A seal assembly between a rotor and a stator is disclosed. In one embodiment, the seal assembly includes: a rotor; a stator positioned around the rotor; and a plurality of seal leaves positioned between the rotor and the stator, the plurality of seal leaves circumferentially stacked around the rotor to define a seal ring between the rotor and the stator, wherein gaps between adjacent seal leaves are partially filled, such that contact faces and residual gaps are between adjacent seal leaves, wherein the contact faces generate friction to dampen vibrations during operation. Such damping effects still allow the compliant motion of the seal leaves with minimal leaf vibration. Also, thicker and more resilient leaves may be applied with reduced leakage through the root gaps.