The servants straightened slightly, and Rael saw a few older faces who still seemed uncomfortable with his presence as they always had been, though they kept their expressions controlled out of respect.
Aurelius then stepped back and looked at them again, this time letting out an affectionate smile of a father. "Looks like you are doing well..."
As he glanced to the side, a servant approached immediately with a silver tray, and Aurelius took two goblets of diluted wine, handing one to Rael and one to Eon as a part of tradition. "Drink," he ordered.
Rael lifted the goblet. "To House Garcia," he said quietly, and Eon echoed him at once, his voice steady.
"To House Garcia."
Aurelius raised his own goblet slightly, his gaze firm. "To those who return."
