Leander noticed the fear in her eyes. He sighed. It hurt to see the fear in her eyes. That means she sees him as Kastello.
He held her hand and smiled.
It's okay if she is scared of his surname. His family did a despicable thing to her. She lost everything because of them.
What he can do is to ease her into accepting him including his family. She's saying the amazing things like she'd make him a cake for his every birthday and that he has her.
The least he could do is to accept her fear for his family. It's not unfounded when she still sees him as an extension of his family.
If asked a couple months ago, he would have proudly puffed his chest and said that he is a Kastello. But now… he's not so sure.
He kissed her hand. "We're almost there," he said. Her almond eyes brightened up. There it was… the usual excited smile on her face.
