Eloquen sat reclined in his chaise with his usual tranquil air of composure, savoring the sweet taste of berries that mirrored the complexity of his thoughts. His gaze followed Eric, who, like him, bore the mantle of gentlemanly dignity amidst the turmoil within. Eric drove the O’Cean sisters and Kaylynn away from the city bustle towards the Deverell estate with careful precision. A surge of pride filled Eloquen as he reflected on Eric’s recent encounters with Garrett, whose actions were influenced by Feronia’s dark enchantments. Garrett was no longer acting of his own volition, and Feronia had overstepped the boundaries between their realms. Eric had risen admirably, a steadfast guardian to Adeline, his determination shining like a beacon in the shadow of magic.
The barrier – a lattice of protective spells woven from Eloquen and Maris’s collective powers – stood strong against the invisible threats. Yet, uncertainty lingered in Eloquen’s heart: Were their enchantments strong enough to protect their cherished mortals from the indirect reach of enmity? The weight of recent turmoil stirred a wave of concern within Eloquen. Could the tendrils of Feronia’s magic stretch beyond her charge, ensnaring Kaylynn or the other humans within the Deverell household? Maris’s charge, currently residing within the Deverell home, might soon find herself in need of a stronger shield should Feronia’s tendrils reach further than Garrett.
The prospect of Eric’s partnership with Kaylynn, a venture filled with promise, cast a shadow of unease over Eloquen. Should Feronia’s interference prove relentless, their sanctuary – their shield – could falter under her relentless assault. Eloquen yearned for Maris to recognize the urgency of their continued alliance to reinforce their barriers. United, they might prevent the shattering of their barrier under the constant exposure to Feronia’s invasive magic.
Maris, ever the resolute observer, wielded her powers solely as a guardian. In contrast, Feronia had demonstrated her willingness to use her mortal as a tool to alter human destinies. Eloquen contemplated what line Feronia had to cross before Maris would shift from passive watchfulness to active engagement. His focus returned to Eric, noting a subtle faltering in their shields at the touch of Feronia’s celestial tendrils emanating from Garrett’s body.
A faint furrow marred Eloquen’s otherwise flawless features as he observed the charged meeting between Eric and Garrett on the Deverell’s gravel driveway. Garrett, perched on his truck bed, appeared to have been waiting for their arrival. Adeline and Eric emerged from the SUV first, hands clasped in solidarity, as Garrett approached. Kaylynn and Londyn followed suit, exiting from the rear. Their bodies stiffened, tensions rose as the four stood facing Garrett and the towering Deverell house. The air crackled, sparking like lightning visible only to celestials in the ebb and flow of their protective barrier and Feronia’s magical threads upon contact.
Garrett initiated the exchange, disregarding Eric’s presence and reaching out for the girls’ backpacks. “Welcome home. Dinner’s starting soon,” he announced, effortlessly hoisting the weight of three full backpacks onto his broad shoulders. “Thank you for chauffeuring them back safely,” he added, his tone detached.
Mrs. Deverell’s cheerful voice pierced the strained atmosphere, emerging from the house. “Perfect timing, you’re all here!” she declared, wiping her wet hands on her apron. “Dinner’s nearly ready,” she said, eyeing Eric as Garrett silently brushed past her. “Thank you for bringing them back safely. Will you be joining us, Eric?”
Eric’s refusal was gentle but firm, his attention on Adeline. “Regrettably, I must return for dinner with my family. I’ll return tomorrow for Addy and Kay,” he assured with a courteous smile.
Mrs. Deverell’s disappointment was clear, yet she offered, “Perhaps you’ll join us for breakfast then?” Her voice carried a note of hopeful invitation. “Girls, time to freshen up for dinner,” she instructed, her gaze fixed on Kaylynn, unaware of Garrett’s disapproving frown as he disappeared indoors.
Eric accepted the breakfast offer with gratitude. After exchanging farewells, Kaylynn and Londyn retreated inside with Mrs. Deverell. Alone with Eric, Adeline turned towards him, her grip on his hand conveying her reluctance to part. Eric, hiding his own longing, pulled her into his embrace. “Sleep well. I’ll see you in the morning,” he murmured softly into her ear.
Adeline’s protest was silenced by Eric’s tender kiss, an expression of their unvoiced desires. As they parted, a sigh escaped from Adeline’s lips, her body leaning into his.
