The windows rattled from the intensity of his gaze. What the hell was that? Wondered Maxwell. Was that mana, that was so powerful!Maxwell It was like the roaring of a giant truck blazing down the highway toward him. It send a nervous sweat down his spine. The room- like Maxwell had turned completely silent. You could hear a pin drop in there.

Julius and Eustace were frozen mid-conversation. Julius's mouth was still open. The fork in Eustace’s hand slipped from his fingers and clattered loudly onto his plate.

A spark danced across Sir Howitzer’s Mustache. Now that I recall, Sir Howitzer earned his fame in battle, he’s a bonafide war hero.

Sofia slipped Bastion a piece of steak from her plate. “Good boy for not panicking, “she whispered to him. She stroked his soft gray fur. He licked her hand in response.

Lady Gamiere put her head against his shoulder. “Dear, would you please calm down.” Sir Howitzer sighed in exasperation.

Lady Gamiere leaned over, her auburn glossy hair flowed seamlessly with her movement. Her lips stopped just shy of his ear as she whispered into it.

“If you calm down, I’ll do the ….” Maxwell squinted. He couldn’t quite make out that last part.

“You don’t mean…” said Sir Howitzer.

“That’s right the red one with the …” she said.

Sofia groaned, jamming her fingers into her ears. “Did you hear something?” asked Maxwell quizzically.

“You don’t want to know,” groaned Sofia. “I’m starting to regret sharing my senses with Bastion.”

Sir Howitzer straightened up, clearing his throat. “Anyways, that aside,” he said flustered. “I will announce the heir to the Vanderbilt household. This is very important and will affect the trajectory of all of our lives,” he continued.

“The house of Vanderbilt is one of the most influential families in the empire. We have done a lot for this country and will continue to serve it and the emperor undyingly. Through careful consideration we have finally appointed an heir to the household.”

Maxwell was surprised to feel excitement building up inside him. Well, it’s obvious who it’s going to be. It’s always the eldest. Julius is also hardworking and kind. He’s the perfect man to lead this family. Eustace and SOfia aren’t bad choices either, but he’s still the obvious choice.

He raised his porcelain teacup to his lips and took a long sip.

“The heir to the throne will be Ignard Vanderbilt.”

Bastion raised his snout and howled. A crack ran down Julius’s cup. A dribble of tea rolled through the cracks. The distinct sound of grinding, twisting metal was heard.

Maxwell spat out his drink, nearly spraying everyone in the vicinity. This makes no sense!

“That’s unbecoming of the heir to the throne,” chided Lady Gamiere.

Maxwell was so taken aback he had accidentally swallowed some of the tea as well and was currently coughing his lungs out.

“Why me, any of my siblings would be a far better choice than me! I barely know any magic as well,” he said.

Sir Howitzer nodded. “You are the one who must lead this household, I’m sure that with time your abilities will blossom and you will lead this family to greatness once more,” he said. “I’m sure that we all feel this way, and are in agreement of this decision,” he said putting an end to the argument.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Maxwell turned to Julius. How does Julius feel about this, I’m sure he was expecting this more than anyone, to have that rug pulled from under your feet… There was a long pause in the room. As if a dark cloud was swirling through Julius’s mind. What was he thinking?

Julius nodded after a while. “I wholeheartedly agree, I have no complaints.”

“My, maybe you really have changed,” remarked Eustace. “The Ignard of the past would have been absolutely delighted.”

“Master Ignard is practicing the six paths of leadership,” chimed Amelia in. “He’s been taking his studying very seriously lately.

Maxwell shot her a thankful look. Thanks Amelia, for saving me there!

“That’s right,” said Maxwell “ I am of course delighted, I will do everything in my power to serve the emperor well!”

“I see,” said Eustace. “Persevere in your studies.”

After dinner he went back to his room to relax. He lay on his bed and simply stared up at the ceiling. A lot was happening. His eyes caught a book on his shelf. He walked over to it. It was thick and bound in a dark cover. He took it over to his bed.

He skimmed through the pages. He only saw the language as one who couldn’t understand it - a gibbering of squiggly lines and dotes. Foreign shapes and diagrams flashed before his eyes. Are these magic circles? he wondered.

“This doesn’t make any sense to me,” he grumbled.

He rolled over in bed, holding the book above his head. He felt the mattress beneath him shifting. He yelped before hitting the ground. It knocked the wind out of him. He groaned, rubbing his lower back.

He heard a knock on the door.

“Ignard, are you in here?”

What’s Sofia doing here? He hastily got to his feet. He opened the door. She was standing to the side.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Reading.”

She furrowed her eyebrows, “Reading?”

Crap, would Ignard not do that. “I know it's weird right,” Nice save.

“Well I guess you are next in line to be the head of this family.”

“Yea,” he said, scratching his head. “It still doesn’t feel real.”

“Anyways, Lady Gamiere was calling for you,” said Sofia.

“Oh, what for?”

“She shrugged her shoulders. “No clue.”

She turned to leave. “You coming?”

“Sure,” he said.

As they were walking through the hallways. He was reminded of a previous occurrence. Wait, why does this situation feel familiar. He gasped. THis is just like that time with Marco. THe time they found out I was a fraud.

Maxwell slowed his pace. WHat are they gonna do to me? Last time Amelia and Marco practically murdered me. Sure they eventually let me live but that was after getting my ass kicked. Who knows what Ignard’s siblings will do to me…

He shuddered. “Hey Sofia, I think I need to go to the restroom.”

“You can hold it can’t you, this is important,” she insisted. His mind was racing.

“We’re here!” she said stopping. Maxwell looked at the large door. “Isn’t this the door to the library?”

“That’s right,” she said, opening it. She shoved Maxwell in and closed the door.

“Lady Gamiere!” called Maxwell hesitantly. His voice echoed slightly off the rows and rows of books. The library was larger than the one at his school.

The lights suddenly dimmed submerging him into darkness. His feet fell out from under him.

“Not again!” he yelped. THe lights turned on once more. He was greeted with the smiling faces of Julus, Eustace and Sofia. In their hands they held large cones. They exploded covering him in confetti.

“Surprise!” they shouted in unison.

Maxwell stood there stunned. He had subconsciously crawled into the fetal position and now undid himself.

“Wow, we’re really good at throwing surprises!” They said stunned at Maxwell’s reaction. They high-fived.

Julius looked at Maxwell’s almost scared face. “Maybe too good…” He helped him to his feet dusting some confetti from his shoulders.

“What’s the surprise for?” said Maxwell weakly.

“Your celebrations are only just beginning,” said Julius. “We talked to Father and he’s also allowed us to go on a trip to one of our other manors near the coast!”

“I’ve always wanted to go to the beach!” said Maxwell excitedly. He’d always dreamed of going there. Sure he’d been in swimming pools and technically rivers but the ocean was the real deal.

“I’m glad you’re looking forward to that! “Said Julius. “Yeah!” said Maxwell beaming. There was so much to look forward to! He felt a warmth in his chest. Perhaps it was a sense of belonging. He couldn’t remember a time when he had been this happy.