Rage

To think that the older gentleman of the family he had barely spoken to was patting him on the back. Raimon couldn't understand what was going on.

Why, why, why, why is he acting like this when no one has gotten his approval?

The same question kept repeating itself in his mind.

When Raion had come to visit, everything happened as he had predicted, but he simply couldn't read Leona's true intentions. However, just because it was difficult didn't mean he had to stop trying. As incredible as her fighting ability was, Leona was still a 29-year-old with no interest in power.

For Raimon, this was the almost 40th year of life altogether, so there was no need to feel pressured.

"That's right."

"There's no need to do that when only traveling within the Flower territory, Leona."

"But honestly since I don't know you well enough, I subconsciously felt nervous and on edge."

The hand stroking Raimon's head froze. Reineza was taken aback by Raimon's sincere statement and let out a dry cough. Even the knights around them stared at them in disbelief.

Silence fell. The surrounding people were sweating profusely as they watched their young master say that.

"Were you... nervous?"

"Yes, Leona."

"Am I to take that to mean that you are uncomfortable with me?"

"No, I'm not uncomfortable."

"It's just that since it's the first time we've talked."

Another round of silence.

The mood around Leona was ambiguous.

The gentlemen and Reineza thought she would be furious, but it was quite the opposite.

They could never have predicted the emotions they saw in the woman's deep oceanic eyes.

Grief, regret, and bitterness.

Those were the emotions that surfaced on Leona's face.

"You're right, I have been thoughtless. You may be the young master, but you're still a Flower."

"How could I forget. I'm sorry."

Even Raimon was surprised by her reaction.

Flower.

This large family of swordmasters and aura warriors was not a family where everyone supported and loved each other, and sacrificed for a master and knight.

Watching over each other, giving loyalty, and receiving knowledge were the family traditions since the betrayal of a knight to the Duke who lost his chance in the Wailing Forest.

Therefore, after hearing Raimon's explanation, Leona believed that the young master did not trust her and thought of her as a "hindrance".

That was the reason for her chagrined look.

"Give us some space."

"Never mind, may I ask your gentlemen and nanny to leave the room, Raimon?"

Leona crouched down and got eye level with her young master Once Raimon nodded, the knights and Reineza cleared the place. Although he still couldn't read their true intentions, Raimon believed that Leona meant him no harm.

"My Young Master."

"Yes, Leona."

"The reason I came looking for you so suddenly is that I have something to tell you. And besides, today is your birthday."

Raimon visibly let his guard down.

"Something to tell me?"

"Because of father's interest in you, everyone in the Empire and the Duchy is watching you. And looking at your attitude today, it seems I don't need to explain what that means."

Everyone in the Solar Empire and the Flower family was paying close attention to Raimon. And it was no wonder. It was common knowledge that Raion had come to Castle Blood last year to see his eldest son.

Raimon had been asleep for a long time during his Ritual of Awakening, so it would be stranger if they weren't watching him.

"Yes, I am aware. You mean that once I leave Blood Castle, our Empire and enemies will try to keep me at bay, right?"

Leona removed the Leonidas slashing sword from her back and placed it on the ground.

A sharp blow.

Despite her best attempt to keep it quiet, it ended up creating a loud echo in the hallway and castle.

"That's right, so you know. I'm sure you've been on guard against me for that very reason as well."

Raimon didn't answer and looked back into Leona's deep red eyes.

"But this is what I wanted to tell you."

"I truly hope from the bottom of my heart that you won't fall into dangers plotted by enemies and that you won't take the worst in the Flower family by letting your happiness slip away from you."

Her words crashed into Raimon's mind.

"Is this what Leona has been thinking all this time?"

"Is this why she didn't participate in the family's internal interests and political conflicts?"

Being the strongest after his father, Leona could easily snatch the spotlight and be able to create her own family. However, Raimon did not find her true intentions absurd or hard to believe.

Leona was not involved with anything internal to the family, so there was a shred of credibility in her words. He was simply surprised to hear those words from the person himself. But Raimon still felt a certain revulsion towards her way of thinking.

Many times in his previous life Raimon easily believed people who came to give him advice that after a while ended up being to choose things that would benefit them.

Was it because he was worthless back then and no one bothered to warn him?

Or was it because his other siblings didn't even consider Raimon family?

Those questions arose in his mind, but they weren't relevant to the current situation.

"Leona."

"What's wrong?"

"I'm very grateful for those words, but I don't plan to give up my dreams and shirk any conflict."

A polite but determined tone.

"I'm being genuine here. I'm not saying that because I'm afraid you can't outdo me, Raimon."

"I'm also aware of that, Leona. I can see your pure intentions, and I'm very grateful for that. I never expected such a powerful gentleman in the family to care so much for me. But I don't intend to change my mind."

"Then may I ask the reason for your decision?"

"You may not know, but..."

Raimon took a deep breath before continuing his story.

"There has already been an assassination attempt against me. I have never spoken about it to anyone else. Not even to Reineza. And because of that incident, my fight has already begun."

Technically speaking, it was not an assassination attempt but a curse. However, the curse was no different from a death sentence for a child living in the Flower family.

"Who dared!"

Rumble!

At her shout, the bloody, red aura began to rise from Leona's body, expanding in the empty room. A rumbling shook the enclosed space as the aura of blood in the shape of a mythical creature swirled in the room.