Chapter 290: What is up with her?
The feast continued in full swing as more dishes began to appear, each one more absurdly elegant than the last. One plate came garnished with edible gold flakes, another had a tiny floating sphere of sauce that burst on the tongue like a mana-infused bubble.
La Rocha didn’t serve them personally after the first round. He had conjured a series of elegant, emotionless constructs in tuxedos to do that for him but every now and then, a loud clang or a frustrated mutter echoed from the kitchen, just to remind everyone he was still working.
Lola happily bounced from lap to lap, giving dramatic reviews of each dish like a tiny, overexcited food critic, most of which made everyone burst into laughter.
Eventually, the plates were all cleared out and everyone’s stomach and hearts were full. The laughter had quieted into warm smiles and soft chatter as the sky began to shift, casting the balcony in hues of pale lavender and peach.
The ocean, calm and endless, mirrored the sky like a painted dream, and the salty breeze carried the faintest scent of the feast that had just passed.
Damon leaned against the balcony rail, a wine glass dangling loosely from his fingers, though it had long since been emptied. Beside him, Kate rested her head on his shoulder, eyes half-lidded in a peaceful daze.
Mark sat with his legs stretched out, unusually relaxed, while Lola had curled up like a content kitten in their mother’s lap, finally tired out. John was scribbling something absentmindedly on a napkin, and even their father had kicked his shoes off, propping up his feet with a satisfied grunt.
As the first golden line of sun peeked over the horizon, Damon exhaled slowly, letting the silence stretch. "Now this," he murmured, "this is the kind of memory I want to keep." Just family. Just morning. Just peace.
Kate did not say anything. Only smiled. She didn’t need to. Her fingers gently brushed against his, their hands resting side by side on the marble railing, pinkies barely touching. Kate felt content.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. An innocent little munchkin suddenly popped next to Damon. "Uncle, can we bring auntie Lirae here next time? I want to show her this view. I think she will love it."