The Extra is a Genius!?
Chapter 135: Return to the Lovely Family [GT Bonus]

Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Return to the Lovely Family [GT Bonus]

Noel stood before the tall whitewood doors of the residence that had been assigned to House Thorne for their stay in Teralis.

The estate itself was elegant and open, filled with the natural beauty so typical of elven architecture—but not overpowering.

The wedding would take place in two days.

Noel exhaled softly.

’After the wedding, I’ll have to go to the Holy Capital... and after that, back to the Academy. No rest for me.’

As soon as he stepped inside, a cool wave of fragrant air greeted him.

The walls of the mansion were smooth and white, polished to a soft gleam.

Green ivy and silver filigree traced along the ceiling beams.

Touches of yellow-gold lined the corners of the arched hallways, and thin plate glass windows let in shafts of natural light.

It was a place built for harmony with its surroundings—not for display of power.

A butler—an elven man in a robe of pale green and gold—approached and bowed gracefully.

"Welcome, young master Noel," he said softly. "Please, allow me to show you to your room."

Noel thought dryly.

’Everywhere I go, there’s always someone guiding me.’

Without a word, he followed the butler down a long airy corridor.

There were no heavy tapestries or portraits here—only carved patterns of leaves, flowing along the white stone and wood, blending with the natural structure of the building.

A gentle hum of magic seemed to flow through the space, light and subtle.

Finally, they arrived.

"This will be your room during your stay, sir," the butler said, opening a slender silver-handled door.

Noel stepped inside.

The room was simple, but elegant.

A large bed with soft white linens, framed by thin silver posts.

A smooth wooden wardrobe.

A writing desk of polished greenheart wood beneath a tall arched window.

The sunlight filtering through gave the room a warm, tranquil feel.

Before leaving, the butler added softly:

"Your father requests your presence tonight, young master, for dinner with the family."

Noel gave a slight nod.

"Tell him I’ll be there."

The butler bowed once more and slipped away without a sound.

Noel sat down on the edge of the bed, letting out a long breath.

The mattress was firm, the scent of fresh leaves and lavender filled the air.

For a moment, he lay back and stared at the ceiling, arms crossed behind his head.

Silence.

’Two days,’ he thought. ’Let’s get through it.’

After resting for a while, Noel sat up.

The quiet of the room had started to make him restless.

He stood, adjusted his jacket, and decided to explore the residence.

The hallways were wide and bright, sunlight streaming through the arched windows. The soft creak of the floor under his boots echoed faintly.

As he rounded one of the larger interior courtyards, voices reached his ears.

He paused.

Coming around the next corner, he spotted two tall figures standing by a balcony—Kael Thorne and Damon Thorne.

’Shit. This isn’t what I wanted to deal with the moment I arrived... would’ve stayed in my room otherwise.’

Both were dressed sharply, but their posture seemed more relaxed than Noel remembered.

They turned when they saw him.

A moment of silence hung between them.

Noel kept his face blank, shoulders straight. His voice was cold.

"Didn’t expect to see you two so soon."

Kael was the first to speak—voice calm, almost... different.

"Noel."

Damon followed. "It’s... good to see you."

Noel narrowed his eyes slightly.

’That’s new.’

He stood there, arms crossed.

Kael exchanged a brief glance with Damon, then looked back at Noel.

"We know... we probably have no right to ask for your time," Kael said slowly. "Not after how we acted toward you."

Damon nodded. "But we’ve changed. That much is true."

Noel raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

"Really? And what brought on this sudden revelation?"

Kael gave a faint, almost bitter smile.

"The academy Father sent us to wasn’t easy. Military training. Harsh discipline. Real fights. We were forced to learn a lot more than swordplay."

Damon added, "And it made us realize how pathetic we’d been before. Especially toward you."

For a moment, Noel stayed silent.

Then the thought came unbidden.

’Guess that military academy had some real effect... a big one, apparently.’

Still—he wasn’t about to drop his guard so easily.

His voice remained cool.

"We’ll see if those words mean anything. Time will tell."

Kael inclined his head slightly.

"Fair enough."

Damon offered a brief nod as well.

Noel didn’t say more. Without another word, he continued down the hall.

’Not the meeting I expected... but definitely not the worst outcome either.’

Noel continued down the hall, his steps measured.

For a while, he passed only quiet courtyards and the occasional servant moving gracefully through the residence.

Then, as he turned into one of the more ornate side corridors, he spotted a familiar figure ahead.

Livia Thorne.

She stood near a tall window, the sunlight catching on her finely styled jet-black hair, which cascaded down her back in perfect waves.

She wore a fitted deep red dress, elegant and sharp, the perfect image of a noble heir.

Their eyes met the moment he entered the corridor.

Her lips curved slightly—not quite a smile.

Something colder.

She turned fully to face him, voice smooth and poised.

"Little brother. How charming that you’ve arrived."

Noel stopped a few paces away, hands casually in his pockets.

"Could say the same for you."

The air between them grew tight. Both knew exactly where they stood—and where they refused to yield.

Noel tilted his head slightly.

"You know," he said, voice calm but edged, "you could take a page from the others and try changing. Might do your future husband some good—he’d probably appreciate a wife who’s a bit more rational... and less impossible."

Livia’s eyes flashed.

She took a graceful step forward, chin raised.

"My dear brother," she replied softly, voice laced with venom.

"Not everyone aspires to crawl about for the approval of others. Perhaps that works well for... those of lesser standing."

’Wait... I’m noble too,’ Noel thought dryly.

’Well—doesn’t matter.’

He gave her a faint, knowing smile.

"Enjoy your day, my dear and lovely sister Livia."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked past her—shoulders relaxed, stride unhurried.

Her gaze followed him as he went, unreadable.

The evening sun had begun to dip behind the towering trees of Teralis when Noel made his way toward the dining hall.

He moved calmly through the white and gold corridors, footsteps quiet against the polished floors.

As he reached the main hall, the tall double doors stood already open—soft light spilling out from within.

Noel entered without a word.

The long dining table stretched across the room—decorated with a fine white cloth, silver cutlery, and crystal goblets.

A few small arrangements of white and green flowers added a touch of understated elegance.

At the head of the table sat Albrecht Thorne.

Tall, broad-shouldered, his cold gaze swept the room with absolute authority.

One hand rested casually on the armrest of his high-backed chair.

Noel’s eyes flicked to the side.

There sat his younger sister, Sylvette Thorne—small, delicate in appearance, her silver eyes sharp and unreadable.

She said nothing, but a faint smile tugged at her lips when her gaze met Noel’s—as if anticipating some kind of show.

’Of course,’ Noel thought. ’She enjoys it when I get put in my place.’

He stepped forward and quietly took the seat assigned to him—toward the lower end of the table.

Moments later, Kael and Damon entered together, their posture more relaxed than Noel remembered from years past.

They greeted their father with polite bows before taking seats across from Noel.

A few minutes passed in silence.

Then came Livia.

She walked in with the same composed grace as always, her black hair flowing over her shoulders, dressed in another sharp red gown.

She gave a faint nod to their father and took her seat with practiced elegance.

Finally, the two wives of Albrecht arrived.

First came Mirelle—a tall woman with soft features, dressed in gold and white.

Then Serina—slighter in build, her expression cool, dressed in deep green and silver.

Both greeted Albrecht quietly and took their places at the table.

The family was assembled.

Noel leaned back slightly in his chair.

’Let’s see how this goes...’