The news about Lorn had quickly spread among those directly involved in the mission. The departure had not yet been scheduled. The preparations had not begun. But the name of the forest was already coming up in several conversations. For Kael, that alone was enough to keep a certain tension in the air. He had spent part of the morning in the library, going through the old Imperial reports. He was mainly trying to understand exactly what the inscription found in the file meant. ACTIVITY DETECTED AFTER INCIDENT. He had already read the sentence several times. It still seemed strange. If his parents had died in the accident, why had activity been detected afterward? And more importantly... Why had the report been classified? Kael finally closed the file. “You’re going to wear it out.” He looked up. Lysandra was standing in front of the table. “What?” She pointed at the file. “You’ve been reading it for an hour.” Kael looked at the document. “There are still things I don’t understand.” “I know.” She sat across from him. “But you don’t have to understand everything today.” Kael remained silent. Lysandra knew him well enough by now to understand that he hated leaving a question unanswered. “You should try thinking about something else.” “Like what?” She thought for a moment. “Like...” She stopped. Kael raised an eyebrow. “Like?” “My parents are coming this afternoon.” Kael froze. “Your parents?” “Yes.” He straightened slightly. “Why?” Lysandra looked at him as if the answer were obvious. “Because House Valenne is one of the families involved in the Lorn mission.” Kael nodded. He had forgotten that detail. “Is your father coming too?” “Yes.” “And your brother?” “Unfortunately.” Kael gave a faint smile. “What’s he like?” Lysandra thought for a moment. “Protective.” “What does that mean?” “He asks a lot of questions.” “About me?” “Probably.” Kael slowly nodded. “I see.” Lysandra smiled. “Don’t worry.” “I’m not worried.” She looked at him. “A little.” Kael sighed. “Maybe.” Lysandra laughed softly. “You’ve faced Imperial Knights, ancient ruins, and a creature behind a door no one understood.” “Yes.” “And you’re nervous because you’re going to meet my family?” Kael thought about it. “When you put it that way...” “It’s pretty funny.” “I’m starting to regret answering honestly.” Lysandra laughed. --- The afternoon arrived sooner than expected. A carriage bearing the colors of House Valenne passed through Asteria's gates shortly after lunch. Two other carriages followed behind it. Guards accompanied the convoy. Kael was in the courtyard with Darius, Ethan, Noah, and Adrian when the first carriages stopped. Noah looked at Kael. “You look nervous.” “No.” “Yes.” Darius crossed his arms. “He is a little.” Kael turned his head. “Thanks for the support.” “Always.” Ethan smiled. “You should relax.” Kael looked at him. “That’s easy to say when you’re not meeting someone’s family for the first time.” Noah's eyes widened. “Ah.” Kael gave him a look. “What?” “Nothing.” Darius smiled faintly. “He was probably about to say something useless.” “I never say anything useless.” Adrian looked at him. “That’s false.” Noah crossed his arms. “Traitor.” The door of the first carriage opened. Lysandra stepped out. She immediately spotted Kael. Her face brightened slightly. She approached. “You’re already here.” Noah answered before Kael could. “We were waiting for your family.” Lysandra looked at Kael. “Everything okay?” “Yes.” She studied his expression. Then smiled. “You’re lying a little.” Kael sighed. “I’m starting to regret you knowing me this well.” “Too late.” Behind her, a man stepped out of the carriage. He was tall, dressed in a dark blue noble coat. His brown hair was slightly graying at the temples. His expression was calm, but attentive. Lysandra turned toward him. “Dad.” The man approached. “Lysandra.” Then his gaze settled on Kael. Lysandra introduced them. “Dad, this is Kael Veyron.” Kael inclined his head slightly. “Marquis Valenne.” The man returned the gesture. “Patriarch Veyron.” Kael briefly studied his expression. He didn't know what kind of man he was yet. But his manner was perfectly composed. “I’m pleased to meet you,” Alistair said. “Likewise.” Alistair briefly glanced at Lysandra. Then back at Kael. “My daughter has told me quite a bit about you.” Lysandra's eyes widened slightly. “Dad...” Kael looked at her. “Oh.” She suddenly looked embarrassed. “That’s not what you think.” Kael gave a faint smile. “I didn’t say anything.” Alistair watched the exchange with amusement. “I think I understand why she likes you.” Lysandra sighed. “We’ve barely arrived.” A woman stepped out of the carriage. She had the same