Two weeks had passed since Kael's first meeting with the Valenne family. During that time, Asteria had returned to a calmer rhythm. Classes had resumed normally. So had training. The preparations for the expedition to the Forest of Lorn, however, continued without interruption. Kael had spent much of his time between the archives, meetings with the director, and training sessions with the Black Ravens. He had not forgotten L-01. If anything, the closer the departure date came, the more the destination occupied his thoughts. The Forest of Lorn. The place where his parents had officially died. The place where, sixteen years ago, something had been detected after their disappearance. And now, he was going back. But this time, he would not be alone. --- A carriage bearing the colors of House Valenne passed through Asteria's gates that afternoon. Kael was standing in the courtyard with Darius, Ethan, Noah, and Adrian when he spotted the convoy. Noah narrowed his eyes. — They're back. Kael nodded. — Yes. — They actually decided to come? — For Lorn. Darius crossed his arms. — Their presence will be useful. Ethan looked at Kael. — Are you getting along with them? Kael thought for a few seconds. — I still don't know them very well. Noah smiled. — That won't last. Kael gave him a look. — Why? — Because they're traveling with us. — That's not a guarantee. — With me, it is. Adrian sighed. — That's exactly what worries me. The first carriage stopped. Alistair Valenne stepped out first. Marianne followed. Then Lucien. Lysandra appeared last. The moment she saw Kael, her expression brightened slightly. She walked toward him. — Hi. — Hi. She studied him for a few seconds. — You look tired. — I'm fine. Lysandra smiled. — You didn't even try to deny it properly. Kael raised an eyebrow. — That was intentional. — Of course it was. Noah walked past them. — He does that all the time. Kael turned around. — Noah. — What? — Nothing. — Exactly. Lysandra laughed softly. Marianne watched the scene with a smile. She remembered their first meeting perfectly. Now, she could immediately see the difference. Lysandra no longer seemed to need to think before speaking to Kael. And Kael, for his part, was clearly less guarded whenever she was around. Alistair approached. — Patriarch Veyron. Kael inclined his head slightly. — Marquis Valenne. — We're glad to be back. — So am I. Lucien stepped forward. — Kael. — Lucien. They briefly shook hands. Lucien then looked at Darius. — Commander Valen. — Lucien Valenne. — I've heard about you. Darius smiled. — I hope it was good things. — Mostly. Noah immediately interrupted. — Mostly? Lucien looked at him. — I don't know you well enough to make a judgment. Noah placed a hand over his heart. — I'm hurt. Adrian sighed. — You just met him. — Exactly. He could have had a better opinion of me. Lysandra shook her head. — You're already starting. Kael gave a faint smile. --- The Valennes weren't staying for just a few hours. They had planned to remain at Asteria until the departure for Lorn. Several rooms had been prepared for them in one of the wings reserved for noble families. This time, they would have enough time to truly discover the academy. And, more importantly, to see Kael in his usual environment. The first difference became obvious the following day. A military meeting had been organized in the training courtyard. Several families were participating in the preparations. The Imperial Knights were present. So were the Black Ravens. Alistair was observing the different formations when a voice rang out. — Place the first squad on the western side. Kael had just entered. He wasn't speaking loudly. Yet several knights immediately moved into position. — Second squad, cover the flanks. — Yes, Patriarch. — Keep the archers in the rear. — Understood. Kael turned toward Darius. — You take the vanguard. — As planned. — Aldren, coordinate the rear. — Very well. Gareth arrived with several reports. Kael quickly went through them. — Are the reserve horses ready? — Yes. — Secondary routes? — Checked. — Good. Alistair watched in silence. He had already seen Kael as a calm young man. But this Kael was different. He wasn't simply respected. The men around him knew exactly what to do the moment he spoke. He never raised his voice. He didn't need to. Lucien, standing beside his father, noticed the difference as well. — He's really a commander. Alistair nodded. — Yes. A voice behind them spoke. — Is this the first time you've