Mathieu had known something was going on, long before the Wyland family arrived on the Ledaal grounds. His lessons had been ended early, and not for any misbehaving on his part. That alone was enough to spark the interest of the boy. He never would have guessed that visitors were arriving, simply because visitors were scarce and far between. Sure, they had the occasional messenger or soldier pass through, but neighbouring Banns? Such was unheard of in his whole seven years.
Eventually though, the reason for all the hustling and activity around the hall was made evident, when Mathieu and his brother were made to stand and greet the Wylands as they arrived. Mathieu tried to contain his excitement at the prospect of visitors (and his mother had promised there would be other children as well), but couldn't help but bounce back and forth a bit on his feet. He'd never been good at all the formalities, much more content to be running around on the grounds. He did finally still for a while when the family was introduced, his eyes wide as they focused on the two children standing in front of him. A girl close to his own age (this in itself was new to him) and a boy closer to Luka's age. He watched them curiously, his hand reaching up to securely hold on to his father's sleeve.
He was far too young to notice the differences in the girl and boy in front of him, or to know the reason why the other woman seemed to look at the blonde with dissatisfaction. All he knew was that they were new people, new children in his home. He bowed in greeting as he had been taught to do, beaming at all of them. He seemed to be the only one to notice when Luka snuck off, turning to watch his older brother as he fled away from the small crowd. He wanted to go after him, to try and outrun him again. But he'd recently been fussed at for doing something similar (it had only been from a messenger and not a neighbouring family, but still), so he was resolved to stay by his father's side, as asked, until he was given leave. Leave that was given soon after his parents noticed the distinct absence of their oldest son.
He beamed up at his father at the man's request. "I can do it! I'll get him to be nice!" he agreed enthusiastically before turning and running in the direction Luka and the others had disappeared to, glad to have an excuse to find them all. It didn't take him long to find the small group of children near the vegetable garden (a place he was rarely allowed to go, thanks to his habit of picking things before they were ready). Still beaming, he ran up to the group, running up to his brother and grabbing hold of his shirt (a childish habit he'd yet to break) and peering at the newcomers.