The carriage screeched to a stop right in front of them.

The butler opened the door, and soon after, a foot touched the ground. The person had short black hair with light blue strands and golden eyes.

He was of the same height as Leon.

"Yaaaaawwwnnn, my back still hurts," he said lazily, stretching his arms upward.

Another foot landed behind him, the same height, but with long black hair with blue strands and golden eyes.

As she stepped out, she first brushed her hair behind her ears before she opened her eyes.

For the time being, her eyes first met Leon's, then shifted to Veronica and the others.

She bowed her head in etiquette.

"It is an honor to see you after so long."

Her way of presenting herself was flawless. Even Veronica was taken aback.

"Ohh, Layla dear, you have grown taller," Ezra praised her.

Seeing her getting praised, her brother followed right after.

"It is an honor to see you all, and Lady Ezra looks as beautiful as ever."

"Oh dear, Ren. It is good to see you."

Leon looked at the two of them quietly.

Ren and Layla Valentine.

Children of his uncle.

The famous twins who were praised nonstop when they visited during his childhood.

From another carriage, his uncle and his wife stepped out.

The man looked like an exact copy of Orion Valentine, the duke, and the lady next to him seemed to be a foreigner. Blue hair, blue eyes, she looked nothing like a citizen of Liora.

Rowan stepped forward to greet them first. He simply nodded, raising his hand.

Ren nodded back in the same manner.

'Ah, looks like someone got along well.'

Layla smiled at Rowan, but her eyes shifted again to Leon.

She walked directly toward him.

"It truly has been a long time, Leon," she said.

'Hm? What?' Leon was startled. 'Was she talking to me?'

Leon just nodded back. "It has. How have you been?"

"Never been much better," she replied. Her smile brightened.

Ren approached next. He glanced at Leon from head to toe.

"Heard you ranked second. Is that true, or are my ears bugging?"

Leon waited for sarcasm, but Ren's tone was flat.

The kind of flat that meant he was grinding his teeth under it.

Layla watched quietly.

Ren added, "You were nothing when we last met."

Leon's expression remained unchanged. "People can change."

"That fast?" Ren muttered. "Or did someone push you there?"

Leon almost smiled.

'Ah. So Rowan wasn't the only one who thought like that.'

Layla stepped forward slightly, her gaze sharp at her twin brother.

"Ren. Do not speak nonsense here."

Ren clicked his tongue and looked away.

Layla grinned at Leon.

She brushed her hair behind her ear before lifting her gaze.

Her eyes first landed on Veronica.

She immediately stepped forward, placed one hand over her chest, and bowed properly.

"It is an honor to greet the Head of Calamity Tower. Lady Veronica, it has been far too long."

Veronica nodded lightly. "It has. You have grown beautiful."

Seeing that, Ren finally stepped forward.

"It is an honor, Lady Veronica."

Veronica did not respond. She did not even look at him.

Ren's hand remained over his chest for several seconds, waiting for acknowledgement that never came.

Leon noticed it. He held his laughter.

'Oh god… she is brutal.'

Leon watched Ren's face stiffen.

'Ah… is it because he mocked me?'

Veronica finally turned her head toward Layla instead.

"I hope the journey was not too exhausting," she said.

Completely skipping Ren.

Layla bowed once more. "Thank you. The weather was kind."

Ren dropped his hand slowly. His expression remained calm, but the faint twitch at the corner of his eye gave him away.

Leon almost felt bad for him. Almost.

Ren stepped back into place beside Layla without saying another word.

Veronica moved past them and spoke to the duke.

"Shall we head inside."

The duke nodded, raising his hand to signal the servants.

As everyone began walking in, Leon felt a tug at his sleeve.

He looked to the side.

It was Layla.

Her voice was quiet enough that only he could hear.

"Do not mind Ren."

Leon blinked.

Layla continued, her tone soft.

"He remembers the last time we were here. You cried when he pushed you into the pond. He has convinced himself that you have always been below him."

'The hell is she spouting?' Leon blinked.

He had no such memories.

Was Layla close with the old Leon?

Leon stared at her for a moment.

"That was several years ago," he said.

Layla smiled gently.

"For some people, several years is not long enough to grow up."

Leon almost laughed.

'Hahaha, I like this girl.'

"You have changed a lot," she suddenly stated.

Leon looked at her. "Is that so?"

She nodded.

"Back then, you never looked anyone in the eye. You always stared at the floor. I thought you disliked people."

'Was I seriously like that?'

"I did," Leon replied.

Layla laughed quietly. "And now, do you still hate them?"

"I still do," he said without hesitation.

Layla covered her mouth to hide a smile. "Yet you are kinder than most. You are different from the others here."

'Alright, I take back my words, she's weird.'

Leon did not respond.

Layla continued. "When we were children, I thought you were easy to read. But now, I cannot tell what you are thinking at all. It is a bit lonely."

Leon glanced at her. "Lonely?"

She nodded lightly. "It means you grew on your own. Without needing anyone."

Leon paused mid-step.

Layla turned to face him. Her expression was gentle.

"So I am glad to see you again," she said.

Leon looked at her for a moment. "…I see."

Layla smiled, her eyes curving softly.

"Do not misunderstand. I am not saying I missed you or anything," she added.

Layla let go of his sleeve and walked ahead to join Veronica and his mother.

Leon froze. 'The hell. Did she say that. Wow, she fell in that category.'

Ren walked a few steps in front of him.

Their eyes did not meet.

'This visit is going to be a headache,' Leon thought.

He placed his hands in his pockets.

'But I will enjoy it.'

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