THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

Yue paused with her spoon halfway to her mouth, fixing her daughter with ancient eyes that held depths of patience earned through centuries of experience. "Litty, dear, you need to relax. Have a bit more trust in David. The boy has a remarkable talent for surviving impossible situations."

"But the Mistress of the Creed—"

"Is powerful, yes, but not omnipotent." Yue took another deliberate bite, closing her eyes in apparent bliss. "Besides, worrying won't change the outcome. It will only give you premature wrinkles."

Litty released a heavy breath, her shoulders sagging with frustration. The truth was, part of her anger stemmed from her own perceived inadequacy. When they'd been planning the mission, she'd wanted to join the assault team. Her swordsmanship had improved dramatically under David's guidance, and she'd believed herself ready for such a challenge.

David had politely but firmly told her to remain at the manor. Not because he doubted her skill, but because her talents were better suited to other aspects of their growing organization. The rejection, however gently delivered, still stung.

"I could have helped," she muttered, more to herself than her mother. "I could have—"

Without warning, both Vivian and Elara materialized in the center of the room, the Luminvoid Array's magic announcing their arrival with a soft pulse of displaced air.

"Success!" Litty immediately demanded, rushing toward them with barely contained anxiety. "Was the mission successful? Are David and Seraphina safe?"

Vivian, still riding the adrenaline high of their recent battle, immediately spotted Yue's cake bowl and dove for the nearest chair. "Oh, that looks delicious," she announced, reaching for the dessert with predatory intent.

"Hey!" Yue protested, clutching her bowl protectively. "I was eating that!"

"You've had enough," Vivian declared, attempting to wrestle the cake away. "Share with your guests!"

What followed was an undignified tug-of-war between the ancient elf and the enhanced human, both women displaying surprising strength as they battled for confectionery supremacy. Chocolate ganache splattered across the table as they grappled, their conflict escalating from playful to genuinely competitive.

Elara, meanwhile, ignored the dessert drama entirely, focusing on Litty's worried expression. "We defeated the vampire knight," she said simply. "David remained behind to negotiate with the Mistress. The mission was... complex, but successful."

Relief flooded Litty's features, but Elara's tone carried undertones that prevented celebration.

"However," Elara continued, her voice taking on the weight of a general delivering a strategic briefing, "this was merely the opening move. The real battle is just beginning." She gestured toward the chairs around the table, inviting Litty to sit. "The Mistress's collaboration was always intended as a key component of our larger strategy. Without her intelligence network, the next phase becomes significantly more challenging."

The worry lines returned to Litty's face as she processed this information. "What about Seraphina? Why didn't she return with you?"

Vivian, who had successfully claimed half the cake bowl through superior leverage, answered around a mouthful of chocolate. "David summoned her to his side. Private business." Her grin suggested she had theories about the nature of that private business.

Yue, defeated but not discouraged, released her grip on the bowl with theatrical resignation. "Fine, take it all. I'll just suffer in silence while you devour my last comfort in this world of endless worry and...."

"Drama queen," Vivian muttered, but she pushed the bowl to the center of the table where both could share.

Elara excused herself with a polite nod, the weight of leadership and worry clearly pressing down on her shoulders. "I need some rest before we begin planning the next phase," she said. "Litty, could we discuss logistics in the morning?"

As the Archon departed, Litty moved to follow, her instincts telling her that Elara needed support more than solitude.

"Let her be," Yue said gently, catching her daughter's arm. "Her people and family are at stake. Sometimes the burden of command requires isolation to process properly. Rest will help her more than company right now."

Litty's hands clenched into fists at her sides. "I hate feeling useless," she muttered. "Everyone else contributes to these missions while I sit here managing logistics like a glorified clerk."

"Training," she decided suddenly. "I need to find Angelica. Maybe if I push harder, develop faster..."

She left without finishing the thought, her footsteps echoing down the corridor as she headed for the training grounds.

Yue found herself alone in the meeting room, or so she thought until a loud burp reminded her of Vivian's continued presence. The enhanced human had somehow managed to consume the remaining cake with impressive speed and was now eyeing the empty bowl with satisfaction.

"Disgusting table manners," Yue muttered, though her tone held more amusement than censure.

Vivian grinned unrepentantly. "David likes women with healthy appetites."

"Does he now?" Yue's smile turned distinctly mischievous as she reached into her coat, withdrawing a small vial filled with swirling purple liquid. "In that case, you might enjoy this digestive aid. It's a new formula I've been developing... helps process rich foods more efficiently."

Vivian's eyes lit up with genuine gratitude. "Really? That's incredibly thoughtful of you, Yue. I didn't expect such generosity after stealing your cake."

"Oh, think nothing of it," Yue purred, her ancient eyes glittering with barely contained mirth. "I'm always happy to help David's companions experience... new sensations."

Vivian accepted the vial without hesitation, downing its contents in a single gulp. The liquid tasted surprisingly pleasant, sweet with hints of mint and something that reminded her of summer berries.

"Thank you," she said warmly. "You're much kinder than people give you credit for."

"Indeed," Yue agreed, her smile widening to reveal teeth that seemed just slightly too sharp for comfort. "I do so enjoy... sharing my discoveries with others."

As Vivian settled back in her chair, completely unaware of the alchemical storm brewing in her digestive system, Yue hummed a cheerful little tune and began cleaning up the chocolate-stained table. Sometimes, she reflected, the most satisfying experiments were the ones that taught important lessons about respecting other people's desserts.

The evening was about to become much more interesting for everyone involved.