“Something to remind you of me,” Eric whispered, pulling away. “I’ll call you later tonight.”
Adeline’s smile lingered as Eric stepped towards his vehicle. “Drive safely,” she called after him, her voice tinged with longing.
Eric gestured towards the house, blowing a kiss. “Enjoy your dinner,” he encouraged with a soft smile.
With a hesitant wave, Adeline crossed the Deverell threshold, the door closing behind her. Eric watched her vanish before driving off, his heart heavy with separation yet preoccupied with the evening’s impending dinner.
Dinner with his family lay ahead, offering him an important chance to uncover the cryptic hints his brothers had dropped about Adeline – a pivotal moment to probe their intentions. With Garrett’s looming presence threatening to disrupt his budding relationship, Eric was eager to address these challenges quickly, knowing that smoothing Adeline’s path was crucial.
Upon his arrival at the family estate, Eric handed his SUV key to the attentive staff and made his way to the dining room. The subtle clinking of crystal and the subdued murmur of his parents’ conversation greeted him – a contrast to the vibrant sunset that bathed the room in a warm golden glow. His parents, seated in their high-backed chairs, exuded an aura of casual elegance. Eric’s inquiry about his siblings was met with the news that tonight’s dinner would be an intimate affair, just for the three of them. A sense of unpreparedness washed over him as he took his seat across from his mother.
The staff offered a hot towel for his hands before discreetly retreating, leaving the Landins to enjoy their appetizers in solitude. Mr. Landin, with a presence as commanding as the robust red wine that perfumed the air, set aside his wine glass and turned to Eric with an unreadable expression. “Tell me about Adeline. When did your courtship begin?” he inquired, his voice even.
“We’re in the early stages,” Eric responded, his tone as clear and composed as the sparkling water he sipped. “She agreed to start our relationship last Friday. We’re enjoying the process of getting to know one another anew.”
Mr. Landin’s gaze intensified. “You’ve been acquainted for years. Surely you both grasp the implications of this union?”
Bianca, the picture of grace, continued her meal in silence while Eric faced his father’s probing eye. “Friendship and love are not the same, Father. We’re exploring our life together, supporting each other’s dreams.”
“Adeline appears undecided about her future plans,” Mr. Landin noted. “How do you intend to support the future O’Cean matriarch?”
“She’s finding her own way,” Eric assured him, the enticing aroma of the food drawing his attention. “She’s determined to forge her own destiny, independent of expectations.”
“And you’ll stand by her in this self-discovery?” Mr. Landin’s interrogation was relentless, his focus on Eric’s intentions more than the meal before him.
“That’s my hope,” Eric admitted, finally tasting his food.
A contemplative silence fell as Mr. Landin regarded his youngest son. “Do you aspire to be named the Landin successor?”
At this, Bianca Landin’s composure faltered, her cough breaking the tension in the room. Mr. Landin’s concern was evident as he turned to assist her. “Are you well, my dear?” he asked, his voice laced with worry.
Bianca nodded, regaining her poise with a sip of water. The delicate balance of the room returned – a balance between familial warmth and the complex undercurrents of unspoken expectations. Mr. Landin redirected his attention to Eric. “Well, your thoughts?” he persisted.
Eric’s response was firm, mirroring his appetite as he finished his plate. “I plan to build my own legacy.”
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
The conversation was briefly suspended as the staff returned to serve the next course. Mr. Landin requested an uninterrupted family-style service, allowing for a brief interlude in the dialogue. The staff’s silent efficiency was noticed only by the arrival of new dishes carrying the rich scent of roasted meats and the tangy zest of citrus-infused vegetables.
Bianca’s eyes flitted between her husband and son, a silent witness to their exchange. Once the staff had set the table, the family helped themselves, and Bianca resumed eating. The soft sounds of cutlery against fine china provided a backdrop to the continued discourse. Mr. Landin, undeterred by the dimming light, persisted with his line of questioning. As the chandelier flickered to life, he posed, “You could fulfill that ambition as my successor, could you not?”
Eric paused, his fork mid-air. “No,” he stated, resuming his meal.
“Truly, you have no interest in the role?” Mr. Landin asked, his tone masking his surprise. “Your brothers have long coveted the position.”
“I’m aware,” Eric said, his focus more on satisfying his hunger than the conversation.
“Is marriage to Adeline in your plans?” Mr. Landin’s impatience surfaced.
