Night had completely enveloped the Blackrock Lord's mansion, but the dining room inside was brightly lit and warmly decorated.
Dozens of tallow candles burned on the huge crystal chandelier, bathing every corner of the room in a soft golden glow.
The brocade tapestries hanging on the wall appeared richly colored under the light, and the Black Rock emblem embroidered on them seemed to come alive.
The long dining table is crafted from a single piece of dark oak, polished to a mirror-like finish, reflecting the flickering candlelight above.
The pristine white linen tablecloth draped beautifully, and the silver cutlery was arranged meticulously, its edges reflecting a subtle glimmer of light.
The air was filled with mouthwatering aromas: the rich flavor of roasted venison with black pepper sauce, the sweetness of roasted pumpkin and rosemary, the deliciousness of freshly served, steaming mushroom soup, and bread in a silver basket, covered with linen and exuding an enticing wheat fragrance.
Linde sat at the head of the long table, with a huge stone fireplace behind him. The crackling fire and the dancing flames added a touch of warmth to his cold profile.
Alice sat to his right, dressed in a deep blue velvet dress, elegant and composed; Nazra wore a silver-grey silk robe, her fox tail swaying restlessly beside her seat; Leonis wore a simple white shirt and brown trousers, looking capable and efficient.
Their presence was like three gentle, warm currents, attempting to melt the faintly visible layer of ice across the table.
Across from them, four children sat upright.
Lillian tried her best to maintain the composure of an elder sister, her dining movements as perfect as a textbook. But the tips of her fingers holding the knife and fork were slightly white, betraying her inner nervousness.
Ten years have passed... My father's appearance has hardly changed, but the feeling... is completely different.
He used to be like a drawn sword, sharp and intimidating; now... he is like the castle itself, deep and solid, as if containing endless power.
What should I say? Report on territory affairs? Would that be too obvious? Discuss magic studies? I'd probably be showing off my limited skills in front of him…
Her gaze swept quickly across her father's calm face, trying to find a trace of familiarity, but she only felt that his deep purple eyes were like an icy pool, unfathomable.
Allen straightened his back, trying to appear mature and reliable. He cut the steak with a bit of force, as if he were wrestling with the food.
My father is watching us... Will he think I've progressed too slowly over the past ten years? Uncle Astaire said my father is a true strongman... Will my mechanical designs seem like children's toys to him?
He stole a glance at his father's hands. His fingers were clearly knuckled and looked ordinary, but Allen always felt that they contained the power to easily crush steel.
He harbored both admiration for his powerful father and a stubborn streak characteristic of youth, a refusal to be looked down upon.
Roy was the first to be unable to resist looking around. The newly replaced, gleaming silver cutlery, the reflective shield on the wall, and even the owls flying past the window all caught his attention.
But every time his gaze wandered, he would immediately and alertly bring it back, sitting up straight and properly.
Dad really came back! He looks exactly like the portrait! But... he doesn't seem to smile? Mom said Dad is very powerful, even more powerful than a dragon! Can I ask him about things outside the territory? Or should I hold off... My older brother and sister haven't said anything... His heart felt like it was being scratched by cat claws, filled with curiosity and an urge to test the waters, yet bound by an invisible tension.
Eileen was as quiet as a little rabbit, sipping her soup in tiny sips, making almost no sound. She was acutely aware of the subtle pressure in the air.
It's such a strange feeling… Dad was sitting there, and the room seemed to become both incredibly warm and incredibly… quiet? Like the night before a blizzard. When he looked at me, I felt like I could sense light… and a slightly cool shadow, all mixed together…
With her unique elemental affinity and intuition, she sensed the strange quality of the fusion of light veins and shadow abyss power on Linde, which both puzzled and instinctively aweed her.
At the dining table, the only sounds were the soft clinking of knives and forks against the porcelain plates and the crackling of burning firewood in the fireplace.
This quiet made the feeling of restraint even more pronounced.
Alice took in the children's nervousness, smiled slightly, picked up the crystal glass filled with deep red wine, and spoke in a soft and clear voice, like a warm current flowing over ice:
"Come, let's raise our glasses again to welcome the man of this house back. These past ten years have been hard on your father, and also on everyone here." She emphasized the words "house" and "everyone".
Nazla immediately understood, a charming smile playing at the corners of her eyes, and replied:
"Yes, especially our Lillian, she's been a great help to Mom, managing the household affairs so well that even Astaire praised her."
She cleverly attributed the credit to the children, attempting to build a bridge for them to speak.
Leonis also looked at Allen, her eyes filled with encouragement:
"Allen has also made great progress in martial arts and mechanics. He has made many useful suggestions for improving some of the city's defense equipment."
The mothers' words were like a spring breeze, slightly dispersing the stagnant air.
