I stared at my uncle, waiting for an answer.
"…"
"Do you really have no idea at all? What made you dump this power to me in a hurry?"
"…"
This silence from the usual chatter box uncle Igor was grating on my nerves.
Uncle's body language screams that he knows the reason. Or at least he has some idea. But he still refuses to say anything.
"Did I say anything before…"
"What could you even say, uncle? You just shamelessly started that damn ceremony!"
That damn power giving ceremony. Yes, there is a ceremony. It is usually scheduled and done in private. It's not because it is such a big secret. No one would remember it once the day restarted, anyway. It is just to give some privacy to the new power holder who will remember that embarrassment for the rest of their life! That's right, embarrassment. It is so bloody embarrassing! And uncle just did it yesterday as soon as he saw me. And with so many family employees around as well!
What is so embarrassing about a simple transferring powers ceremony? Argh, I didn't want to remember it…
Last time, uncle Igor arrived to the mansion just after sunset. That was already unusual. But uncle also ran around the mansion until he found me. Disregarding everything and everyone he just charged at me. "This cannot wait anymore", uncle said those words as he grabbed the back of my head. Hey, I'm a boy, IVAN, okay. Don't misunderstand this! Everyone was so shocked they couldn't react. Then, uncle promptly smacked his forehead against mine.
My face became white and I froze in place.
I had read about this stupid ceremony before. Three points of contact were needed to pass on the power: the forehead and the hands. I started to regain consciousness as I remembered this point. I pulled back my arm wanting to punch uncle Igor, but he was faster. He pulled his hands from the back of my head and swiftly held my hand interlocking our fingers. All blood drained from my face. From the corner of my field of vision I saw a maid blushing very red. At least cover that stupidly happy grin!
Uncle Igor's face was dead serious as he said the ceremonial words. "To you I give all I have. Live twice the time. Have twice the fun. Twice the responsibility. Before God, my power will now be yours." Cold shivers ran up and down my spine. Such a cringy thing to say. Are we getting married? Hey, little maid, don't faint! I want to pass out now! Then, uncle Igor closed his eyes and I felt a strange energy entering my body.
I thought I heard a very low "sorry". But it did not matter.
I had just been cursed.
Double cursed.
Not only did I get that cursed family power, I had been forced to go through that shamelessly embarrassing ceremony!
No God would come up with such a crazy ceremony. It had to be a Devil!
I clenched my fists as I recalled this series of events.
"Damn you" I whispered between gritted teeth.
"I don't remember what happened last time. Sorry about that Ivan."
"Right, you wouldn't remember uncle. But how could you just do that in front of all the servants, and without an explanation!"
"They won't remember it, anyway…" uncle Igor looked somewhat sorry after hearing that. He might not remember but he also knows exactly what the ceremony looks like.
"But I do! I'm a 17 years old boy! What do you think it feels like if a stinky old man does something like that to you?"
"…"
We were getting nowhere. And I was just getting more exasperated as we talked in circles.
I tried to calm myself down with some tea, but it was already cold.
"This cannot wait anymore."
"?"
"That's the only thing you said, uncle. So, what could have made you say that? Any ideas?"
Lowering his gaze, uncle Igor sighed. He seemed to seriously consider my words. He supported his forehead with both hands and sighed again.
This lasted for some time. I was itching to punch him again.
Finally, he lifted his head and opened his mouth.
"You didn't mention that I arrived with a young lady."
*bang*
I hit the table again.
Today, uncle Igor was the epitome of the expression 'open mouth, a fly comes in or shit comes out'. Could he not be serious for more than five minutes?
"Uncle…"
I shot a warning look at my uncle. I needed a serious answer, not one of his jokes.
"I can't be sure of the reason…"
"So, you do have a suspicion."
"There could be a few reasons" uncle Igor closed his eyes and stayed silent.
"Which would be…" I tried to prompt him.
"… not very good."
There was silence following his words.
Suddenly, uncle got up from his seat and looked down at me.
"There is something I need to give you. It may help you find the answer."
He started go walk to the door.
"But some questions are better left unanswered. You should forget it and live a normal life."
Normal? How can someone live a normal life with such a crazy power?
I get up and start following uncle Igor.
We walked out of the family room and followed the corridor until the staircase. We walked up the wide staircase to the first floor. It led to a little hall with corridors to the left and right, and a small resting space in front. Looking back, you could see that on each side of the wide staircase there were there was a narrow staircase going to a second floor. We went up the left staircase and entered the family library.
The second floor only has the family library on the left side and the head's personal study on the right side.
I followed uncle Igor to a bookshelf and he pointed at an old book. 'The History and Growth of the Amazing Lucero Family'. What kind of title was that?
"Pull this book twice."
"I don't feel like reading that, thank you."
"Just do it, Ivan. The book is just the key, it's not what I want to give you."