Building The Strongest Family

Chapter 422: The Feast [ 1 ]

As the sun dipped below the far-off cliffs, the sky over Dominion Sanctum transformed into a stunning blend of violet and rich amber hues.

Nightfall wrapped the setting in its embrace, and the expansive garden came alive with twinkling lights.

Floating lanterns cast a warm golden glow over the grass, where fifty-five members of the Osborn Family had gathered,not in formal suits, but in cozy, colorful outfits that exuded warmth.

Soft melodies floated through the air from discreet speakers hidden among the trees. The soothing instrumentals created a serene atmosphere, filling the garden with gentle, nostalgic notes that felt like a comforting hug.

Long tables displayed an array of dishes, from hearty homemade meals to adventurous culinary delights, that produced a mouthwatering aroma, making even the smallest children leap with excitement.

Laughter echoed throughout the space as little feet pattered across the grass. Kids chased one another beneath the lantern arches, tumbling and rolling in pure, carefree joy.

Meanwhile, older cousins relaxed by game stations that Arthur had set up earlier, engrossed in virtual races with vibrant displays flickering on their screens.

In the midst of the joyful chaos stood Arthur, balancing a nephew and a niece on his shoulders. The toddlers squealed in delight, their tiny hands clutching his hair for support.

With exaggerated strides, Arthur pretended to be a giant beast prowling through a magical forest, playfully grumbling, "Raaah."

The little ones erupted in giggles, and nearby cousins George, Oscar, and William paused mid-conversation, captivated by the scene.

William’s jaw dropped in disbelief, Oscar blinked in astonishment.

George whispered, "Is that... Arthur?"

For a fleeting moment, they struggled to grasp the sight before them. Arthur Osborn, leader of Dominion Sanctum, known for bringing powerful figures to silence,was pretending to be a monster for toddlers, and for the first time, he looked genuinely joyful. Not in a forced way or with a cold demeanor, but real happiness shining through.

Just a few meters away, Emily, Margaret, and Richard stood with glasses of warm tea or wine in hand, observing as Arthur kindly set the children back on the grass, one of whom gave him a kiss on the forehead before darting off to play.

Emily felt a tightness in her throat. "Look at him," she whispered.

Margaret nodded slowly, her expression filling with a mix of disbelief and tenderness. "It’s as if he’s experiencing life anew."

Richard crossed his arms, his normally stoic features softening at the edges. "Whatever changed in him... it feels monumental," he murmured.

Emily’s gaze lingered on Arthur’s face, a faint smile barely visible yet unmistakably genuine. "He hasn’t smiled like that in so long."

Margaret sighed softly. "Perhaps he’s finally found the space to feel." Richard remained silent, but his eyes,hardened by past struggles,shifted with an emotion he seldom showed: relief.

Across the garden, Kaia stood next to Billy at the dessert table, the soft radiance of the lanterns reflected in her eyes as she watched Arthur interact with the younger cousins, adjusting a child’s floating drone and laughing as it veered off course.

Her brow furrowed slightly. "He’s different," she whispered.

Billy paused to reflect, observing his brother. The same brother who once moved through life like a storm hidden in human form now sat on the grass, tying a little girl’s shoelaces.

Billy swallowed hard. "I don’t think I’ve ever seen him like this... not since our family fell from grace," he said, his tone quiet and almost reverent.

Kaia gently squeezed Billy’s arm. "You should talk to him. He seems... open tonight."

Billy seemed unsure, even a bit anxious. "Yeah. Maybe." Still, he held back, continuing to observe from a distance.

---

Arthur moved among the groups not with his typical deliberate charm or frosty demeanor, but with an unexpected warmth that caught everyone off guard.

He checked in on the older relatives, making sure their seats were comfy. He helped Oscar get the grill fire going again after it kept fizzling out. He even took a bite of a dish Emily wanted him to try, bursting into laughter when he realized just how spicy it was.

But the moment that truly stunned the entire family was when he cracked an actual joke.

As he stood with Philip, Nathaniel, Olivia, Bella, and a few cousins, Philip commented on how quickly the kids were escaping their grasp.

Arthur nodded in thought before flatly saying, "At least they’re quick enough to dodge Ashley’s cooking."

There was a brief silence before...

Bella gasped. Olivia almost spilled her drink. Nathaniel sucked in sharply. Philip smacked his forehead in disbelief.

Ashley, standing immediately behind Arthur with a spoon in hand, halted, eyes wide. "What did you just say?" she whispered, incredulous.

Arthur turned slightly, a teasing smirk on his face. "You heard me."

Ashley stomped her foot, indignant. "You haven’t told a joke in... forever!"

Arthur shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe you just weren’t funny enough back then."

Laughter erupted in the room,a mixture of giggles and gasps,as some stared at Arthur in disbelief, wondering if they were imagining things.

Philip leaned closer to Nathaniel and whispered, "Something’s definitely up with him. Something HUGE."

Nathaniel nodded gravely. "Either that, or he’s been swapped out for an alien double."

---

Later, Emily approached Arthur just as he handed a glowing lantern to a little boy.

"Arthur," she called softly.

He turned at the sound of her voice, and that warm glance almost made her voice waver.

"My boy," Emily said quietly. "You’re glowing tonight."

Arthur gave a small. "Am I?"

She nodded firmly. "You are. And... it looks good on you."

For a moment, they both fell quiet as Emily took in the sight of her nephew amid the golden lights, surrounded by family, with the weight of his usual burdens lifted.

Arthur took a deep breath, letting the cool night breeze brush against his skin."I should’ve done this sooner," he confessed in a low voice.

Emily’s expression softened at his words. "But you’re doing it now," she replied gently. "That’s what matters."

As the evening progressed and the feast found its easy rhythm, small groups began to congregate in the garden,buzzing with excitement over the same topic.

George muttered, "He’s actually smiling! I didn’t even know he had those muscles."

Oscar chimed in, "He carried two toddlers. Willingly! We need to document this."

Bella nodded eagerly. "Whatever’s changed him... I hope it lasts."

Richard remarked, "His eyes are alive again. That cold barrier he always put up? It’s vanished tonight."

Margaret whispered, "It’s like he finally found his way home."

Billy leaned toward Kaia, speaking softly. "He feels... warm. Real. For the first time in years."

Kaia nodded slowly, in agreement. "I think your brother has gotten something back."

Billy swallowed hard. "Yeah... his emotions."

Kaia slipped her hand into his gently. "Then this is just the start of something wonderful."

The lanterns twinkled softly above like tiny stars as music drifted through the cool night air, intermingling with the cheerful laughter of children like merry bells.

Arthur stood at the heart of it all, enveloped in warm light as he looked over those for whom he had built an empire,not with distant calculation or cold indifference,but with genuine feeling,true human emotion,that had finally returned to him.

He let out a soft exhale. This moment felt like coming up for air after years spent submerged.

And scattered around the garden, each family member felt a quiet but profound realization taking root inside them:

Something significant had shifted within Arthur. And for the first time, it felt like they were getting to know him all over again.