The silence that followed Leon's greeting lingered like a breath held too long.
"I would like to thank you… for saving my son."
Leon had expected those words. He knew this was the reason Luke came in person. Still, hearing it directly, from the man who once couldn't hide his disdain, felt strange. Almost surreal.
The Ferans and the Kaels had been at odds since the celebration months ago. The moment Dayton Feran insulted his family in front of the nobles, and Leon shut him up, that was the spark. Since then, tension had simmered. Leon always assumed retaliation would follow, and when he was arrested at the mall shortly after, the Ferans were the first name on his mind.
But Darian Kael dug deeper.
