Chapter Text
Leilin Shan Solon walked out of the Imperial Palace in long strides with her head held high. She had left the crown prince as a drunk mess and officially ended their engagement and her family's sponsorship of him. In fact, Leilin was certain he wouldn't be the crown prince anymore in a few days. He would become nothing but a disgrace after today.
She smirked as she extended a hand to the coachman. "Back to the Candmione Estate," she ordered as the door slammed shut behind her.
Leilin fiddled with her gloved fingers throughout the rocky journey. She was thinking a few things through now, like what she was going to do now her initial business in the empire has ended. For one, she could stay here and start the business she had planned, or go home and start it there.
The young woman looked out the window longingly, watching the busy capital. The sun was setting, so the lamp posts were slowly turning on. The yellow-orange sky was a nice, comforting sight now, but Leilin still preferred the evening to it. The bustling streets and bright lights that she used to admire from her room were always so warm and lively at night. The people's spirit was always alive, even into the dead of night. Family and friends would celebrate 'til the sun rose and ended knocked out, exhausted and drunk, but happy.
Leilin rested her head in her right hand and sighed. She hadn't done that in a while. Party with friends and family, she meant. It had been years since she last spent a good amount of time home. Enough to party the night away, like before her engagement, at least.
Home.
She surely missed home.
Leilin had sent a few letters a few days back, one to her family and the rest to select friends, about her plans to cancel her engagement to the crown prince. They all replied that whatever she'd like to do, she'd receive their and the rest of their family's support. Her siblings kept saying that the empire wasn't that great anyway (Benjamin kept emphasizing the Solon Duchy was richer than them) which made Leilin laugh. She hadn't mentioned anything in her letters about returning home at the time, but she'd send one tonight. Only the Solons could really calm the black-haired woman down, and she needed that now. She missed their loudness, alcohol, and pranks that she was almost always the victim of.
She missed their chaos that brought her peace.
When the black-haired woman first arrived at the empire, she wasn't able to sleep well for the first few nights. She kept tossing and turning and felt like something was wrong. At first, Leilin passed it off as engagement jitters but, really, she was homesick. Even if it had been a while now and she managed to settle in at the Candmione Estate, Leilin still missed her family, and right now, she missed them most.
She'll go home, the girl decided, as the coach rattled noisily. She'd tell her uncle, pack her bags, and set off for the Vasilios Empire with Xavier in a few days. Leilin wanted him to meet her family, anyway. After everything she's told them about Xavi, they were eager to meet him, too, though Leilin made a mental note to keep him away from the Agriche side of the family, especially from her grandmother.
Last she heard, Benjamin was named the Junior Duke of Agriche since the current duke, Jeremy Agriche's direct successors didn't want it. There wasn't an official ceremony, just a ring passed down from heir to heir, like what the Solons do. Benjamin was off doing his "junior duke duties'' more often now so he and Lucas were staying out of trouble. Only because they weren't together of course, but still it was an improvement.
Lucas… huh. Leilin rested her head in her other hand. A different, blue-haired Lucas came to mind suddenly, accompanied by a certain knight and a noble. Leilin's eyebrows furrowed. Should she tell them, too? They were friends, weren't they? But aside from Barrard, she wasn't exactly sure where to find them as she's only met the other two by pure coincidences. The black-haired woman wasn't even sure Lucas resided at the information center now that he's "Viscount Heyres". Did the Heyres even have an estate? Maybe she'd send a letter there and then to the Knight's Office to invite them over for tea, then.
"My Lady, we've arrived at the Candmione Estate."
Leilin looked at the coachman, knocked out of her thinking. She fixed her dress as the door of the carriage opened. The coachman offered her his hand again which she gratefully accepted. Leilin looked around the luscious gardens, but noticed a few extra carriages to the side. As she squinted her eyes to look at the crest, they soon widened in surprise.
The last sunshine for the day illuminated the dark purple coat of arms of the Solon Duchy.
She couldn't be mistaken. Leilin grew up watching her mother carry flags with that symbol to the Martial Arts Festival. She had seen it on the silver ring she once tried stealing because she found it "pretty". She found it on the seal of every letter her mother had sent her.
That insignia could only belong to one house.
