BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 72: Noble Gatherings & Familial Chaos

The celebration was in full swing.

Noble families, academy officials, and high-ranking guests filled the Grand Ballroom of Eldoria Academy, the towering chandeliers casting a golden glow over the finely dressed attendees. The air was thick with the scent of wine, exotic dishes, and the lingering tension of recent battles.

Kael, dressed in the formal robes of House Veyrin, barely had a moment to breathe before he was ambushed.

A powerful arm wrapped around his shoulders, dragging him into a crushing embrace.

"About damn time you made a name for yourself, little brother!"

Kael groaned as he was pulled against a chest plated with fine silver embroidery. He knew that voice.

Rheon Veyrin.

His older brother and heir to the Duchy of Veyrin.

Kael shoved at him but Rheon didn't budge. The man was a mountain of muscle, with short silver hair, a confident smirk, and sharp violet eyes that gleamed with amusement.

"Still scrawny, I see," Rheon mused, ruffling Kael's hair as if they were kids again. "Even after fighting an Alpha Mana Beast?"

Kael gritted his teeth. "I literally almost died, and that's your reaction?"

Rheon grinned. "Yeah, and yet, here you are. Tough little bastard."

A deep chuckle interrupted them.

Alistair Veyrin, the Duke of Veyrin himself, stood before them, his long silver hair tied back, regal and composed. His crimson eyes—the same as Kael's—were filled with something rare.

Pride.

"You exceeded expectations, Kael," Alistair said, his voice calm but firm. "Not just mine—but the entire Empire's."

Kael straightened. His father wasn't a man of many words. But those words?

They meant everything.

And then—

A cold hand gripped his cheek.

"Look at you," a silky, amused voice murmured. "My little Kael… all grown up and still getting thrown around like a ragdoll."

Kael froze.

His mother, Lady Isolde Veyrin, had arrived.

And she was smirking.

Her raven-black hair cascaded elegantly down her back, her dark crimson gown hugging her figure as she examined him like a curious pet.

"Honestly," she sighed, tilting her head. "I thought you'd inherit my looks, but nooo—Alistair had to pass down his brooding genes."

Kael blinked. "...I—What?!"

Before he could even process that, a calm, quiet voice interrupted them.

"You're embarrassing him, Mother."

Kael turned to see Elira Veyrin.

His older sister.

Her long black hair was neatly tied, her dark blue and gold-trimmed sixth-year uniform marking her status as one of the academy's strongest students. Unlike Rheon's overwhelming presence, Elira was subtle—but just as deadly.

She stood with a regal grace, her crimson eyes softening slightly as she looked at Kael.

"You did well, Kael," she said simply. "I'm proud of you."

Kael blinked.

Elira rarely voiced things like that.

He nodded, feeling an odd warmth settle in his chest. "Thanks, Elira."

Rheon nudged her. "You're actually showing emotion? Who are you and what have you done with my sister?"

Elira ignored him.

Isolde sighed dramatically. "Tsk. You're both so serious. I swear, if it weren't for Rheon, this family would be insufferable."

Alistair merely sipped his wine, as if used to this chaos.

The Duskbanes – Chaos Runs in the Blood

Kael wasn't the only one getting ambushed.

Across the ballroom, Cassian and Selene Duskbane were greeting their parents.

Or rather—their mother was trying to embarrass them.

"Ohhh, my sweet little Selene, you've grown so cold!"

Lady Selene Duskbane, mother of the infamous twins, had the exact same name as her daughter. And unlike her stoic, calculating child, she was a force of pure chaos.

She pulled Selene into a tight embrace, swaying dramatically. "My beautiful, deadly daughter—do you even LOVE me anymore?"

Selene twitched. "Mother. Let go."

"But you missed me, right?!"

"No."

"I KNEW IT! I RAISED A HEARTLESS DAUGHTER!"

Cassian, sipping wine beside them, laughed. "This is the best thing I've seen all day."

Then—a hand clamped onto his shoulder.

"Still causing trouble?"

Cassian winced. He didn't even need to look.

