The moment the voice echoed across the entrance, the large gate began to move.
A deep metallic sound filled the air as the heavy iron doors slowly opened outward.
The sunlight fell through the widening gap, stretching across the ground like a path welcoming them inside.
Dust shifted lightly near the entrance as the movement disturbed the stillness, and the soft breeze carried that sound further into the estate.
Vivian and Vined guided their horses forward, but only for a short distance.
Just past the gate, they pulled the reins and brought the horses to a stop near the side.
The animals let out quiet breaths, their bodies still from the long journey, while the two men sat still for a brief moment.
Then, without saying anything, both of them stepped down.
Their boots touched the ground almost at the same time.
For a second, they simply stood there.
It had only been months since they were last seen, yet the change in them was clear the moment they came into full view.
Their skin had turned slightly pale.
It was more noticeable on Vined.
Having spent much longer in the north, surrounded by nothing but snow and cold winds, his complexion had lost much of its warmth.
He looked colder, almost distant at first glance.
Vivian had changed as well, though not as much.
His skin carried a faint paleness too, showing the same long exposure, but it was softer compared to Vined.
Still, that was not the most noticeable thing.
Both Elena and Charlotte, who had been watching closely from the moment the gate opened, reacted almost at the same time.
"…Their hair…" they muttered quietly, their voices overlapping without even realizing it.
Their appearance had changed more than expected.
Vined's white hair had grown longer, falling loosely over his shoulders.
It moved slightly with the breeze, no longer kept neat like before.
Vivian's black hair had also grown, though it remained a little shorter.
Even then, it was messy, falling unevenly around his face as if he had stopped caring about how it looked during the journey.
And then there was their faces.
A soft beard had formed along their jaws and chin, not thick, but clearly visible.
It gave them a rough and tired look, like men who had not rested properly in a long time.
It had likely been weeks since they last shaved.
In truth, since they began their return, they had not paid attention to such things at all.
Their hands and arms showed faint hair as well, more than before, adding to the overall change.
Even the way they stood felt different.
There was weight in their posture now, something shaped by time, distance, and everything they had been through.
They looked like the same people.
And yet… not quite the same.
Charlotte quietly swallowed as she looked at Vivian.
Her eyes stayed on him a little longer than she intended.
Even in that slightly messy state, with his hair unkept and his face carrying a light beard, he looked… good.
Different, but in a way that made her heart beat a little faster.
Her fingers tightened slightly against her dress without her noticing.
Meanwhile, Vivian and Vined lifted their heads and looked toward the entrance.
The moment their eyes found their family, a smile slowly formed on both of their faces.
Vivian's gaze moved from one person to another.
His grandfather stood there, still and steady as always.
His mother, who had waited quietly all this time.
Charlotte, standing near the front.
Edward, who looked like he was barely holding himself back.
And Salena, who stood beside him, calm but clearly emotional.
They were all there.
Every single one of them.
His chest felt a little lighter just seeing them.
His eyes stopped on Edward for a moment.
Even now, after all this time, he could still see that same younger brother in him.
The one who used to get upset when he left, the one who would always run after him without thinking.
Edward's eyes had already turned slightly red.
He took a step forward, ready to rush over without holding back.
But before he could move further, a hand gently caught his.
Salena.
"Read the mood," she said softly, her voice low as she pulled him slightly closer.
Edward paused, blinking in surprise.
His body still held that urge to run forward, but her grip steadied him.
Slowly, he stopped, though his eyes never left Vivian.
At the same time, Vined stood quietly, his gaze moving across the group.
So much time had passed.
The familiar faces in front of him carried small changes, but they were still the same people he had left behind.
His eyes searched slowly, moving from one to another, until they finally stopped.
Elena.
A gentle smile appeared on his face.
There was no rush in it, no sudden movement, just a quiet warmth that reached his eyes.
Then his gaze shifted slightly to the side.
Salena.
He looked at her for a moment, observing quietly.
"So… she is my youngest's wife…" he thought.
A soft breath left him.
Vivian had already told him everything before.
What had happened, what she had gone through, and how things had changed.
A faint feeling of regret passed through him.
As a father, he had not been there when it mattered.
His eyes lowered slightly for a brief moment before he lifted them again.
Beside him, Vivian glanced at him, and their eyes met for just a second.
No words were spoken, but both of them understood.
Then, slowly, they turned their attention back to the people waiting for them.
Tears had already formed in some of their eyes, though most of them tried to hold it back.
The distance between them no longer felt so large.
