As Robin stepped into the grand banquet hall of the William estate, he was immediately struck by the sheer magnitude of the event. The hall was enormous, the high ceilings adorned with elegant chandeliers that bathed the room in a soft, golden glow. Ornate decorations lined the walls, tapestries and paintings depicting key moments from the William family’s illustrious history.
The guests filled the hall to its very edges, creating a sea of faces, to robin most of them are unfamiliar. Robin could see the entire spectrum of people some were old, their hair became white, skin weathered by age but their posture was still upright, carrying an aura of wisdom and experience. Others were young, vibrant with energy, their faces full of ambition and determination. He quickly picked out the William family members among the crowd, recognizing them by their distinctive features. But he was surprised to notice because the number of females with William family traits are only a handful. most of the William family members are male.
But it wasn’t just the Williams who had gathered here. Many had brought their families with them, children running about under the eyes of their parents, while others had come with friends, partners, or spouses, all dressed in various styles and fashions.
Robin noticed the presence of demi-humans and cyborg with the guests, their exotic appearances adding another layer of diversity to the crowd. There were those with animalistic features sharp ears, glowing eyes, and even tails standing next to humans as if it is the most natural thing in the world.
The fashion on display was just as diverse as the guests themselves. Robin found himself marveling at the range of dress people had chosen for the evening. Some of the older guests wore vintage clothing, garments that looked as though they had been pulled from a different era, rich velvet coats, high collars, and elaborate gowns that seemed to belong to another century. Others, especially the younger crowd, had opted for sleek, modern outfits. Robin saw more than one guest in a tracksuit, the kind that seemed out of place here , there were also people with military uniforms,their chest covered with medals , he could guess they're from the military wing of the family . The blend of styles was staggering, yet it all somehow fit within the grandeur of the William estate.
For a moment, Robin looked down at his own clothes, wondering if he would stand out. But as his eyes swept across the room, he realized that his tailored blue suit, covered with rare gems and the beautiful vintage brooch, fit right in. The cape he had agreed to wear actually added a touch of sophistication, helping him blend seamlessly with the elite crowd. He no longer felt self-conscious he was part of the William family, and tonight, he looked the part.
As Robin continued to take in the scene, he spotted several of the family elders he had read about in his preparation for the event. They stood out, not because of their clothing, but because of the gravitas they exuded. These were the ones who control the family , the pillars of the William family. He could see a crowd of people gathering around them. He wondered what stories they carried, what experiences had forged them into the legends they had become.
The room was alive with activity. Everywhere he looked, people were in groups, busy in conversation. Some were laughing, exchanging jokes and stories, while others engaged in more serious discussions, their heads bowed in intense debate. The sound of chatter filled the hall, accompanied by the gentle strains of classical music playing in the background. Musicians, tucked away in one corner of the room, provided the perfect soundtrack to the evening, their melodies adding an air of elegance to the proceedings.
Servants moved swiftly through the crowd, balancing trays of food and drink with practiced ease. They wore the same uniform formal, yet unobtrusive ensuring they blended into the background while attending to the guests' every need. Plates of gourmet dishes were presented, each one a masterpiece of culinary art, and glasses of fine wine and spirits flowed freely, offered to every guest as they mingled. The scent of exquisite food and the sight of sparkling wine created a sense of indulgence, a fitting atmosphere for such a grand gathering.
Yet, despite the lively atmosphere, there was a sense of anticipation hanging in the air. Robin could feel it as he moved through the crowd. All of them are waiting for the arrival of the family head, along with the other most influential members of the William family. Their entrance would mark the true beginning of the evening’s events.
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Robin found himself scanning the room again, taking in the sea of face. There is a sea of people and he is a part of it. He could feel the weight of the family name on his shoulders, but there was also a sense of belonging, of pride in the heritage he was now representing. As the chatter continued and the servants moved among the guests, Robin prepared himself for whatever the evening would bring. The night was just beginning.
But nobody batted an eye at Robin as he entered the bustling banquet hall. The William family was vast, and as they live more then humans from earth ,spanning generations and continents, so the discovery of a new or unfamiliar family member was hardly surprising. New faces appeared at family gatherings all the time, whether they were distant relatives, extended cousins, or newly found heirs from far flung branches of the family tree. For now, Robin was just another face in the crowd, allowing him to move through the gathering unnoticed.
