Chapter 96: the celebration
The sun set in shades of lavender and gold across the kingdom of Lysareth. It cast a warm glow over the once-ruined palace, now restored to its former glory—marble pillars gleamed, tapestries of phoenixes danced with firelight, and the garden bloomed again with moonlit lilies. For one night, the war drums were silenced. The air smelled of sweet wines, roasted meats, and blooming roses. The people were allowed to smile.
In the heart of it all, the royal family stood whole—for the first time in years.
Cain leaned against a balcony with a glass of honeyed mead in his hand, watching the courtyard below where musicians played soft violin under the stars. Eren had dragged one of the palace maids into a wild spin around the floor, laughing as he barely avoided knocking over a tray of fruit. Leo, not far behind, clutched a plate of pastries like a dragon hoarding treasure, shooing off anyone who tried to take a bite.
"You're supposed to be royalty," Cain called to them, smirking. "Act like it."
"Royalty can dance," Eren yelled back. "And steal cake," Leo added with a grin.
Selene stood by Cain's side, her hand brushing his. "You know," she said softly, "for a family born of blood and fire, you're surprisingly gentle."
Cain chuckled. "Don't say that too loud. It might ruin our image."
A rustle of silk approached from behind them. Neriah, their mother, stepped out in a gown of pale gold, the fabric woven with threads of starlight. Her hair was braided with silver pins, and yet she looked relaxed—peaceful, if only for a fleeting moment.
"I used to dream of this," she said. "My children under one roof. Smiling."
Cain turned to her. "We're not smiling that much."
But he was.