Breakfast was as warm and lively as ever.
The long table was filled with laughter and soft conversation, the smell of fresh bread and roasted meats filling the sunlit hall. Aren sat at the head, Selene beside him, and around them — their beloved family.
For a while, Aren simply listened, his golden eyes taking in the sight of them all — Darian's careful way of speaking, Lyra's bright mischief, the soft, sweet bickering of Elara and Mira over a basket of berries.
This was peace.
This was home.
After setting down his cup of tea, Aren cleared his throat lightly.
"I was thinking..." he said, and immediately the table quieted with attentive eyes turning toward him.
"I would like to take a little outing today. Something simple. A garden, or a park — somewhere we can just breathe."
He looked around, his gaze settling warmly on his granddaughters.
"Who among you is free to join an old man for a stroll?"
Mira immediately shot up from her chair, nearly knocking over her plate.
"I'm free! I'm free!"
Elara blinked, hesitated, then gave a small, shy nod.
Selene smiled, already reading her husband's intention perfectly.
Darian chuckled, running a hand through his raven hair. "I'd love to, Father, but there are matters I must attend to."
Lyra sighed theatrically. "We drew the short straw, didn't we, Darian?"
Their partners — kind and capable in their own ways — offered polite regrets as well. Matters of estate and duty still needed tending, and Aren understood without any hard feelings.
"Good," he said with a wry smile. "I wanted the best company anyway."
Mira grinned wide and victorious, while Elara looked half-pleased, half-nervous under her grandfather's affectionate gaze.
By late morning, the small group had departed — just Aren, Selene, Elara, and Mira — traveling in a sleek modern transport that glided over the polished stone streets of their estate grounds.
The place Aren chose was a private garden hidden within their own lands, a place he had built decades ago but rarely found time to enjoy.
It was vast and lush, filled with ancient trees, colorful blooms, and crystal-clear streams weaving between marble walkways.
Stepping onto the soft grass, Mira immediately took off running, her small figure darting between the flowerbeds like a burst of sunlight.
Elara remained close to Aren and Selene, her posture straight, her little hands folded neatly in front of her.
"Go on," Aren said gently, ruffling her raven hair. "It's alright to play, Elara."
She looked up at him, serious and uncertain.
"But... I'm supposed to behave properly," she said, as if quoting something she had been taught.
Selene knelt beside her, smoothing down her simple dress.
"Today, your only duty is to be happy," Selene said warmly. "Will you try that for us?"
Elara's lips trembled — just a little — before she gave a small, shy nod.
Mira raced back over, grabbing Elara's hand with a bright laugh.
"Come on! There's a little bridge! And a pond with fish! Come see!"
Caught between her mother's warm smile and Mira's infectious enthusiasm, Elara allowed herself to be tugged along.
Aren and Selene followed at a slower pace, hand in hand, watching their granddaughters with fondness.
"They're growing so fast," Selene murmured, leaning into him.
"Too fast," Aren agreed, his voice low. "I don't want to miss a second more."
The day unfolded like a dream.
They fed the koi in the pond, tossing crumbs and laughing when the fish leapt eagerly from the water.
They wandered winding paths beneath weeping willows, Selene picking a few wildflowers to weave into simple crowns for the girls.
Aren even lifted Mira onto his shoulders at one point, the little girl squealing in delight as she became the "tallest in the garden."
When Elara hesitated by the edge of a flower field, Aren knelt down to her level.
"You don't have to be serious all the time," he said, golden eyes warm. "Even legends need to laugh once in a while."
She bit her lip, struggling against the ingrained stiffness — but when Mira tugged her forward and placed a flower crown on her head, Elara let out a tiny, breathless giggle.
Aren swore to himself in that moment that he would hear more of those giggles from now on.
They picnicked beneath a sprawling oak tree — simple sandwiches, fruits, and pastries that Selene had thoughtfully packed.
The girls sprawled out on the soft grass afterward, Mira chattering endlessly while Elara listened quietly, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger.
At one point, Mira dared to climb a small tree — only to get stuck halfway up, laughing nervously.
Before Aren could even step forward, Elara moved, steady and sure, climbing up after her and helping her down with surprising strength for her size.
When they landed safely, Mira flung her arms around Elara, who stiffened in shock before awkwardly hugging her back.
Selene laughed behind her hand, while Aren smiled so warmly it felt like the sun itself burned in his chest.
As the sun began to lower, casting the garden in rich gold and amber, Aren gathered the girls close.
"Today," he said, voice thick with emotion, "has been one of the happiest days of my life."
Mira beamed up at him, and even Elara leaned into his side without thinking.
Selene rested her head against his shoulder, and for a while, they simply sat there — four generations of the Vale family, stitched together by love, by sacrifice, and by the simple joy of being together.
There were no grand titles here.
No heavy expectations.
No battles, no legends, no crowns.
Only a grandfather, a grandmother, and the children who carried their dreams into the future.