Dinner at Evandelle Manor was always an affair of elegance — not extravagance.
The long oak table gleamed under the golden chandeliers, draped in fine linen and trimmed with silver embroidery. Crystal goblets shimmered beside polished plates; steam rose from platters of roasted pheasant, herbed potatoes, and honeyed bread. The scent of wine and wild thyme laced the air — warm, comforting, familiar.
At the head sat Lord Alaric, posture sharp as his reputation. Lady Seraphine sat beside him, all poise and soft authority. To her right was Caelan, his smirk ever-present, while Elara bounced slightly in her chair, trying not to spill her soup.
Zelene took her seat across from Kael. Ray stood discreetly behind her — hands clasped, eyes scanning, silent as always.
Kael, for his part, looked entirely at ease in this noble warmth — or at least, he pretended to. The firelight carved sharp shadows over his strong jaw and angular cheekbones, catching on the faint scar that traced the edge of his chin — the kind of imperfection that only made him look more composed. His gray eyes reflected the flames like tempered steel.
And Zelene, despite herself, couldn't seem to look away.
The arrangement had never been about romance — or at least, not at first.It had been strategy. Protection.
Because the capital had begun to rot beneath its golden veneer.Because enemies whispered the family's name too easily.
And because Alaric Evandelle, ever the tactician, had made the hardest choice a father could:To send his daughter away — not as a pawn, but as a safeguard.
Now, as the servants poured wine and laughter began to fill the hall, Zelene couldn't shake the memory of the day he made that decision — his voice low, resolute, as he told her she'd be safer under Dravenhart's watch.
She'd resented it then. She wasn't sure how she felt about it now.
Seraphine's voice broke the hush."So, Duke Dravenhart," she began, delicately cutting her meal, "I've heard your lands in the north have seen quite the recovery since your appointment. My husband speaks highly of your… management."
Kael inclined his head politely. "I only followed His Majesty's directives, my lady. Evandelle's strategies were part of that success."
Alaric's lips curved faintly. "Modesty suits you, Duke. But I suspect your hand steadied more than a few wavering councils."
Zelene shifted, glancing at him — and for a brief second, Kael's eyes flicked to hers. The ghost of a smile tugged at his lips.
And she hated that her heart noticed.
"Careful, sister," Caelan drawled, stabbing his fork into a potato. "You'll melt if you keep looking at him like that."
"Caelan!" Zelene hissed, glaring.
Elara giggled. "She does look a little pink, though."
Zelene covered her face with one hand. "I am surrounded by traitors."
Kael's shoulders shook slightly — the faintest laugh. "I assure you, my lord," he said, voice cool but amused, "your sister's expressions are far more disciplined on the battlefield."
"Ah, so you've seen her glare in full form?" Caelan leaned back with a grin. "You have my sympathies."
Zelene gave him a warning look that could have turned stone to dust. "Keep talking, and you'll test it yourself."
Seraphine chuckled, dabbing her lips. "It's good to have laughter in this house again."
Alaric nodded quietly, his gaze settling on Zelene. "You've been gone too long."
Her smile faltered. "I know. It is because of you, father."
"I apoligze, Zelene." he said gently. "You're here. That's enough."
Zelene's throat tightened. "Thank you, Father."
A soft clink of glass — Kael had lifted his goblet. "To homecomings," he said, voice low, eyes flicking to Zelene once more. "May they always be worth the wait."
For a moment, no one moved. Then Alaric smiled faintly and raised his own. "To homecomings."
Crystal chimed.
But beneath that delicate sound, Zelene's pulse thrummed like a secret.Kael hadn't said her name, hadn't even touched her hand — yet somehow the air between them had changed.
As conversation resumed — Caelan recounting some ridiculous duel, Elara feeding crumbs to the cat under the table, Seraphine occasionally giving everyone "the look" — Zelene caught herself stealing glances again.
At the way Kael's fingers rested against the stem of his glass — steady, elegant, restrained.At the small curve of his mouth when Elara made him laugh.
At how, when she nearly dropped her napkin, he reached for it at the same time she did — their fingers brushing, the faintest warmth sparking between them.
Her heart stumbled.
She withdrew quickly. "You don't have to keep pretending," she murmured under her breath.
Kael's expression didn't change, but his eyes softened — dangerously so. "I'm not pretending," he said quietly. "Not tonight."
The words caught her off guard.
Across the table, Caelan smirked again. "You two whispering sweet nothings already? Stars help me."
"Caelan," Seraphine sighed. "Do stop teasing them."
"Teasing?" he grinned. "I'm just making sure my sister's stoic Duke still has emotions."
Kael only smiled — a real one, faint but there. "Only the necessary ones, my lord."
"Hmm." Caelan leaned closer to Zelene. "See that, Zel? Stoic and smug. Your type exactly."
Zelene nearly choked on her wine.
"Caelan," Zelene warned.
Elara laughed so hard she snorted.
Even Ray — standing silently behind her — allowed himself the faintest twitch of amusement before returning to his usual blank stare.
"Oh, come now. It's good to see you smile again." He leaned toward Kael. "Tell me, Duke Dravenhart, does she glare at you as often as she used to glare at me?"
Kael tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting. "Only when she's right."
That earned him laughter — even from Alaric, whose gaze flicked between the two of them with quiet approval.But beneath that smile, there was something else — something heavy.He hid it well, though not from Seraphine, who reached out to brush her fingers against his hand under the table.
And somehow, despite the teasing and the nerves, Zelene felt… light.For the first time in months, surrounded by laughter and warmth and the people she loved, the ache inside her chest eased just a little.
Until Kael's gaze met hers again — unwavering, searching, steady.
And she realized: the ache had only changed shape.