The black-haired woman's head turned to the door of the estate as she hurriedly picked up the hem of her dress and ran up the steps. A few maids called after her, asking her to slow down, but Leilin had already thrown the doors open. She came to a halt, her hand flying in front of her chest in shock.
In the middle of the room stood the Solon family. Her parents were talking to Duke Candmione alongside her siblings and beside the duke, Xavier. Everyone's heads turned to the sudden noise, then recognition dawned on them. Xavi ran to Leilin for a hug, but a young, black-haired girl had reached her first.
"Leilin!" Keira shouted, squeezing her older sister tight. Leilin wrapped her arms around her sister, taking in the scent of lavender.
She looked up to see Benjamin already walking towards her.
"I'm assuming you already broke up with that idiot," he said casually, wearing a smirk. "But I still want to beat him up for his mistreatment towards you."
Lucas crossed his arms beside him. His hair grew even longer compared to the last time Leilin saw him. "I can burn the empire down if you'd like. Wanna see?" he offered.
"You can do that next time," Leilin assured them as she broke away from Keira. The older girl extended her hand, signaling a pouting Xavi to hug her, while she was still looking at Benjamin. "Why don't we talk over dinner?" she asked, ruffling the shifter's hair.
"Surely," Duke Candmione happily agreed. "To the garden. Some fresh air would be nice to set the mood."
Leilin walked to the garden as Xavi huddled close to her side. Keira was walking beside her, looking curiously at the small shifter. Benjamin was slightly ahead of the two beside Lucas. The two boys were trailing behind Medea and Dion who were talking to Duke Candmione. As the servants opened the garden doors, Medea turned to her eldest daughter wearing a proud grin. Leilin, stunned, was not sure what to make of it, but she knew her mother was going to stir up something. Whether it would be good or bad was up to the gods, and may they have mercy on her mother's victims.
Leilin took a step outside and immediately caught the scent of the summer grass. The sun had now also set completely.
"These people say they are Leilin's family," Xavi suddenly mentioned. Leilin looked down at him, Keira also turned. "Is that true?"
"Yes," Leilin replied. "They're my family," she added, smiling. Leilin grabbed Keira's arm to show her off. "This is my youngest sister, Keira. Keira, this is Xavier."
Keira was slightly surprised by the quick tug, but then smiled. She had been curious since earlier. "Hello." She smiled. "Leilin's told us lots of things about you in her letters."
"Leilin tells others about me?" he asked, eyes growing wide.
"She does!" Keira nodded enthusiastically. "She tells us lots of good things about you."
Xavi looked at Leilin for confirmation to which the older girl nodded. He started beaming from ear-to-ear, as if proud that Leilin showed him off to her family. Leilin pointed at her siblings backs' and introduced them to Xavi. He didn't look too happy about Benjamin and Lucas, but after Leilin told him how much her family mattered to her and how she saw him as part of the family, he smiled.
That smile faded when Leilin told him to go play inside while they discussed matters at the gazebo.
"Does Leilin not want me there?" He pouted.
"It's nothing like that," she assured, stroking his hair. "It's just an adult conversation, so you can't be there."
Xavi looked like he was going to throw a tantrum which made Keira's eyes widen in panic, but Leilin knelt to face him and patted his head. "I'll get back to you immediately after, I promise you that. Can you promise me you'll behave?"
Xavi pouted. "But—"
"Can you do it for me?" Leilin asked.
Xavi hesitated, looking down. "Alright. I'll do it for Leilin."
Satisfied, Leilin opened her arms for a hug. Xavier held onto her tightly, as if he didn't want to let go in fear that she'd leave him forever if he did. By now, the rest of the family had stopped to look at the two. Lucas frowned at the sight, crossing his arms. Xavi glared at the magician, but Lucas only glared back, unfazed. Their brother may have gotten their father's eyes, but he got their mother's stare.
Xavi looked away, pouting. Leilin, startled by the sudden change in his mood, looked down at him in surprise, then glared at Lucas after realizing he was the cause. He raised his hands defensively.
The eldest Solon daughter finally stood up as Xavi left with Becky. Keira had run up to her father by now while Lucas stood beside Medea. Leilin rolled her eyes playfully. The Solon parents and their respective favorites. Benjamin stood behind, watching her. He was waiting for his sister.