seen him like this? Alistair turned. Crown Prince Lucien Arclight stood a few meters away. — Yes, the marquis replied. Princess Elara arrived beside him. — Then you'll get used to it. Alistair smiled. — You seem particularly used to it. Elara shrugged. — We've had time. The prince looked toward Kael. — At first, everyone wonders how someone his age can command such experienced knights. He paused. — Then you watch him work. Darius, passing behind them, added: — And after a few days, you stop wondering. Alistair looked at Darius. — You were already at his side before he became patriarch? — Yes. — And you still obey him the same way? Darius smiled. — No. Alistair raised an eyebrow. — No? — Now I officially obey him. Elara burst out laughing. Kael, who had heard him, turned around. — Darius. — What? — Get back to work. — Yes, Patriarch. Darius walked away. Alistair watched Kael for a few seconds. Then smiled. — I think I'm starting to understand. --- That afternoon, another surprise awaited the Valennes. Kael was walking through the gardens with Lysandra when they spotted Nyxara. The Nocterys was lying beneath a tree. In her smaller form, she almost looked like an ordinary domestic creature. Almost. Lysandra approached. — Is she sleeping? Kael looked at Nyxara. — Yes. Lysandra sat down in the grass. Nyxara opened one eye. Then rested her head on Lysandra's legs. Lysandra smiled. — She does that now? Kael shrugged slightly. — Apparently. A few meters away, Marianne watched the scene. Alistair and Lucien had joined her. Lucien looked at Nyxara. — Is that really the creature everyone talks about? — Yes, Marianne replied. — She's much smaller than I imagined. Kael looked up. — She can change size. Lucien looked at Kael. — How much? Kael thought for a moment. — A lot. — How much is "a lot"? Kael didn't answer. Darius, who was passing nearby, stopped. — You should see for yourself. Lucien frowned. — Why do I get the feeling you enjoy saying things like that? Darius smiled. — Because I do. Kael looked at Nyxara. — You want to? The Nocterys immediately lifted her head. She looked at Kael. Then at the gardens. Then back at Kael. Kael gave a faint smile. — All right. He stood. Lysandra stepped back. Nyxara moved into the open space. Then she grew. Quickly. Her body stretched. Her black fur spread, revealing midnight-blue highlights. Her red eyes became more prominent. Her small horns appeared. Her long tail swept across the grass. Within seconds, the creature that had been peacefully resting against Lysandra had become an enormous Nocterys. Lucien Valenne stood completely still. So did Alistair. Marianne's eyes widened slightly. Even several nobles in the gardens instinctively stepped back. Crown Prince Lucien barely moved. Elara smiled. — There you go. Lucien Valenne turned his head. — You knew about this? — Yes. — And you're this calm? Elara shrugged. — I wasn't this calm the first time. Darius crossed his arms. — None of us were. Alistair looked around at the others. — Everyone? Aldren, who had just arrived, answered: — Almost. Noah walked past. — I screamed. Kael turned toward him. — You screamed very loudly. — I didn't know she could get that big! Lysandra smiled. — You already knew she was a Nocterys. — Yes, but knowing something and seeing it are two different things. Adrian added: — That's probably the smartest thing you've said today. Noah looked at him. — Thanks. — That wasn't a compliment. — I'm taking it anyway. Several people laughed. The tension gradually disappeared. --- Nyxara then approached Alistair. The marquis remained perfectly still. The Nocterys slowly lowered her head. She stared at him. Alistair held her gaze. Then Nyxara simply looked away. She walked past him. Marianne smiled. — I think she judged you. Alistair looked at her. — And? — I don't know. Darius answered: — If she doesn't threaten you, that's already a good sign. Alistair gave a small laugh. — Very reassuring. Nyxara then stopped in front of Marianne. She looked at her. Marianne didn't move. — Hello, Nyxara. The creature tilted her head slightly. Then approached. She gently pressed her muzzle against Marianne's shoulder. The marquise froze in surprise. — Oh. She looked at Kael. — Does she do that often? Kael shook his head. — No. Darius added: — Very rarely. Marianne gently placed a hand on Nyxara's fur. The Nocterys closed her eyes. Lucien watched the scene. — She likes you. Marianne smiled. — Apparently. Then Nyxara opened one eye. She looked