“It’s too soon to say,” Eric replied, glancing up at his father’s untouched plate. “Let’s continue this after dinner, perhaps in your study,” he suggested, eager to address his growling stomach.
Mr. Landin relented, and the meal resumed in silence. Bianca excused herself early, and Eric followed his father to the study. As Mr. Landin poured a scotch, he resumed his questioning. “If not for alliance, why pursue Adeline?”
Settling into the leather armchair, Eric met his father’s gaze. “I admire her,” he stated simply, his attention momentarily captured by the study’s intricate woodwork. His father’s expression was contemplative, a silent invitation for Eric to elaborate. Instead, Eric decided to seize this opportunity to redirect the conversation. “Father, who exactly is Nathaniel Descott?”
The question seemed to catch Mr. Landin off guard, prompting him to set his drink aside. “You’re not aware? I assumed your brothers had informed you.”
Eric leaned towards his father, his confidence renewed. “My brothers regard me as a rival, not an ally. They usually withhold information, forcing me to learn it independently.”
Mr. Landin’s eyes drifted to a family portrait from years ago. “Yes, our success was founded on the friendly competition between each Landin child…” Mr. Landin paused, carefully considering his next words. “You’re familiar with our family’s tradition – merit dictates the heir to the Landin legacy, not birthright. The decision of succession rests with me.”
Eric nodded. “I understand, but I wish to be excluded. The position holds no appeal for me; I’m happy with my current life that I’ve achieved on my own.”
“You’re young,” Mr. Landin mused, savoring a sip of scotch. “Our family’s wealth and influence are unparalleled. Like the Oberst lineage, our reach extends far beyond Golden Rivers. With such power at your disposal, can you truly afford to disregard it if you aim to protect your freedom and those dear to you?”
“I intend to forge my own path to protect what’s mine with my own strength,” Eric countered. “I refuse to be forever tethered to this legacy. I appreciate what the Landin name has afforded me, but…” His voice trailed off upon seeing his father’s wise features. “Please enlighten me – what role does Nathaniel Descott play in Adeline’s life?”
Mr. Landin’s face was unreadable, a testament to his experience in complex negotiations. “Nathaniel Descott is the grandson of Archibald Descott,” he began, pausing for Eric’s reaction.
“Archibald Descott, CEO of Legacy Partners Realty, the esteemed estate manager who managed the family trusts of all the founding families for generations?” Eric interjected, his interest piqued.
“Indeed. After Archibald’s retirement following Adeline’s grandfather’s ascension as patriarch, his descendants continued his work. Nathaniel was entrusted with creating and managing a generation-skipping trust intended for Adeline upon her twenty-first birthday,” Mr. Landin elucidated. “Adeline’s father possesses but a fraction of the O’Cean assets. Her grandfather perceived greater potential in her than in his own son, whose ambitions lay elsewhere. The early demise of Adeline’s paternal grandmother and later her grandfather’s fatal accident precipitated the enforcement of this trust.”
“And the implications?” Eric inquired, captivated by the unfolding complexity.
“It signifies that Adeline’s father, who received approximately thirty percent of the O’Cean fortune, is merely a figurehead. Her grandfather had little faith in his son’s capacity to manage more than that, thus he established a trust for Adeline in preparation for the day she turned twenty-one. Nathaniel Descott’s sole role was to manage most of the O’Cean assets and unveil it to her when the time came. Despite her father’s title, Adeline will then assume control over most of the O’Cean assets, making her the true matriarch of the O’Cean legacy.”
Stunned, Eric reclined in his chair, the leather wrapping around him as he absorbed the magnitude of the revelation. “So Adeline is destined to lead the O’Cean family upon reaching adulthood?” he verbalized his realization.
“Correct,” Mr. Landin confirmed. “Do you grasp why your relationship with her could significantly shift the dynamics among Golden Rivers’ founding families?”
The discovery rendered Eric momentarily speechless, his mind racing with questions and scenarios. He had prepared himself for a significant revelation behind his brothers’ sudden keen interest in Adeline, yet the unveiled truth dwarfed his wildest theories. Was his father’s insistence on him being the successor tied to this secret? How could he protect Adeline from this impending shift awaiting her? Would her dreams now be bound again by duty?
Mr. Landin, observing the play of emotions across Eric’s face, reclined in his chair with his glass of scotch, a silent toast to the son who he saw as embodying the Landin legacy with such finesse. The elder Landin had concealed his excitement when Eric announced his relationship with Adeline, interpreting it as a declaration of his intent to compete for seizing the Landin family’s crown.
