As the copper wings of Willow's dragon form disappeared into the horizon, a strange stillness settled over me. Watching her leave, I couldn’t deny the pang of absence that crept into my chest. Shaking it off, I turned toward the sprawling estate that was my home. The mansion loomed ahead, its grand silhouette outlined against the setting sun, a fortress of stone and glass perched atop the cliffs overlooking the sea. Returning here always filled me with mixed emotions—a sense of responsibility, but also the burden of leadership.
The staff greeted me warmly as I entered the marble-floored foyer, their quiet efficiency a stark contrast to the storm of thoughts in my mind. I dismissed their formalities with a nod, my focus already set on the updates I needed to gather.
Lupin was waiting for