light-colored eyes as Lysandra and carefully tied dark brown hair. Her expression was much softer than Alistair's. “You’re not going to start already, are you?” Alistair turned toward her. “I was simply getting acquainted.” She smiled. “Of course.” Lysandra approached her. “Mom.” Marianne Valenne gently kissed her daughter on the cheek. “Are you doing well?” “Yes.” “You look tired.” “The last few days were eventful.” Marianne nodded. Then her gaze settled on Kael. She gave him a warm smile. “I’m Marianne Valenne.” Kael inclined his head slightly. “Kael Veyron.” “I know.” She paused briefly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” “Likewise, Marquis.” Marianne smiled. But her gaze remained on him for a few seconds. Not insistently. Simply attentively. Kael noticed, though he wasn't sure why. Finally, a young man stepped out of the third carriage. He had black hair and the same light-colored eyes as his sister. He first looked at Lysandra. Then Kael. Then Darius. His gaze lingered on Darius for a moment before returning to Kael. Lysandra sighed softly. “And this is my brother.” The young man stepped forward. “Lucien Valenne.” Kael shook his hand. “Kael Veyron.” “I know.” His tone was polite. Kael simply noticed that he was watching him much more carefully than his parents had. He didn't yet know whether it was suspicion, curiosity, or simply his personality. Lysandra intervened. “Lucien.” “What?” “Stop looking at him like that.” Lucien raised an eyebrow. “I’m not looking at him in any particular way.” Kael gave a faint smile. “You can observe if you want.” Lucien looked at him for a few seconds. “You don't mind?” “No.” “Why?” Kael answered simply: “Because I’d probably do the same thing in your place.” Lucien remained silent. Then a small smile appeared on his face. “Alright.” Lysandra looked surprised. “Are you two finished?” Lucien turned toward her. “For now.” --- The two families headed toward one of Asteria's reception rooms. Noah followed several steps behind. He whispered to Adrian: “They’re interesting.” Adrian nodded. “You’ve only just met them.” “Exactly.” “You’re already drawing conclusions.” “I’m observing.” Adrian looked at him. “You’re using exactly the same word as Lucien.” Noah thought about it. “Maybe we’re meant to get along.” “Whatever you do, don't tell him that.” --- Once inside the room, the conversations truly began. Alistair first spoke with the Director about the mission. The questions mainly concerned Lorn, Imperial authorization, and security. Marianne stayed with Lysandra for a while. Kael was a little farther away with Ethan and Darius. He was speaking with Crown Prince Lucien when he noticed Lysandra laughing. It was nothing unusual. Just a simple conversation with her mother. Yet Kael smiled faintly without even realizing it. Marianne noticed. Her gaze moved toward him. Then toward her daughter. Lysandra had just turned her head toward Kael. Their eyes met. Kael gave her a slight nod. Lysandra smiled. Then she returned to her conversation. Marianne remained silent. She watched her daughter for a few seconds. Then Kael. Something was different. She knew Lysandra. She knew how her daughter behaved around other young nobles. Polite. Respectful. Sometimes warm. But always slightly reserved. With Kael... It was different. She seemed more natural. She teased him. She looked for him. And most importantly, she never seemed to need to think before speaking to him. Marianne then looked at Kael. He was different too. Around the other nobles, he was calm. Measured. Almost unreachable. With Lysandra, his expression seemed slightly less guarded. His voice was softer. His gaze lingered on her a little longer. And he truly listened. Marianne smiled to herself. She said nothing. Not yet. --- Alistair eventually joined the group. “We’ve received the first documents concerning Lorn.” Kael turned toward him. “You’ve looked through them?” “Yes.” Alistair placed a file on the table. “House Valenne had already submitted several requests for access to the Imperial archives.” Kael looked at the file. “Why?” Alistair hesitated. “Because your parents' disappearance had always left certain questions unanswered.” Kael remained silent. Ethan straightened slightly. “You investigated?” “We tried.” Marianne looked at her husband. “Alistair.” He understood. “I know.” Then he looked at Kael. “I don't want to give you false hope.” Kael nodded. “I prefer the truth.” Alistair slowly nodded. “That’s exactly why I wanted to meet you.” Lucien Valenne, who had remained slightly apart, spoke up. “And because Dad also wanted to see for himself who the new patriarch was.” Alistair gave him a look. “Lucien.” “What?” Kael