The table had gone silent. Why was their mother, and the normally reserved Lady Night, calling on Draven to participate? Only three family members were allowed to join the festivities!

“Mother, I know that you are jesting, but Draven holds no interest in such matters. I, however, will restore the honor of the Night family and bring victory to our clan!” Jarrett passionately delivered his resolve. Blaire chuckled.

“Hoh hoh. I enjoy your energy and passion, Jarrett. Of course you will be participating in the Feast. I expect great things.”

“Yes, Father!” Jarrett bowed deeply as pride filled his soul.

“Jade.” Blaire continued.

“Yes.” She answered politely.

“You will participate as well. I expect victory, and nothing less.”

“Understood. I appreciate the opportunity.” Jade, who had rose to speak, immediately regained her seat after her brief and polite answer.

Glow had not moved at all. He remained seated while eating his food. His interest, Draven observed, probably lied elsewhere in his mind. Samara spoke.

“We have one seat left. Draven.”

Draven did not rise from his seat before answering.

“What?”

“You will take the remaining seat. Prepare accordingly.” She ate a forkful of the red meat that was on her plate.

“What?!” Lara intervened.

“But mother-! Draven has no chance of victory! This isn’t a drinking competition! I deserve the chance to show what I have been training for!”

Blaire answered firmly.

“Lara, you and Sting are not ready for battle yet. Additionally, you have too much invested by our family and are far too important for our future to risk in a death match. While this is supposed to be a fight to submission, it was made abundantly clear that killing your opponent will not be punished beyond a slap on the wrist. This means that other families might take the opportunity to kill a young prodigy that would threaten their position later on. If the exhibition had been something different, you would be put forth. However, fate has decided that you must miss this Feast and wait for the next to show your ability.

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Lara looked down at her food for a few moments. Draven peeked a look at her downward expression. She caught eyes with him for a moment, which could be described by nothing short of rage by Draven. She dropped her fork on her plate.

Cling

Lara pushed her seat out and spoke.

“I am feeling unwell. I will retire to my chamber.”

Without another word, Lara stormed out of the dining hall. The door slammed as her white hair and black dress waved from the force. Draven remained in his seat before taking another bite.

“To pout over something so pointless…”

After a few more moments of silence, he spoke.

“Fine.”

Blaire’s mouth slightly dropped. He quickly recovered his expression before others had seen it. Jade and Jarrett were equally surprised.

“Brother Draven… Are you sure?” Jade broke the silence that followed.

“Please rethink, Brother.” Jarrett followed quickly.

“We may not see eye to eye, but I do not wish to see you die in an exhibition match! There is little worse shame than a death like that!”

Draven scoffed. Were these siblings actually worried for his life? Or did they not want to be embarrassed by having their brother die in a fight that was supposed to be a casual showing? Draven felt that it was the ladder.

“I have no intention of dying, so worry about yourselves. After all, it would be embarrassing if the first-born son or future of the Night family were killed, right?”

“I have a request, father.” For the first time since joining the table, Draven showed respect.

“What is it?” Blaire was pleasantly surprised that his son had agreed to fight without any resistance. Knowing Draven, he had expected a long argument- with the very real possibility of the Night family only fielding two participants, which would have been embarrassing as some families were presenting as many as five.

“I wish to be personally and habitually instructed by Garm.” Draven spoke while bowed.

“Wha-!” Jarrett rose to his feet. Veins rose to his perplexion as rage sweltered in his chest.

“Silence!” Blaire scolded Jarrett. Jarrett immediately regained his composure and sat down.

“Draven, you are aware that Sir Garm is Jarrett’s personal swordsmanship teacher, yes? Teaching Garrett the ways of the sword has taken up all of his time for years now. Why ask for something so unreasonable?”

“Unreasonable?” Draven answered harshly, without manner.

“What is unreasonable is that Jarrett has learned under the profusely talented Garm for almost a decade now, and continues to be so pathetic with the sword. It’s laughable, and we should stop wasting our resources with training such a pathetically talented vampire.”