When the great doors of the hall opened, the sound of conversations immediately seemed to spread throughout the estate. Hundreds of voices mingled inside the enormous reception hall, accompanied by the soft music of a small orchestra playing on a raised platform at the far end of the room. The chandeliers illuminated the long tables prepared for the occasion. Dozens of magical candles floated through the air, casting a warm glow over the stone walls and the immense portraits of former Veyron patriarchs. Everything had been prepared down to the smallest detail. Servants moved through the room with remarkable precision. Black Raven knights were stationed at various strategic points, discreet enough not to disturb the guests, yet visible enough to remind everyone that the estate was being protected by one of the most renowned orders in Eldoria. At the back of the hall, an enormous banner displayed the Veyron family crest. Eight centuries. Eight hundred years of history. And tonight, all of that history seemed to have gathered beneath the same roof. Kael stopped for a few seconds at the entrance. Beside him stood Ethan, Lucian, Darius, and Aldren. The five of them formed a group that was difficult to ignore. Ethan wore an elegant noble outfit, carrying himself with the calm presence of someone who naturally seemed like an important member of the family. Lucian, despite his position as a professor, possessed the quiet presence of someone accustomed to being listened to. Darius stood slightly behind them, perfectly straight and attentive, his eyes regularly scanning the room. Aldren, meanwhile, had put on his official Black Raven Commander uniform. And Kael stood at the center. The patriarch. The Supreme Commander of the Black Raven Order. The young heir who had become the head of a house eight centuries old. For a few seconds, no one moved. Then Aldren murmured: “Are you ready?” Kael looked at the hall. “Yes.” Ethan gave him an amused glance. “You look serious.” “I am serious.” “Too serious.” Kael turned his head slightly. “Ethan.” “What?” “Don’t start.” Darius looked away to hide a smile. Lucian didn't even bother trying. “He's right. You should smile a little.” Kael looked at both of them. “Why?” Aldren immediately answered: “Because you're frightening the guests.” Kael frowned slightly. “I am not frightening.” Darius looked toward the hall. Several nobles had indeed stopped talking after noticing the group. “You are.” Kael sighed. Ethan gave him a light pat on the shoulder. “That’s exactly what makes this amusing.” “For you.” “Obviously.” Kael took a slow breath. Then he entered. --- The change was immediate. The conversations gradually quieted. Eyes turned toward him. Several nobles stood. Then the first guest bowed. “Patriarch Veyron.” Others followed. “Patriarch Veyron.” “Good evening, Patriarch.” “It is an honor to be here.” Kael answered each of them calmly. “Welcome.” “Thank you for coming.” “I hope you enjoy the evening.” His voice was steady, his demeanor perfectly controlled. He moved slowly through the guests, accompanied by his entourage. A few meters behind him, Noah watched the scene with Lysandra and Adrian. Noah's eyes were wide. “Okay.” Lysandra smiled. “What?” “I understand now.” Adrian looked at Kael. “What do you understand?” Noah discreetly pointed toward the group. “Why everyone talks about House Veyron as if it’s something enormous.” Adrian nodded slightly. “It’s not just the family.” He looked at Darius, then Aldren. “It’s also the Black Raven Order.” Lysandra watched Lucian. “And their connections to the Academy.” Noah looked at Ethan. “And them.” Then Kael. “And especially him.” Adrian smiled slightly. “You just summarized eight centuries of history in four sentences.” “Thank you.” “That wasn't a compliment.” “I’m taking it anyway.” Lysandra laughed softly. --- In the center of the hall, Kael stopped in front of a group of Imperial representatives. The first man stepped forward. He wore dark formal clothing decorated with an insignia representing the Imperial Crown. “Patriarch Veyron.” Kael slightly inclined his head. “Welcome to the Veyron estate.” “On behalf of the Imperial Family, allow me to offer our congratulations on this anniversary.” “Thank you.” The man studied Kael for a few seconds. Then his gaze briefly shifted to Ethan. “Your family has lived through many periods of Eldoria's history.” “That is true.” “And you are now the one who must carry its name.” Kael remained silent for a moment. “I will do my best to be worthy of it.” The answer was simple. But it was met with respect. The Imperial representative bowed his head. “I have no doubt.” He then stepped aside to make room for the next guests. Kael continued greeting them. He spoke with nobles. Commanders. Representatives of neighboring territories. Old families. People who had known his parents. Sometimes, someone mentioned his father. Sometimes, his mother. And every time, Kael listened. He didn't necessarily ask questions. He simply remembered the words. The memories. The little details. It allowed him to hear about them in a way different from how Ethan or Aldren spoke of them. His father had worked with some of these men. His mother had spoken with some of these women. Some guests remembered their conversations. Others remembered their decisions. Others still remembered simple moments that might have seemed insignificant. To Kael, those