As Robin and his group were talking about various matters , the atmosphere in the banquet hall suddenly shifted. A tense silence fell over the room as an old man with a hunched back, a full white beard, and long white hair made his way to the main balcony of the banquet hall. Only the mere sight of him caused even the most confident family elders to stop talking and direct their attention toward him.
The old man coughed, then spoke in a surprisingly strong and steady voice that carried throughout the hall. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending this gathering. I hope you are all enjoying the event. The family head will be joining us shortly. Please enjoy the drinks and snacks we prepared."
With that, the old man gave a brief nod and turned to leave, vanishing from sight just as quietly as he had appeared. A murmur rippled through the crowd, but Robin couldn’t shake the feeling of mystery surrounding the old man. He had never seen this figure before not in the mansion, nor mentioned anywhere in the family records he had studied. Yet, the sheer weight of the man's presence seems heavy, even from the most powerful members of the William family those who're in the military.
Robin, still curious , leaned toward his granduncle Liam and asked in a hushed voice, "Who was that? I've never seen him before, and he’s not in any of the family books."
Liam paused, looking over the balcony where the old man had stood, before turning back to Robin with a serious expression. "That is the head butler of the William household, and one of the oldest living beings on this planet i think. His origin is a mystery, even to us. He’s served the family for generations, even before my birth he was here."
Robin’s eyes widened slightly. "Generations? How is that possible?"
Liam took a sip of his drink, "There’s a legend going around the family," he continued. "It is said that one of our ancestors saved his life centuries ago. Out of deep gratitude, he swore an oath of loyalty to the William family. Since then, he’s served our family. What was surprising was even when he came here he was old so nobody knows his actual age. Also his influence is so great that even some of the family elders are afraid to him. Few speak of it openly, but it’s no secret that he holds more power behind the scenes than many would expect. He might be one of those long living creatures that live around the universe."
Robin listened carefully, still processing the information. He had encountered powerful figures before, but never imagined someone who could live up to thousands of years. There was something about the old man's presence that hinted at untold stories, perhaps even secrets buried deep within the William family’s long and illustrious history.
Robin nodded slowly, his curiosity piqued. "I see.There’s always more to this family than meets the eye, isn’t there?"
Liam gave a faint smile, his eyes twinkling. "You just came here so you have no idea, Robin. No idea at all."
The room suddenly became silent. The soft sound of the music, the sound of peoples conversation abruptly ceased. The lights of the hall dimmed , leaving only the soft glow of chandeliers to cast a warm light over the crowd. All the guests fell silent, their attention drawn to the grand balcony above the hall.
From behind the tall, arched doors leading to the balcony, Linda William, the current head of the William family, stepped out. She was closely followed by the head butler. Linda, standing tall in her attire, an intricately designed dark blue gown adorned with shimmering silver threads , stand at the edge of the balcony. Her sharp, piercing eyes scanned the vast crowd below. For a few seconds, no one dared move or whisper. The only sounds were the faint rustle of fabric as guests adjusted their stances and, perhaps, the sound of their heartbeats. The air itself seemed to thicken with an imposing aura.
After allowing the silence to settle, Linda took a small breath and began to speak, her voice amplified yet calm, firm, and deliberate, filling the entire hall.
“Thank you, everyone, for gathering here tonight. Some of you have traveled from distant galaxies, leaving behind your work, and yet you have come. Others have put aside their own circumstances to be here. The William family is grateful for every single one of you, members and esteemed guests alike, who have made this night possible.”
Her words were like a command to the restless room, the weight of them was not lost on anyone. As her gaze shifted slowly from one side of the hall to the other, it seemed to lock with each person’s eyes, acknowledging their presence.
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“Our family is as vast as the stars,” Linda continued “Yet, despite our distance from each other, our connection remains unbreakable. Tonight, I would like to especially recognize those who have dedicated themselves to protecting this unity.”
She paused, and there was a collective breath held in the room.
“To our family military forces, who work tirelessly across galaxies, battling the ever-growing threats of the anti-aether beasts and other lurking dangers. You stand on the frontlines, protecting not only our name but the future of countless lives across the universe. Your bravery is unparalleled, and for that, we thank you.”
A low murmur of approval rippled through the room as those affiliated with the military stood just a little taller. Some nodded solemnly; others exchanged respectful glances.
Linda’s tone shifted slightly, moving from gratitude to admiration. “I also extend my deepest thanks to those of you who continue to contribute to the progress of science and technology. Your innovations have not only fortified our family’s place in the universe but have pushed the boundaries of what we once thought possible. From space travel to advanced medical breakthroughs, you have ensured that our name will be etched into history for centuries to come.”
