'It's been a couple of days since then. There's gonna be a party hosted in town to celebrate Sydney's coming of age, although it's a bit late.' Theo thought to himself as he watched people carry crates to various locations. 'I heard from my mother that there are many suitors lined up hoping to marry Sydney, which isn't all that surprising, but what is surprising is the fact that a few of them are nobles, low ranked nobles, but nobles nonetheless.' Theo thought to himself as he continued observing the preparations.
'From what I've been told, this party also serves as a way for people to try and give engagement proposals...' He thought to himself with a sigh. 'Because that's what every girl wants a day all about them to be about.' He thought sarcastically as he walked back to his home.
As he approached the house, the door open and Sydney burst out, grabbed Theo's arm, and pulled him inside. "Theo! What do you think?" Sydney asked excitedly as she spun around in her dress. A dark red dress that goes rather nicely with her hair, the accents are black, and the most skin it shows is the arms.
Her hair is put into a crown bun and she has a black flower brooch on the back of the bun. "Uh... Good?" He said hesitantly.
"Why'd you say it like a question!?" She asked annoyedly as she put her fists on her hips and leaned a bit closer to him, trying to intimidate him a bit.
"I just wasn't sure how to respond!" Theo said as he took a step back. 'It was the truth though, she looks really good in that outfit, I think a lot of guys are gonna try and get an engagement with her in that...' Theo thought to himself as he looked at her. John chuckled a bit.
"Alright, that's enough scaring your brother." He said.
"Okay!" Sydney said with a bit of a laugh as she straightened her posture a bit and smiled.
'I still haven't spoken with my parents about what Sydney said, and I don't even know if I should... But, even if the smiles are fake, or partially so, I don't want it to stop. Sometimes living in ignorance is the blessing you shouldn't question...' Theo thought to himself.
"Theo, what's with that boring expression?" Sydney asked.
"Just my usual expression, I'm a boring person, after all." Theo responded with a bit of a chuckle.
"Oh, come on, mister, 'I've been able to do chantless magic since I was an infant,' I mean, do you really think that's boring?" Sydney asked. Theo shrugged.
"It's not the accomplishments of a man that makes him interesting, it's how he shows them." John said. Theo nodded. "That aside, we do need to go into town, as the festivities will begin shortly, and what are festivities if the one celebrated isn't there?" John asked as he walked over to the door and opened it, revealing a man with armor and a cape on. "Fuck." John said. Theo tilted his head in confusion.
"I am here to deliver a letter to mistress Kendra!" The man announced.
"Hey, Ken, one of your dad's guys is here, says there's a letter!" John yelled. "Wait here a moment." John said.
"What's going on?" Theo asked Sydney. Sydney shrugged. The door to their parents' bedroom opened and Kendra exited wearing a green dress and her hair in a simple braid. She walked over to the door.
"Mistress Kendra!" The man said with a bow, then handed her the letter. "Huzzah! I shall now take my leave!" He exclaimed as he ran off. Kendra sighed as she opened the letter. She read the contents and her eyes widened.
"It's much too early for that!" She exclaimed in surprise.
"What is it?" John asked. Kendra handed him the letter. "Oh, fuck." John said. Kendra nodded. "Uh, let's talk about this tomorrow, all things considered." John whispered to Kendra. Kendra nodded.
"I am so lost..." Theo said.
"We're in the same boat..." Sydney responded.
"We'll explain tomorrow, but today, we enjoy the party, now, let's go." John said as he grabbed the door and opened it wider, motioning for everyone to exit the house.
"Alright!" Sydney said excitedly as she hurried over to Kendra's side and grabbed her arm, then exited with her.
"You too, Theo." John said. Theo nodded and walked to the door, then looked at his father.
"Was it bad?" He asked. John shook his head.
"Just surprising." He responded.
"Alright." Theo said, then exited, quickly followed by John. 'I won't push much further for now... Seems like it'd be a bad idea...' He thought to himself as Sydney motioned and hollered for him and John to catch up.
"Father, why now!?" A man asked loudly and angrily as he approached a man reading in a library. The man continued reading. "Father!?" The man asked again. A moment later, the man reading flipped the page, put his thumb on the current page, and closed the book.
"Harry, this is a library, treat it as such." The man's father said.
"B-but!" The man attempted to rebuke but quickly met the glare of his father, causing him to hesitate. "M-my apologies, father..." He said quietly.
"Good." He said.
"That being said, I do demand an explanation." The man said with a much calmer demeanor.
"I needn't explain myself to the likes of you." He responded.
"But father, to suddenly call all members of the family to the house for, for, what? A tournament to decide on the heir? Why not just declare it? To give the outsiders a chance!?" The man asked with confusion.
"Look, Harry, I have done many things without telling you the reason, and every time it's gone well, just continue with the faith you've stored up until now." Harry's father said, then opened his book and continued reading. Harry huffed, then stormed out of the room.
A few moments later, the man's father closed his book and gave a sigh. "And another out of the running." He said to himself. "I thought I raised him of all people better than that." He mumbled to himself. "Well, I still have many others, I have faith I'll find at least one of my blood that's worthy of succeeding me..." He added before opening his book again.