little things were priceless. --- After nearly an hour of welcoming guests, Kael finally managed to reach Ethan. “How many?” Ethan looked at him. “How many what?” “People I've greeted.” Ethan thought for a moment. “I didn't count.” Kael sighed. “Too bad.” “Are you already getting tired?” “No.” Ethan smiled. “Liar.” Kael looked around. “There are a lot of them.” “Yes.” “I understand better why you warned me.” “I told you.” Darius joined them. “There’s still half the evening left.” Kael looked at him. “Thank you for that information.” “I thought you’d like to know.” “I would have preferred not to.” Darius smiled. Aldren joined them a few seconds later. “Are you already complaining?” Ethan answered: “Kael is complaining.” “I am not complaining.” “He’s complaining internally.” Kael looked at his brother. “You know me too well.” Aldren placed a hand on his shoulder. “That’s the problem with family.” Kael allowed himself a faint smile. “Perhaps.” --- A little later, the musicians began playing a livelier melody. The conversations naturally resumed. Groups formed around the different tables. Some nobles discussed politics. Others talked about trade, territories, or the Academy. Further away, several young nobles had gathered together. Noah watched the scene with interest. “I think they're looking at us.” Adrian followed his gaze. “Yes.” “Why?” “Because we're with Kael.” Noah thought about it. “So we're famous by association?” Lysandra replied: “Apparently.” Noah straightened slightly. “I knew I was hanging out with the right people.” Adrian shook his head. “You're impossible.” “And yet you're still here.” Adrian didn't answer. Lysandra smiled. “He has a point.” --- Elsewhere, Kael had finally managed to sit down. He looked at the table in front of him. Ethan was seated on his right. Lucian on his left. Darius and Aldren were a little farther away. Kael studied the arrangement for a few seconds. “This is strange.” Ethan looked up. “What?” “Everyone is looking at us.” Lucian smiled. “We're probably the least discreet table in the room.” Darius looked at Aldren. “Especially him.” Aldren raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with me?” “Nothing.” “Your tone says otherwise.” Ethan intervened. “You are officially supposed to represent the military authority of House Veyron.” Aldren nodded seriously. “Exactly.” Darius added: “And you're currently stealing bread from Kael's basket.” Aldren looked at the basket. He calmly took a piece. “It is my right.” Kael stared at him. “Your right?” “I am the Commander.” Lucian sighed. “What remarkable logic.” Ethan began laughing. Kael shook his head. Several nearby guests watched the scene with surprise. They had probably expected to see an extremely formal noble family. Instead, they were discovering something else. A family that had known one another for a very long time. A family that could joke. Tease each other. Laugh together. Even Darius, usually highly professional in front of outsiders, seemed much more relaxed. A young noble seated nearby whispered to his father: “They're really close.” His father answered: “Yes.” Then, after a moment, he added: “That is probably one of the reasons House Veyron is so respected.” --- When the first course was served, the conversations gradually shifted. Servants placed the plates with precision. Noah, seated a little farther away with Lysandra and Adrian, looked at the food. He remained silent. Lysandra looked at him. “Are you all right?” “I’m thinking.” Adrian raised an eyebrow. “About what?” Noah looked at his plate. “About how much work it must have taken to prepare all this.” Lysandra smiled. “Really?” “Yes.” Adrian studied him for a few seconds. “You were just thinking about eating.” Noah looked offended. “I’m capable of thinking about several things at once.” “I don't doubt it.” “Thank you.” “That wasn't a compliment.” “Have all of you decided to say that to me tonight?” Lysandra laughed. --- The evening continued. Course after course was served. The conversations became livelier. The musicians were now playing a soft melody while several couples stood to dance. Kael watched the room. He recognized some faces. He discovered others. And despite the fatigue beginning to set in, he felt strangely at ease. He turned his head toward Ethan. His brother was speaking with an old family ally. Further away, Lucian was talking with several professors from the Academy. Darius was exchanging a few words with officers. Aldren was apparently telling a story to a group of old commanders. Kael heard his name. He narrowed his eyes. Aldren noticed. “I was simply telling a story.” Kael looked at him. “Which one?” Aldren smiled. “An old story.” Ethan called from his seat: “He's talking about the day you hid behind a hedge.” Kael slowly turned toward him. “Ethan.” Noah immediately turned around after hearing that. “What?” Aldren smiled even more. “He was six.” Lysandra began laughing. Adrian looked at Kael. “I want to hear this story.” “No.” Noah put down his utensils. “Me too.” “No.” Darius looked at Kael with a faint smile. “He thought he was invisible.” Kael looked at him. “You too?” “I was there.” “I hate all of you.” Ethan burst out laughing. “You were behind that hedge for almost twenty minutes.” “It was strategic.” Aldren nodded solemnly. “Very strategic.” Noah laughed so hard that he had to put a hand on the table. “Kael Veyron, master strategist