Soren and Ethea reassured Mehriban and finally started eating their breakfast. And this time, Mehriban personally brought the meals, probably fearing Darian might ruin everything again.
"So you attended a nearby ordinary school and hid the fact that you were from the Valmere family?" Ethea asked as Soren began his school-life story.
"Yes," Soren nodded. "However, it didn't last long. After they learned I was a Valmere, my classmates were curious at first. Some tried to befriend me, probably hoping to get close to a 'noble'. But once they realized I was just a Valmere in name and considered the family's embarrassment, they slowly distanced themselves. Fortunately, they didn't treat me badly or bully me. They just... ignored me."
Ethea nodded, listening intently. She didn't interrupt, letting him speak at his own pace.