His father, Duke Varian Duskbane, stood tall behind him—sharp-eyed, unreadable, intimidating.

Cassian smiled nervously. "Father! You know me. Always the responsible one."

Selene snorted.

Varian sighed. "Try not to embarrass our house."

Cassian winked. "No promises."

The room fell silent as one man entered.

Emperor Adrian Eldoria.

The most powerful man in the Empire.

And Lucian's father.

Golden-eyed, silver-haired, exuding an aura of unshakable dominance.

Even Kael—who rarely cared for royal affairs—felt the weight of his presence.

But then—

The Emperor laughed.

"LUCIIIAAAN!"

Lucian barely had time to react before his father slung an arm around his shoulders, shaking him slightly.

"You survived! And you didn't even get any permanent scars? That's a letdown."

Lucian sighed. "Father. You're making a scene."

Adrian grinned. "I'm the Emperor. I'm allowed to."

Kael watched, stunned.

This… was the Emperor?

This man who was grinning like a mischievous older brother?

Lucian's younger sister, Lilia, peeked from behind their father.

"Big Brother…" she hesitated, then rushed forward and hugged Lucian.

"I was scared," she mumbled. "But you came back."

Lucian rested a hand on her head. "Of course I did."

Adrian sniffled dramatically. "Look at my perfect children. One is brooding and deadly, the other is adorable."

Lucian pinched the bridge of his nose.

Kael smirked.

At least he wasn't alone.

The Grimthornes – A Family of Titans

Evelyne had barely stepped into the ballroom before she felt a massive hand land on her head.

"Little sis," a deep, rumbling voice said, ruffling her hair with zero mercy.

She growled. "Magnus. Stop."

Magnus Grimthorne.

Her older brother, towering at nearly seven feet tall, broad-shouldered, and built like a fortress. His wild brown hair was kept just neat enough to pass as noble, but the sheer presence he carried made him look like a warlord.

He grinned down at her. "You really went and fought an Alpha Mana Beast, huh?"

Evelyne shoved his hand away. "Obviously. And I'm still standing."

Magnus laughed. "Barely."

A deep voice cut in.

"She fought. She won. That's what matters."

Their father, Duke Ragnor Grimthorne, had arrived.

A hulking man, broad like his son, his graying brown hair tied back in thick braids. His gaze was sharp, his expression unreadable—but there was no mistaking the approval in his eyes.

"Good work, Evelyne," he said.

Evelyne smirked. "Took you long enough to say it."

Before Ragnor could respond, a soft chuckle echoed behind them.

"Oh, come now," a silky voice teased. "Don't you know? We Grimthornes only say 'I love you' by pushing each other into battles."

Duchess Seraphina Grimthorne.

Her long, dark brown hair, streaked with silver, was styled elegantly, and her deep green eyes held a sharp, mischievous glint. She was just as terrifying as her husband—but in a far more unpredictable way.

Evelyne sighed. "Mother. Don't start."

Seraphina smirked. "I would never."

Magnus muttered, "She absolutely would."

Darius Zephyrion – A Storm Runs in the Blood

Darius had just grabbed a drink when a booming voice made him flinch.

"You reckless brat!"

Darius sighed before even turning. "Father—"

"You fought an Alpha Mana Beast and barely lived!"

Darius rubbed his temple. "Yeah. That's kinda the point."

Lord Garrick Zephyrion crossed his arms, his storm-gray eyes sharp with frustration. His long dark blue hair was tied back, a streak of silver running through it. His very presence radiated authority.

Then, to Darius's complete lack of surprise, his father grinned.

"And that's why I'm proud!"

Darius barely stopped himself from choking on his drink.

"You're what?"

His mother, Lady Elara Zephyrion, sighed and pulled him into a gentle hug. "I was worried sick," she murmured.

Darius awkwardly patted her back. "I'm fine, Mom."

His father clapped him on the back—HARD.

Darius stumbled. "Damn it, Dad—"

Garrick laughed. "You're a Zephyrion! If you're not nearly dying, are you even trying?"

Darius sighed.

Kael, overhearing, smirked.

At least he wasn't alone.