The journey had resumed a little over an hour ago. The road now crossed a vast plain surrounded by hills. The convoy moved at a steady pace. The horses had settled down again. The Imperial Knights watched the surroundings while the Black Ravens continued to lead the way. Inside one of the imperial carriages, Lucien Arclight was looking out the window. Elara was sitting across from him. She had been watching something outside for several minutes. “You’re looking again?” Lucien raised his eyes from his book. “Yes.” “What?” Elara pointed toward the window. “Them.” Lucien leaned slightly closer. A few yards from the carriage, several riders were traveling side by side. Kael was in the center. Lysandra rode to his right. Noah and Adrian were slightly behind them. Ethan was on Kael’s other side. Darius and Aldren were a little farther ahead. The scene looked nothing like what they had witnessed a few hours earlier. No one seemed tense anymore. Noah was talking animatedly. Adrian was clearly trying to ignore him. Lysandra was smiling. Ethan was laughing. And Darius seemed to have found a new source of entertainment. Elara smiled. “They look different.” Lucien watched them for a few seconds. “They do.” “You think so too?” “Completely.” Elara leaned against the window. “When they fight, they look like a perfectly organized military unit.” She paused. “But right now, they just look like a family.” Lucien closed his book. “That’s probably what they are first and foremost.” Elara continued watching them. --- Outside, Noah had been talking for several minutes. “I still think that attack would have been much more impressive if I'd had time to draw my weapon.” Adrian sighed. “You had your weapon.” “Yes.” “So?” “I didn't need to use it.” “Because everyone else had already taken care of everything.” Noah went silent. “That’s a very negative way of putting it.” Lysandra smiled. “He has a point.” Noah pointed at Adrian. “Thank you.” “That wasn't a compliment.” “I'll take it anyway.” Ethan burst out laughing. Kael shook his head. Darius, riding beside him, glanced at his expression. “You’re making that serious face again.” Kael turned toward him. “I’m not doing anything.” “You are.” “No.” “Yes.” Kael sighed. “Darius.” “Kael.” “Stop.” Darius smiled. “See? Exactly that face.” Kael looked straight ahead. “I regret letting you come.” “Too late.” Darius moved slightly closer. Then, without warning, he placed a hand on Kael’s head and ruffled his hair. Kael froze. “Darius.” “What?” “Take your hand off.” “Why?” “Because you're annoying me.” Darius laughed. He ran his hand through Kael’s hair once more before pulling it away. “There. Now you look less serious.” Kael stared at him. “I’m going to knock you off your horse.” Ethan burst out laughing. “I'd like to see that.” Darius looked at Ethan. “Want to try?” “No, thanks.” Noah immediately joined in. “I want to see it.” Lysandra shook her head. “Of course you do.” Adrian sighed. “You're all impossible.” Aldren, who had heard the conversation, turned around. Then he burst out laughing. A loud, genuine laugh that echoed across the road. Kael looked at him in surprise. “What?” Aldren quickly wiped the corner of his eye. “Nothing.” He was still laughing. “I just remembered the first time Darius did that to you.” Kael frowned. “You remember?” “Perfectly.” Darius smiled. “He was much smaller.” Kael looked at him. “I wasn't that small.” Ethan interrupted. “You were.” “So were you.” “But I was taller than you.” Kael stared at him. “By barely anything.” Aldren started laughing again. “You two were unbearable.” Noah looked at Aldren with amusement. “You too, Commander?” Aldren shrugged. “I was worse.” Noah's eyes widened. “Seriously?” “Ask Darius.” Darius thought for a moment. “He's right.” Aldren gave him a satisfied look. “Finally, someone recognizes my qualities.” Darius smiled. “I didn't say they were qualities.” Ethan burst out laughing. Even Adrian smiled. Kael eventually let out a quiet laugh of his own. Lysandra noticed. She said nothing. She simply smiled. --- Inside the imperial carriage, Elara had watched the entire scene. She looked at her brother. “Did you see that?” Lucien smiled. “Yes.” “Darius actually ruffled his hair.” “Yes.” “And Kael didn't react.” Lucien looked out the window again. “He threatened to knock him off his horse.” Elara laughed. “That isn't exactly a serious reaction.” “No.” She remained silent for a few seconds. Then she asked: “Do you think he's really like that all the time with them?” Lucien thought about it. “Probably.” “Why?” “Because he only acts like that around people he trusts.” Elara looked outside again. Kael had just received another comment from Darius. This time, he looked genuinely annoyed. Ethan was laughing beside him. Noah was telling Lysandra something. Adrian seemed to be trying to keep a straight face. And Aldren was still laughing. Elara smiled. “It's strange.” “What?” “He's so different.” Lucien nodded. “Maybe that's precisely because he doesn't have to play a role around them.” Elara looked at Kael. He had just turned toward the others. A faint smile was still visible on his face. “I like this version of him better.” Lucien smiled. “I think everyone does.” --- Outside, Darius started talking again. “By the way, Kael.” “What now?” “You know your hair is completely messed up?” Kael ran a hand through his hair. “I know.” Darius smiled. “My fault.” Kael looked at him. “I know that.” “You should thank me.” “Why?” “Because you look more approachable now.” Kael remained silent. Then he answered: “I prefer looking serious.” Darius shook his head. “Impossible.” Once again, he briefly placed his hand on Kael’s hair, this time simply smoothing it back into place. “There.” Kael sighed. “Thanks.” Darius smiled. “You're welcome.” Ethan watched them. “You two have really been like this forever?” “Almost,” Darius answered. Aldren added: “Since he was a child.” Kael looked at Aldren. “You don't have to tell them my entire childhood.” Aldren smiled. “I could tell them worse.” Kael narrowed his eyes. “I forbid it.” Noah immediately moved closer. “Now I want to know.” “No.” “Why?” “Because no.” Lysandra laughed. Adrian shook his head. “I think we should just leave him alone.” Noah looked at him. “Traitor.” “I prefer staying alive.” Ethan burst out laughing. Kael looked at everyone around him. Then he sighed. But this time, he was smiling openly. --- Inside the imperial carriage, Elara took one last look at the group. Then she turned toward her brother. “I understand now.” Lucien raised an eyebrow. “What?” “Why they're all willing to fight for him.” Lucien looked at Kael in the distance. “Yes.” Elara smiled. “It isn't because he's their patriarch.” She paused. “It's because he's Kael.” Lucien remained silent. Then he slowly nodded. “Exactly.” The carriage continued forward. Ahead of them, the hills were already beginning to change. The forest was getting closer. And somewhere beyond those trees was L-03. But for a few more minutes, no one was thinking about the mission. They laughed. They talked. They teased each other. And to anyone watching from the outside, the Veyrons no longer looked like an intimidating family. They simply looked like people who had known each other for a very long time. People who trusted one another. People who, despite their responsibilities, still had the right to laugh together. Then Kael suddenly looked toward the forest. His smile faded slightly. Nyxara, who was several yards ahead of him, had also raised her head. Darius noticed. “What is it?” Kael watched the trees. “Nothing.” But this time, he wasn't sure. L-03 was close. And something was already waiting for them.

Behind the Appearances