More heads nodded, this time among the intellectuals and scholars present.
There was a moment of quiet as Linda allowed her words to sink in, the room once again still as stone. Then, with a slight shift in her expression, a subtle but noticeable gravity took hold of her voice.
“I will not make this speech longer,” she said, a hint of anticipation thickening the air once more, “but i have some important announcement to make .”
The crowd leaned in almost imperceptibly, fully enraptured by what would come next.
“After much consideration, it has been decided that the selection for the next family head will begin in five years.”
A wave of surprise and tension spread through the room. Eyes darted from one family member to another, whispers barely contained. This was the moment many had been waiting for—or dreading.
Linda’s voice cut through the undercurrent like a blade. “In those five years, I expect each of you to ensure that our heirs are trained and prepared for the final selection. The future of the William family is not merely a matter of tradition but survival. We are more than just a name. We are leaders, protectors, and pioneers. The next head must embody everything we stand for.”
Her words carried not just an announcement but a command for all the people. The weight of the future now rested heavily on the next generation of William family members, and everyone in the room knew it. The silence that followed was thick with unspoken thoughts, ambitions, and uncertainties.
Linda let her gaze sweep over the crowd one last time, lingering on key figures, her expression unreadable but her intent clear. “May the best among us rise to lead this family into the future.”
As Linda’s voice echoed through the banquet hall, the tension grew even thicker. “I also have another small announcement,” she said, her words causing the noise in the hall to grow louder. The first announcement had already shaken the room, and now everyone was left wondering what else could follow such a monumental revelation.
“Silence!” Linda’s voice boomed, sharper and more forceful this time. The chatter instantly ceased, leaving the hall as still as before.
She continued with a more somber tone, “Most of you already know my younger brother, Leo William, who was once the pride of our family a hero to common folks. He went missing centuries ago while on a mission for the Celestial Council.” Her words struck a nerve, as whispers began to ripple once again. Leo William was a legendary figure, and his mysterious disappearance had once a hot topic amongst the family.
Linda allowed the murmurs for only a moment before pressing on. “As you all know, he was believed to have been lost in a space void, a fate that seemed inescapable. But recent information has come to light.” She paused, her expression growing more solemn. “The void, as it turns out, teleported him to a restricted dead zone. From now on, the search for him is officially concluded. As many of you may have guessed... Leo is no longer with us. He is dead.”
A wave of gasps swept through the hall. People exchanged glances, although young people don't know much about him but shock and sadness written in the older generations faces. But Linda was not done.
“However,” she continued, “there is more to the story. Leo was not lost to the void forever. He found himself on a habitable planet within the dead zone and made a life there. He had a family, and lived happily until he died peacefully. And tonight, amongst us, we have Leo’s only grandchild.”
With a steady hand, she pointed across the room directly at Robin.
A thousand eyes turned to him at once. Whispers erupted around the room, and the weight of their gazes settled heavily on Robin’s shoulders. The shock of Linda’s revelation seemed to send ripples of curiosity, speculation, and even envy through the gathered guests.
Robin, standing tall, could feel the stares, the judgment, the questions silently brewing in each of their minds. His connection to the once-lost Leo William was now out in the open.
Linda continued, her voice unwavering, “Robin was brought here by the Council after they received a distress signal from Leo’s old communicator, the one he used during his missions for the Council. From now on his name will be registered in the family book and his existence will be public "
" And also after much deliberation, the elders and I have come to a decision. All of Leo’s assets,his wealth, his estates, and his ships will be transferred to his grandchild, Robin. Additionally, the Council has agreed to pass on their share of Leo’s fortune to him as well.”
Her words settled over the room like a storm. The announcement was monumental. Robin, who had largely kept a low profile within the family until now, was suddenly thrust into the spotlight in a way no one could have predicted.
“The decision was made by myself and all the elders,” Linda said firmly, her tone brooking no argument. “I expect no objections to this. That is all for tonight . I hope everyone will enjoy tonight's event.”
With that, she stepped back, her speech complete. The weight of the evening’s revelations hung thickly in the air as she gracefully moved to her seat of honor, the elders gathering around her.
Robin could feel the intensity of the moment, the whispers continuing to swirl around him. His world had just shifted in an instant.
Then, the head butler’s voice broke through the tension, his tone calm but commanding. “Those who have brought gifts for this family occasion, come forward.”
The crowd stirred as guests who had prepared gifts began making their way toward the center of the room, but Robin still felt the eyes lingering on him, the whispers growing just abit louder. His identity was no longer just Robin now he is officially robin William