at Lucien. The young man straightened. Darius immediately noticed his expression. — Don't worry. — I'm not worried. — That's what everyone says. Lucien looked at the creature. — Is she going to come over to me? — Maybe. Nyxara approached by a few steps. Lucien remained still. She sniffed him. Then calmly walked back toward Kael. Lucien blinked. Noah burst out laughing. — She ignored you! — Thank you, Noah. — You're welcome. Kael looked at Lucien. — She doesn't know you yet. Lucien nodded. — I suppose I'll have to earn her trust. — Probably. Darius smiled. — Good luck. --- Later, as the sun began to descend, Nyxara returned to her smaller form. She walked over to Kael. Then, without warning, she gently bumped her head against his arm. Kael looked at her. — What? She did it again. — I understand. She then looked at a chair nearby. Then at Kael. Then at the chair again. Kael frowned. — You want to sit? Nyxara didn't move. Kael sighed. — Fine. He gave her his seat. Nyxara immediately settled into it. Noah stared. — She just stole your chair. Kael looked at Nyxara. — Yes. Darius walked past them. — She's been doing that for years. Kael looked up at him. — You could have warned me. — You wouldn't have listened. — True. Lysandra laughed. Even Lucien Valenne smiled. He had just seen something that titles, reports, and rumors could never explain. Kael was capable of commanding knights. Making important decisions. Standing up to nobles and imperial representatives. But when it came to Nyxara, he could simply sigh because she had stolen his chair. And nobody around him found it strange. Because they were used to it. --- The following days passed much the same way. The Valenne family took part in the preparations. Lucien trained with Adrian and several knights. Alistair regularly discussed the expedition's security with Darius and Aldren. Marianne spent time with Lysandra. And Kael continued his research. Little by little, the Valennes discovered different sides of him. They saw him serious. They saw him command. They saw him work late into the night. They saw him joke with Ethan. They saw Darius tease him. They saw him listen to Noah talk about completely useless things. They saw him calmly discuss tactics with Adrian. And above all, they saw him with Lysandra. More natural. More patient. Sometimes even smiling in a way that very few people ever got to see. Marianne always noticed. She said nothing. Not yet. One evening, she found Lysandra in their room. — You seem happy that they came back. Lysandra smiled. — I am. — And you're happy to leave with them for Lorn? Lysandra hesitated. — Yes. Marianne looked at her. — Do you trust Kael? — Yes. The answer came immediately. Marianne smiled. — Then everything will be fine. Lysandra nodded. --- The day before departure, the entire academy seemed to be moving. The horses were prepared. Weapons were checked. Supplies were loaded. Maps were distributed. Groups were organized. In the courtyard, the Black Ravens stood beside the vehicles. The Imperial Knights formed a second line. Several noble families waited for their instructions. Kael arrived with Darius and Aldren. The conversations naturally grew quieter. Alistair watched the scene. Then looked at Marianne. — I understand now. She smiled. — What? — Why everyone gets used to him so quickly. Marianne looked at Kael. — Yes. Lucien joined them. He looked at his father. — And you? Alistair thought for a moment. — I think I understand most of all why Lysandra trusts him. Lucien looked toward his sister. She had just joined Kael. Nyxara was walking beside them in her smaller form. Kael said something to her. Lysandra smiled. Lucien remained silent. Then answered: — Me too. At the center of the courtyard, Kael looked toward the groups. — Is everyone ready? The answers came immediately. — Yes, Patriarch. — Yes. — Ready. Kael nodded. He looked toward Asteria's great gates. Beyond them was the road. Then the forest. Then Lorn. And somewhere in that forest might lie the truth about his parents. Nyxara approached him. Kael placed a hand on her head. Lysandra moved to his side. Darius and Ethan took their positions behind him. The Black Ravens began moving. The Imperial Knights followed. The noble families started boarding their vehicles. The Valenne family took their place with the main group. This time, no one would remain behind at Asteria. Lorn was waiting. And Kael knew now that he would not discover the truth alone.

Before the Departure