The knights rushed forward at Serilda's command, their armored footsteps echoing across the hall.
Steel flashed as one of them lunged straight at Leon, his sword raised to strike.
Just as the blade was about to reach him—
Clang!
A second sword intercepted it.
Felix stood in front of Leon, his expression calm, his blade effortlessly holding back the attack.
For a moment, the entire hall fell silent.
The guards hesitated. The servants who hadn't yet left froze in place.
Even the atmosphere seemed to tighten.
They had not even seen Felix move.
A faint uneasiness spread among the knights.
Serilda's eyes narrowed, a trace of irritation crossing her face.
"I thought he was completely immersed in that painting…" she thought.
Serilda watched the way Felix stood—calm, steady, unmoved.
The knights were still tense, but none dared to advance again.
A long, controlled breath escaped her lips.
"…Knights. Back down."
There was hesitation.
Then, one by one, the armored men stepped back, lowering their swords but not sheathing them completely.
The pressure in the hall lessened, though the tension remained thick.
Felix slowly lowered his blade, returning to Leon's side as if nothing significant had happened.
Leon brushed imaginary dust off his sleeve and looked at Serilda.
"So…" he said evenly, "are you finally thinking of talking?"
Serilda's gaze sharpened.
"You walk into my estate," she said coldly, "demand eight million gold, provoke my authority, and expect a polite discussion?"
Leon met her stare without flinching.
"I walked in to collect what is mine."
Nox chuckled inside his mind.
" This guy's fearless nature reminds me of him..."
Serilda studied Leon for a long moment.
Then her lips curved again—not warm, not gentle, but measured.
"…Very well," she said. "Let us talk."
Serilda's eyes rested on Leon, sharp and unreadable.
"What is it," she asked slowly, "that you truly desire?"
Leon didn't hesitate.
"My eight million gold."
Silence.
The air inside the hall turned heavy.
Serilda stared at him without blinking, her expression completely blank now—no smile, no anger, no mockery.
"And what proof," she asked evenly, "do you have that we owe you eight million gold?"
Leon said nothing.
He only looked at her.
A long, quiet stare.
The corner of Serilda's lips curled slightly.
"Don't tell me," she said, her voice laced with faint amusement, "you think a child agreeing to a bet in a crowded arena is proof?"
Her tone grew colder.
"There was no official agreement. He did not swear it in his name, nor promise it on his honor."
Krone stepped forward slightly, his voice firm.
"Yes. Our young master is only five years old," he said. "And you… do you truly believe you can claim such an absurd amount from a child's play?"
The knights around them remained still, hands on their swords, eyes fixed on Leon.
The message was clear.
They weren't planning to let him leave easily.
Nox clicked his tongue inside Leon's mind.
"Tch… why are you humans so greedy for money?"
Leon didn't reply.
He simply kept staring at Serilda.
"I already know all of that," Leon said calmly.
Serilda raised an eyebrow.
"Then what exactly are you trying to say?"
Leon took a small step forward.
"I want to do business with you."
For a moment—
Silence.
Then a few knights exchanged glances.
One of the maids covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Krone let out a short chuckle.
Serilda's lips curved into a faint smile, clearly amused.
"…Business?" she repeated.
A five-year-old boy, standing in the middle of armed knights, talking about business.
The absurdity of it hung in the air.
One of the older servants whispered, "Is the young master planning to open a toy shop?"
Another knight smirked. "Maybe he wants to sell wooden swords."
Krone folded his arms, a mocking grin on his face.
"So," he said, "is this business about dolls? Or perhaps candies?"
A few of the maids giggled quietly.
Serilda looked down at Leon as if she were humoring a child.
"Well?" she asked softly. "What kind of grand business are you planning?"
Leon's expression didn't change.
"It's not about dolls," he said.
"Or candies."
The faint amusement on their faceremained, but their laughter slowly faded as they noticed how serious his tone was.
