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 true leader bore this burden silently, not for themselves, but for everyone who came after them. Honestly, I’m just glad Aiden was the heir and not me.

Something about the Stormbourne main mansion made you feel like the moment you stepped inside, it just swallowed you whole. It was all grand arches, dark wood, and relics that could belong in a museum. It was a place where you’d think twice about touching anything, fearing you’d leave a stain.

Portraits of long-dead ancestors lined the walls. The eyes in those portraits seemed to follow you wherever you went. It was like they were judging you wordlessly. Which, let’s be real, they probably were.

This mansion, unlike others on the estate, 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 met the standard.

I made my way through the twisting corridors, the sounds 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. Everyone who lived on the estate knew my reputation. My father didn’t even try to reprimand me anymore. If I wasn’t concerned about others thinking my lateness was an issue and the head of the house didn’t care either, why should I?

Lunch was already halfway through. Just in time, I guess. I didn’t have to sit through the usual small talk. I would slide in, grab a bite, and slide right back out. Call it a day.

But of course, if only this family was that easy.

Our dining hall was vast. Sometimes it held important events besides grand celebrations. Right now, there were three long tables, each serving its own purpose.

The topmost table was reserved for the main family. There was Aiden, my elder brother, all set to take over as the next head of the family. Alistair, as stiff as always, sat beside Aeryn, whose smile could make any guy’s heart melt. Finally, sitting next to Aiden, was Catherine, his fiancée. A woman whose fake, polite demeanor didn’t match the warmth in the air. Dressed in their finest clothes, they all looked every inch the part of nobility.

Two tables flanked the main one. Each was piled high with food, groaning under the weight of roasted and fried game fowls, pastries, soups, and stews. Seated at these other two tables were the rest of the family. One held Father’s cousins, middle-aged nobles. The other had his siblings Heaton, Ned, and Sam, along with their wives and eldest children.

The lively atmosphere shifted the moment I walked in. Conversations quieted down, forks and spoons paused mid-air, and all eyes turned toward me. It felt like the homecoming of a wayward son. Everyone was just waiting to see what kind of trouble I’d try to stir up next.

And of course, those three geezers turned to glare at me. Their expressions were a study in disappointment with just a touch of derision. Typical.

Ned was the first to break the silence. “Late again, Alex! You’d think by now you’d have learned the value of punctuality.”

I snickered. “Sorry, got held up in town. I was looking for two geezers who were giving me a hard time.” I showed him the sword strapped to my waist. “That’s why I brought this with me.”

Ned’s face turned red. He didn’t look amused, but then again, he rarely did. He wasn’t in the mood to talk about the time I nearly took his head off.

It was during my twelfth birthday, right over where the main table was. My father handed me the sword to signify my initiation as a Magic Swordsman. Apparently, I did something no Stormbourne had ever done before, and it’s absolutely sidesplitting thinking back about the incident.

Most of the Stormbourne household was there for the event. When I unsheathed the blade from its scabbard, my gaze landed on Ned. Since he had been annoying me back then with a bushel of lectures and nagging about this, that, and the other, 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?

“Wait,” I added with a smirk, “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 sit at the main table beside Alistair, but instead, I faced my uncles, giving me a clear view of their scowling faces.

No sooner had I sat down than the chiding continued. 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.”

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 appear out of nowhere. It’s about who you are when you do. You’re a Stormbourne. That’s supposed to stand for something.”

They’d never understand, no matter how much I tried to explain. They were too caught up in tradition, obsessed with preserving the perfect image of the noble family. For me, I had more interest in being myself than playing their games.

So, I did what I always did when they started 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 Patriarch isn’t bothered, why must you keep criticizing me?”

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. 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, my uncles, my father’s 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. There was a chill instead, as though shadows were encroaching.

The professor then revealed 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 had never come across anything like it before.

The answer he came up with 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’m older, it all starts to make sense.

But my father’s reaction told me otherwise. He had a private conversation with Aiden, probably discussing the truth about the anomaly I possessed. From that day on, Aiden and I had an unspoken agreement. You do your thing and I’ll do mine.

Naturally, Professor Wallenby insisted on performing the procedure every year to see if my mana core would finally start glowing. Each time during those rituals, Aiden was always present, until I grew so fed up I stopped partaking altogether when I turned twelve.

Well, if my mana core doesn’t want to shine like everyone else’s, why should I care?

Aiden let out a long breath and spoke.

“Everyone here already knows what Alex thinks about family gatherings. If the head of our house didn’t voice any objections and stopped reprimanding him for being late, why should I? If you’re still unhappy about Alex’s tardiness, you can address it to Lord Stormbourne when he returns from Tuvia.” He paused. “I believe he will give you the same answer as mine—It’s up to Alex to attend our family festivities or not, and he can show up late if he wants.”

A fleeting pause passed before my voice ruptured the calm.

“Hear that, you old coots?” I taunted my uncles. “Alex can come late to any event whenever he wants.” I raised my voice. “Heck! I might even turn up late for my wedding, and nobody can stop me. Not my future in-laws or even my wife.”

Another 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 high-pitched giggle broke the tension, drawing everyone’s attention.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it. It’s just so amusing,” Catherine remarked, laughing and glancing at Aiden. “I didn’t know your brother was so funny, Aiden.”

Look at this bitch, ruining the moment I had carefully set up just to get under my uncles’ skin.

I pressed my lips tightly, trying to calm down. 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? Is that why you were late?”

I shook my head and replied, “Nope, I haven’t found them, milady.”

“That’s too bad,” she said, flashing that fake smile of hers.

“On the bright side, milady,” I responded with one of my own. “I made a new friend.” I looked down and called, “Jitters, come up here and give a proper introduction to everyone.”

Jitters leaped into my lap and then up onto the table.

“Meow,” he greeted as if he had perfect timing or something.

Catherine’s face turned ghastly white.

“Ah, I forgot, milady. You’re afraid of cats.” I put my hands on my cheeks, pretending to be worried.

“N-n-not that I’m afraid of cats,” 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 ones 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 the person who made his favorite child cry.

“Right! You all heard my brother!” Alistair’s voice burst out as he stood up and raised a fist. “I’d stay away from the estate 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.

“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 the servants asked.

“Buttermilk,” I clarified. “And add more milk, please.”

“Understood, Master Alex.”

Lunch dragged on with less conversation among us this time. 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.

“We appreciate you all coming today,” Aiden said in his usual composed voice. “There will be a dinner party at eight here tonight, and I expect to see everyone present as well.”

I sighed. 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. However, as I did, a sense of restlessness came over me. Tonight’s gathering might be far from what my family and I expected.