As the evening progressed, the atmosphere inside the castle became lighter and warmer. The tension of the earlier hours gave way to a sense of camaraderie that felt almost tangible. Laughter rippled through the grand hall like the chime of silver bells, resonating against the high, arched ceilings. It was infectious—low chuckles that evolved into hearty guffaws, the kind that left people wiping tears from their eyes.
“Remember when Theo tried to convince us all he could speak ancient Greek?” Sophia leaned forward, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “He just kept saying ‘moussaka’ over and over in different tones!”
Theo groaned good-naturedly, running a hand through his dark hair. “I was five! And if I recall correctly, you were the one who taught me those ‘ancient Greek phrases,’ cousin.”
