The weeks had gone by faster than Kael had expected. Between classes, training sessions, and strategy exercises, life at Asteria had settled into something almost normal again. Even the strange events that once seemed to follow him everywhere had become quieter. For once, Kael didn't mind. He had learned to appreciate ordinary days. That morning, however, something was different. The students had gathered in the academy's main hall while the professors took their places at the front. An unusual excitement filled the room. Noah leaned toward Kael. — Do you think they're finally going to announce that we're free? Kael turned slightly toward him. — You're dreaming. — I'm allowed to dream. Lysandra, sitting beside them, stifled a laugh. A few seats away, Adrian was already watching the headmaster attentively. The headmaster waited for the room to settle before speaking. — Now that this period's evaluations have been completed, the Imperial Academy of Asteria will be closed to students for several weeks. A murmur immediately spread through the room. Noah straightened. — Vacation! Kael sighed. — You knew this was coming. — Yes, but hearing it officially still feels wonderful. Several students immediately began discussing their plans. Some would return to their families. Others would remain in noble residences within the capital. A few had plans to travel. Lysandra turned toward Kael. — And you? — I'm going home. — To the Veyrons? Kael nodded. — Ethan sent me a message yesterday. He wants me back at the beginning of the break. Noah smiled. — Perfect. I've always wanted to see the Veyron estate. Kael stared at him. — Why? — Because you never talk about it. — There's nothing to talk about. Adrian calmly joined the conversation. — That's probably not true. Kael glanced at him. — How would you know? — Because you grew up there. Noah immediately placed a hand on Adrian's shoulder. — That's why I like him. — I didn't ask. — Neither did I, but we're making it work. Lysandra smiled. Kael looked away, though a faint hint of amusement appeared in his eyes. A few hours later, preparations had begun. Kael didn't have much to pack. He was used to traveling light, and most of his clothes and personal belongings were already at the estate. When he finally left the academy, several carriages were waiting outside the main gates. Two of them clearly bore the colors of House Veyron. Several Black Raven knights stood guard behind them. Darius was nearby. As soon as he spotted Kael, his professional expression changed slightly. — Finally. Kael stopped in front of him. — Were you waiting for me? — No. I was waiting for someone else with black hair and red eyes. Kael stared at him for a few seconds. — Very funny. — I know. Darius gave him a light tap on the shoulder before taking one of his bags. Noah watched the exchange with a smile. — Are you two always like this? — Unfortunately, Kael replied. — I'm just being realistic, Darius corrected. A familiar voice came from behind them. — Perhaps you could wait until after we leave before starting to argue. Kael turned around. Lucian was coming down the academy steps with a travel bag in hand. Kael raised an eyebrow. — You're coming with us? — Of course. Lucian approached him with a smile. — Your brother asked me to spend a few days at the estate. — He didn't tell me. — He probably wanted it to be a surprise. — He could have warned me. — You know him. Kael sighed. — Unfortunately. Noah walked over to Lucian. — Professor, you're really coming to the Veyron estate? — Yes. — So you'll be able to tell us stories about Kael when he was a kid? Kael immediately turned around. — Noah. — What? Lucian smiled. — I could. — Lucian. — I have a feeling these vacations are going to be interesting. Darius burst out laughing. Kael rubbed his forehead. — I already regret coming. Lysandra arrived a moment later, followed by Adrian. — Everything's ready, she said. Kael nodded. The carriages had been arranged differently. Kael, Ethan, and Darius would travel in the first Veyron carriage. Lucian would take the second one, accompanied by two knights assigned to protect him. Noah, Lysandra, and Adrian had their own carriage, which would follow the convoy. That suited Kael perfectly. He climbed into the first carriage. Ethan was already inside. — Finally. Kael sat across from him. — You could have waited before leaving. — I was waiting for Darius. — He was outside. — I know. Darius climbed in and sat beside Kael. The door closed. A few moments later, the horses began moving. Through the window, Kael watched Asteria slowly disappear behind them. He wasn't sad to leave. Quite the opposite. He was looking forward to returning to the estate. It had been a long time since he'd stayed there for several weeks. Ethan looked at his brother. — You've changed. Kael turned toward him. — Since when? — Since you arrived at Asteria. Darius remained silent. Ethan continued. — You've always been serious, but you seem… different. Kael thought for a few seconds. — Maybe because I met people I didn't know before. — Noah? — Among others. Darius smiled. — Lysandra too. Kael shot him a look. — Don't start. — I didn't say anything. — Your smile says enough. Ethan laughed quietly. — And Adrian? Kael looked out the window. — He's reliable. That single word seemed to be enough for Ethan. He nodded. — Then that's a good thing. The journey continued peacefully. Several times, Kael caught sight of his friends' carriage behind them. Noah occasionally waved wildly from the window. Eventually, Kael raised a hand in response. Darius noticed. — Did you really just wave back? — Yes. — I'm writing down the date. Kael nudged him lightly with his elbow. — Shut up. The journey lasted several hours. The scenery gradually changed. The buildings of the capital gave way to open plains, then to roads surrounded by forests. Kael knew every turn. The closer they came to Veyron territory, the more relaxed he became. He didn't have to think about his position. He didn't have to measure every word. Here, he was simply home. When the first lands belonging to House Veyron appeared on the horizon, several Black Raven riders joined the convoy. Darius straightened slightly. — We're almost there. Kael looked outside. In the distance, the enormous gates of the estate were already visible. Beyond them stretched Veyron lands, villages, forests, and the vast family estate. Ethan smiled. — Welcome home. Kael remained silent for a few seconds. Then a small smile appeared on his face. — It's been a while. The gates opened. The carriages moved forward beneath the gazes of the inhabitants who had come to welcome their patriarch. Kael recognized several familiar faces. Children waved at the knights. The inhabitants respectfully bowed their heads. But unlike what happened at Asteria, there was no suspicion in their eyes. They were happy to see him. Kael lowered his head slightly in response. Darius watched him without saying anything. He knew exactly what those looks meant to Kael. House Veyron wasn't simply his inheritance. It was the place where he had grown up. The place where his parents had lived. The place where Ethan, Darius, and Lucian had been at his side. And now, after several weeks at Asteria, he was returning with new people around him. The first carriage finally stopped in front of the main residence. Kael stepped down. Ethan joined him. Darius remained slightly behind as the other carriages arrived. Noah was the first to get out. He looked up at the enormous residence. Then at the gardens. Then at the military buildings farther away. — … Kael looked at him. — What? Noah took a few seconds before answering. — You called this "home" like it was a little house. Lysandra stepped down behind him and looked around as well. Adrian, meanwhile, was mostly watching the knights standing in formation in front of the residence. Lucian arrived shortly afterward. He looked around with a nostalgic expression. Kael noticed. — Does it bring back memories? Lucian smiled faintly. — A lot of them. He then looked across the estate. His smile disappeared almost imperceptibly. Kael noticed. — What's wrong? Lucian hesitated. — Nothing. Darius turned his head slightly toward him. For a brief moment, their eyes met. Kael said nothing. But he had noticed. Something about this place had changed. Or perhaps they were simply the ones who had changed. They finally entered the residence. Kael thought these vacations would be a chance to breathe. To spend time with his family. To return to his old habits. Perhaps even to get to know the people he'd met at Asteria a little better. Yet as he stepped into the hall, his gaze briefly stopped on a door at the far end of the corridor. An old door. One he hadn't seen in years. Darius noticed the change in his expression. — Kael? He didn't answer immediately. Then he looked away. — Nothing. No one asked any further questions. But behind that old door, something seemed to have been waiting for a very long time. And this time, Kael was finally home.

On the Road to the Veyrons