"You missed me, didn't you?" Leilin asked, catching up to him. The two started walking. Benjamin's strides were longer than hers, but he tried slowing it down to match his sister.
The two oldest walked far behind their parents and other siblings. Leilin wondered if that was symbolic to how far apart they were from them. Especially her.
They were the Solon Duchy's "other kids" as described by others, but their opinion didn't really matter to the two. Benjamin and Leilin had each other. They were each other's favorite.
"Maybe just a little bit," Benjamin replied after a while, then he shrugged. "I missed stealing one shoe from your new pairs and watching you get frustrated over it." Leilin glared at her brother, but Benjamin only shrugged as he continued. "I tried doing it to Keira, but she chased me with her sword."
The young woman chuckled, noting she should start chasing him if he ever does it again instead of sending the entire household into a frenzy. Even the Callistas, who only came over for tea, ended up helping her search once. She looked down at the cobblestone path, rethinking her decisions. She was such a spoiled brat before. Thankfully, she wasn't anymore, but now she had to make it up to everyone at the duchy she's ever inconvenienced—which meant pretty much anyone who had the misfortune of working there.
"You deserved it," she said, looking ahead of them now. She could see the gazebo come into view. "Why don't you try that on mother?" she asked teasingly.
"And die? I'd rather not," he replied, chuckling. "Even Uncle Jeremy and all the Agriches won't be able to do anything against an angry Medea Solon. Perhaps Aunt Roxana, but other than that, they're done for."
"That is true." Leilin closed her eyes, nodding. "Congratulations on becoming Junior Duke of Agriche, by the way," she greeted, looking at the ring on his pinky.
There were rumors it was made of real human bones twisted, curved, and polished to form a circular band. Looking at it now, Leilin thought it must be. Leilin shivered slightly at the sight. She didn't even want to know the history of it. Knowing the Agriches, however, it must've been brutal.
She recomposed herself, putting on a confident air like usual. "I never thought you had it in you," she added playfully.
"Why do I feel like you mean the talent to become duke rather than the courage?" Benjamin narrowed his eyes.
"You were always an overconfident asshole, but only recently a responsible one."
"Didn't your business fail?"
"We don't talk about that!" Leilin whispered, losing her confident expression. She crossed her arms. "Also, I've been studying recently so that it doesn't happen again…" she added, her voice trailing off. "Neither Lucas or Keira want to become the next Head of Solon, right?" she questioned, her voice quiet.
"Yeah, because becoming the next Head of Solon will be even harder than becoming the Duke of Agriche. I got lucky on that one." Benjamin tilted his head sideways, studying his sister. "Do you plan on becoming the next Duchess Solon?"
"Well…" Leilin's voice faltered, looking away. It was a big responsibility and, since their childhood, she was described as the least talented of the Solon children, but, "I do," she answered with her full chest.
She wanted to succeed her mother.
And she'd rather not wear that bone ring if she could wear the Solon ancestral ring made of silver, like proper jewelry.
Benjamin cackled. "I didn't think you had it in you."
"The talent or the courage?" she echoed his words earlier.
"Both."
They reached the gazebo at last. It was an open, marble building decorated with what Leilin knew as real gold. Lanterns lit up the area and flowery vines snaked across its tall pillars. The sun was gone completely now and the sky turned a bluish-grey.
Like what Duke Candmione said, it did set the atmosphere. It was quiet, relaxing, and smelled of grass, though that added to its charm. There were only a few helpers around now, just there to set the table and serve them.
Leilin and her family sat down at a rectangular table. Duke Candmione sat at the head. To his right, Medea Solon and her husband, Dion. To his left, Leilin, Benjamin, Lucas, and Keira.
Medea stared at her eldest daughter for a bit which sent shivers down Leilin's spine. It didn't help that they were seated across from each other. When the Medea Solon stared at people, they would usually avoid eye contact. That was exactly what Leilin did. She stared at the tea cup being filled in front of her instead.
Despite being born from her, Medea Solon never failed to intimidate Leilin. She was brilliant, cruel, and powerful… She was an amazing head of house and fighter. Unbeatable, even. Leilin was far from good at both. The young woman raised her tea cup, though her hands shook a bit. Her mother was still staring.
