After finishing the meal, Kael was guided by the butler to another part of the house. He was still processing everything that had happened up to that moment, his mind alternating between wonder and disorientation. They walked through hallways adorned with luxurious tapestries and chandeliers casting a soft glow over the elegant furniture until they reached a living room.

The room was spacious and cozy, with dark wooden furniture and rich upholstery. There was a large, dark green velvet sofa, soft to the touch, arranged in a "U" shape around a marble coffee table, where a steaming teapot rested alongside finely crafted cups. Beside the sofa, a bookshelf filled with leather-bound books rose to the ceiling, suggesting a cultured and tasteful family.

Elara was seated on the sofa, holding a teacup delicately. When Kael entered the room, she looked up and greeted him with a warm smile. "Please, Kael, have a seat," she said, indicating a spot next to her.

Kael hesitated for a moment, still feeling out of place in such a different environment from anything he had ever known, but Elara’s smile encouraged him. He approached and sat on the sofa, sinking into the soft upholstery that seemed to embrace him.

Before he could say anything, two figures appeared at the entrance of the room. They moved with the confidence and posture of people accustomed to power and authority. The man, tall and imposing, had graying hair that contrasted with his piercing blue eyes. He was dressed in formal attire made from expensive, well-tailored fabric that accentuated his robust figure. Beside him, the woman, with elegant and serene beauty, had light brown hair tied in an elaborate bun and wore a silk dress in shades of blue and silver, perfectly matching the room’s decor.

They both walked to the center of the room, and Elara stood to greet them with a slight nod. The man addressed Kael first, his gaze firm but not hostile. "My name is Lord Alistair Valenwood," he said, his voice deep and controlled. "I am Elara's father. I hope you are feeling comfortable here in our home."

Kael, still feeling a mix of nervousness and gratitude, quickly nodded in response. "Yes, sir. I’m... very comfortable, thank you."

Alistair nodded, the expression on his face softening slightly. Soon after, the woman beside him smiled, though there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "I am Lady Anara Valenwood," she said, her voice softer yet equally firm. "It was a surprise to see Elara bring someone home, especially someone who... came from the streets." She hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully to avoid offense. "I mean no disrespect, it was just... unexpected."

Kael looked at Lady Anara, recognizing her attempt to be polite despite her evident discomfort with the situation. "I understand," he replied calmly. "It's all right."

Kael’s response was sincere and devoid of resentment. He understood how unusual it was for a noble family to take in someone like him, a boy without a level, without value in society's eyes. But at the same time, he felt a strange comfort in knowing that, at least for now, he was being accepted there, even under unexpected circumstances.

Sensing the subtle tension in the air, Elara spoke up. "Kael was very brave today," she said, looking at her parents seriously. "He deserves a bit of rest and hospitality. I believe we can all agree on that."

Alistair and Anara exchanged a quick glance, a silent communication between them that Kael couldn’t decipher, but both nodded, accepting their daughter's words. They sat in opposite armchairs, still watching Kael attentively but now with a mixture of curiosity and respect.

The atmosphere in the room became more relaxed, with the aroma of tea blending with the comfortable silence that settled. Kael, still unsettled by the sudden change in his life, realized that this family, despite all their wealth and power, seemed willing to offer him a bit of warmth and acceptance. And that, more than any material wealth, was something he could truly be grateful for.

---

Kael felt the weight of the silence that hung in the living room, broken only by the distant murmur of the wind outside. The Valenwood family was unlike anything he had known, and as tempting as the offer of shelter was, something inside him made him hesitate. He looked at Lord Alistair, Lady Anara, and Elara, feeling a mixture of gratitude and discomfort.

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"I appreciate everything, but... I don’t intend to stay," Kael said, his voice firm despite the uncertainty swirling in his mind. "I’ll find another place and a job somewhere in the city to support myself."

Lord Alistair raised his eyebrows, surprised by Kael’s determination. "Indeed, it is rare for someone to refuse such an opportunity," he said, observing Kael with an expression that mixed curiosity and respect.

