The long marble dining hall was brighter than usual, flooded with morning light that spilt through tall windows. The scent of bread, honeyed butter, rosemary eggs and spiced tea lingered in the air. A serene mood, though everyone in the household sensed it was the calm before something important.
Levi arrived first. His footsteps echoed softly as he took his seat near the head of the table, posture relaxed but eyes quietly calculating. The maids standing near the walls whispered behind lowered heads. Some stole glances at him, curious about the strange change in the young master. None dared speak aloud.
Moments later, the doors opened, and Draken Solareth entered. His presence alone was enough to still every voice. Cloaked in authority, he moved with ease but carried heavy thoughts behind his eyes. He sat without a word, only acknowledging Levi with a brief look. It was not cold, but searching, like a man trying to understand who now sat before him.
Lady Solareth arrived next. She wore soft blue silk and looked well rested, though her gaze lingered on Levi longer than usual. A mixture of relief, worry and maternal affection shimmered in her eyes.
Last to enter was Charlotte.
Levi felt a knot tighten in his chest. His sister had always been sunshine incarnate, bright, sharp at the tongue when irritated, but genuinely warm when she wished to be. Today she paused at the doorway, hesitated, then approached the table. Instead of running to hug him or scoffing as she often used to, she simply pulled her chair out with quiet grace.
For a moment, it seemed she had nothing to say. Then she lifted her eyes and spoke.
"Brother." A simple word, but heavy. Not playful, not dramatic, just honest." I am glad you are awake."
Her voice wavered almost imperceptibly. Not out of fear, but uncertainty. As if she wanted to say much more, yet did not know how he would receive it. The memory of his former cruelty hung like a ghost between them.
Levi gave a small smile, restrained yet sincere."Thank you, Charlotte. It is good to see you as well."
To her surprise, his tone held no mockery, no arrogance. Only a calm warmth she had not heard from him in a long time. She blinked and quickly looked away, hiding the slight flush in her cheeks. She tore a piece of bread, chewing slowly to mask her confusion.
Lady Solareth watched the exchange carefully. Draken watched even more closely.
The family began to eat, though small glances were thrown Levi's way between bites. The silence that followed was not awkward, but expectant. As if they were all waiting for the moment where the truth behind his change would surface.
The young lord reached for his cup, unbothered by the tension. Inside his mind, wheels were already turning. Today marks the first step. Trust must be rebuilt. And the traitor must be dealt with.
Silence settled over the table. Only the soft clink of cutlery could be heard as the family ate, each member lost in thought. Lady Elara watched her son with quiet relief, as though afraid he might shatter and vanish if she spoke too loudly. Draken, on the other hand, regarded Levi like one might regard an unsolved riddle, calm but observant, waiting for the moment to strike with questions.
Levi wiped his mouth slowly, then glanced toward the servants along the walls.
"I wish to speak freely with my family," he said.
There was a bit of hesitation; however, Draken looked up and spoke. There was no raised voice, yet every servant straightened as though pulled by a string.
"Leave us," Duke Draken commanded.
After the duke's command, everyone left the room, leaving only the Solareth family behind.
Levi's expression remained calm. Only his father mirrored it.
His mother and Charlotte both wore strikingly similar faces filled with apprehension, anticipation, and unease. It felt as though something heavy hung in the air, something none of them were fully prepared to receive.
Levi placed his fork down and lifted his gaze toward his father.
"I wish to tell you about my threads and the power I now possess," he said. "You are my family. And I already know much about all of you."
The duke said nothing, giving his son the space to speak.
"First," Levi continued, "I currently possess four threads."
A sharp intake of breath escaped his mother's lips.
Charlotte nearly rose from her seat.
Only Draken remained composed, his eyes sharp and expectant, as though he already knew there was more to come.
"It appears frost has returned to the blood of Solareth," Levi said.
"Oh my word…" the duchess murmured
For the briefest moment, Draken's lips curved upward in satisfaction, though the expression vanished just as quickly.
"I possess two heritage threads," Levi said. "One is the power of the sun. The other is the power of frost."
Silence followed.
"The remaining two are different," he continued. "One of them does not display properly. Its details do not appear on my status veil."
Draken's gaze hardened slightly.
"What do you mean the details are not appearing?" he asked.
"I mean exactly that, Father," Levi replied. "There is information missing."
The emphasis in his voice was deliberate.
Draken caught it immediately and chose not to press further.
"Very well," he said after a moment.
"And the last thread?" he asked.
Levi met his eyes.
"It is the power of Diligence," he said. "One of the Seven Heavenly Virtues."
His mother clasped her hands together.
"Our boy is a genius," she whispered.
Charlotte remained silent. Her eyes had gone distant, her thoughts clearly racing far faster than her expression betrayed.
Draken exhaled slowly.
"A heavenly virtue," he murmured. "The churches will not take this lightly."
He paused, then nodded once.
"Still, that can be managed. You must possess titles already."
"We will discuss that later, Father," Levi said quietly, the weight behind his words unmistakable.
Draken studied him for a long moment before answering.
"Very well."
Then his tone softened.
"Well done, Levi. You have awoken."
He inclined his head slightly.
"I could not be prouder of you, my son."
"Thank you, Father," Levi replied.
His voice remained steady.
"My life depended on it."