The grand gifting ceremony, an event traditionally filled with anticipation and excitement , which was one of the best ways to judge a family member, had lost its luster. Every family member who brought something stood in a long line to present their offerings to the elders and the family head. Normally, this would be a moment of pride and prestige, a time when gifts were not just tokens of affection but symbols of status, wealth, and intelligent. Each gift was meant to be a reflection of the giver’s standing within the family, a chance to impress or carry favor from elders.
But this year, the ceremony felt strangely bland. Conversations buzzed around the hall, but none were about the gifts. Instead, all attention was on two major announcements that had captured everyone's interest, announcements so significant they had made the gifting ceremony seem almost like a meaningless side quest. The first was the selection of the next family head, a decision that would shape the future of the William family for generations to come. Everyone speculated who would be chosen and what the selection would mean for the family’s political structure.
The second topic was Robin himself. His mysterious return, his grandfathers situation, and the recent events surrounding him being the one inheriting a vast amount of wealth that his grandfather left ,had placed Robin in the spotlight. The question on everyone's lips was what role he would play in the family’s future.
As Robin approached the elders, oliver carryied the gift they had spent days painstakingly selecting . The carefully chosen item, something meant to reflect both his personal taste and the honor of the William family, was presented with quiet reverence. Yet, the reaction from the elders was underwhelming. They just gave a nod of acknowledgment.
Robin, though composed. He had expected this moment to be more meaningful, to solidify his standing among the family. Instead, it seemed like just another task to the elders, a formality overshadowed by the greater matters at hand. And the reaction was same for everyone. Even if you brought things that are considered a miracle.
As he stepped back into the line, he realized that no matter how much effort one put into selecting the perfect gift, it wasn’t enough to compete with the wealth that family gathered in centuries.
In one hand he felt disappointed in another hand he felt relief .
After handing over the gift, Robin stepped away from the formal proceedings and reunited with Liam's group. His granduncle approached him with a warm smile, giving Robin a hearty pat on the shoulder. “Welcome to the family,” Liam said, “ not that you were not a part of the family before but from now on, you are officially a William.”
Robin nodded, offering his thanks, though he couldn’t shake the sudden change in the atmosphere around the hall. As Liam turned to rejoin the conversation with his family members, Robin felt something peculiar a shift in the energy of the room. Eyes, more and more of them, seemed to settle on him from every corner. He felt like an animal in the zoo, on display for all to see. Whispers rippled through the crowd, and he caught some people talking and pointing at him.
Feeling the pressure of so many gazes, Robin leaned closer to Liam and spoke in a low voice. “gramps, why am I suddenly the center of attention, shouldn't be the members discussing about who would be the next head? It's... quite annoying if you say so.”
Liam glanced around, he scanned the room with a knowing smile. “Ah, so you’ve noticed,” he said, not surprised. “Robin, it’s not just your sudden appearance. New family members come to spotlight every year but in your case your grandfather is the reason i think .”
Robin raised an eyebrow. “My grandfather?”
Liam nodded thoughtfully. “My brother was a remarkable man. Loved by many, hated by many more. He was a talented fella, became a saint in his prime but he never chose to stay within the family, never cared about the rules of family either. Instead, he joined the Celestial Council against elders will and made a name for himself out there in the stars, leaving the rest of the William family in awe and some in resentment.”
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“Resentment?” Robin asked.
Liam sighed. “Yes. You see, your grandfather was a central figure in this family from his young age, even if he distanced himself from its internal politics. He was a man of great influence, and that made some people uneasy. They envied his freedom, his strength, and the fact that he didn’t need the family’s approval to succeed. Also another reason you're now a point of discussion might be because of his wealth ”
Robin’s eyes widened. “Wealth?”
Liam chuckled, though his voice held a note of seriousness. “You have no idea, do you? Your grandfather accumulated a big fortune. He fought in wars, completed dangerous missions for the Council, and came away with spoils of war from across the universe. Not to mention the inheritance he received from the family and the salary he drew from the Celestial Council. Before his disappearance, he was one of the wealthiest men in the family even in the known galaxies.”
