The dining hall was already alive with warmth and laughter when Liam arrived.
Kristopher and the others were already seated, chatting idly as they waited for him. Their conversation paused when Liam entered.
"Morning, boss!" Matt grinned, raising his cup in greeting.
"Morning, Liam," Harper added warmly.
Liam smiled. "Morning, everyone."
He took his seat at the head of the table, nodding to the maid who promptly began pouring him a cup of coffee.
He had already eaten in the other world, but when she had come to summon him for breakfast, he'd changed his mind. Not because of hunger but because he wanted to share a normal moment with them.
Even for a man like him, surrounded by power and responsibility, there were few things as grounding as sitting among friends, pretending— even just for a while—that life was ordinary.
They began eating, and the atmosphere quickly lightened. Matt, as always, became the voice and chaos of the table.