"So," Medea started, turning to Duke Candmione and Leilin sighed in relief. Her father looked at her though, which made her almost choke on her tea. "Leilin," Medea turned to Leilin again (Leilin tensed even more), "you ended your engagement with the crown prince just this morning, am I right?"
"Yes, mother," she responded, forcing herself to relax as she put down the tea cup, its contents sloshing inside. She should not be intimidated. "He was shamelessly seeing a poor count's daughter in public, embarrassing me, so I ended our engagement. I refuse to tolerate any further disrespect," she said, holding her head up high. "Especially if it is someone who I know is below me."
Medea raised an eyebrow making her daughter's shoulders jump up, but she slowly smirked. "Good girl, I raised you well."
Leilin smiled in relief as Benjamin elbowed her lightly. She side-eyed him. He needs to hold back on his strength more. That hurt slightly.
Medea turned to Duke Candmione again. "I heard she asked to study the Solon Duchy's files so I had them shipped immediately. I was happy to hear about her interest in the duchy, since none of her siblings have any, but—" Medea side-eyed Leilin. "—I heard about her failed business, so I'm curious about how her management and leadership skills are now."
Leilin sunk into her chair slightly. She could see Benjamin trying to hide his smile beside her. Lucas didn't even hide his amusement, laughing loudly. Even Keira couldn't hold back from grinning. One look from their father, however, and they immediately fell silent, looking down.
"Leilin has improved greatly in the past few weeks," Duke Candmione announced proudly, unfazed by Lucas' loud laughter. The duke looked at Leilin, smiling wide. "She's been making very good investments and is very diligent and eager to learn about how the duchy works. She's come a long way from the girl you sent here to become only the crown prince's fiancée."
Leilin smiled at the duke, feeling like her chest was about to burst. She supposed she has come far from the spoiled brat who made everyone panic over a shoe.
The Solon matriarch's eyes met her eldest daughter's. Leilin matched mother's gaze. The younger woman did not falter this time around. She considered this as her first task to her goal of becoming the next duchess.
Medea took the sight of her in and then smiled, proudly. "I must agree," she said fondly. "Our Leilin has grown so much."
"She has," Dion added suddenly, catching Leilin off guard. He did not smile, but he admired his eldest daughter.
Leilin turned a slight pink at her parent's praise. It was not often they complimented people. It was even rarer they did it sincerely, but Leilin was sure that was a genuine compliment.
Benjamin elbowed Leilin to tease her, but it backfired. He might have held back, but he still underestimated his strength.
Leilin doubled over in surprise and in pain which made the family laugh as Duke Candmione stood up, asking her if she was okay. Leilin waved it off, clutching her stomach. She'll have to endure much more if she wants to be the Solon heiress. She shot Benjamin a piercing glare, but he merely shrugged.
Medea and Duke Candmione started discussing foreign affairs. There was something about their cousin Fiona and the Heilon Duchy, but nothing else interested Leilin. The topic also bored Lucas out so badly he tried leaving, but Dion stopped him. Keira ended up being tasked to ensure Lucas didn't fall asleep. The wizard instead looked at the flickering candles boredly (if they went out once or twice, that was probably his fault).
Occasionally, Benjamin would join in the elders' conversation and even asked Leilin her opinion regarding the matters a few times. Most of the time, she only echoed what they already said, but, sometimes, she gave her own opinion. Twice, Medea nodded approvingly, which made the swelling feeling in her daughter's chest grow bigger. That was a good start.
After at least thirty minutes, Keira, Lucas, and Leilin were asked to leave as the others were going to talk about some private matters between leaders. Benjamin could now stay behind because he was the heir of Agriche. Leilin merely rolled her eyes at her eldest brother as he smirked at her, gloating. That wouldn't last for long, Leilin vowed.
The three got up and left, bowing politely, though their red-eyed brother was a little too happy to go. As they reached the last step of the gazebo, Lucas stretched his arms, hitting both his sisters. Keira hit him back, the sound was so loud it caught the lone gardeners' attention. Leilin waved her hand to signal him not to mind them.
Lucas' eyebrows furrowed as he rubbed his side. If he decided to retaliate by sending Keira to the moon, then Leilin would just have to jump out of the way. There was no chance of saving Keira by then.
