Year 2050

  Month 2

  Mercier Manor:

  The Mercier sword stood upright against the dining room table, its polished surface gleaming under the warm chandelier light. The blade caught and refracted the light in hypnotic patterns across the white tablecloth. Standing next to Alexander Mercier's chair, the family blade seemed to watch over the gathering with its owner.

  Alexander sat at the head of the long mahogany table. To his right sat Katarina, then Corso and Durrant. To his left, Cole, followed by Samantha, and finally Dante at the farthest end.

  Servants moved silently around them, placing ornate plates and crystal glasses before each Mercier.

  Dante sipped his water, watching the reflections of his siblings distort in the crystal.

  Father hasn’t told anyone what the gathering is for yet.

  But it seems everyone has assumed it’s for the same thing.

  To see where everyone currently stands.

  Is that why you have our attire so similar, Alexander? To force me into this game?

  To push the other’s harder?

  I can see everyone glancing at me.

  Durrant and Corso are giving me a death stare.

  That doesn’t matter; however, what annoys me is.

  Dante looked to the side at the maids and butlers, some glaring at him with open hostility.

  I plan on going back to the arena anyway.

  …

  Maybe I should teach some people that even a weak Mercier is still their master.

  The servants moved with practiced efficiency, bringing in the first course on gleaming silver platters. Delicate portions of some exotic appetizers were placed before each family member. The family wine steward approached, pouring a pale golden vintage into crystal glasses.

  Though no one touched their food until Alexander took his first bite.

  The room was quiet as everyone enjoyed their meals, Dante noticed from a few lazy glances that his siblings had even turned this into some sort of competition as they watched each other and tried to show a better perfected version of etiquette.

  This has to be the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen them do. Are they really trying to do this?

  Durrant why are you trying to cut your meat with more precision than Corso?

  Durrant delicately dabbed his mouth with his napkin, then meticulously refolded it along the original creases before placing it back on his lap, edge perfectly aligned with the table.

  Really Durrant? A napkin?

  Dante watched the showing as the rest continued trying to outdo each other some with the simple way they held a glass and others using posture while they ate.

  Alexander dabbed his lips lightly with his napkin before speaking, setting the rhythm for the meal and the conversation that would accompany it.

  …

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Two hours later, the servants cleared away the remains of the main course, preparing for dessert.

  That was unusual, normally these dinners go on in complete silence.

  Honestly, it was almost the same silence and them trying to gather Alexanders attention.

  But this time he actually conversed, well, if you can consider a question and then an mmm as conversation anyway, once every 20 minutes.

  “Now then,” Alexander began, his soft yet commanding voice dragging Dante from his contemplations, “I’ve called you all here to discuss the family’s recent developments. Each of you has been entrusted with a piece of the Mercier empire. I’d like to hear your progress.”

  And so it begins.

  “Corso,” Alexander nodded toward his son, “you first.”

  “I’ve finished the training of two new alpha threat teams, they are ready for deployment where needed, be it within or outside of the walls. I’ve also secured the contracts for the new combat drones. Since the last gathering our military force has increased by 25%.”

  Corso began pausing only to take a sip of water.

  “Your masterful negotiations worked father as I was given the terms of our new more favorable contracts with the city councils, and the pilot program for the new neural-enhanced guard units has shown promising results.”

  “And the soldiers?” Alexander Mercier asked.

  “Proceeding as planned. My men recruited some more around them and after leaving the army they have joined, I was also able to negotiate with the general and he allowed me to take a few men early in exchange for some weapons and supplies a valuable trade as those men are battle tested with many achievements already gained I can guarantee they will be alpha threat level in two weeks of personal training. I’ve also figured out how to cut the costs of…”

  Alexander cut him off with a subtle hand gesture.

  The Merciers turned to see the servers appearing with the dessert course. A slice of cake arrived at each table. Small silver spoons were placed alongside each dish.

  …

  “Durrant.”

  Alexander nodded as he continued to enjoy his dessert.

  “Yes father, I’ve made progress on my latest project — the Autothermal Ventilation and Circulation Array, or AVCA. It’s meant to address the worsening air quality in the lower metro districts. Steam-driven, no city grid dependency. It uses recycled pressure flow and latent geothermal heat to circulate air, regulate temperature, even filter airborne pollutants. My prototype’s managed to stabilize conditions in a controlled environment for seven days straight — no electricity, no interruptions.”

  Durrant dabbed his mouth, straightened his napkin, and offered a smile that seemed as though he was preparing for a portrait.

  “Honestly, if I had the funding, I’d just build an entire underground city around it — just to prove it works.”

  Durrant continued explaining his achievements and prototypes as Dante zoned out.

  No idea what he is talking about.

  But…

  I’m more interested in what those servants to my left are doing.

  Dante looked at the reflection in his glass. At two servants whispering to one another, one giving the other a small vial.

  The next moment, that servant walked around and began refilling the drinks, pausing for a moment next to Dante before pouring the wine.

  Poison?

  No, no one would be that stupid.

  …

  Dante took a sip of the wine, and a grin grew from his lips.

  Interesting something to affect my bladder, they want me to go to the restroom.

  But why?

  An ambush?

  But by who.

  …

  Mirabella is the only one brazen enough.

  …

  Let me rethink that, stupid enough to actually do something like that.

  Is Cole involved, or is this another one of that woman's schemes?

  Dante glanced at Cole, who from beginning to end had not paid attention to him, no signs pointed to Cole trying to see if Dante drank or to see him instruct any of the servants.

  Cole isn’t as stupid as his mother, to be honest if I ever did want to participate in this competition with everyone I would leave Cole's mother unharmed, but aim all business sabotaging at her. She really is his weak link and biggest distraction.

  Well, doesn't matter, I’ll play their game. I'm curious what they are up to.

  Besides, father in no way doesn’t know what's happening. Mirabella might think she is moving around him, but I know for a fact that Alexander is just allowing it. Though he wouldn't allow something he thought I wouldn’t be able to handle, that's just how he has always been.

  …

  But just in case, I'll grab this.

  “Father excuse me I’ll return shortly I must use the restroom.”

  Dante said, interrupting Durrant. Drawing a nod from Alexander before leaving the table.

  Katarina glanced over at Dante’s disappearing visage and bit her lower lip as she noticed a knife missing from the table.