Dinner had been much livelier than Kael had expected. The Veyron dining hall, once reserved for official receptions, had regained something almost familial. The tall windows overlooked the gardens, now covered in darkness, while the chandeliers illuminated the table where everyone had gathered. Noah, meanwhile, seemed to have forgotten that he was staying in one of the greatest noble residences in Eldoria. “I think I could get used to this place.” Ethan raised an eyebrow. “You've been here for barely a few hours.” “Exactly. And I've already discovered that I can eat this much without anyone looking at me strangely.” Darius, seated not far from Kael, stifled a laugh. “Wait until tomorrow. You'll see the morning training sessions.” Noah froze. “There are training sessions tomorrow?” “For the knights, yes.” “Ah.” He slowly straightened. “I suddenly remembered that vacations are meant for resting.” Lysandra smiled. Adrian, however, continued eating calmly. “You don't have to participate.” “Thank you, Adrian. Finally, someone reasonable.” “I never said I wouldn't participate.” Noah stared at him with an expression of betrayal. “You've been around them for too long.” Kael allowed himself a faint smile. He had barely spoken since the beginning of dinner, but he watched the scene with a certain sense of peace. There was something strangely pleasant about the evening. No tension. No suspicious looks. No discussions about the affairs of House Veyron. Just pointless conversations, jokes, and a few stories told by Ethan. When the plates were finally cleared, Kael stood. “I’m going outside for a while.” Darius looked up. “Now?” “Yes.” “Where are you going?” Kael hesitated for a second. His gaze instinctively shifted toward the windows. Toward the gardens. “The garden.” Darius didn't answer immediately. A small smile appeared on his face. “Like when you were little.” Kael looked at him. “You remember?” “I mostly remember how many times Ethan and I had to look for you.” Ethan immediately joined in. “He disappeared for hours.” “I didn't disappear.” “You hid.” “I was reading.” “In the bushes.” Kael fell silent. Noah burst out laughing. “Wait… you used to read in the bushes?” “It was quiet.” “Of course it was.” Even Lysandra smiled. Kael shook his head slightly before leaving the room. Outside, the air was cool. The Veyron gardens stretched out before him, illuminated by a few lanterns placed along the paths. At night, the trees seemed larger, while the wind gently moved their branches. Kael walked without really thinking about where he was going. His steps naturally carried him toward a more secluded part of the estate. He still remembered the path. Even after all these years. At the end of an avenue lined with old trees, a structure appeared in the darkness. A large greenhouse made of glass and dark metal, slightly separated from the rest of the gardens. The greenhouse. Kael stopped in front of the door. For several seconds, he didn't move. He finally placed his hand on the handle. It was still there. The old bronze handle his mother used to polish herself whenever she came to take care of her flowers. Kael opened the door. A gentle scent immediately filled the air. Flowers. Plants. Damp earth. Something he had never truly forgotten. He stepped inside slowly. The greenhouse was much larger than he remembered. Flowers occupied almost every available space. Some climbed along the metal structures, while others were arranged in large stone pots. Plants of brilliant colors stretched beneath the glass roof, illuminated by the faint light of the moon. Kael walked between the rows. He still remembered every turn. Here, his mother had kept her favorite flowers. There, she had placed a small wooden chair where she used to sit and read. And farther ahead… Kael slowed down. In the middle of a collection of white and violet flowers stood something different. Only one. Its petals were a deep blue, almost midnight blue. Under the moonlight, their edges appeared nearly black, but an intense blue emerged whenever a ray of light touched them. Kael crouched in front of it. A barely visible smile appeared on his face. “You're still here…” He gently reached out without touching the petals. This flower had always been special. His mother had loved it dearly. Kael could still remember her words. “This one, I want to stay here.” He had been a child back then. He hadn't really understood why she cared so much about the flower. So he had asked her. She had simply smiled. “Because it's different. Look closely, Kael. It doesn't try to look like the others.” He had found that answer strange. Today, it seemed much clearer. Kael remained silent in front of the flower. His red eyes, usually so cold, had softened. He remembered his mother spending hours in this greenhouse. Sometimes, she asked him to help. He brought her water. He clumsily moved pots that were too heavy. Once, he had even broken a vase. He had been so afraid that she would get angry that he had tried to repair it

The Veyron Greenhouse