Walking past the antechamber, I get into the dining room. As I step into the dining room, the warm glow of candlelight flickers along the walls, casting soft shadows that dance across the room. Above, a grand chandelier hovers in the center, not merely lit by fire but burning with a bright, otherworldly fire spirit.
Seated beneath it are four figures, surrounding a round, exquisite table. The table itself is laden with an array of medieval dishes— roasted meats, steaming bowls of stew, freshly baked bread, and plates of ripe fruits.
The four people around the table are none other than my father, mother, my father's steward, and someone I least expected to see—Alvida!
"Good evening, Father, Mother. It's a pleasure to see you both. And good evening to our esteemed guests. I trust you are all enjoying the evening?" I greet, bowing my head and performing a curtsy.
"Good evening, dear. It's lovely to have you here," my mother replies warmly, while my father casually pops a raspberry into his mouth.
"Good evening, Lord Luke. We're delighted to see you," the steward and Alvida both respond.
I bow once more and take a seat near Alvida, our bodies almost touching. I can faintly smell the shampoo she recently used, despite her hat covering her head. For some reason, Alvida doesn't glance at me as I sit beside her as if she's deliberately avoiding me.
'I would have chosen another seat if any were available. It feels like this was planned. There are usually empty seats around the table,' I think, feeling an odd discomfort as if Alvida's presence is somehow suffocating.
"Let us begin. Please, enjoy the meal," the Duke announces.
Without further hesitation, I start eating, picking up my cutlery. I serve myself a generous portion of roasted meat and pour a plate of stew over it. Using my knife, I cut thin slices of bread, dipping them into the stew as I enjoy the meat.
While eating, my father suddenly clears his throat, pausing his meal. The Duke, who looks to be around fifty, remains strikingly handsome despite his age. His night-black hair contrasts sharply with his otherwise youthful appearance. He sports an overgrown mustache, neatly groomed, which adds to his dignified look. His face is clean-shaven, making his mustache stand out even more.
I definitely inherited his hair and height.
"Luke…" he begins.
"Yes, Father?"
"Do you realize you're not getting any younger? In a month or two, you'll be heading to the academy. As the youngest in the family, we will certainly miss you. It's as if…" The Duke's voice suddenly trails off, as though he's stopping himself from saying more. From his tone, I can tell he's deeply emotional.
"Uhm… I'll take over from here. It seems the Duke isn't feeling well today," Mother says, patting Father's shoulder as he pops a cherry into his mouth.
'Not feeling well, my foot.'
"Luke, as the heir of the Hunter family, we expect the best from you. I want you to be not only a powerful mage but also capable of managing the family affairs. Since you've come of age, you haven't shared your secrets with me anymore, but you know… adults have sharp senses," Mother says, glancing between me and Alvida.
"I've noticed that you've stopped attending Alvida's magic lessons, and she hasn't been out much lately. I also found out she's been consuming a lot of wine—about two jars daily." The Duchess pauses, turning her full attention to me.
"Listen, Luke. I pressed Alvida for details, and she told me everything—from how you asked her out to how she slapped you. Now, I believe that since you're an adult and a smart young man, you know what's best for you. If you have feelings for Alvida, it's best for both of you to discuss them. As the future heir of the Hunter family, you can have multiple wives or concubines if you wish. But remember, your actions will affect the family. You need to handle these matters wisely and settle things with Alvida," the Duchess says, dropping a bombshell.
"..."
"Y-Your Grace… This isn't what we discussed," Alvida mutters, shock clear on her face.
"Fufu, Alvida… I'm sure you know how to handle this situation. Since I've known you, I haven't seen any man with you. You're a good woman who would make a great wife. But ultimately, it's up to you to decide what you want for yourself," Mother says with a shrug, popping a fruit into her mouth.
"Mom…" I mutter, still in shock.
*CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG*
Suddenly, the clatter of a metallic object rings out across the room. I look up to see Lana bending down to pick it up, her body visibly tense.
"I'M SORRY!" She exclaims, snatching the object before dashing out of the dining room at top speed.
"What's wrong with her?" the Duke's steward asks, looking puzzled.
'Wait, don't tell me Lana is jealous and upset by what Mom said,' I think, realization dawning on me.
'Is this a blessing in disguise?'
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[A/N]: Dear readers, please support me with power stones and golden tickets. Every bit of your support is deeply appreciated.