Joad didn't respond at all. He simply continued walking forward, taking Ivy with him without so much as a glance back.
At that moment, a few sharp-eyed nobles recognized his identity.
"I know that guy—he's from House Whide!"
"House Whide? Never heard of it. What backwater is that?"
"No, no, he's the second son of the Whide family. He's from Ilan Royal Academy!"
"Huh? Ilan Royal Academy? Don't tell me he's Leit's junior?"
Whispers broke out all around them.
The way people looked at Joad varied—some eyes were filled with envy, others with resentment or jealousy, and some glinted with clear ill-intent.
But Joad couldn't care less. He'd seen this kind of sour-grape crowd more times than he could count. Arguing with them was a waste of breath.
Ivy also smiled faintly at the reaction and stepped ahead of Joad to lead the way.
Just then, a butler-like man suddenly stepped out and blocked their path.
