Breakfast was a rare moment of peace.
The scent of roasted bread, warm butter, and spiced tea filled the dining hall. Morning sunlight streamed through tall glass windows, painting golden shapes across the long table.
Raiden sat between his father and Kent, trying not to fidget too much. His new necklace gleamed faintly under the sunlight that found it's way through the windows, a small blue glow that seemed to pulsed in time with his heartbeat.
Lord Cedric noticed first. "That's new," he said mildly, slicing through a piece of fruit. "Where did you get it?"
Raiden perked up, proud. "Sir Leonard gave it to me!"
Kent raised a brow. "Leonard gave you a gift? You must be his favorite now."
Raiden puffed his chest. "Obviously. I'm a hardworking student."
His father's lips curved into a small smirk. "Hardworking, yes. Quiet, no. The servants said they could hear your shouting all the way from the west garden yesterday."