Keira was the strongest of the siblings, which comes as a surprise because of her petite frame. She once sent her childhood friend, Erez, flying into a wall when she punched him after an argument. Dion treated her to ice cream after that while Psyche came in to heal her son. Lucas, on the other hand, was the most powerful, perhaps even in the entire family, which is why he's Medea's favorite.
Leilin really was just there.
She just existed.
"What was that for?" Lucas asked, irritated.
"Your lack of etiquette. Who knows who else you'll hit in the future?" Keira retorted. "You're a walking hazard, Lucas."
"I'm actually a wizard."
Keira gave him a disgusted look.
"A very good-looking one," he added confidently.
"More like arrogant, sarcastic, and rash. And that is exactly why you don't get invited to parties." Keira's eyes narrowed the longer she spoke.
Lucas rested his hands behind his head. "I don't care about that crap."
"And that's exactly why our relatives call you mannerless."
"That is also probably why Athy doesn't like you back," Leilin joined in teasing Lucas, crossing her arms. "A crown princess can't possibly marry someone like you."
It was common knowledge the magician had a crush on Empress Cayena Hill's only daughter, Athanasia, since they were children. Leilin also knew the reason why Lucas grew his hair and changed his style was because of her (thank the gods he inherited Medea's hair because when their father had long hair it looked matted and absolutely terrible).
Lucas glared at her then rolled his eyes, muttering something.
And he still likes her until now, Leilin noted, as if the expensive suit, ponytail, and Keira, Benjamin, and Leticia's letters snitching on Lucas and Athy weren't enough.
"Are you cursing us?" Leilin asked sarcastically as they stepped into the estate.
"If I turned you both into frogs now, no one would even bat an eyelash."
"Dad will have your head," Keira said in a deeper, more threatening voice. Her eyes narrowed. "If not, I will."
"Mom will defend me." He held his head high, then looked down at his sisters wearing a confident smirk. "And we all know who's the more dominant one between them." He side-eyed his siblings.
A sudden flashback of their parents in the Head of Solon's office came to the two girls' minds. That was certainly what Lucas was referring to. They did not mean to discover that, but they never forgot it either. Leilin shuddered, deciding she'll replace the entire place's furnishing if she becomes junior duchess.
"That's gross, Lucas." Keira's face scrunched in disgust as they stopped walking. "Stop bringing that up or I'll kick you."
"You have my full support on that."
Lucas scoffed at his sisters. "As if you could lay a finger on me."
"Didn't Athy punch you?" Keira asked. "Twice?"
Leilin laughed loudly. She didn't know about that, no one mentioned it to her. Not even Leticia. She bet fifty million gold coins Lucas threatened everyone who knew not to.
Lucas' eyes flashed dangerously, but Keira remained stone-faced. "Listen, Keira, I don't know what magic Erez has been showing you, but if you want to see what real magic looks like—"
"That reminds me," Leilin diverted the conversation quickly, no longer laughing. "Keira, how's summoning the Water Spirit going? I heard some girl was competing with you." The older girl narrowed her eyes.
"Yeah." Keira looked down, successfully distracted, then shrugged. Looking up she said confidently, "she's not shown any signs for me to actually fear her though."
The siblings laughed. "What's worse is she looks like Aunt Roxana," Lucas added, enjoying bad mouthing the girl a little too much now. He seemed past cursing his youngest sister, however. "Blonde hair, red eyes, but she's less capable and more annoying."
Leilin looked at Lucas then at Keira. "Oh," she said in a mocking tone. "So Keira, who's mom's carbon copy, is against this girl who looks like Aunt Roxana?" Leilin looked up, laughing. "It reminds me of the stories of their rivalry."
"It's the cheaper version, though. She's not even close to Aunt Roxana's foot," Lucas added. The three laughed again.
Stories of Roxana Agriche and Medea Solon's time as frenemies were some of the family's favorite conversation topics. From Medea trying to poison their aunt (only failing because Roxana had an insane immunity due to her butterflies) to bonding over how they both killed their father, the two came a long way as they're now the best of friends.
Actually, the Agriche-Solon children only existed because of their old rivalry. Roxana sent her brother to kill Medea Solon, but he married her to spite his sister, and the rest was history.
"Leilin!"
They turned to Xavi.
