In front of them, a circr gate opens to the sides, and red walls stretch on each side, capturing the traditional feeling of the ce. The servants line up in a row, separated by gender, weing them with courteous minds.


    Xiao Rui and Xiao Lian, who were used to the sight, turned to the others, gesturing with a slight tilt of the head. Soma nodded his head as he began to follow his aunt, who walked gantly in front.


    Hina and Serafina scanned the surrounding area, impressed by the culture and decoration of the house, which still held thick images of its ancient culture. The tranquil atmosphere and slow ambience calmed the guests who visited. They walked on top of smooth grey tiles leading directly toward the main house.


    A majestic and ancient house stood imposingly before them; it was a tall building with pointy roofs; on each edge, it curved upward, pointing up to the sky. The dark-gray tiles on top arranged neatly reminding him of a Dragon scales.


    In front of the majestic twin door, two statues of ''Long'' spread their protruding teeth and red fearlessly to scare away the unwanted guests.


    Xiao Rui picked up the ring on the door and then knocked it several times before shouting loudly.


    "Xiao Rui has returned. Ie with our youngest princess Xiao Lian and her entourage".


    Silence hung for a couple of seconds before the door rumbled, making Soma flinch. The door creaked loudly as it moved inward, releasing the wind trapped inside.


    As Xiao Rui walked inside, followed by the other, strangely enough, Xiao Lian refused to walk in front and decided to stay on Soma''s side throughout.


    Once inside, the interior was vast, and the ceiling was high. It was adorned with a symmetrical arrangement of furniture. In the middle was an open space surrounded by multiple tables and seats on the sides and one majestic seat, which was in favour of the ruler of the ce.


    The seat was empty at the moment, but when Soma and the others reached the middle ce, like arranged timing, the family house appeared behind the shadow of the seat, and one other man was following him before he stepped up from the throne and stood near the group.


    After taking his seat, the man swept his gaze toward the group and slightly twitched when he saw Xiao Lian, who stood in the back. The man was handsome, his look betraying his face, which still looked the same in his early thirties. His sharp, masculine face could topple the female heart with a smile.


    He was the current head of the Xiao family, named Xiao Long. He is also an S-Rank awakener who masters the path of sword and water magic, like Xiao Lian.


    "Greetings family head, Xiao Rui hase back as promised".


    Xiao Rui pped her fist and bowed her head slightly to show respect to the family head. Unlike her, Xiao Lian, whose face was contorted, showing her unwillingness to do the same, reluctantly did it and then shrunk her distance from Soma.


    The family head, whose attention had been directed to his daughter, noticed the slight act, and his eyes shrank dangerously, leaking out a bit of his murderous intent.


    Soma''s body flinched as he felt his skin tingling from receiving it directly. He turned to the source and found the family head. His eyes were calm, but hidden beneath them was an inconceivable rage.


    Besides him, no one in the ce had noticed the change, so he calmly received it himself, knowing just how severe the Xiao head family nature is in doting on his daughter. Calmly, he cupped his fist, giving the man his respect, which made his brows twitch in shock.


    "This brat!?". Xiao Long cursed internally before he switched his mind and directed his gaze toward Xiao Rui.


    "Hmm, good work for providing my daughter safe travel, and Long''er, it''s been a while how have you been?".


    His gaze softened as he looked toward his daughter''s figure, but sadly, Xiao Lian kept shut her pink lips and gave the family head a slight nod as her answer.


    "Long''er don''t hold yourself ande here it''s been a while I have seen your face!".


    Her father''s persistent approach let a vein appear from her smooth temple, and her calm attitude turned hectic in a second.


    "...So, nosy, Soma, Hina and Senior Serafina let''s go to my home and visit my mother!".


    "Hm!?".


    "Eh!? But Xiao Lian, your father?".


    "...".


    Hina and Serafina jerked their heads to the sides, finding her invitation absurd. Soma, on the other hand, wanted to facepalm. "So, they are still misunderstanding each other, huh?" He turned to the throne and witnessed Xiao Long''s pale face, the soul leaving his body as he sat still, unmoving. His gaze lost its focus like a corpse.


