that, the duke refused to acknowledge the young master.

What kind of sick father does that?

As the duke went inside, only Leon's mother was left standing.

Leon sighed, then finally glanced at his mother and greeted her next.

He lightly held the moonblade with one hand and bent his torso slightly before bowing.

"Thank you for inviting me today, mother."

Leon didn't like doing it, but he had no other option. He doesn't want to cause unnecessary drama.

Myra had instructed him beforehand to follow the proper greeting phase in case he had forgotten. First greet the duke, then the duchess.

"Welcome Leon." She said, gesturing to him to raise, "any trouble coming here?"

Leon's eye twitched. He recalled the time he had dinner with her along with Alice. That night was an absolute disaster. The entire time she was drunk she kept on spouting nonsense.

She even gave Alice a headache.

"Not at all mother, the carriage you sent was perfect."

Leon forced himself in a normal talk with her. He knows deep down that her sudden change of attitude was because she now sees him as another tool in her political game.

Ezra nodded once, almost pleased at his polite reply.

"That is good."

Her eyes shifted to Myra.

Myra stepped forward and bent slightly. "It has been a while, Lady Ezra."

Ezra acknowledged her with a small nod.

Leon caught her glance and spoke first.

"I brought her along today. You do not mind, do you?"

Ezra's expression remained the same.

"Not at all. She was assigned to you. Where you go, she goes."

Leon nodded once. There was nothing more to say, so he proceeded to instruct Myra to take his belongings, or so he thought.

"How is Alice?"

Ezra's voice broke his stance. Leon's shoulders stiffened, but his expression remained cool.

Myra, noticing, glanced at him.

'So the rose incident reached her.'

Leon kept his tone even.

"She is well."

Ezra clicked her tongue lightly.

"I see. I heard you two have been spending quite a bit of time together."

"..."

'Alcie was right… She is a bitch.'

Leon didn't reply, so Ezra continued anyway.

"I was planning to visit Duke Raizen about her hand."

She dropped this sentence with a casual tone, as if she were discussing the weather.

'Ah, look at her…'

Myra almost stepped back.

Ezra was not joking, her expression was serious.

Leon spoke immediately. "Mother… do not."

Ezra raised one eyebrow, just slightly.

"It was only a consideration. You are of age, she is of age. And you two seem to get along well enough."

Leon stared at her.

Alice Nightson, in this house, was a disaster waiting to happen. Her personality alone would turn breakfast into a battlefield.

Ezra knew that.

Which meant she was not actually proposing anything.

She was testing his reaction.

If that's the case then, Leon will just have to decline.

"We are not in that kind of relationship."

Ezra hummed thoughtfully.

"Hmmm…. That is what the two of you said the last time as well. Yet… I heard something interesting from Rowan."

Leon didn't show it, but his jaw almost dropped.

'That damn bastard.'

Ezra continued, watching him.

"He said you and Lady Nightson have been… active."

Leon's eye twitched.

'The hell type of shit he's discussing with his own mother?!'

Myra looked down, silent.

Ezra took a slow, casual breath, as if commenting on the weather.

"Well? Should I congratulate you?"

"..."

'Umm… did she seriously pull a sex joke in front of her son…'

Seeing his reaction, Ezra smiled faintly, a smile that held calculation not warmth.

"Relax. I am not accusing you of anything improper."

She paused for a moment, her gaze sharp.

"I was simply considering paying a visit to Duke Nightson. It has been a while. And discussions about… partnerships… can be held at any time."

Leon sighed, "Mother."

"What? I only said I was considering. Whether I take the step depends on you."

Leon stayed silent.

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