“Ahem!”
Lucas was the first to step into the dining room, scanning his surroundings before taking a seat.
In his hands was a gift box so large it seemed to rival his own size.
“This should definitely make Dandelion really happy,” he muttered, brimming with confidence.
It was then—
“…What is that?”
Calypse, entering second, furrowed his brows at the sight of his son’s elaborate package.
“It’s for Dandelion. And what about you, Dad?”
But Calypse wasn’t the only one frowning.
Lucas, eyeing the modestly sized box in his father’s hand, casually slid his own gift onto the table as if to assert its superiority.
The clear implication? Bigger is better.
As the tension between the two men silently rose—
“Whose birthday is it today?”
Knox, who had been finalizing Calypse’s paperwork, arrived just in time to break the silence.
“Nobody’s,” Calypse replied tersely.
“Not a clue,” Lucas added with a shrug.
Knox raised a brow as he positioned himself beside Calypse. Without a word, he revealed yet another box, smoothly placing it atop the table.
Calypse sighed heavily at the sight. “And what’s this supposed to be?”
“It’s symbolic of joining the battlefield,” Knox replied with a straight face.
Thud!
Lucas slammed his fist on the table in frustration.
“Knox, why are you doing this too? This will only divide Dandelion’s attention!”
Knox adjusted his monocle, unperturbed. “Her reactions are earned, not granted. Are you worried, my lord?”
Scoffing, Lucas turned away, crossing his arms. “As if. Whatever you’ve prepared is probably something trivial, like a coloring book with monsters drawn on it.”
“Ah, yes, I have one of those too,” Knox admitted, causing Lucas to jolt upright.
“What?”
“…And it’s a bonus gift,” Knox added with a subtle smirk.
Lucas froze. A bonus? He hadn’t even thought of that.
The unexpected strategy left both father and son momentarily speechless.
As a chilling silence settled over the dining room, the tension mounted while they waited for Aisha to arrive.
Moments Later
“What’s all this?” Aisha asked, her curious gaze darting between the three men as she entered the room.
“Open it,” Calypse instructed curtly.
“Dandelion, isn’t it time to take off that scarf already?” Lucas asked, his voice tinged with concern.
“They’re presents, my lady,” Knox chimed in smoothly, cutting through the moment.
Before Aisha could fully process what was happening, all three men were thrusting their respective gifts toward her, their eagerness palpable.
Blinking in surprise, Aisha began to untie one of the ribbons but suddenly paused.
“…You all do remember tomorrow is the heir selection test, right?”
The question hung in the air.
Calypse and Lucas exchanged glances, their lips parting slightly in realization, while Knox gave a knowing nod, the only one who seemed prepared.
A Chaotic Celebration
As the impromptu gift-giving frenzy came to an end, Aisha looked around, somewhat amused.
“Shouldn’t you be preparing for the test tomorrow?” she asked, her voice laced with mild concern.
Lucas shrugged off the question, casually cutting into his steak. “I’ve spent the last five years fighting monsters nonstop. No matter what comes my way, I’ll pass without breaking a sweat.”
‘He has a point,’ Aisha thought, recalling the sheer skill Lucas had demonstrated in the circus arena. His abilities weren’t something that could be taught—they were forged in the heat of real battles.
“You’re right. If it’s you, you’ll pass for sure,” she said with an encouraging smile.
Lucas’s face turned a shade of pink as he puffed out his chest. “Of course I will!”
He continued with a smirk, “I’ve known about the heir selection since I could speak! Though… now that my brother’s gone, it feels a bit meaningless.”
“What do you mean?” Calypse asked, wiping his mouth with a napkin as he finally joined the conversation.
“If my brother isn’t here, I’m the only one taking the test, right?” Lucas asked, confusion evident on his face.
The air grew tense. Knox’s gaze sharpened.
“…Surely you told him?” Knox asked pointedly.
Calypse let out a sigh, rubbing his temple. “I’ve been busy. It slipped my mind.”
‘Oh, he had time to shop for gifts but not to mention something this important?’ Aisha thought, narrowing her eyes in silent judgment.
Knox, however, remained focused, his expression turning stern.
“Lucas, the test will proceed as planned,” Calypse began firmly. “Officially, you’re the only true candidate since Aisha has no abilities. But there’s been a development.”
“…A development?” Lucas froze, his fork hovering mid-air.
“A new ability user has emerged from the branch family,” Calypse revealed.
“…What?”
Lucas’s reaction was instant, his expression darkening as the news sank in.
“Who is it?” he finally managed, his voice strained.
“The heir to the Marquisate of Lillis,” Calypse replied, his tone steady.
The room fell into an uneasy silence.
***
For a moment, Lucas sat frozen, his gaze fixed on his plate. His grip on his fork tightened as if it were the only thing anchoring him.
“…The branch family test is scheduled for the same day and location as mine. Isn’t that… unfair?” he eventually murmured, his voice unusually subdued.
“It’s a chance to meet them in person,” Calypse countered. “Consider it an opportunity to assess your future allies—or rivals.”
Lucas hesitated before muttering, “Fine. But once my test is over, I’m leaving immediately.”
Calypse nodded. “That’s your choice. But don’t be surprised if they insist on observing your test. The Marquis of Lillis is unlikely to pass up the chance.”
Lucas’s expression soured further, and after a long pause, he muttered, “Then why not postpone the test altogether?”
Both Aisha and Knox stiffened, their eyes widening at the suggestion.
“Postpone it?” Calypse repeated, his voice low and edged with disbelief.
“Why not? There’s no one else but me, right? Does it even matter when the test happens?” Lucas pressed, his tone growing defensive.
Calypse’s jaw tightened. “The test has already been delayed for years. Postponing it further would only provoke the family heads.”
“You’re the Duke, aren’t you? A single order from you, and they’d have to comply,” Lucas retorted, his frustration boiling over.
Calypse’s eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. “Lucas.”
“What? I just want some time to breathe! Is that too much to ask?”
The room fell deathly silent.
“…You sound like a tyrant in the making,” Calypse finally muttered, his voice cold.
“A tyrant?” Lucas repeated, his voice breaking into a hollow laugh.
His chair scraped loudly against the floor as he stood abruptly, glaring at his father.
“I’ve barely escaped a cage, and you can’t even give me this? Some Duke you are!” he spat before storming out, the sound of a shattered plate echoing behind him.
Aisha sat frozen, her fork suspended mid-air as she watched the scene unfold.
“…What just happened?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
