Today was the unfortunate day that the family gathering would happen. Adam was nowhere near calm, his thoughts racing and spinning in circles, akin to a roller coaster. The purpose of the invitation remained unknown, no matter how much he looked for clues. Such a situation brought fear to the young man, but at the same time, a feeling of thrill slithered its way along his spine.

Adam was nervous, but his excitement crushed down the shivers that wanted to take over his body.

With jerking moves, the young man took longer than necessary to put on his sophisticated clothes, the dark blue fabric hugging his well-defined frame. His muscled arms, his bulging chest muscles, his slim waist and his thick thighs all stroud out with the white vines like patterns on the suit. Adam braided his hair in small cornrows on one side of his head and let the rest of his fluffy dark mane bring out his savage-like nature by messing with it with his fingers for a few seconds. 

Taking one last look in a smashed mirror, Adam curled up the corner of his mouth in a vicious smile. The black sheep was ready to come out of his costume and hunt his prey.

He closed the little bundle holding all his belongings and went to hide it in one of the storage rooms. While he was away, someone could try to steal his possessions and if the gathering ended badly, he may need to escape quickly away from the mansion. Better be prepared.

Adam left his wing, entering what could be called an over the top mansion. The floor was covered with a red carpet with magic symbols on it, granting the object the power to clean itself. The golden walls stood out like a sore thumb, making Adam’s eyes sting, and paintings and ornaments were hung on it. All in all, it was a blatant waste of money.

“May I help you, sir?” A new looking servant asked him on his way, looking as if he didn’t recognize him. It wouldn’t surprise Adam if he didn’t know his identity, he had never seen him before and rumors of his appearance could be summarized in two words: poor and weak. The present Adam was good-looking and the servant couldn’t really judge his strength, so the link between the disgrace of the family and the man before him was never made, much to Adam’s happiness. 

“I was invited for a meal with the Duke. Could I trouble you to lead the way, please?” Adam answered after clearing his throat. The politeness he showed surprised the servant, used to harsh demands from nobles. Adam could have acted like an arrogant being, but having been on the receiving end of such treatment kept him from doing so.

“Y-yes. Please follow me, sir.” The servant stuttered, flustered, but quick on his feet to lead the way. Adam followed him, making sure to memorize the way back. It had been a long time since he had last visited the mansion and he didn’t even know where he would meet the Duke. The best he could do was memorize an escape route.

Both men walked in silence, Adam not of talkative nature and the servant far too afraid of making a mistake.

Before long, they reached a majestic closed door, the wood carved with magical beasts. Roaring fire lions were surrounded by water snakes, their huge spiked body coiling around their foe in a deadly embrace. It was a direct insult to the Fenase family, the noble family opposite to the Salovski one. Their emblem had a lion in the middle of it and they were known for their fire affinity. Both families always had animosity between them and it could be seen with the carving on the door before him.

Adam sneered inside of his head, before straightening his back as the servant opened the door for him. The light blinded him for a few seconds and silence greeted him. With his view recovered, Adam could now see the giant table in the middle of the room. Sitting at one extremity was his father, his bear kept neat and short while his gray hair was pushed back on his head to give a full view of his forehead. Adam had to bite the inside of his mouth to keep himself from laughing, the sight making him remember the pig he had encountered when buying his suit and that had the same hairstyle.

Adam changed his sight to the right side of his father, where a young lady with red hair was gracefully eating. That would be his stepmother, Bella. At her side were his three sisters, while his three brothers were eating at his father’s left. There was only one seat left, right in front of his father at the other end of the table, far away from everyone and from the food served on the table.

Adam’s lips raised in a mocking smile, before being pressed down. The whole family hadn’t waited for him to arrive before starting to eat and they hadn’t even glanced his way when he entered. Adam walked to his seat before purposely drawing the chair against the floor in a piercing sound. He sat on it, before dragging it across the ground to get closer to the table. Lifting his eyes, Adam saw his family looking at him in annoyance, some of them sneering at his lack of manners. Like he gave a damn. Having gotten their attention, Adam crossed his arms on his chest, both feet resting on the table and the chair dangerously standing on its hind legs, and looked at his father.

“May I know the reason for your summoning, Father?” Adam asked, drawing out the last word to irritate the Duke, knowing that the prideful man hated to be reminded of his blood ties with him. Even though Adam allowed himself some acts of disrespect, he still had to remain courteous with his speech, or the hidden assassins waiting for a mishap on his side would have his head cut in seconds.

“You are to be wed tomorrow.” The Duke said, sending Adam into a coughing fit. 

Hey dear readers, did you expect that?

I didn’t.

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(1 036 words)