Leon's eyes met Serilda's.
"You see," he said quietly, "I know a little secret…"
Leon's voice dropped, calm and steady.
"I know about someone special…"
Serilda's faint smile remained. "Oh? And who might that be?"
Leon looked straight into her eyes.
"…your sister."
For the first time, Serilda's expression froze.
Krone frowned slightly. "What nonsense are you—"
Leon continued, as if he hadn't heard him.
"Matilda. "
The name landed like a silent thunderclap.
Serilda's pupils shrank.
The amusement in her face vanished, replaced by sharp alertness.
The hall fell completely silent.
Even the knights sensed the sudden shift in atmosphere.Everyone were stunned.
For a heartbeat, no one moved.Many were confused and expressionless.
Then the whispers began.The knights begun to whispered among themselves.
"…Matilda…? It can't be her, right?"
"Isn't she the mistress of Tempest Castle…?"
They begun to whisper more loudly.
"How does this child know the name of tempest castle's mistress..."
Even the armored knights stiffened, their hands tightening around their weapons.
"But he said...Sister...?"
"Is she really Lady serilda's sister..." Another knight muttered.
But krone noticing the whispers,shouted.
"Quiet!"
The whispers gradually came down.
On other hand,Serilda's gaze hardened. Her thoughts raced.
"How…?"
"How does this child know the truth about Matilda and me... "
That information wasn't something a five-year-old should even be aware of.Even the knights serving her or Krone knew about it.
Neither her husband or her son Ruan knew it.
She stared at Leon for a few seconds, searching his face for a hint of bluff.
But his expression remained calm. Confident.
Too confident.
"…All knights," she said suddenly.
Her voice was no longer soft or amused. It was cold and commanding.
"Leave the hall."
The knights hesitated for a moment, then bowed.
"Yes, my lady."
One by one, they turned and walked out, the heavy doors closing behind them.
Only Leon, Felix, Serilda, and Krone remained inside the quiet hall.Nox too was present there but neither serilda nor Felix could see him,except Leon.
Serilda's eyes locked onto Leon.
Leon simply looked back at her, unbothered, as if he were the one in control of the room.H
Serilda remained silent for a moment, then spoke again.
"Krone."
Krone immediately straightened. "Yes, my lady?"
"Leave us."
Krone blinked in surprise. "My lady…? But—"
"That was not a suggestion."
Her voice was sharp and final.
Krone clenched his jaw. He glanced once at Leon, then at Felix, clearly displeased.
"…As you command."
He gave a respectful bow and walked toward the doors. As Krone reached the doors, he had paused for the briefest second.
Serilda hadn't spoken.
She didn't need to.
Her fingers moved subtly at her side—two short motions, almost invisible unless someone was trained to notice.
Then her eyes flicked, just once, toward Felix.
Krone caught it.
He understood the meaning behind serilda's hand signs.
Now, only three people remained in the vast hall.
Serilda folded her hands behind her back.
"I just ordered my knights to leave," she said smoothly, "so that our conversation remains… secret."
Her eyes flicked toward Leon.
"Just like your special secret."
A slow, elegant smile curved on her lips.
Then her gaze shifted to Felix.
"If this is truly confidential," she continued, "perhaps your companion should step outside as well."
The hall grew still.
Felix did not move. He didn't even blink. He simply waited for Leon's command.
Inside Leon's mind, Nox spoke sharply.
"Are you sure about this?"
Leon remained calm.
He glanced at Felix.
"It's fine," he said.
Felix studied him for a brief moment, as if confirming that this was truly his will.
Then, without a word, he gave a slight nod and turned toward the doors.
His footsteps were quiet, controlled.
The large doors opened… then closed.
Now—
Only Leon and Serilda stood in the vast, silent hall.
Serilda's smile deepened slightly.
"Well then," she said softly, her voice no longer playful but measured and dangerous.
"Tell me… how do you know about this secret..."