As the meeting in the grand hall concluded, Gilbert gracefully stepped forward and addressed the gathered clan heads. "Honored guests, the arrangements have been made for your stay. If you would kindly follow me, I will show you to the guest mansion."
The leaders murmured in agreement, their elegant movements betraying centuries of refined etiquette. They filed out one by one, their regal forms disappearing down the corridor as Gilbert led them toward the guest quarters.
In the main mansion, however, a more intimate and charged atmosphere lingered. Alaric, seated between his grandmother Morgana and his mother Maria, glanced toward his grandfather, who sat on a high-backed chair near the fireplace. The elder vampire seemed deep in thought, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames.
"Grandma," Alaric said softly, his voice cutting through the quiet. "You should talk to Grandpa. It's been long enough, don't you think?"