gave a faint smile. “I don’t mind.” Lucien looked at him. “You always give that answer?” “Often.” “That must be convenient.” “Not always.” Lucien seemed to think about it. Then he sat down. “Alright.” --- Later, part of the group gathered in the gardens. Noah had immediately found something to eat. Adrian was talking with Ethan. Darius was discussing the security of the next journey with Alistair. Kael was walking slightly behind them. Lysandra joined him. “This is going better than expected.” “Yes.” “You thought they wouldn’t like you?” Kael thought about it. “I didn’t know what they would think.” “And now?” Kael looked toward her father a few meters away. Alistair was still speaking with Darius. “Your father is still watching me.” Lysandra smiled. “That’s normal.” “Your brother too.” “Even more normal.” Kael looked at her. “And your mother?” Lysandra thought for a moment. “She watches everyone.” Kael nodded. “That explains a lot.” Lysandra laughed softly. “Why?” “She reminds me of someone.” “Who?” “Me.” She looked at him with amusement. “You think you observe that much?” “Yes.” “You don’t even realize you’re doing it.” “That’s the point.” Lysandra smiled. Then she looked ahead. “I’m glad they’re meeting you before...” She stopped. Kael turned his head. “Before what?” Lysandra hesitated. “Nothing.” Kael looked at her for a few seconds. But he didn't press her. “Alright.” They continued walking. Behind them, Marianne watched from the steps. She had noticed the way her daughter stood beside Kael. No particular gesture. No declaration. Nothing obvious. Only the ease with which they could remain together without needing to fill every silence. Marianne smiled. --- A little later, Marianne joined her daughter alone. “You seem to get along well with Kael.” Lysandra turned toward her. “Yes.” “Are you close?” “We’re friends.” Marianne smiled. “I didn't say anything else.” Lysandra fell silent. “Mom...” “What?” “Nothing.” Marianne calmly picked up a cup from the table. “Then everything is fine.” Lysandra looked at her for a few seconds. Then looked away. “You’re weird.” “I’m your mother.” “That’s not an answer.” “Yet it explains a lot.” Lysandra shook her head. Marianne smiled. She wouldn't ask any more questions. Not yet. There was something between those two young people. She didn't know what it was yet. And perhaps they didn't know either. But she had noticed one thing. Kael was different when he looked at Lysandra. And Lysandra was different when she looked at Kael. That was enough for her. --- Late in the afternoon, the Valennes prepared to leave. Alistair shook Kael's hand. “We’ll see each other again before Lorn.” “Probably.” “I hope so.” Marianne approached next. “Take care of yourself.” Kael inclined his head slightly. “You too, Marquis.” She smiled. Then looked at Lysandra. “We’ll talk later.” Lysandra immediately understood. “Mom...” Marianne simply smiled before getting into the carriage. Lucien was the last one to remain in front of Kael. He looked at him for a few seconds. “Patriarch.” “Lucien.” “I’m going to be honest.” Kael waited. “I don’t know you well enough to fully trust you yet.” Kael nodded. “That’s normal.” Lucien seemed slightly surprised by the answer. “But I think my sister trusts you.” Kael looked at Lysandra. Then back at Lucien. “I won’t betray that trust.” Lucien remained silent. Then he nodded. “That’s all I wanted to hear.” He got into the carriage. The Valenne convoy finally left the courtyard. Lysandra remained there for a few seconds, watching her family disappear. Kael stood beside her. “Your brother likes me a little more now.” Lysandra smiled. “A tiny bit.” “That’s progress.” “Yes.” She looked at him. “Thank you.” Kael frowned slightly. “For what?” “For being yourself.” He remained silent. Then a faint smile appeared. “I don't know how to be anyone else.” Lysandra smiled back. A few meters away, Marianne was still looking through the carriage window. She saw her daughter and Kael standing side by side. She said nothing. She simply smiled. She wasn't in a hurry to put a name to what she had noticed. Some things needed time. And she was certain this one did. In a few days, Kael would return to Lorn. The place where his story had changed. But before leaving, he had discovered something much simpler. He was no longer surrounded only by people who followed him because he was the patriarch. There were also people who stayed by his side simply because they appreciated the person he was. And among them, a young girl with midnight-blue hair was slowly beginning to occupy a different place. Even though neither of them was ready to acknowledge it yet.

The Valenne Family