    The man who came with Xiao Long facepalmed and sighed resignedly. As for Xiao Rui, she could only smile bitterly as she watched the neverending family conflict in this family.


    Xiao Lian saw that no one had followed her side; her face darkened, and she turned around before disappearing from the ce.


    "Xiao Lian!? Where are you going?".


    "Wait, Xiao Lian!".


    Hina and Serafina could only see the retreating figure of Xiao Lian, who seemed smaller, engulfed in grief.


    On the other hand, Soma turned to his aunt, gesturing with his eyes alone. Xiao Rui seemed to understand his meaning, so he replied with a deep nod. Then Soma cupped his fist and gave his respect before turning to the man who noticed his sign. He also nodded before Soma turned toward the entrance and left the room.


    Hina and Serafina were stoned and unsure what to do, but after they received a fir gaze from their partner, they nodded and told him to take care of Xiao Lian.


    Before leaving the room, he looked back once more and saw Xiao Long still petrified by the rejection he received from Xiao Lian. The man who acted as his adjutant walked to the throne and tried to wake him up.


    "Man, it must be hard on you". Soma felt pity for him, but he prioritized Xiao Lian first and foremost.


    He stepped outside, and a chilly winter air began to brush past his skin. He turned to the side only to find Xiao Lian standing there, her face still darkened, and a guilty conscience engulfing her mind.


    "Soma!?".


    She never expected Soma toe to run after her. Her gaze flickered, flustered. She fixed her mood before running to his side and taking his hands, interlocking their fingers.


    "Xiao Lian?".


    "Follow me!".


    With her forceful words that seemed as if pleading, Soma nodded his head and let her lead the way.


    The two of them bypassed many corridors filled with the presence of servants. The servants feel ted seeing Xiao Lian after a long time, but soon their faces stiffened, seeing their youngdy doing some intimate skinship with the opposite sexes.


    Xiao Lian even thought her face looked cold, but inside, she was warmer than everyone else Soma had known and the most fragile if it came to her family. Whenever she saw a servant give her a bow, Xiao Lian nodded before resuming her walk, dragging Soma, who helplessly became a figure of watching.


    As the two disappear toward another ce, the servants, especially the female, cover their mouths, shocked and happy at the same time as they squeal in joy.


    After several corridors and bypassing many households, the ce itself looked like a fortress, and eventually, they arrived at the innermost corner of the ce where it stood a not-too-luxurious housepared to others, but different from the other who seemed empty and cold inside. The house was small, but it contained warmth that gave everyone who visited it peace of heart.


    "Young Lady!?".


    A young female servant around mid-twenties, who came out from the house bringing a set of clothes in a wooden basket, stood stiffened seeing Xiao Lian, who should be in the Academy.


    "Mm, I''m back, sister Xiao Bai".


    "Young Lady, you trulye back".


    The woman named Xiao Bai put away the basket in her hand and approached their side; she still couldn''tprehend the situation well.


    Xiao Lian slowly detached herself from Soma and approached Xiao Bai before they embraced each other, warmth filling their hearts after being separated only for months. The two livened up the atmosphere, and Soma lifted the corner of his mouth, smiling to see a new side of Xiao Lian.


    Time passed quietly as the two girls finally settled down after catching up for the talk they missed for months. Xiao Lian dragged Xiao Bai to his side and, with her unusual cheerful expression, began to introduce her.


    "Soma, meet my senior sister, who always takes care of me and mother".


    Soma cupped his fist to greet the girl and introduce himself.


    "Greetings, senior sister. My name is Soma".


    Xiao Bai was initially flustered to see a handsome, good-mannered boy greet her with so much respect despite being mere servants.


    "Ah, thank you for your courtesy. My name is Xiao Bai. Thanks for taking care of the youngdy."


    "Not at all, she is important to me after all".


    "Important!?".


    The two girls stiffened like rocks as they saw the sincere smile from the boy that melted their hearts. Xiao Bai, who still had someposure, turned to look at Xiao Lian, whose face was boiling red, and probably her mind was short-circuited.


    Xiao Bai giggled and congratted the youngdy inside. "Fufu, I am happy for you, youngdy, to have this respectable man beside you".