Night fell silently over the mansion.
After an entire day solving internal issues and organizing everything, for the first time in a long while I didn't feel urgency. There was no mission, no immediate pressure. Just… calm.
I went down to the main hall, guided by the smell coming from the kitchen.
Lyannis was already sitting at the table, spinning a glass between her fingers. "Took you long enough."
"I finished what I needed to."
Rai'kanna was leaning near the window, observing outside. "Today was different."
"It was."
Scarlett was carefully arranging the plates. "But necessary."
Elara was helping silently. "Structure consolidated."
Vespera was already seated, relaxed posture. "A rare moment of pause."
Liriel came from the kitchen carrying another dish. "And it deserves to be enjoyed."
I sat down.
The table was well served. Nothing extravagant, but enough. Simple, well-prepared food.
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
We simply started eating.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
It was peaceful.
Lyannis was the first to break it. "So… you're the mansion lord now."
I looked at her. "Something like that."
Rai'kanna commented, "You took it seriously."
"Someone has to."
Scarlett nodded. "And you did well."
Elara added, "Efficient execution."
Vespera said, "No flaws."
Liriel smiled slightly. "They were happy."
I thought for a moment.
"It was the least I could do."
Lyannis tilted her head. "No. That was more than the least."
Rai'kanna agreed. "300 gold coins is no small amount."
"I know."
Scarlett spoke calmly. "But it builds loyalty."
Elara said, "And stability."
Vespera added, "Solid foundation."
Liriel looked at me. "You're building something bigger."
I stayed silent for a moment, looking at the plate in front of me.
"I don't want to rely on luck."
Lyannis smiled faintly. "Or anyone."
"Exactly."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "Makes sense."
Scarlett said, "You're thinking ahead."
Elara stated, "Long-term vision."
Vespera added, "That changes everything."
Liriel simply said, "We'll be with you."
I looked up.
"I know."
We continued eating for a few more minutes.
This time, the conversation shifted.
Lighter.
More natural.
Lyannis started talking about a moment from the fight against the orcs. "That last one tried to escape… but ran straight into me."
Rai'kanna let out a small laugh. "Bad choice."
Scarlett commented, "He didn't assess the field."
Elara said, "Decision error."
Vespera added, "Predictable outcome."
Liriel smiled. "But it was quick."
Lyannis shrugged. "He didn't even have time to think."
I looked at all of them.
Each in their own way.
Their presence.
Their strength.
And yet… there, at that moment, they were just people sharing a meal.
"You all fought well."
Rai'kanna responded immediately. "So did you."
Scarlett nodded. "Precise leadership."
Elara stated, "Effective coordination."
Vespera said, "No waste."
Liriel added, "It was good teamwork."
Lyannis smiled. "Not bad for an improvised group, huh?"
"It hasn't been improvised for a long time."
She looked at me for a moment… then silently agreed.
The meal ended without rush.
After that, we went outside the mansion.
The sky was clear.
Stars visible.
A light wind.
Rai'kanna leaned on the railing. "It's been a while since we had a night like this."
Scarlett stood beside her. "No combat."
Elara said, "No pressure."
Vespera added, "No urgency."
Liriel took a deep breath. "It's… nice."
Lyannis sat on the ground, looking at the sky. "You can almost forget everything."
I stayed silent.
But I didn't forget.
The war.
The generals.
What was still to come.
None of it was over.
Even so…
"For today… everything is fine."
Lyannis looked at me. "Just for today?"
"Just for today."
Rai'kanna nodded. "That's enough."
Scarlett said, "Necessary balance."
Elara stated, "Recovery."
Vespera added, "Indirect preparation."
Liriel smiled. "Rest is important too."
We stayed there a few more minutes.
No rush.
No immediate worries.
Just… present.
Then we went back inside.
Fatigue began to appear naturally.
We went upstairs together.
The room was silent, lit only by a soft light.
I lay on the bed.
One by one, they settled in too.
No tension.
No need for words.
Lyannis came first, resting her head on my shoulder. Rai'kanna lay on the other side, calm. Scarlett lay nearby in silence. Elara remained relaxed. Vespera closed her eyes without hesitation. Liriel settled carefully, as always.
I closed my eyes.
For the first time in a long while…
My mind wasn't racing.
No calculations.
No strategy.
Just silence.
I took a deep breath.
And let my body relax.
Tomorrow… I would think again.
But not today.
Today…
Was just a quiet night.
And that was enough.