The palace slowly settled into celebration.
Construction of the Gate continued through the afternoon.
By sunset, the royal engineers estimated only a few more hours before activation.
No one seemed particularly concerned.
For the first time in weeks...
No one was rushing toward the next crisis.
...
That evening, the royal banquet hall glowed beneath hundreds of enchanted crystal lanterns.
Long polished tables stretched across the chamber.
Roasted game.
Fresh breads.
River fish.
Garden vegetables.
Fruit preserves.
Honey wines.
Several varieties of cider.
Even Grathok would have approved.
The atmosphere felt different now.
The politics had been handled.
The alliances forged.
Tonight...
It was simply a family gathering.
...
King Thalorien rose first, lifting his crystal goblet.
"To Princess Llandra."
Every glass followed.
"To Princess Llandra."
He smiled toward his youngest daughter.
"You left this kingdom searching for your own path."
"You have returned having created one."
The hall answered with warm applause.
Llandra lowered her eyes modestly.
"I did not do it alone."
Her gaze found Jax.
"And I never could have."
Jax smiled.
She still found ways to surprise him.
...
Conversation flowed easily after that.
Stories replaced ceremony.
Her eldest brother, Legos Silverthorne—the Crown Prince of Etherevalis and first in line for the throne—proved far more relaxed outside the formal court than Jax had expected.
Legos carried himself with quiet confidence, but around his family he laughed easily.
Beside him sat his wife, who clearly enjoyed keeping him humble.
Across the table sat Heiron Silverthorne, second in line for the throne.
Where Legos spoke first and thought second...
Heiron preferred to observe before speaking.
He smiled less.
But when he did...
It usually meant something.
The brothers soon began sharing stories from Llandra's childhood.
"She once climbed the tallest tree in the royal gardens," Legos said.
Llandra groaned immediately.
"Please don't."
"Oh, absolutely."
He grinned.
"She declared she was proving she could survive on her own."
Jax chuckled.
"What happened?"
Legos looked toward him.
"She discovered climbing down is significantly harder than climbing up."
The table laughed.
"I was making a point," Llandra protested.
"You were afraid."
"I was committed."
Queen Lysara smiled into her wine.
"It took three Royal Veil operatives and your father to convince her to come down."
"I came down."
"Six hours later."
Llandra crossed her arms.
"I still proved my point."
"No," Heiron replied.
"You proved you're stubborn."
Jax nodded thoughtfully.
"That checks out."
Llandra looked at him in mock betrayal.
"You too?"
"Especially me."
Even she couldn't stop herself from laughing.
...
Eventually Queen Lysara stood.
"Ladies."
She smiled warmly.
"I believe it's our turn."
Nyxian looked toward Jax.
"We promise not to corrupt your future mother-in-law."
Queen Lysara raised an eyebrow.
"I make no such promises."
The women disappeared into another wing of the palace, laughing together.
...
Silence settled over the remaining men.
It lasted exactly three seconds.
Then Legos leaned forward.
"So..."
He smiled.
"Tell us."
"How did our little sister suddenly become the strongest archer in the kingdom?"
Jax didn't hesitate.
"She trains."
Both brothers nodded.
"She always has."
Jax smiled.
"Every day."
Another nod.
"And every night."
Legos frowned.
"Every night?"
"Without fail."
King Thalorien smiled into his drink.
"I always told her consistency wins."
Jax nodded.
"It does."
Vaelrith quietly took another drink.
He knew exactly what Jax meant.
Everyone else...
Absolutely did not.
Legos scratched his head.
"I don't know where she finds the energy."
Jax smiled innocently.
"Neither do I."
Vaelrith nearly choked on his wine.
...
Heiron leaned back.
"I heard what you told her after the competition."
Jax looked over.
"You said you were proud of her."
"I am."
"You also said she held back."
"I did."
Legos blinked.
"Held back?"
Jax nodded.
"Quite a bit."
Silence.
Then Heiron laughed.
"I knew it."
Legos looked horrified.
"There was more?"
"Oh yes."
Jax shrugged casually.
"If she'd used everything she has..."
He smiled.
"The competition would've lasted only a few seconds."
Legos slowly looked into his drink.
"I suddenly feel much better about losing."
The table erupted with laughter.
...
The women returned a short while later carrying desserts prepared by the royal kitchens.
Queen Lysara resumed her seat with an amused smile.
"So..."
she asked sweetly.
"How are my sons recovering?"
Heiron immediately pointed toward Legos.
"He lost worse."
"I absolutely did not."
Their wives exchanged knowing looks.
Legos' wife smiled at Llandra.
"I've been waiting years to watch someone humble him."
Heiron's wife nodded.
"And your little sister finally accomplished it."
Legos sighed dramatically.
"I knew marrying into this family was a mistake."
His wife patted his shoulder.
"Oh, no."
"The mistake was losing in front of all of us."
She looked toward Llandra.
"We're never letting him forget today."
"Never," Heiron's wife agreed.
"I plan to remind him every birthday."
Queen Lysara laughed.
"I approve."
King Thalorien lifted his glass.
"As do I."
Legos looked around the table in mock despair.
"I have received no support whatsoever."
Jax raised his glass.
"I support your decision to lose gracefully."
Even Legos laughed.
...
Jax quietly watched the room.
His Perception Skill remained active out of habit.
Nothing.
No resentment.
No jealousy.
No hidden anger.
Only pride.
Good-natured rivalry.
A family genuinely happy to see one of their own succeed.
It was...
Refreshing.
He had prepared for politics.
For resistance.
For tests.
Instead...
He had found a family.
...
Across the table, Llandra caught his eye.
She smiled.
Not the polished smile of a princess.
Not the confident smile of an adventurer.
Just...
Llandra.
Happy.
For a brief moment...
There was no Empire.
No coming war.
No politics.
Only two families...
Quietly becoming one.
And somehow...
That felt like Jax's greatest victory yet.