Robin tried to process what he was hearing. “But I’ve never heard any of that, you nor Oliver never told me about it”
“Of course not,” Liam said. “Your grandfather kept much of it hidden, scattered across vaults, star systems, and investments. But now that you’ve come back into the picture, people are talking. They know what Leo left behind,"
Robin’s mind raced. His grandfather who was a fisherman and lived a simple life was someone that rich.
Liam leaned closer, lowering his voice. “There’s more. Your grandfather owned a state-of-the-art flagship, one of the most advanced ships in his time. Even today, it could outperform many modern vessels. It’s the kind of thing that other family members have long coveted. They were waiting for a chance to claim it, but the family head, elder sister Linda, always stood in their way. Now, with you stepping forward, they see their opportunity slipping away.”
Robin looked around the room, now seeing the glances for what they were not simple curiosity, but calculated interest. “So they think I’m standing between them and what they want?”
“Exactly,” Liam said, his tone suddenly serious. “Family politics can be ruthless, Robin. You’ve inherited not just wealth but also the envy and ambition of others. You’ll need to be careful. You’ve got the family’s protection for now, but trust me there are those who will try to manipulate, influence, and even undermine you.”
Robin swallowed hard. “So what do I do?”
Liam smiled again, though this time there was a glint of mischief in his eyes. “For now? Enjoy it. You’ve just become one of the wealthiest people in this part of the universe. Relish the power it gives you, but don’t let it blind you. Keep your guard up.”
He clapped Robin on the back and added a grin, “And look at it this way now you can afford the finest wine and the best chefs. Life’s about to get very interesting.”
Robin couldn’t help but laugh at Liam’s light-hearted tone, but underneath it all, he felt the weight of his new reality. As the room buzzed around him, filled with relatives and strangers alike, Robin realized his life had taken yet another unexpected turn.
Robin decided to push aside his concerns for the moment and realized that several people were trying to strike up conversations with him. Since he was not a shut in introvert , he chose to engage and see where it would take him.
His first stop was with his cousins, the ones he had met at the academy earlier. After exchanging greetings, he wished Aria the best of luck in the upcoming family head selection, knowing how crucial it was for her. It felt good to reconnect with them, especially since they were the first family members he knew in this vast gathering.
However, as soon as that conversation ended, it seemed as though the floodgates opened. A wave of family members began approaching him from every direction, eager to talk. Some were curious about how he had made his way to the event, while others were more interested in what life was like on Earth, which they referred to as one of the "dead zone." For them, the dead zone was almost a mythical place, where most of the wanted criminals are sent to exiles, and they’d only read about it in history books or through distant reports. Their questions showed genuine interest in what living there had been like.
A few older family members were more focused on his personal life, asking about his grandfather , wanting to know about what leo did. Some enlightened robin about leos childhood as they were there firsthand. And then there were those who seemed to have a completely different agenda they tried to set him up on dates! A number of people casually suggested potential partners for him, hinting at how beneficial such connections could be. Meanwhile, others with a more business-focused mindset slipped him their business cards, hoping to win his favor for potential future dealings.
Some jealous members of the family even tried to embarrass him but he avoided them like bullets
What had started as an overwhelming gaze and attention now felt almost natural. Just a short while ago, Robin had been anxious about all the gazes locked onto him, but now he found himself standing in the center of a large circle, the focus of attention.
Thanks to his background as a salaryman, where he'd had to work with annoying bosses and customers and handle multiple conversations, Robin managed to control the situation with ease. He remained calm, answering their questions politely, deflecting anything too personal, and making sure to maintain a balance between all the different interactions. His professional experience in dealing with various types of people was coming in handy, and he realized that he could handle these family members just like clients at a corporate event, they are no different.
By the end of it, Robin felt more in control than he ever expected. Despite the initial nerves, he found himself thriving in the social spotlight and thought "sometimes it's not that bad to be the center of attention"