Before Gwen could press further—The door opened. Every gaze in the room shifted at once, drawn instinctively toward the movement. Light spilled in from the corridor, framing the figure that stood at the threshold.....Vaelric.
Sunlight caught in his reddish-blonde hair, setting it aflame in soft gold as he stepped inside. For the briefest moment, he paused—his eyes sweeping the room in quiet observation.
And then they found her and everything about him changed.
His expression softened, brightened—like the first break of dawn after a long, unforgiving night. He smiled.
"Mother."
The word slipped from his lips with ease. There was no hesitation. No uncertainty. No pause to question what he saw.
Only certainty. And it was warm. Natural and unshaken.
He crossed the room toward her without a second thought, his steps steady, his gaze never leaving her face.
Aurelia felt something in her chest loosen at the sight of him.
"Vaelric," she breathed, stepping forward to meet him.