Lady Anara tilted her head, her gaze fixed on Kael. "It's rare for someone like you to simply walk away when something like this happens," she remarked, almost in a reflective tone. Her words made Kael pause for a moment, a question echoing in his mind: How does she know that most wouldn’t want to leave? He pondered it but decided not to ask. Not now.

Lord Alistair, sensing Kael’s resistance, offered a sympathetic smile. "It’s all right, Kael. You are strong and in good shape. I’m sure you’ll easily find work in the city quarry or as a carpenter. Both are tough but honorable jobs." There was a pause, then he continued, his voice taking on a gentler tone. "But I insist you stay the night here. It’s not wise to leave at night without a clear plan."

Kael looked at Alistair’s face, then at Elara, who was watching him with silent expectation. He considered his options for a moment, the exhaustion weighing on his shoulders. Fleeing to the streets again seemed the safest path, but something held him there. Perhaps it was the sense of temporary safety, something he hadn’t felt in years. Finally, he relented, giving a slight nod. "All right. I’ll stay for the night."

As night fell over Eldruin, Kael was approached by Elara again. The sky darkened outside, the shadows of the night lengthening and covering the city. She found him in one of the house's hallways, a gentle look of concern in her eyes. "Kael, may I ask you something?" she said, her voice low, as if afraid to touch on a delicate subject.

He nodded, looking at her with a calmness that hid the growing apprehension within him.

"Did you... live alone on the streets? What happened to your family?" Elara asked, her tone heavy with a sadness Kael knew all too well.

Kael averted his gaze, his chest tightening with the memories he had worked so hard to bury. "I’ve... lived alone on the streets for six years," he replied, deliberately avoiding the first part of her question.

Elara was silent for a moment, digesting his words. When she finally spoke, there was genuine sorrow in her voice. "I’m sorry," she said softly.

Kael looked into her eyes, seeing the sincere regret on her face, but shook his head slightly. "It’s all right. It’s not something that can be changed."

She held his gaze for a few more seconds before sighing. "You must be tired," Elara said, changing the subject gently. "Let me show you to the room we’ve prepared for you."

Kael followed Elara down a long hallway, illuminated only by the soft light of lanterns. The atmosphere had a sense of tranquility, but also isolation, as if the shadows whispered old secrets that the walls had long kept. They reached a dark wooden door, intricately carved, and Elara opened it, revealing the room.

The interior was even more impressive than the rest of the house. The room was spacious, with an imposing canopy bed in the center, covered with white linen sheets and heavy dark green velvet blankets. Thick curtains, in a deep wine shade, were pulled aside, revealing a window that overlooked the house’s garden, now shrouded in the darkness of night. A soft, thick rug with floral patterns covered the floor, muffling Kael’s steps as he entered.

In the corner of the room, there was a fireplace, the fire crackling softly and casting an orange glow that danced across the walls. The wood was fragrant, filling the air with a welcoming scent, reminding Kael of warmth he had rarely known.

The dark, polished wood furniture included a tall wardrobe and a small table with an upholstered chair beside it. On the table, a silver pitcher and a white porcelain basin were ready for use, and a candelabra with lit candles cast a soft, comfortable light throughout the room.

Kael paused for a moment, taking in the surroundings with a mixture of admiration and strangeness. Never, in all his years wandering the streets, had he imagined that such a comfortable and safe place could be intended for him, even if only for one night. The contrast with the harshness of the streets was almost painful.

Elara turned to him with a warm smile. "I’ll leave you to rest. But before you sleep, a maid will bring some hot tea and a few biscuits. I think you’ll enjoy it."

Kael nodded, still in silence, unable to find the right words to express what he felt. Elara smiled one last time before leaving, gently closing the door behind her. Now, alone in the room, Kael stood still for a long time, absorbing the warmth of the fireplace and the softness of the surroundings.

The darkness outside the windows seemed to be lurking, but inside that room, Kael felt, for a moment, protected from the shadows that had always chased him. However, a part of him couldn’t shake the feeling that all of this was temporary, like a dream from which he would wake up at any moment, back to the harsh realities of the streets of Eldruin.