Chapter 354: Never an Option (1/2)

Leonel's aura blazed like the sun. Somehow, even with a beauty like Syl standing by him, she was the one who was overshadowed.

”Who is that…?”

The crowd had fallen into a temporary silence before they suddenly erupted with discussion.

”Am I seeing things? Did the Kaefir family marry my goddess away?”

In the minds of those on Terrain, the only reason a male could be sharing a carriage like this with the younger sister of the Kaefir family Heir could only be this. These big families cared too much about their reputation to allow even an inkling of rumors to start without adequate cause. This meant that even if these two weren't betrothed now, it wouldn't be long before they were.

Of all those here, Syl seemed to be the one who understood this the most clearly, especially after she realized her sister-in-law was actually blocking Rie from exiting the carriage.

Even if Rie's appearance wouldn't completely quell the rumors, it would at least calm some of the heat she was feeling now.

Leonel, however, seemed oblivious to all of this. He took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over the youths who had descended from their war horses. He could easily sense the hostility in their eyes. But, surprisingly, Zilar, who should feel the most wronged, was silent and refused to meet his eyes.

”I can tell that you all are unsatisfied.”

Syl blinked, not expecting Leonel to be so direct. The version of Leonel she knew was closed off and restrained. She had no idea that this wasn't the real Leonel.

Leonel wasn't a cold or arrogant person. He liked to think of himself as social and lively. But, circumstances seemed to constantly be pushing his true self away.

Hearing Leonel's words, as though they held some compelling spell to them, the youths who were glaring at him still couldn't help but listen.

”And, though I know you all don't want to hear it, I'm sure you also understand that it wasn't my choice to be here either, right?”

Zilar clenched his fists.

”Hey, watch your words!”

A petite young woman stepped toward Leonel. Clearly she didn't like Leonel's words.

What worse thing was there to hear after losing something that the person who got it didn't even appreciate it? In some ways, that felt worse than said person just gloating.

That said, how could Leonel not understand this?

He swept a glance toward the petite young woman, causing her next words to get caught in her throat. For whatever reason, beneath Leonel's direct gaze, she couldn't seem to muster up any courage to continue her tirade.

”I don't say this to belittle Zilar, I say this so that we can get an understanding of one another. Those were simply my feelings in the past. Now that I've seen those city gates and laid eyes on the war scenes it depicts…”

Leonel's hair billowed beneath his aura, his eyes blazing like two torches. He couldn't help but grin, the rushing of his blood sounding like crashing waterfalls in his ears.