My father once told me that the head of our house shouldered more than the weight of decisions. They carried the heavy responsibility of avoiding conflicts and upholding a flawless image. A real leader bore this burden silently, not for himself but for everyone who came after him. Personally, I’m just glad Aiden was the heir and not me.
Something about the Stormbourne main mansion made one feel like the minute they stepped inside, it swallowed them whole. All grand arches, dark wood, and artifacts that could belong in a museum. The kind of place where you’d think twice about touching anything, fearing you’d leave a smudge.
Portraits of long-dead ancestors lined the walls. Eyes in those portraits seemed to follow you wherever you went. It was like they were silently judging you, which, let’s be honest, they probably were. This mansion harbored generation after generation of Stormbournes, each more stubborn and self-important than the last. And here I was, another name in a long line of people who never quite fit the mold.
I made my way through the twisting corridors, the wave of laughter and clinking glasses growing louder with each step. The lunch reception was in full swing. Everyone was dressed to impress, even if they were just there to show off and gossip. And me? Well, I was fashionably late when it came to any merry-making event. This wasn’t my first time. Everyone in the estate knew that. My father didn’t even try to reprimand me anymore. If I wasn’t going to be concerned about others thinking my lateness was bad and the head of the house didn’t care either, then why should I pay any heed?
Lunch was already halfway through. Just in time, I guess. I didn’t have to sit through small talk. I would slide in, get a bite, and slide right back out. Call it a day. This family, however, was never so easy.
Our dining hall was vast. Sometimes it held important events besides grand celebrations. Now the place had three long tables, each serving its own purpose. Naturally, the topmost one was reserved for the main family. Aiden, my elder brother, all set to take over as the next head of the family; Alistair, as stiff as always; and Aeryn, whose smile could make any guy’s heart melt. Beside Aiden sat Catherine, his bitch. Sorry, I meant his fiancée, a woman whose faked polite demeanor didn’t match the chill in the air. Dressed in their best clothes, they all looked every inch of nobility.
Two tables flanked the main one. Each of them was piled high with food, groaning under the weight of roasted and fried game hens, pastries, soups, and stews. Seated at these other two tables were the remainder of the Stormbourne family. One held Father’s cousins, a table of middle-aged nobles. The other his siblings Heaton, Ned, and Sam, with their wives and eldest children.
The atmosphere shifted the moment I walked in. Conversations quieted down, forks paused mid-air, and all eyes turned toward me. It was the prodigal son returning home all over again. Everyone was just waiting to see what kind of trouble I’d try to stir up next.
And, of course, now those three geezers turned to glare at me. Their expressions were a study in disappointment mostly, with just a touch of derision. Typical.
Ned was the first to break the silence, his eyes like daggers. “Late again, Alex! You’d think by now you’d have learned the value of punctuality.”
“Sorry, Uncle Ned… Got held up in town,” I replied. “Looking for two geezers who were giving me a hard time.” I paused, showing him the sword in my hand. “That’s why I brought this along with me.”
His face turned red. He didn’t look amused, but then again, he rarely did. He probably remembered the sword that almost clipped him.
It was during my twelfth birthday, right over there where the main table was. My father handed me the sword to signify my initiation as a Magic Swordsman. Obviously, I did something no Stormbourne had ever done before, and it’s absolutely hilarious thinking back on it. Everyone was there for the event. When I unsheathed the blade from its scabbard, my gaze landed on Uncle Ned. Since he was annoying me back then with a bushel of lectures and nagging about this, that, and the third, the first thing I did was chase him around the mansion, trying to slice him up. Total chaos. Others tried to stop me. What can I say? A sword needs its first taste of blood, right? And who better suited as a target?
Ned responded to my reply with a scowl. I could tell he wasn’t in the mood for evoking about the time I nearly took his head off.
“Wait,” I tacked on, smirking, “were there two or three geezers?”
Heaton and Sam exchanged glances but said nothing. Still, I could tell they weren’t too pleased either.
I took my place where my father’s cousins were seated. I was supposed to take my seat at the main table beside Alistair. Instead, I sat facing my uncles, giving myself a clear view of their scowling faces.
No sooner had I sat down than the chiding resumed. Heaton leaned forward, his voice low but firm. “You know, Alex, it wouldn’t kill you to show a little more respect to Catherine. She’s family now, whether you like it or not.”
Sam nodded, his tone a little more soothing but every bit as insistent. “It’s not only about you, Alex. It’s about the family. Your behavior is a reflection on all of us, so be timely next time.”
I rolled my eyes, almost sighing. Heaton wasn’t having it. “You can’t just show up. It’s how you are when you do show up. You’re a Stormbourne. It’s supposed to mean something.”
These old farts. They were never going to get it, no matter how much I explained. They were just too engrossed in the standard, painting the ideal noble family image. For me, I had more interest in being myself than playing their games. So, I did what I always do when they start on me. I retorted. “Why are you three acting so high and mighty about me being late?” I motioned over to Aiden. “If the stand-in leader of our house isn’t, why must you keep rambling?”
All eyes turned toward Aiden.
That’s it, dude. Be a big brother and shut these geezers up.
One thing I knew about Aiden was that he always acted neutral when it came to my behavior. I wasn’t sure why, but I believed it started when I turned seven, during my coming-of-age ceremony. It was a ritual where every Stormbourne had their body examined to see if they had a mana core that could enable them to wield magic.
