BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 27: Laughter in the Halls (Revised)

The sun had barely set, casting the courtyard in a golden glow as the Veyrin family gathered within the grand hall of their estate. Kael, still recovering from the weight of his recent mission, sat at the edge of the long, polished dining table, surrounded by the familiar faces of his family and friends. His mother, Lady Isolde, had insisted that they spend the evening together to lighten the heavy mood after his latest ordeal.

Despite the hall's usual formality, tonight it hummed with laughter and camaraderie.

Lady Isolde was the first to break the comfortable silence, a smirk curling on her lips.

"Well, Kael, you've taken your first life," she said, her voice rich with amusement. "Tell me, how does it feel? No sudden existential crisis?"

Kael nearly choked on his drink. Elira, his older sister, rolled her eyes beside him.

"Mother, honestly," Elira sighed. "Can you at least pretend to be normal?"

"Why?" Lady Isolde quipped, sipping her wine. "If I don't ask, who will?"

Before Kael could respond, the doors swung open.

Duchess Seraphina Grimthorne strode in with her daughter, Lady Evelyne, in tow. Duchess Selene Duskbane followed right after them, her son Cassian walking beside her with his usual nonchalant air.

Seraphina, ever the striking figure, wore her dark silver hair braided in an elegant yet sharp style, her steel-gray eyes filled with their usual calculating amusement. She swept into the room like she belonged there—because, in a way, she did.

Selene, by contrast, had the aura of mischief itself. Dressed in deep midnight blue with flowing sleeves, her dark violet eyes sparkled as she took in the room. Her black hair, streaked with silver strands, cascaded down her back in loose waves.

"Ah, Isolde, hosting a gathering without me?" Selene teased, placing a hand over her chest in mock offense. "I should be hurt."

Lady Isolde smirked. "I didn't invite you, Selene. You just showed up."

"And yet," Selene mused, moving to pour herself a drink, "you'll still let me drink your wine, won't you?"

"Unfortunately," Isolde muttered.

Seraphina, meanwhile, had made her way to Kael. "Well, well. I hear you've been quite busy, Kael," she said, eyeing him with a knowing smirk. "Your first mission, your first kill. How's the taste of blood treating you?"

Kael sighed internally.

"Is no one going to ask how I'm feeling about it?"

"No," Seraphina and Isolde said in unison.

Selene laughed, settling into her chair. "Oh, come now, Seraphina, let the boy breathe. He's had enough brooding to last a lifetime." Then, turning to Kael, she winked. "Though, between us, you should've taken a trophy from your kill. That's what I did at your age."

Elira groaned. "Why are all of you like this?"

Before Kael could respond, Cassian flopped into the seat beside him, propping his boots on the table—much to Elira's dismay.

"Ignore them, Kael," Cassian said lazily, stretching his arms. "They just like scaring the fresh blood."

Lady Evelyne, who had been quietly watching the exchange, finally stepped forward. At thirteen, she still carried an air of reserved dignity, her silvery hair neatly braided, her posture straight as always.

Cassian immediately noticed her presence and groaned dramatically.

"Oh no. The little princess of Grimthorne is here," he drawled, making a show of sighing.

Evelyne glared at him. "Must you be so unbearable?"

Cassian grinned. "It's my best quality."

Seraphina smirked at her daughter. "If he's unbearable, Evelyne, just stab him. That's what I do."

Selene laughed loudly. "She's right! Best friends or not, Cassian needs to be humbled every now and then."

Cassian placed a hand over his heart, feigning deep betrayal. "Mother. How could you?"

Selene sipped her wine. "Easily."

The room erupted into laughter, even Evelyne hiding a small smile. Kael, who had been quietly observing, felt the tension in his chest slowly ease.

This. This was what he had needed.

A chance to feel normal, even if only for a while.

As the evening wore on, the old friends and new faces exchanged stories, jokes, and playful insults. Even Lady Evelyne, despite her usual reserved nature, found herself slipping into the rhythm of the gathering.

Later, as the dinner wound down, Cassian pulled Kael aside for a quieter conversation, away from the laughter and clinking of cups.

"You know," Cassian said, his tone softer, "I don't care if you're some glorious warrior now. You're still my friend. And I'm still here for you."

Kael, for the first time in a long while, allowed himself to relax. "Thanks, Cassian. I know. And... I appreciate it."

Cassian's usual smirk returned. "Good. Now, if you ever need a break from all that serious business, you know where to find me. I'm always ready for some fun."

Kael laughed, feeling the tension in his chest ease.

"And don't forget, I'll be right there when you get yourself into trouble next," Cassian added, grinning.

As the laughter and chatter filled the hall once again, Kael realized that no matter how much the weight of his destiny pressed on him, he wasn't alone. Not anymore.

And that, perhaps, was enough.