As he scanned the room, his gaze settled on a familiar face, his granduncle Liam William, standing in a corner with his wife and grandchildren, engaged in lively conversation. Liam’s loud voice could be recognized for anywhere, even in a room full of people. His wife stood beside him, regal and composed, her elegance only matched by the quiet strength she projected. Robin had met them before and also recognized the twins, Aria and Aiman, their bright faces unmistakable in the crowd.
Robin made his way through the throngs of guests, weaving through the clusters of conversations and laughter. With a smile, he approached his granduncle’s group, feeling a wave of comfort wash over him as he neared the familiar faces.
“grandfather Liam,” Robin greeted warmly, his voice carrying a friendly tone.
Liam turned, his piercing eyes softening with recognition. His wife smiled warmly at Robin as well, and Aria and Aiman gave him friendly nods. “Ah, Robin, good to see you,” Liam said with a smile, extending his hand in greeting.
Robin clasped his granduncle’s hand firmly, returning the smile. “It’s great to see you too. The event is quite impressive ,” he remarked, gesturing to the grand hall around them.
Liam chuckled softly. “It is. The Williams don’t do things halfway.”
Liam’s wife offered her hand next. “Welcome, Robin. It’s lovely to see you again.”
Robin nodded politely. “Thank you. It’s wonderful to be here.”
As they exchanged pleasantries, Robin noticed a few unfamiliar faces approaching Liam and his wife three men , strong and imposing, with a similar air of authority about them. Though Robin had met Liam’s wife and grandchildren before, he couldn’t place these three.
Sensing his curiosity, Liam gestured toward them. “Robin, allow me to introduce you to my sons,” he said, pride evident in his voice. “These are my three boys—Marcus, Ethan, and Samuel. They all serve in the family military.”
Each of Liam’s sons stepped forward in turn, offering firm handshakes. Marcus, the eldest, had a strong, square jaw and a serious expression that hinted at years of leadership experience. Ethan, the middle son, was slightly leaner but just as confident, his piercing eyes hinting at his tactical mind. Samuel, the youngest, had a more relaxed demeanor but carried the same aura of strength as his brothers.
“It’s great to finally meet you, Robin,” Marcus said, his voice deep and steady as he shook Robin’s hand.
“Likewise,” Robin replied with a smile, turning to greet Ethan and Samuel as well. “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. I’ve heard quite a bit about the military wing of the family.”
The three brothers exchanged glances, their expressions softening into easy smiles. “There’s a lot to hear,” Ethan said with a grin. “It’s a big part of what we do.”
With the initial introductions out of the way, the group fell into easy conversation. Robin found himself discussing various topics with old man Liam’s sons, from their experiences in the family military to stories of past missions and the William family’s role in the defense . Each of them had their own tales to tell Marcus shared insights into leadership and strategy, Ethan talked about his fascination with new technologies in warfare, and Samuel, though younger, was eager to recount his experiences training with elite units.
As they were talking Robin suddenly asked the question that had been lingering in his mind for a while. "Gramps, there's something that's been bugging me for a while. Why are there fewer women from the William family at this gathering than men? The ratio seems absurd!"
Liam smiled and replied, "You’ve got good observation skills, kid. Yes, the number of women in the family is much lower than men. As I mentioned before, the women in the William family tend to be much stronger in magic than the man, so It’s nature’s way of balancing things . Just imagine an army of elite magicians running around in the universe, we would be unstoppable.but that's not the case.
Each generation has fewer than 20 women across all the branch families, so having a girl born into any branch is a great honor. Sure, there are boys who are stronger in other aspects like your grandfather, who was stronger in his prime than our sister but he couldn’t be a contender for family head because the family values tradition above all anything."
Now Robin understood why Linda had been so upset when she heard about his mother’s death. It was like losing a valuable gem that was just under your palm.
The conversation continued , Robin listened intently, contributing his own thoughts and how was life on earth . Though he wasn’t well know about the things here but all of their story seems fascinating.
As time passes Robin realized how seamlessly he had begun to fit into the dynamic of the evening. He who just came out of nowhere found a place in the huge board of puzzles.