A dull ache throbbed in Darian's limbs dragging him back to consciousness.
His eyes fluttered open.
His head still spinning and dizzy.
For a moment, he lay still, disoriented.
His gaze wandered across the room, clinging to the faint hope that everything had been a dream— that he was back in his old world, his past life.
"No"he thought bitterly. "I'm still here"
The silken sheets beneath him confirmed it.
He was laying in the familiar bed of his chambers.
"You're awake…"
The soft voice drew his attention. Elaina sat beside the bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Relief lit her eyes when he looked at her.
"Young lord, you collapsed in the training hall," she said gently.
"How long was I out?" Darian asked.
Elaina lowered her gaze for a moment, her voice quiet but edged with worry.
"You've been unconscious for almost the entire day, young lord."
Darian's brow furrowed."Entire day?" His body still felt heavy, as though lead had replaced his bones. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, the floor cool beneath his feet.
A sudden knock at the chamber door broke the stillness.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in," Darian said, his tone steady despite the lingering fatigue.
The door creaked open, and a servant stepped inside, bowing respectfully.
"Young lord, dinner is ready at the table. The household is waiting for you."
Darian lifted his gaze to the servant.
"Okay," he said evenly. "I'll be on my way."
The servant's brows flicked up in mild surprise before he bowed again and backed out of the chamber.
Elaina, too, turned sharply toward Darian, her eyes widening. He had never once agreed so easily—he almost never attended family dinners at all. For a heartbeat, she simply stared, uncertain if she had heard him correctly.
But Darian didn't acknowledge her look. He steadied himself, brushing a hand across the front of his tunic as though that small motion could anchor him.
His chest tightened. This would be the first time meeting the family in person. Memories of Darians family were still vague. Maybe because he despised them as they despised him. However Takura had taken over Darian's body so every move needs to be measured, he shouldn't draw too much attention.
Darian forced his breath to remain calm, his steps measured.
"I have faced death on the battlefield", he reminded himself. "Surely I can face a dinner table"
Elaina lingered by his side, still quiet, still watching him with wide, searching eyes as if trying to reconcile this unfamiliar resolve with the Darian she once knew.
The corridor stretched long and silent, his footsteps muffled against the polished stone as he made his way toward the dining hall. The golden sconces lining the walls flickered with warm light, though it did little to ease the tightness coiling in his chest.
At last, the double doors to the grand hall loomed before him. A pair of guards stationed there straightened at his approach, their eyes betraying a flicker of surprise before they pushed the heavy doors open.
The soft murmur of conversation spilled out, punctuated by the clink of silver against porcelain. The hall was vast, lit by chandeliers that glowed like a canopy of stars. At the long table sat the household, gathered in their places, the air carrying both the fragrance of roasted meats and the tension of expectation.
Every head turned the moment he crossed the threshold. The room stilled. Forks were set down, whispers cut short.
Darian paused only briefly, drawing in a steady breath. His nerves twisted, but his face remained calm. He stepped forward with measured composure and took a seat
At the head of the table sat:
The Duke of Redmond- A man whose presence seemed to fill the dining hall even when he sat in silence. His short, neatly kept hair burned the same deep red as autumn leaves at dusk, a trait that marked the Redmond line. A thick, well-groomed beard framed his strong jaw, streaked faintly with strands of silver that hinted at both age and experience. His eyes, a piercing steel-gray, carried the weight of command, sharp, observant, and unyielding.
Towards his left sat :
Count Edwin of Redmond – the eldest son and heir to the majority of the estate.
His hair was always neatly swept back, a sign of his discipline and pride.
His deep brown eyes carried a steady, watchful weight, and his physique was broader, more imposing than Darian's, a reminder of the heir's place above the younger sibling.
Countess Liliana of Redmond – the youngest at seventeen, and the sharpest in spirit.
Her long, curly hair framed her delicate features, but it was the sly curve of her smile that revealed her true nature.
Her eyes glimmered with a deceptive charm, the kind that could feign innocence one moment and veil mischief the next.
Darian sat on the right of the Duke, directly opposite of the two siblings.
The long table was set with silver platters and steaming dishes.
Roasted pheasant lay at the center, its skin crisp and golden, surrounded by bowls of buttered potatoes and fresh bread still warm from the oven.
Trays of cheese, cured meats, and ripe fruit added color to the spread. Pitchers of red wine and clear water caught the glow of the candles, while the scent of herbs and spice filled the air.
Darian's eyes lingered on the spread, the richness of the feast, a sharp contrast to the frugal meals of his past life. For a moment, he felt both out of place and oddly restless, as though such luxury was meant for someone else.
"Kind of you to finally join us, Darian"
The Duke remarked.
Darian nodded in accordance, unsure of what to say.
They all began to eat.
Edwin leaned back in his chair, his voice smooth but carrying an undertone of derision.
"Strange. You usually prefer sulking in your chambers. What's changed, little brother?"
Liliana gave a light laugh, the sound bright but insincere, her fork poised delicately in her hand.
"Perhaps he grew tired of eating alone. Or maybe," she tilted her head, eyes narrowing with amusement, "he feared he'd be forgotten entirely."
Both their eyes were sharp and waiting. Waiting for him to slam the table, to throw a tantrum, to show his anger. It was as if they lit a dynamite and now waiting for the explosion
Darian didn't look up to answer, he continued cutting the meat on his plate with his utensils.
"Im happy to see you both miss me" he spoke, smiling.