ELDER ZHOU
Elder Zhou sat at the head of the table, having breakfast with his family. He was a tall man in his mid-fifties, with sharp grey eyes and dirty blonde hair streaked with gray. He was wise, calm, and respected. He was one of the King’s most trusted men and had served him for many years. When the King was dying, Elder Zhou had been one of the few who fought hard to find him a mate, someone who could help heal him and give him an heir.
This morning, his face was different. His usual serious look had changed into a soft smile. His eyes were warm, and he seemed happy.
His mate, Kaida, looked at him with surprise. She was also in her fifties, with short brown hair and green eyes. It had been a long time since she last saw him smile like this.
“You look happy this morning, my Lord,” she said gently. “Can you share your joy with us?”
Their daughter Lyra also looked curious. She was in her mid-twenties, a beautiful young woman with deep blue eyes and ginger-brown hair. She wa
