Before Edward Scott could reply, Carter laughed to himself and said, “True, Candia City is much bigger than here.” He casually grabbed a tomato from a roadside stall and took a big bite, not caring about the stall owner’s displeased expression.

Edward Scott frowned slightly but said nothing.

It was obvious from this act of taking things without paying that the family’s guards probably had a notorious reputation in the territory—arrogant and domineering.

But he himself hadn’t been much different in the past.

The three of them chatted casually as they followed the street out of the small town. Outside the fence, a black carriage was waiting by the roadside. When the coachman saw them approaching, he quickly got down and waited to the side.

The three got into the carriage, with Carter driving, and headed straight for the main road.

It took more than twenty minutes to reach their destination along the road—the stronghold of the Lio family: Kyle Castle.

Carefully getting out of the carriage, Edward Scott looked up at the castle ahead.

Amidst a patch of green woods, a building reminiscent of a manor from his previous life appeared before him.

A moat had been dug all around Kyle Castle. To call it a castle was a stretch—it was more like a small town surrounded by high walls.

The gray earthen fortress looked nothing like the proper castles Edward Scott had imagined. At most, it was about five stories tall. In front of the lowered drawbridge over the moat, two guards with iron swords on their backs stood watch, looking over with puzzled expressions.

The afternoon sun dyed the entire fortress red. A waft of unknown floral fragrance drifted by from somewhere.

Edward Scott took a deep breath. It was almost evening, and the temperature had cooled a bit.

“Is Old Howard here?” he asked in a low voice.

Carter nodded. “Yes, since we’ve arrived, we’ll head back now.”

Edward Scott nodded, watching the two turn the carriage around and quickly disappear down the road. Only then did he walk toward the fortress.

An elderly man with white hair, dressed in a black robe, was coming out of the fortress to greet him, followed by several maids and guards.

“Old Howard, I’m back,” Edward Scott called out loudly, quickening his pace.

Howard was the steward in charge of general affairs under Baron Kyle, and had served the Lio family for decades. It was said that even Baron Kyle’s father had grown up under his watch.

“I told the baron long ago to let Lord Otis teach the young master, but he just wouldn’t listen. Now the young master is hurt—if only he’d listened to me earlier…” The slightly gaunt old man started grumbling as soon as he got close.

Edward Scott wore his habitual smile and walked into the fortress with the group.

After a while, Howard suddenly stopped complaining.

“By the way, young master, now that you’re back, you should stay and study with Lord Otis.”

“Is that Father’s decision?”

“Yes. The situation has been unstable lately, and we’re worried about you living alone outside. Besides, after what you’ve suffered this time, even Viscount Candia must give us an explanation.” There was a hint of fierceness in Howard’s tone.

“I don’t really mind,” Edward Scott nodded.

The two of them, along with two maids, entered the main hall of the fortress.

Two young girls in white dresses were waiting inside. When they saw Howard and Edward Scott enter, they both carefully lifted their skirts and curtsied to Edward Scott.

“Brother Andrew.”

“Cyril and Maggie.” Edward Scott’s memories quickly recalled who they were.

One was Andrew’s half-sister, Cyril, and the other was Maggie, the daughter of a distant, impoverished relative who had come to seek refuge with the Lio family. Both were younger than Andrew, so they called him “brother.”

Because Andrew held a high status in the family, girls like them were always very cautious around him.

After all, there were many children of similar status in the castle, and they weren’t valued by the baron. Cyril’s position was a bit better—she received a monthly allowance and had servants to help with chores, similar to the head maid’s status.

But Maggie’s status was much lower. Her parents had to work for the baron to earn a living, making them only slightly higher than regular servants. There were many such relatives seeking refuge in the castle, and they were hardly worth mentioning.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you two,” Edward Scott said with a smile. He’d always gotten along well with them, since they were among the most attractive girls in the castle, and he’d looked after them when they met. This made them feel they’d found a protector, so they were naturally happy to be close to Andrew.

“We heard you were injured, so we waited here especially. Are you feeling better?” Maggie spoke up. Her voice was very youthful, but at thirteen she was already quite developed. With her curvy figure, charming face, slender waist, and prominent chest, Edward Scott couldn’t help but let his gaze linger on her a moment longer.