Dinner was progressing with all the excitement of watching paint dry. Eric continued basking in the glow of family adoration while I silently counted the number of flickering candles on the grand chandelier overhead. I was up to seventeen when Eric, for some reason known only to him and perhaps the universe’s twisted sense of humor, decided to shift the conversation.

"And what of thy cultivation, Nathaniel?" Eric asked, turning the spotlight on me with the kind of smile that says, *Look, I’m being magnanimous.*

Wait, what? Why are you dragging me into this? I was perfectly content being wallpaper, thank you very much.

I felt every eye at the table suddenly fix on me, expecting some grand update on my progress. They all looked at me like I was about to announce that I had single-handedly conquered Mount Everest—oh wait, they don’t know what that is. Let’s say, they expected me to have tamed a dragon or something.

Clearing my throat, I offered a polite smile. "Alas, dear cousin, mine progress is... rather modest. I fear I am no closer to advancing in my training."

*Translation: I’m stuck in neutral while Eric here is driving a sports car. But sure, let’s all pretend I’m not the tortoise in this race.*

I could practically hear the collective sigh of disappointment from around the table. The energy deflated faster than a punctured balloon

Once it was clear I wasn’t going to dazzle them with tales of my cultivation exploits (because, spoiler alert, there aren’t any), the conversation swiftly returned to Eric. But this time, the topic took a sudden and unexpected turn—marriage.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"As heir to the House of Blackwood, it is only fitting that thou findest a suitable match," my grandmother declared, her voice as firm as the granite walls surrounding us.

Oh, great. Just what I needed. A conversation about how our beloved Eric is such a catch, and yet no one seems to want to catch him.

"Indeed," Eric replied, though there was a slight frown on his usually composed face. "Yet, I find that many noble families are hesitant to align themselves with our house."

*Translation: No one of our old noble connactions wants to marry into a sinking ship. Who knew that having a fallen family name could be such a dealbreaker?*

I glanced over at my sister, who had been quiet as usual, only to catch her looking at Eric with those wide, sad eyes. Ah, here we go. Cue the unrequited love angle. Because nothing says "family bonding time" like watching your sister pine after your cousin. Gross.

But then, she noticed me looking at her, and her expression changed faster than you could say "awkward." The sadness was gone, replaced by a glare that could freeze lava she looked at my like i was something she scratched out of her shoes or something She quickly turned back to staring at Eric like he was the last piece of chocolate cake in the world.

The conversation took another sharp turn, this time toward something that piqued my interest: an invitation to the royal capital for the princess’s birthday. Now, ordinarily, this would be the kind of event that noble families would kill for. Literally, in some cases. But with our current standing? Yeah, not so much.

"An invitation from the royal family is an honor," my mother said, though there was a distinct lack of enthusiasm in her voice. "But attending... it would be difficult given our current... circumstances."

*Translation: We’d be the laughingstock of the event. Like lambs to the slaughter, except in fancy clothes.*

"Indeed," my grandmother agreed, tapping her fingers on the table. "But refusing such an invitation is unthinkable. Not attending would be a grave insult to the crown, even for a house as fallen as ours."

Eric, who should have been the obvious choice to go, looked like he’d rather eat glass. Can’t blame him. Getting paraded around as the future of a crumbling house doesn’t exactly scream "party time."

well, its his duty is an heir to go.

So enjoy your part eric,i almost feel bad for him...almost

"It is decided then," my grandmother said, her eyes locking onto me like a hawk spotting prey. "Nathaniel, thou shalt attend in Eric’s stead."

....

..

.what?