Anthony let out a hearty, genuine chuckle, thoroughly charmed by her wide-eyed innocence. The sheer lack of guile in her reaction was a breath of fresh air in a world filled with calculated flattery. "Yes," he replied, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Give or take a few centuries. It is quite literally a millennium of history."
Dazed by the sheer scale of what she was hearing, Sarah immediately turned her head to look at Jayden, seeking validation or some sign that his father was merely exaggerating. But Jayden remained entirely motionless. He sat like a statue carved from marble, his eyes stubbornly fixed on his plate. He refused to lift his gaze, deliberately avoiding the questioning eyes of his wife and the knowing stare of his father. He was actively withdrawing, his silence a defensive wall.
Sensing his deliberate avoidance, Sarah leaned forward slightly, her eyes boring into the side of his face, practically demanding an explanation through her gaze alone.
