Chapter 384 - 376. A Gentle Mountain
"I hope it’s not impertinent of me," Ludya looked at the blue eyes, which were as firm and clear as always. In black and white photographs, he would look like his father’s twins.
There was heartache and regret in Ludya’s chest when he heard about what happened to House Ishtera. Radia did not tell her what was the reason for the original betrayal, or what kind of power the Horins pursued in Zein which made them hunt him. But she didn’t need to know it to see the heartbreak this family had experienced for the past three decades.
He wondered if there was something they could do had they known about it. Regretfully, Ludya thought that there might be nothing. Around that time, she was busy with her own heartbreak of losing her husband.
Perhaps it was just the course of fate.
"No, thank you for coming," the Young Patriarch, the last remaining member of the House, replied gracefully. Despite spending almost his entire life in the end zones, the quality of one’s blood did not lie.
At the very least, he wasn’t alone. The loyal vassals were still there, and he had one of the most powerful new generation espers by his side.
"Then, I hope I’m not being rude by following her?" Yuria Apsoro chimed in cheekily behind Calix and Laurel, who were holding themselves back from rolling their eyes.
Zein looked at the shadow Patriarch briefly, before shifting his gaze toward another group that had just entered the mourning house. The patriarch of House Caishen and the heir of House Kamui; there was also the patriarch from House Arok, if he recalled correctly, with his grandson tugging behind wearing a sheepish smile--Zein felt like he saw the man in the annual gathering, probably.
He exhaled slowly, softly. If he had to be honest, he had never intended this to be a social event. He just wanted to have a quiet memorial service with the Ishtera household members and Bassena. He didn’t mind his friends being there if they wanted to, and by extension, the Mallarcs, who were the family of his friend.
But then Yuria was there, because, of course, he would know what happened, as a House excelling in information gathering. At least he was Calix’s friend. But he forgot what Ludya said; the matter of his father had been added to the case that would be used against Torodeo and the Horins, so in the end, the whole Council would find out about it.
"It’s not a bad thing," Radia said as he glanced toward the entrance. "It means they show you some respect. They could have just sent some wreaths through messengers, but they personally come."