Interrupting his father’s reverie, Eric inquired, “How did my brothers unearth such confidential information? Surely if Adeline’s father is in the dark, this secret must be closely guarded.”
A knowing smile flickered on Mr. Landin’s lips. “Privileged information has never been an obstacle for our family,” he remarked, locking eyes with Eric. “Since the inception of Golden Rivers, the O’Ceans have been the foundation of its development and prosperity. The other founding families, including ours, came to the new world with their support. Despite the O’Cean lineage’s dwindling family members, their influence remains vast. Nathaniel has been the steward of their growth this generation.”
Eric furrowed his brow, absorbing the implications. “What does all this mean?” he asked more to himself than to his father.
Mr. Landin responded, “Nathaniel, as the trustee, wields considerable sway over the city’s future. Your brothers, in their quest for land managed by Nathaniel, stumbled upon the revelation of Adeline’s latent power.”
Overwhelmed by his father’s words, Eric stood to refill his father’s glass. “But why would Nathaniel divulge such sensitive details? What’s his endgame?”
“Nathaniel is astute,” Mr. Landin acknowledged, gratefully accepting the drink. “He’s positioning himself as an invaluable advisor, surpassing his predecessors. The elite will soon seek his guidance, recognizing his adept management of the O’Cean assets.”
Eric sank into his chair, the weight of the information pressing upon him. “It’s a lot to process. How did my brothers discover this truth? Nathaniel’s discretion seems to have faltered.”
“Son, the intricacies of our society are woven with threads unseen,” Mr. Landin intoned, imparting wisdom. “You’ve mastered the art of navigating these waters. Consider Nathaniel’s motives and your brothers’ sudden fascination with Adeline.”
Eric pondered, well-versed in such strategic dialogues. “Nathaniel is only thirty-eight years old; could he already be eyeing the CEO position? Are my brothers bartering with our influence for information?”
Mr. Landin’s stoic demeanor cracked with a smile and a slight nod.
“Is this the reason you wish for me to succeed you?” Eric pressed, his father’s schemes coming into focus.
“To protect Adeline and your aspirations, the Landin name is your most formidable ally,” Mr. Landin asserted, the amber liquid in his glass catching the room’s subdued lighting. “With you and Adeline united, your brothers will lurk, awaiting their moment. It’s beyond time for second thoughts. You must stay the course,” he counseled, his stern gaze softening as he observed Eric’s inner turmoil.
Eric’s voice was a hushed echo of defiance. “This isn’t my desire, nor Adeline’s. Must our fates be forever shackled in Golden Rivers?”
“Our roots here are deep, but we’ve never been bound by this city,” Mr. Landin clarified, his tone both firm and encouraging. “Our influence reaches far beyond the city limits. Adeline may be unacquainted with the world outside, yet you can guide her. Wasn’t that your initial intent?”
“Thank you, Father,” Eric acknowledged, heartened by the wisdom imparted. “You’ve presented much to think about. Perhaps a fresh perspective is needed for what lies ahead.”
Their exchange was curtailed by a decisive knock. Both men turned to the imposing mahogany door as Mr. Landin stood to reveal their guest. Eric, trailing behind, was met by Phillip’s inquisitive gaze from the other side of the door.
“Father,” Phillip began, his eyes darting toward Eric with a hint of suspicion. “Might I have a moment of your time?”
Eric excused himself. “My lesson for the evening is complete,” he said, seeking Mr. Landin’s affirmation. With a nod from his father, Eric took his leave. “Goodnight Father. I’ll be in my room if needed.”
As Eric retreated down the corridor, Mr. Landin and Phillip watched in silence before stepping back into the study, leaving Phillip’s curiosity about the conversation unanswered.
Eric’s mind raced with the discoveries of the night as he made his way to his quarters. What steps should he take next? How would Adeline respond to the truth? Should he confront his brothers or Nathaniel? How important is this information for Adeline? Is revealing it now worth the burden to her?
The Deverells’ dinner would have concluded by now, and Adeline would be expecting his call. With each step quickening, Eric rushed to the comfort of his room, determined to hear Adeline’s voice. Before picking up his phone, he decided it was prudent to weigh his options carefully and keep the secret he uncovered tonight away from Adeline for now. She already has enough on her plate; there is no need to compound the burden she bears.