Lillian's cheeks flushed slightly, she lowered her eyes, and whispered:
"Mother, you flatter me. I just did what I was supposed to do." (Mom is helping me... I can't let the atmosphere stay this cold.) She took a deep breath.
Allen straightened his chest, trying to make his voice sound steady:
"Those are just some basic ideas; they still need to be tested in practice." (Mom Leonis gave me a chance! I need to do better!)
Lind observed all these subtle interactions. He put down his glass, his gaze sweeping gently over the children. Instead of choosing topics that might put more pressure on them, he asked in a casual tone:
"When I left, I remembered there were only three bakeries in Blackrock City. When I came back just now, I saw that a new one seemed to have opened next to the central square. It smells really special, like wheat. Has any of you tried it? What did you think of it?"
This question about everyday food is like gently plucking a taut string, producing a relaxing note.
Eileen was the first to look up, a glint of light flashing in her blue eyes. She answered softly and quickly, as if afraid of being interrupted:
"Dad's talking about 'Golden Wheat Ear,' right? Their honey oat bread is especially delicious! And they even have nuts in it..." (Dad noticed the new bakery too! I know that!)
Seeing that his sister had spoken, Roy, as if she had opened a floodgate, eagerly chimed in:
"I still think Old Charlie's rye bread is the chewiest! It goes best with a thick soup!" (Finally, something I can talk about!)
"Roy, don't interrupt while we're eating."
Lillian offered a soft reminder, but the tension in her voice had vanished, replaced by a relieved smile. She turned to Lind and added more clearly, displaying the composure of an elder sister:
“‘Golden Wheat Ear’ was opened last year by a baker who moved from River Valley. He used a new fermentation method and it’s really popular. Old Charlie’s bakery has also expanded and now uses fermentation boxes with temperature-controlled runes, so the quality is more consistent.”
Allen also found a point of entry, supplementing the discussion from a technical perspective:
"Yes, and the 'light rail' channels for transporting flour are now more efficient, which has reduced flour costs and increased the variety of bread types." (Shouldn't this demonstrate my understanding of territory affairs?)
Starting with a piece of bread, the conversation flowed like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating gentle ripples.
Linde then inquired about the books in the new library in the college district, the exotic fruits from the south in the market, and even asked with a hint of sarcasm whether Roy and Erin still "dueled" for the last piece of dessert like they did when they were children.
The children gradually discovered that this strong father was not detached from worldly concerns; he cared about the aroma of bread and remembered the fun things that happened to them in their childhood.
The atmosphere at the table completely relaxed, and the laughter began to sound natural.
Roy even waved his fork, gesturing about his and his friends' "feats" of "exploring" the new district that was not yet fully built, which made Eileen giggle and expose his shortcomings.
Lillian and Allen maintained their composure, but their smiles were genuine and relaxed, and they would occasionally add to or gently correct their younger siblings' exaggerated descriptions.
Linde listened patiently, the candlelight flickering in his deep eyes, softening his overly hard features.
Through these trivial yet authentic daily sharing sessions, he seemed to personally stroll through the streets and alleys of Blackrock City over the past decade, witnessing the children's growth amidst these changes.
Dinner was drawing to a close when a delicate cream cake adorned with berries was served.
As Linde looked at the four children before him, each with a distinct personality and a renewed sense of closeness in their eyes, the distance that had been created by the shift in time seemed to melt away considerably in the warm candlelight and the aroma of food.
He picked up a napkin, wiped his mouth with elegant movements, and then his gaze swept over the children again, this time with a calm and gentle scrutiny.
“It seems,” his voice was steady yet powerful, “that in the ten years I’ve been gone, you have not only not slackened, but have embraced the growth of this land even better, and have even participated in its construction in your own way.”
The table fell silent, and the children unconsciously focused their attention.
"The future of Blackrock Territory needs successors with different qualities."
He continued, his gaze falling on Lillian, Allen, Roy, and Eileen in turn. "Lillian's meticulousness, Allen's pragmatism, Roy's courage, and Eileen's keenness are all valuable assets to this land. That's good."
He didn't make any specific demands, but his words of affirmation were like a stamp of approval on the children's growth over the past decade, and pointed out a vague but hopeful direction for their future.
Dinner ended in a warm and hopeful atmosphere.
The children said goodnight to their parents and left, their footsteps echoing in the corridor, mingled with Roy's lingering whispers and Eileen's soft laughter.
Accompanied by his wives, Lind walked toward his study. The night outside the window was deep, and the lord's duty beckoned.
But the lingering warmth in the restaurant behind him and the relaxed smiles of the children transformed into a solid force, supporting him to face the upcoming, broader, and more complex game of chess.
This lost and regained family warmth is the ultimate destination of all his battles and plans.
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