The long wait, the silence, the worry… all of it seemed to settle in that one moment.
A quiet feeling spread between both sides.
Simple and clear.
"We are home."
The moment those words left their mouths, something inside the waiting group finally broke.
Elena and Charlotte did not hold back anymore.
They moved at the same time.
Their steps were quick, almost rushed, their calm completely gone as they crossed the distance without hesitation.
The soft sound of their clothes moving and their hurried breaths filled the quiet space for a brief moment.
And then…
They reached them.
Charlotte wrapped her arms tightly around Vivian, holding him as if she was afraid he might disappear again.
Her grip was firm, her fingers clutching the back of his clothes as she pressed herself against him.
Elena did the same with Vined, her arms circling him without even a moment of pause.
Vivian's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"Hey…" he said, a little caught off guard as he looked down at Charlotte.
His hands hovered for a moment, unsure where to place them. "Take it slow…"
"No," Charlotte replied immediately, her voice clear, but slightly trembling.
She tightened her hold on him even more. "I was waiting for you for such a long time…"
Vivian let out a small breath, still a bit startled by her suddenness.
"But I was away just for three…."
He did not get to finish.
"Did you forget those four years?"
Charlotte cut in, her voice steady, but filled with emotion.
She did not loosen her grip at all. "Now I'm not letting you go…"
Vivian paused.
The words settled in.
Then, slowly, the tension in his shoulders eased.
"Haa…" he let out a soft breath, and this time, his hands moved properly, gently wrapping around her as he held her back.
On the other side, Vined was going through something very similar.
He had not expected this at all.
"Hey… what are you doing…" he said, clearly surprised as Elena held him tightly.
His body stiffened a little, and he glanced around, looking slightly uncomfortable.
"The children are watching…"
"No, let them watch!" Elena replied without hesitation.
Her voice carried a firmness that did not leave room for argument.
"They are old enough, so you don't need to worry. Just stay still!" she added, holding him just as tightly as before.
Vined's expression turned awkward.
He tried to move slightly, but stopped midway, unsure what to do.
After a second, his eyes shifted toward Vivian.
Vivian, who was also being held tightly, looked back at him.
For a brief moment, both father and son exchanged the same embarrassed look.
Neither of them said anything.
And in the end…
They both just stayed still.
Time passed slowly as the two women held onto them, not in a rush to let go.
The warmth of that moment lingered, quiet but deep, as if they were making up for everything they had missed.
After a while, when their emotions had finally settled a little, Elena and Charlotte slowly loosened their grips.
They stepped back, though not too far, their eyes still fixed on them, as if making sure they were really there.
Vivian and Vined adjusted themselves slightly, letting out small breaths as they regained their composure.
Then, almost at the same time, their attention shifted.
Vikel.
Vined looked at him first.
"It's been a while… father…" he said.
His voice was steady at the start, but it shook slightly toward the end.
Beside him, Vivian smiled.
"How have you been, old man?" he said, raising a hand in a casual wave.
Vikel stood there, his posture still straight, but his expression had already changed.
"Fine…" he replied quickly, his voice coming out a bit rough.
"Ahem…." he cleared his throat, trying to fix it.
He straightened slightly, as if gathering himself.
"Fine!" he said again, louder this time.
But his voice still trembled.
Almost immediately, he turned his head to the side, avoiding their gaze, clearly not wanting anyone to notice.
From the side, Elena watched everything quietly.
A small, knowing smile appeared on her face.
Then, her eyes shifted.
"Salena, come here," she called gently.
Salena, who had been standing calmly until now, stiffened slightly at being called.
Elena's voice remained warm.
"This is father. Come, introduce yourself."
For the first time since their arrival, Salena looked visibly nervous.
Her hands moved slightly as she adjusted her posture.
Edward, standing beside her, noticed it instantly.
He leaned a little closer, a small grin forming on his face.
"Hehe… how does it feel, Miss Perfect…" he whispered, lightly nudging her shoulder.
Salena slowly turned her head.
Her eyes locked onto him.
The glare she gave him was sharp.
Edward froze.
His body stiffened immediately, and he took a small step back without thinking.
The color drained from his face.
"Hamh…" Salena let out a soft snort, turning away from him.
Without wasting another moment, she began walking forward.
Her steps were steady, but there was still a slight tension in her movements.
She stopped in front of Vined.
For a brief second, she lowered her gaze, gathering herself.
Then, she bowed slightly.
"I greet father," she said, her voice respectful, though still carrying a faint trace of nervousness.
