***Raizel***
The dining hall felt different these days.
Not because anything had changed. The table was the same one it had always been, the room was the same, the servants moved about with the same quiet efficiency they always had.
And yet, somehow, everything felt different.
Perhaps because it was no longer empty.
I sat at the head of the table with Cadiz beside me, and for a moment I simply looked around.
Aldrik sat on my other side, speaking quietly with Cassius. Further down, Camilla was explaining something animatedly while Karl listened with complete attention. Across from them, Lyris appeared to be pretending not to listen while clearly listening to every word.
The twins were asleep in the room. For now.