Leilin extended her hands to welcome him for a hug. He snuggled against her. "We just finished. Do you want to go inside?" she asked him.
Xavi nodded enthusiastically. Leilin beckoned for Lucas and Keira to follow them inside. Keira was looking at the shifter intently, but Lucas was glaring at Xavi's back.
Keira put her arms behind her and looked around. "The last time I was here, it was winter. This place is really nice in the summer, though," she said.
"It's breezier here than at Vasilios. It's so hot there," Lucas added. "But it's still home, I guess."
"Nothing can make me leave Vasilios permanently, but I don't mind spending a few weeks here."
Their older sister nodded. "I'll miss this place." She looked around sadly, then turned to her siblings, smiling. "But I miss my family more so I can't wait to go home."
"You're going to leave, Leilin?" Xavi asked suddenly.
"Oh." Leilin realized she hadn't told him yet. She mentally facepalmed, scolding herself. "Yes, but don't worry, I'm taking you to the Vasilios Empire with me. I'll show you where I grew up. It's really nice there, right?" She turned to her siblings.
Xavi wiped his tears as Leilin reassured him. Keira tried patting his head, too, but he recoiled from her touch. Keira took it as a sign that she should stay away from him to avoid getting scratched.
"Minus the emperor, it's okay," Lucas said, shrugging.
"You just want to move to another empire." Keira bumped his shoulder.
Lucas rubbed his shoulder, thrown slightly off balance. Benjamin and Keira really needed to be more careful with their strength. "Maybe if I had less annoying siblings, I'd be happy enough not to leave—"
"I'm going to leave you two here and then the empire will be happy. Maybe they'll even make me a national hero," their older sister butted in.
"Leilin, you're going to leave?"
The four turned to a tall, tan man standing behind them. None other than Sir Barrard Carlos.
"Lord Carlos," Leilin greeted. "What are you doing here this late?"
The young man did not greet her back. "Will you be leaving the empire?" he asked again.
Leilin side-eyed her siblings. That's the second person who's asked her that and it hasn't even been five minutes. "Yes, I'll be returning to my motherland. Now that I've canceled my engagement with the crown prince, there's no point in me staying."
He stared at her for a bit, then said, "I see…" Barrard looked down, nodding slowly, then added, "I hope you'd come to visit my mother before leaving. She's grown quite fond of you."
"Duchess Carlos is a person I admire deeply and I see her as a good friend. I'll make sure to." Leilin smiled.
Barrard licked his lips slowly. An awkward silence fell. He didn't have his usual funny or sarcastic air today, Leilin noted. He seemed off.
Leilin clasped her hands in front of her. "What are you doing here this late in the evening?" she asked again.
"I was going to give something to Duke Candmione upon my mother's orders, but they said he was in an important meeting with foreign dignitaries so I might have to wait a bit."
"Can I help you with that? I know you live right across from us, but still, it's getting dark."
"I'm a knight, rest assured I can protect myself in case anything happens during the three-minute walk back home." He smiled faintly. Leilin rolled her eyes, chuckling.
"Can you give him this?" Barrard followed-up, fishing for an envelope in his inner pocket and handing it to Leilin.
The young woman studied it, recognizing the seal of the Imperial Palace. "What's this about?" she asked, still staring at it.
"Confidential," he said seriously. Leilin raised an eyebrow at him, then he leaned in to whisper, "it's about the crown prince position. Don't stress yourself, Leilin, we'll handle it. He won't be sitting on any throne."
Leilin grinned slowly. "I see."
Keira started looking around, trying to distract herself. The two seemed to be in their own little world. Xavi clung to Leilin's dress, staring at the Carlos heir menacingly, but neither seemed to recognize him.
"Leilin," Lucas grabbed Leilin's sleeve and whispered into her ear, "let's leave."
Leilin furrowed her eyebrows and elbowed him lightly. It would be rude to leave a conversation so suddenly. "Mannerless," she whispered back.
The magician was still holding onto Leilin's sleeve. Xavi looked up at the two siblings, then narrowed his eyes at Lucas. Lucas raised his eyebrows at the kid again, which made the blond look away.
The green-eyed man turned his gaze to the new people beside Leilin, specifically Lucas. "These are… ?"
