The Mansion

While they were on their way to Rei's house, Aria was actually about to express all her curiosity about many things. But because the man in front of her immediately closed his eyes, Aria was forced to save all her questions until the other person woke up. He did look really tired.

Moreover, because Feny and her father got on the other carriage, they were also alone there. So instead of doing nothing, Aria filled her time to draw back the curtain on the carriage door and look at the scenery outside. And how amazed she was when she saw that it was still bright outside even though it was already nighttime.

In her city, such a sight would only be seen if they were holding a festival or something. But even though there was no particular activity right now, all the streets of the capital were still filled with lanterns everywhere.

Especially when her eyes caught people performing street magic, Aria almost wanted to poke her head out the door.

"It's not magic, if you're curious." Rei muttered softly, but Aria was quite startled hearing his voice suddenly. "They use a lot of chemical powders and such, but it's not magic."

Aria was silent for a moment, but then she replied, "But still, using chemical powders isn't easy either." She said. Because she remembered Leyna and Arran wanted to try it once and they almost blew up their house.

"Maybe. But you don't need any special talent for that. Not like real magic."

"If the results are the same, I don't think it matters."

"..." While curling his lips wryly, Rei became aware that he and Aria had never been on the same page until now--even on such an insignificant topic! Not to mention her informal way of speaking?!

If in the beginning their relationship was already messed up like this, he became anxious about how to make sure Aria followed all of his plans from now on.

'Is she still holding a grudge against me or what?'

"By the way…" Rei cut in again. "I remember your friend saying something about you having family here. Is it true?"

"..." Hearing the unexpected question, Aria immediately froze. Even though earlier she was the one who planned to ask things, now Rei already asks her the difficult question first.

"…Did Leyna say it?" Aria asked back even though Rei just shrugged her shoulders. "Mm, actually, I'm not sure either…" Aria said awkwardly. She clearly looked uncomfortable, so Rei also decided not to ask her any further for the time being

And fortunately they finally arrived.

"Mr. Rei?!" Said the guard who stood in front of the Kransfein residence, not expecting to see his employer face from the carriage. "You're back?" He asked, though Rei didn't answer him and just shrugged his shoulders.

"Hey, quickly open the gate!" The guard ordered his other men.

Due to the large courtyard, it still took them a while before they finally arrived at the main mansion. But there, all the maids already seemed frantic to welcome their employer.

"Mr. Rei!" Called an old man with a white beard and a neat black suit. "You should've written a letter to me before you came home. When did you arrive?"

"Yeah, sorry. I was in a bit of a hurry so I forgot." He replied flatly. "And they're all my guests, so treat them well." He added, who immediately walked inside. While the 3 guests mentioned were still--one was clumsy, one was amazed, and the other was tacky.

Aria had already felt that the mansion was slightly bigger than the Malven residence. But not only that, the atmosphere inside also turned out to be quite a bit different from what she imagined--where the entire interior is filled with floral accents and landscape paintings. Even the color of the walls are also mostly bright colors.

"Clean them up and prepare dinner too." Rei added to one of the maids before finally strolling alone up the stairs to the 2nd floor.

"As you wish." Replied the maids.