since the age of six!” Kael ran a hand over his face. “I regret coming.” Lucian, who had heard them from the other side of the table, added: “Yet you were particularly proud of yourself that day.” Kael looked at him. “Even you?” “Especially me.” The laughter started again around the table. And for a few moments, Kael completely forgot that they were surrounded by hundreds of people. He forgot his title. He forgot the watching eyes. He forgot the weight of his name. He was simply Kael. The little boy behind a hedge. His parents' son. Ethan's younger brother. Lucian's nephew. Noah and Lysandra's friend. Adrian's partner. The boy who had grown up alongside Darius. And, to Aldren, he would probably always be little Kael. --- Later in the evening, as the current Academy director was not present, Lucian was invited to briefly speak on behalf of several members of the institution. He stood. The conversations quieted. Lucian looked across the hall. “Eight hundred years.” He paused. “Eight centuries represent much more than a number. They represent generations. People who built, protected, developed, and sometimes simply lived here.” His gaze briefly settled on Kael. “House Veyron has lived through difficult periods, times of prosperity, political changes, and different generations. Yet it has always continued moving forward.” Several guests nodded. Lucian continued: “Tonight, we are not only celebrating what has been accomplished. We are also celebrating those who will continue writing this history.” He raised his glass. “To House Veyron.” The guests gradually stood. “To House Veyron!” Glasses clinked. Kael remained still for a few seconds. Then he raised his own. “To those who built it.” Ethan raised his glass as well. “To those who will keep it alive.” Darius added: “And to those who will remain to protect it.” Aldren smiled. “Now that's a speech I like.” The glasses clinked once again. Kael looked around. The lights. The guests. His loved ones. The portraits of his ancestors. Everything seemed gathered into a single moment. He didn't know what the coming years would bring. He didn't know what truths he would uncover. He didn't know what dangers might still appear. But tonight, he didn't need to know. Tonight, House Veyron was simply alive. --- When the evening reached its height, several people began dancing in the center of the hall. Noah almost immediately dragged Lysandra with him. “Come on.” “Why me?” “Because you know how to dance.” “And you?” “I can learn.” Adrian watched them leave. “I’m staying here.” Kael looked at him. “Wise decision.” Adrian nodded. “I value my dignity.” Kael smiled faintly. Darius approached. “You’re not dancing?” Kael looked at him as though he'd asked something absurd. “No.” “Why?” “Because I don't want to.” Darius smiled. “Good answer.” Ethan arrived behind them. “You could at least try.” Kael looked at him. “No.” “Even for eight hundred years?” “Even for eight hundred years.” Aldren intervened: “Your father would have accepted.” Kael immediately turned toward him. “Don't start.” Aldren burst out laughing. “All right.” Kael shook his head. Then he looked around the hall. The laughter. The conversations. The dancing. The lights. The flowers. His family. His friends. For a long moment, he felt no weight. No fear. No anger. No need to search for answers. Only a strange sense of peace. He had spent so much time searching for what had been taken from him that he had sometimes forgotten to look at what remained. And tonight, he could see it clearly. His home. His family. His friends. His future. Perhaps that was enough, for now. --- Well after midnight, the first guests began leaving the hall. The conversations gradually faded. The musicians slowed their rhythm. The servants began clearing the tables. Outside, several carriages were already waiting. Kael stood before the great doors to see the guests off. Once again, he received thanks. Congratulations. Promises to meet again. Then the carriages gradually disappeared into the night. When the last important guest had left, Kael remained still for a few seconds. Ethan came to stand beside him. “Tired?” Kael thought for a moment. “A little.” “You survived.” “Barely.” Ethan smiled. Darius joined them. “Everything went well.” Kael looked back toward the hall. “Yes.” Aldren arrived as well. “A beautiful evening.” Lucian stood beside them. “A very beautiful evening.” Kael looked at the four men. Then he smiled. “Thank you.” No one answered immediately. Ethan simply placed a hand on his shoulder. Darius did the same. Aldren smiled. Lucian gently nodded. They remained there for a few moments. Five members of House Veyron. Five men belonging to different generations, yet united by the same name. The hall was almost empty now. The magical candles were beginning to fade one by one. And, for the first time in a long while, the estate was gradually returning to silence. Kael looked at the great doors one last time. Then he turned around. “Let’s get some sleep.” Ethan smiled. “Finally, a good idea.” They began walking away. No one noticed then that, at the end of an old corridor, far from the reception hall, a forgotten door that had remained closed for years trembled ever so slightly. Once. Then nothing. The estate remained silent. As though nothing had happened. As though the eight hundred years resting upon its walls had nothing to say. Not yet.

Eight Hundred Years