The sun had started to dip below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the sprawling gardens outside the manor. Inside, the grand parlor remained serene, its elegant furnishings bathed in soft, golden light from the flickering fireplace. Lyria sat by the window, Aiden cradled in her arms, his curious eyes gazing up at her.

Elena, seated beside her, gave a soft smile as she watched the little boy grow before her eyes. She had seen many children in her time, but there was something particularly special about Aiden. His presence seemed to light up the room in a way that no one could ignore.

Lyria's attention shifted to the doorway as a figure entered the room—her brother.

"Lyria," the man said, his voice full of warmth but underlined with concern. "I trust all is well here?"

Lyria stood, carefully setting Aiden down on the plush rug as she moved toward her brother, embracing him in a rare, genuine show of affection. "I'm doing fine, Keiran. It's been peaceful here, despite everything."

Keiran's brow furrowed as he looked at his sister, his eyes scanning her face. "I can tell you're managing, but I can also tell that you're carrying more weight than you should. I worry about you, Lyria."

Elena, who had been silently observing the exchange, stood as well, her gaze warm but a little distant. "Keiran," she said with a soft smile, "It's been too long since we've had a proper dinner together."

Keiran's expression softened at the sight of his mother, but the concern in his eyes remained. "Mother, it's not that. It's just..." His gaze shifted to Aiden, who was now crawling toward him with a wide smile on his face. "I'm just worried about everything happening around here. The situation with the family, the rumors... I feel like I should be here more often."

Lyria gently stroked Aiden's head as he reached out toward his uncle. "I understand, Keiran. But you have your responsibilities as well. We'll manage here, I promise."

Keiran knelt down to pick up Aiden, his concern softening as he looked at the baby with warmth in his eyes. "He's growing so quickly," he remarked, holding Aiden carefully. "It's hard to believe he's already this strong."

"Time passes quickly, doesn't it?" Lyria said with a small smile. "But I want him to have a peaceful childhood, free from the burdens of our world. I just hope that he doesn't inherit the troubles we've known."

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Keiran, still holding Aiden, sighed. "You deserve peace, Lyria. You've been through enough already. I know what happened with you and him And I can't imagine the pain you've carried." His voice dropped, filled with sorrow. "I just don't want that to happen to Aiden."

Lyria smiled faintly, her eyes holding a mixture of sadness and hope. "I don't want that either. But we have each other, Keiran. That's what matters now."

As the family continued their quiet conversation, a maid entered the room, bowing respectfully. "My Lady, dinner is ready. Lady Alina is awaiting you in the dining room."

Lyria nodded. "Thank you, we'll be there shortly."

With Aiden still in Keiran's arms, the family made their way to the dining hall. The room was large and beautifully adorned, with chandeliers casting a soft light over the long oak table. The rich scent of roasted meats, vegetables, and freshly baked bread filled the air, making Lyria's stomach growl softly. Despite the tension that still lingered in the air, there was a sense of warmth in the shared space—a feeling of normalcy that they hadn't experienced in some time.

As they sat down at the table, the conversation lightened. Keiran spoke about his travels, recounting amusing tales of his time away from the estate. Elena smiled at the stories, her stern demeanor softening in the comfort of family. Even Aiden, still a mere infant, cooed happily in his uncle's lap as the family ate together.

"Life moves on, doesn't it?" Lyria mused as she watched her son, her voice quieter than usual. "I never thought I'd be here, sharing a meal like this again. After everything... I didn't know if I could be happy."

Keiran's gaze softened as he looked at her. "You deserve all the happiness in the world, Lyria. And Aiden—he'll be a blessing. He'll be the hope this family needs."

Elena nodded, her eyes glowing with affection. "He will. And we will be here for him, always."

As dinner continued, the family shared stories, laughter, and quiet moments of connection. Despite the worries that still clung to the edges of their lives, the love and warmth between them remained strong, a shield against the chaos that threatened beyond the manor's walls.

And as Aiden giggled in Keiran's arms, Lyria couldn't help but think that, perhaps, just perhaps, their future might be brighter than she'd feared.