The laughter reverberated through the opulent hall, Xander's attempt at humor diffusing the tension that had momentarily gripped the gathering. "Ah, you're just kidding, right? You are all funny!"
Martino scoffed, playing along with the lighthearted facade.
Joining in the laughter, Xander and Eve shared a moment, his arm encircling her slender waist.
The couple, amidst the revelry, seemed to embody a picture of unity, yet the underlying complexities of the Moonshadow legacy lingered beneath the surface.
*
Meanwhile, Baron, positioned at the periphery of the room, observed the scene with a watchful eye.
In the midst of the vibrant celebration, Baron's smile held a cryptic pride, acknowledging both his successor's achievements and his own resilience in thwarting Xander's repeated assassination attempts.