It was supposed to be a proud day for me. Every Stormbourne was present. Father, Mom, my siblings, and all the uncles, cousins, and distant relatives you could imagine. They all gathered to see if the youngest son of the main family had the potential for magic. Professor Wallenby, our wizard, was the one to perform the ritual. He placed his hands on my back, his touch cold and heavy, as if he already knew something was off.
I sensed it before he said anything. The mana core within me stirred to life. Only there wasn’t the warmth I’d heard about, just a chill, as though shadows were encroaching.
The Professor then revealed to everyone that my mana core was shaded in darkness, with light bordering the sphere-like core. He went on about how this phenomenon was very unusual and how he’d never come across anything like it before. His only guess was that my mana core was pretty feeble because the brighter someone’s core was, the stronger their innate magic would be. I didn’t get what he meant back then, but now that I am older, it all starts to make sense.
But my father’s reaction when he looked at me told me it meant more to him. He had a private conversation with Aiden after the ceremony that I couldn’t overhear, probably discussing the truth about the anomaly. And from that day on, Aiden and I had an unspoken agreement. “You do your thing, and I’ll do mine.”
Of course, Professor Wallenby insisted on performing the procedural every year to see if my mana core would start glowing with light. I got so tired of it that I stopped allowing him to do it when I turned twelve. And every time during those rituals, Aiden would be there. Well, if my mana core doesn’t want to shine like everyone else’s, why should I care?
Aiden let out a breath and spoke. “Everyone in our family, and the rest who live on this estate, already knows what Alex thinks about family gatherings like this one. If my father didn’t voice any objections and stopped reprimanding or punishing him for being late, why should I? If you’re still unhappy about Alex’s tardiness, you can address it to my father when he returns from Tuvia.” He paused for a moment. “I believe he will give you the same answer. It’s up to Alexander Stormbourne whether to attend our family festivities or not, and he can turn up late if he wishes.”
I grinned from ear to ear. “Hear that, you old coots?” I said to my uncles. “Alex can come late to any event whenever he wants.” I raised my voice a bit. “Heck! I might even turn up late for my wedding, and nobody can stop me. Not my future in-laws or even my wife.”
A heavy curtain of silence fell over the dining room. I swear if a lousy pin dropped onto the floor, you’d hear it echo through the hall.
A girlish giggle cut through the stillness. All eyes turned to the source.
“I’m sorry,” Catherine apologized, “but it’s so amusing. I had no idea your brother was so hilarious, Aiden.”
Aiden gave her a faint smile and nodded.
Look at this bitch, ruining the silence I had carefully set up just to get under my uncles’ skin. Her laughter threw off the whole mood, like she had to step in and take control before I pushed them too far.
She shifted her attention toward me. “So, Alex, did you find the two men you were looking for back in town? Is that why you were late?”
“No, I hadn’t found them, milady,” I replied.
“That’s too bad,” she said with that fake smile of hers.
“On the bright side, milady,” I responded with one of my own. “I made a new friend.” I peered down and called, “Jitters, come give a proper introduction.” Jitters bounded into my lap and then up onto the table.
“Meow,” he greeted, like he had perfect timing or something.
Catherine’s face turned ghastly white.
“Ah, I forgot.” I put my hands on my cheeks, pretending to be worried. “Milady, you’re afraid of cats, aren’t you?”
“N-n-not that I’m scared of them,” she stuttered. “I-I’m just allergic to t-t-them.”
“I see.” I nodded. “But he’s far from you, so you won’t be affected, right?”
“That’s right.” She gulped.
I turned toward my uncles. “And don’t you dare say anything about this cat or try to annoy the others on the estate as well. If you do, I’ll tell Alice, and you all know how she’ll react.”
Everyone knew about my youngest sister’s obsession with her cats. She’d weep buckets if she found out anyone was mistreating them. And my father? He would go nuts and punish anyone who made his favorite child cry.
“Right! You all heard my brother!” Alistair’s voice piped up, and he raised a fist as every eye turned to him. “I’d stay away from the mansion cats if I were you.” He tilted his head toward me and gave a nod of approval.
Look at this guy. He’s worried I’ll spill the beans to Alice about locking her cats in the greenhouse.
Two servants approached to set food on my table, but I held up a hand. “No, I’ve already eaten. Just bring a plate of tuna for my little friend here,” I said, gently stroking Jitters’ head. “For me, just bring my usual.”
The three old farts just glowered at me, thinking I wanted liquor.
“Your usual, Master Alex?” one of them asked.
“Buttermilk, and add more milk, please,” I replied.
“Understood, Master Alex.”
Lunch dragged on. My eyes kept drifting to Aiden and Catherine, who were doing most of the talking. Aiden’s forehead creased at whatever Catherine was saying, while Aeryn and Alistair chatted quietly between themselves.
Just when I thought the lunch reception would last forever, Aiden and Catherine stood up. “Catherine and I want to thank all of you for coming today,” Aiden said in his usual composed voice. “There will be a dinner party at eight tonight, and I expect to see everyone there.”
Another gathering? Over my dead body would I spend more time around that bitch.
But the way Aiden spoke made it clear this wasn’t a request. He was telling us where we needed to be and at what time.
We all stood, giving Aiden and Catherine a perfunctory nod. But as I did, a curious weight settled over me. Tonight’s gathering might turn out to be far from what my family and I had expected.
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