The front entrance of the Ashborn manor opened for them in silent welcome.
And for the first time in many, many years… no family member stood there to mock him.
No one waiting with a venomous grin.
No one rolling their eyes behind a curtain of smugness.
No one tilting their chin as if sniffing something rotten.
Just the tall, silent manor.
But when the household maids appeared from within, there was no hesitation. No sidelong glances or muttered whispers behind gloved hands. They bowed low, deep, and formal. Heads down. Eyes averted.
"Welcome back, Lord Kaiden!" they intoned in perfect unison.
Aria blinked.
Nyx gave a low whistle.
Even Luna seemed briefly startled.
It was no empty gesture. It was a complete shift in how the Ashborn servants viewed him. These same maids had more or less ignored him a few hours ago, like a stray dog who snuck in through the servant's door. Now they addressed him with the same reverence they reserved for Vespera herself.
