The celebration was so loud today that the territory might have heard it.
The sound of music, laughter and clicking of glasses filled the grand hall as the soldiers and even the servants danced with joy.
Today no noble was invited. It was a proper house party with the closest to the house and manor of Mabuz.
The scent of roasted meats, sweet pastries and aged wine and draft beer filled the air. making the atmosphere intoxicated and euphoric.
The sky was clear with few clouds and a full moon.
The night breeze was fresh and filled with the hope of new beginnings.
Peace and joy.
That was the theme of this place tonight.
I stood near the balcony, watching the festivities below with a half hearted smirk.
It was relaxing, finally I won't have to bear the burden of anxiety when my father was away.
Duke Mabuz- my Father - had returned after two years away, marking the end of a ten year war.
His return had finally relieved me and I breathed again without my lungs tightening.
The golden lights contrast with the reds, blues and black in the hall.
I watch with great interest, these people are our closest and will soon be my backbone in the future.
My future allies.
But most importantly I will take the position of my Father as the future Duke of House Mabuz.
My father had been at the center of it all.
Armando Mabuz stood tall, a titan among men, his long coat embroidered with gold and his presence commanding every eye in the room.
His aura had not demined even after returning home.
'Dragon...'
His voice boomed with confidence and trust as he spoke to his comrades, a deep sense of respect surrounding him.
My chest tightened at the sight of him, of the person I look up to even after an eternity of lives I have lived.
'Just because now this is my life and my body.'
"What aren't you down there?" Jasper's voice broke me from my thoughts. He leans against the railing with ease, older and much taller - which is an eye sore - especially the now long shoulder length hair.
His golden eyes match the lighting in the room. His black attire blends with the surrounding.
"It doesn't feel real." is the only answer I give as I shrug and look at the crowd forming around my father.
Jasper glares intensely before relaxing and ruffling my hair, "It's as real as it gets. Your father's home. The war's over. People need this."
I slap his hands away, annoyed that he keeps doing that. But I am kind of thankful that at least today he is not acting like my bodyguard like the past two years.
'So now he decides to finally act like my friend.'
But I know what he is trying to say. I understand why they laugh, why they dance. But something inside me remains uneasy, a restlessness I do not yet have words to explain.
"Come on," Jas says, nudging me towards the steps. "Let's dance and have fun."
"No." I shake my head as I put more force in my feet to stop him.
"Nonsense everyone is waiting for you, who has taken care of the estate in the Duke's absence."
This time Jas puts more force and I stumble towards the stairs. He puts a hand on my back and push lightly and I step down.
'This-' I am about to turn around and say something but stop when I finally see Jas show me a rare smile and wink.
'He winked at me.' I frown, shake my head and head down.
"To Kaan!" someone calls.
"To the Young Duke!"
A goblet is pushed into my hands before I have a chance to protest. I glanced up to see my father watching, his gaze unreadable before it changed into a smile.
"Drink, son, it's a celebration." His voice holds warmth, but there is something else there too, something I am not yet able to uncover.
Since the first day I saw him after two years.
I sigh and lift the goblet to my lips, letting the bitter taste of wine burn my throat. Jasper's warmth on my back is still there rooting me.
As the night wears on, I am shuffled from person to person, offered words of praise and well wishes. I see new people as well as old.
All of them flaunt and flatter me as the next Duke and the bright future of the territory.
Jasper is still there, my forever shadow.
My mind remains focused on him rather than the crowd. Him and my father who has now decided to talk with a few people who are serious even though that's the complete opposite to the vibe of the party.
'What is the issue now.'
The feeling of uncertainty returned as I caught the same flash of emotions inside Father's eyes when he first saw me.
As he was talking suddenly he leaned forwards but he caught himself and the people around him showed worried expressions.
I see Millard reach him and give him something, which he eats in a hurry and then goes back to normal.
Millard said something and he nodded.
I frowned and was about to walk towards him when he looked at me and smiled, causing me to freeze.
'What was that?'
But I am pulled out my thoughts when the music changed and everyone shuffled to dance and make space.
Jasper appears beside me again, this time with a glint in his eyes that immediately puts me on edge.
"You're not escaping this time," he declares, grabbing my wrist.
"Jasper—" I start, but it's too late. He's already dragging me toward the dance floor.
"You're too stiff. You need to loosen up, kid."
"I don't dance," I mutter, resisting, but he spins me anyway, much to the amusement of the onlookers. Laughter and cheers erupt around us as Jasper twirls me in an exaggerated waltz, his smirk never fading.
"Now that's a lie!" he teases. "I've seen you practice!"
I glare at him. "That was training! Not—whatever this is."
But despite my complaints, the tension in my shoulders eases slightly. Maybe, for just a moment, I can let go of the nagging feeling in my gut.
Then the first scream shatters the illusion.
The scent of wine and roasted meat is replaced by something acrid—something burning.
Another scream. A crash. The music stutters to a stop.
Jasper immediately turns, pushing me behind him. "Kaan—stay close."
A frantic woman shoves past us, her silk gown catching fire as she wails. Flames spread too quickly, licking at the tapestries, swallowing the banners whole.
My mind struggles to keep up with what's happening.
Then, the main doors burst open, and the chaos begins.