Leo let out a deep sigh once Leonardo left, as the silence of the mansion settled around him once again, heavy and familiar.
He could not believe how quickly the boy was growing. It felt like just yesterday when Leonardo used to hide behind Jacob's legs, peeking out nervously with wide eyes whenever Leo returned home from training.
He still remembered the way the child would cling to Elena's robes, too shy to greet him alone, and how his laughter used to echo through the manor's courtyard as he played with wooden swords Elena had carved for him.
Now that same boy stood tall and proud, carrying the weight of the Skyshard name on his shoulders with the grace of a man twice his age.
The realization made Leo's chest tighten faintly, a quiet ache spreading through him as he stared at the faint glow of his own reflection against the polished marble floor.
When had the years slipped away so silently?
When had the child turned into a warrior?
