As they sat cooling down after their spar, Draven turned toward Alex.
"My mom mentioned her mother was coming to the party," he said. "But I didn't see her."
Alex paused, then shrugged.
"Grandma Ellen? She's not coming. She's... busy."
Draven frowned.
"Busy, huh? With what?"
Alex glanced away.
"Your mom and Grandma Ellen aren't exactly on good terms."
Draven raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?"
"I don't know all the details," Alex said, folding her arms. "But... it mostly has to do with your mother being with your father."
Draven's eyes widened slightly.
"So, she doesn't like my old man?"
"Basically, yeah." Alex nodded. "Your dad's a vampire—which, to most people, means he's part of the demon race."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"And Grandma Ellen... well, she's kind of a big deal. She's one of the Five Heroes."
Draven blinked.
"Wait. What do you mean, one of the Five Heroes?"
Alex gave him a surprised look.
"You seriously didn't know?"
"Ellen—the Dark Elf assassin? That's your grandmother."
Draven stared at her.
"She's... still alive?"
Alex laughed.
"Of course she is."
She shook her head.
"A Dark Elf can live up to ten thousand years. Grandma Ellen's only around five thousand."
Alex shrugged.
"That's middle-aged, basically."
Draven shook his head, a small smile forming.
"So you weren't joking when you said I you're still just a child.'"
Alex flushed slightly and rubbed the back of her neck.
"Well even though... I am older than you, so you'd better show some respect and call me Big Sis, like I told you."
Draven gave her a look.
"Sure."
But inwardly, he thought:
*If Grandma's five thousand... does that mean I could live that long too?*
*Maybe longer?*
The training room door opened again.
The maid stepped inside and bowed politely.
"Young Master," she said. "Here are your clothes."
Draven took the folded garments.
"Change of clothes, huh?" he muttered, glancing down at his bloodied outfit.
After changing, he looked over at Alex.
"Big Sis, you coming?"
Alex nodded, smiling faintly.
"Yeah."
*This brat's not so bad,* she thought as they walked out together.
---
### Back at the Party
A while later, Draven and Alex made their way back into the grand hall.
The party was still in full swing.
Music played softly beneath the murmur of voices. Servants weaved through the crowd with drinks, while nobles mingled with soldiers and scholars alike.
Draven scanned the room, searching for his father.
Before he could spot him, a man stepped into their path.
He had long black hair, crimson eyes, and pale, flawless skin.
His presence was quiet but powerful—enough to make the nearby guests subtly give him space.
The man looked at Draven with a calm, unreadable expression.
"So," he said, his voice low and smooth, "you're my nephew."
Draven blinked.
The man smiled faintly.
"Nice to meet you, Draven."