Morning arrived quietly at the Veyron estate. Soft sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the manor, illuminating the long corridors and the old paintings that lined the walls. The atmosphere was calmer than it had been since their arrival. For once, there was no training session to attend, no formal meeting, and no urgent matter demanding Kael’s attention. As he walked through the main hall, Kael noticed several servants carrying baskets filled with freshly cut flowers. He slowed down. Among the various colors and shapes, one particular flower caught his attention immediately. Midnight blue. Almost black around the edges when the light touched it from certain angles. Kael watched as a servant carefully placed several of them into a large arrangement. “Those came from the greenhouse, didn’t they?” The servant turned and smiled respectfully. “Yes, Lord Veyron. Lady Veyron used to take great care of those gardens. The gardeners still maintain them as she requested.” Kael gave a small nod. His eyes lingered on the flowers for a moment longer before he continued down the corridor. Near the old gallery, he found Noah standing in front of one of the family portraits. He was staring at it with an expression of exaggerated seriousness. “Did you know your family has an absurd number of military people?” Kael glanced at the painting. “There are diplomats, scholars and artists as well.” Noah looked at him. “Artists?” “Yes.” “That means you could probably sell some of these paintings.” Kael stared at him. “No.” “I was only suggesting it.” “You were thinking about stealing one.” Noah placed a hand over his chest. “I am offended that you would think such a thing of me.” A voice came from behind them. “You should be more offended that he figured it out so quickly.” Ethan walked past them with a faint smile. Noah immediately pointed at him. “Your family is too suspicious.” “That's because we've met people like you before.” Kael shook his head, but a faint smile appeared on his face. For once, the manor did not feel like an old place filled with memories. It simply felt alive. --- Breakfast was quieter than usual. Lysandra sat across from Kael while Noah was already talking about what they could do during the day. Adrian listened while occasionally adding a few practical suggestions. “Where's Darius?” Noah eventually asked. “He's training,” Ethan answered. “Already?” “He usually is.” Noah sighed. “I don't understand how someone can enjoy training that much.” Adrian looked at him. “You complain about training every time.” “Exactly. That's why I don't understand him.” Lysandra laughed quietly. Kael finished his drink before standing. “We could explore the gardens later.” Noah immediately looked interested. “I'm in.” Lysandra nodded. Adrian simply smiled. Kael glanced toward the windows. “I'll join you later.” The others agreed without questioning him. They had slowly learned that Kael sometimes needed a little time alone. --- He eventually made his way toward the greenhouse. The old structure stood at the far end of the gardens, surrounded by trees and flowers. The door was slightly open. Kael pushed it gently. Warm air greeted him. Sunlight entered through the glass panels above, illuminating rows of flowers carefully maintained by the gardeners. The place looked completely different in the morning compared to the previous evening. Kael walked between the plants slowly. He stopped near the midnight-blue flower. For a moment, he remembered his mother. Because it's different. Her voice seemed almost close enough to hear. Look closely, Kael. It doesn't try to look like the others. A small smile appeared on his face. He crouched beside the flower. Only then did he notice a small wooden plaque placed nearby. He picked it up carefully. There was a short inscription carved into the wood. “To the one who knows how to care for what remains.” Kael stared at it. The handwriting wasn't his mother's. He turned the plaque over, finding nothing else. After a moment, he placed it back where he'd found it. “Probably something the old gardener left.” He didn't think much more about it. Not everything needed to hide a secret. Some things could simply be old. He continued walking. A few minutes later, he heard footsteps behind him. “You always end up here.” Kael didn't need to turn around. “Darius.” The knight stopped beside him. He wasn't wearing his armor. His training clothes were simple, and a few strands of hair had fallen loose around his face. “You disappeared.” “I came here.” “I noticed.” Kael looked at him. “You were training.” “I finished.” Darius sat down on the wooden bench nearby. Kael joined him. For a while, neither of them said anything. There was no need. The greenhouse was quiet enough that the sound of leaves moving gently against the glass could be heard. Eventually, Darius spoke. “You could come here more often.” Kael looked at the flowers. “I think I'd like that.” Darius smiled. “Then do it.” Kael gave him a sideways glance. “You're giving me orders now?” “Of course not.” “You sounded like you were.” “Then perhaps the patriarch should listen to his second-in-command.” Kael let out a quiet laugh. “You're impossible.” “I've been told.” They continued talking, but about nothing particularly important. Old memories. Training. The manor. Small things that didn't need explanations. And, for once, neither of them felt the need to discuss the past. --- Outside the greenhouse, three figures had stopped. Noah, Lysandra and Adrian had been walking through the gardens when Noah noticed them through the glass. “There they are.” Lysandra looked inside. Kael and Darius were sitting together, talking quietly. Noah opened his mouth as if he were about to call them. Adrian stopped him. “Don't.” Noah looked at him. “Why?” “They look comfortable.” Lysandra nodded. “Let's leave them alone.” Noah hesitated before shrugging. “Fair enough.” They continued walking. Adrian glanced back once. There was something strangely peaceful about the scene. He had seen Kael during battles, training sessions and moments when his aura became frightening enough to make an entire group fall silent. But this was different. Here, Kael wasn't the patriarch of House V

A Morning at the Veyrons