"My siblings," Leilin answered quickly, tearing Lucas' arm off her with the help of her nails. He gave her a dirty look as he rubbed where it had dug into his skin.
A sense of relief seemed to wash over the Carlos' face. "It's nice to meet you two." He bowed.
Keira curtsied and he kissed her hand for formality. "Keira Solon," she introduced herself, smiling brightly.
"Barrard Carlos, heir of the House of Carlos."
She has come a long way from the cold youngest daughter, Leilin thought, beaming as she watched them.
A memory that stuck with her of Keira was when the youngest Solon was practicing how to smile with her and, at the time, her smile wasn't the best so when Fiona walked in on them the white-haired girl shouted in fear. Keira ended up whining to them both about how naturally scary she was after.
Fiona was a war hero, too, so Keira took it harder than usual.
("Fiona has been fighting demons on a different continent since she was 13 and my smile scares her!"
"No! It was nothing like that! I was just… surprised… by your beauty!")
"You look a lot like your sister," Barrard remarked, eyes flickering between Keira and Leilin.
"We get that often," Keira said, chuckling. "It's our mother's genes, honestly. They're very strong."
"Then I guess she's as gorgeous as her daughters." His eyes landed on Leilin who crossed her arms amusedly.
Barrard turned to Lucas, staring at him for a bit, but Lucas looked away, unamused. Leilin smiled awkwardly, grabbing him by the shoulders to turn him towards Barrard.
"This is my brother, Lucas," she introduced him. "He's not really a sociable person."
The magician stepped on Leilin's foot. She immediately gave him a warning look. She liked that shoe. It was new. Lucas rolled his eyes. His older sister suddenly had this extreme urge to punch him in the face.
"Ah, well then, let's not force him." Barrard smiled politely. "I'll be off now, then, Leilin, Lady Keira." A pause. "Lord Lucas," he said stiffly, bowing his head to Lucas who didn't react even slightly. "Please tell Duke Candmione I'd like to meet with him tomorrow morning, as soon as possible."
"Surely." Leilin smiled.
"And please don't forget to visit us before you go home," he said in a softer tone. "Visit my mother, I mean, of course," he added, chuckling.
Leilin smiled, at least glad the knight seemed to be in better spirits than earlier. "Rest assured I will."
"Then I'll be off. Thank you for your time."
He bowed low then kissed her hand, catching her off guard. Keira's hand flew to her mouth in surprise, but both Xavier and Lucas gave him a deadly glare. Barrard seemed to not have noticed. That, or he didn't care, but Leilin could swear his knees were shaking a little as he walked away.
"He looks like someone I know," Keira muttered as they watched Barrard's retreating figure.
"The knight?" Lucas asked meaningfully.
"Who?" Leilin asked, her head tilting sideways.
Keira? Their Keira? With a boy? Liking a boy? Now, that she needed to find out.
"No one!" Keira shook her head forcefully.
"Aunt Eris' son."
"No—"
"Oh, so Erez? You keep bringing up Athanasia when you like her cousin after all—"
Keira punched Lucas. He gave her a dramatic offended look as he rubbed his face harshly. Strands of his long hair were strewn over his face from the impact. Keira's hands flew to her mouth.
"What the hell!" Lucas shouted.
"I didn't mean to!" Keira defended herself. "It's just, you were bringing up Erez and Joseph in front of Leilin so, I panicked because I thought she'd get the wrong idea—"
Leilin narrowed her eyes, then grabbed Keira's arm without warning, pulling her up the stairs. She was so quick, Xavi lost his grip on her dress and fell forward. As far as they knew, Leilin didn't inherit the physically strong genes of both her family, yet there she was already half-way to the top, dragging her sister.
"I know a crush when I see it, Keira Solon!" the older girl shouted determinedly. Keira raised her forefinger to her lips, shushing her sister. Leilin was so loud. "It's about time we had boy talk," Leilin whispered excitedly.
Keira dreaded it.
The two sisters disappeared and Lucas was left rubbing his left cheek with Xavier who was still on the floor, staring at the stairs menacingly. Lucas stared at the kid.
"I don't like you," the magician said suddenly, resting his cheek in his palm.
Xavi hissed at him. Lucas hissed back, annoyed. Xavi's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
The black-haired man crossed his arms. "I need a vacation away from my family after this," he whispered to the air.