Chapter 29: Family Dinner

Chapter 29: Family DinnerAdrian’s vision blurred and library’s shelves faded into a void as the searing pain in his skull peaked.

When he opened his eyes, the pain was gone, replaced by a surprising clarity. He was lying on his bed, the familiar quilt soft beneath him.

The room was dimly lit by a single candle on the desk, casting flickering shadows. His gaze shifted, and his heart jolted — Serena sat beside him, her face buried in her hands, sobbing quietly.

Her curls were disheveled, and her shoulders trembled with each muffled breath.

"Serena?"

Her head snapped up immediately.

"Adrian!" She scrambled onto the bed, wrapping him in a tight hug before he could react. "You’re awake!"

"Yeah, I am," he said, patting her back awkwardly. "What happened? Why were you crying?"

She pulled back, stammering through tears. "W-we found you... on the library floor. You weren’t waking up, Adrian! We thought... we thought something terrible happened. The healer used her magic, said it was just exhaustion, that you needed rest, but... but we didn’t know if you’d... I was so worried."

Adrian sighed inwardly. ’So that’s what happened.’ Out loud, he then said, "You’re not supposed to worry, Serena. I’m fine now, right?"

She nodded, wiping her face with her sleeve. "Y-yeah. You look okay." She hesitated, then brightened slightly. "Aunty just came by and said dinner’s ready. You missed lunch. Want to come?"



Adrian’s lips twitched at her old habit of calling the maid "Aunty."

His stomach rumbled faintly, but he still wasn’t interested. "No, I’ll stay here. I’m good."

Serena’s face fell and she sat on the bed with her arms crossed. "Then I’m not eating either."

He groaned, weighing his options. Skipping dinner was tempting, but he had no reason not to go.

"Fine," he said, swinging his legs off the bed. "Let’s go."

Her face lit up, and she grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the door. "You won’t regret it! The cook made roast pheasant — your favorite!"

They descended the grand staircase, Serena chattering about the estate’s new chef. The dining hall was a spectacle — long oak table draped in white linen, silver candelabras casting warm light, and a massive hearth roaring at one end.

The air smelled of roasted meat and herbs. But the moment Adrian stepped in with Serena, the room stilled. Every eye turned to him, forks pausing mid-air.

Fabian, seated near the head, locked eyes with Adrian for a brief, burning moment. He hissed under his breath in disdain before returning to his plate, slicing his meat with unnecessary force.

Diana, beside him, mirrored his reaction — her pale blue eyes flicked to Adrian, cold and sharp, before she resumed eating.

Julian, at the table’s far end, didn’t look up. His black hair curtained his face as he picked at his food, oblivious or indifferent, lost in his shadowy world.

Mirena, seated closer to Cedric, broke the tension. "Adrian!" she exclaimed with a warm smile. "Come, take a seat!" She gestured to two empty chairs near her.

Adrian inclined his head with a measured tone. "Lady Mirena." He avoided calling her "Mother," a deliberate choice that didn’t escape her notice.

Her smile faltered, but she said nothing, gesturing for a servant to set a place. Adrian sat and Serena slid into the chair beside him.

Cedric, at the head of the table, leaned forward, his white hair catching the candlelight. "How are you feeling, Adrian? Quite the scare you gave us."

"I’m alright," Adrian said, keeping his voice steady. "Thank you for your concern." Sёarch* The Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.



Cedric’s eyes narrowed slightly, probing. "Care to share what happened? Fainting in the library isn’t exactly common."

Adrian shrugged, deflecting. "I’m not sure. But it’s nothing serious, don’t worry."

Cedric studied him a moment longer, then nodded.

"Very well. Rest is the best medicine." He signaled to Mirena, who began dishing out portions of pheasant, glazed carrots, and herb-crusted bread onto Adrian’s plate.

The table resumed eating, but the silence was heavy, broken only by the clink of cutlery.

As Adrian took a bite, the door to the dining hall creaked open and a young maid scurried in, bowing hastily.

"Your Grace," he said, breathless, "a message from Lord Varyn’s envoy. He’s arrived at the gates, requesting an audience tonight."

Cedric’s fork paused, his expression tightening. "Varyn? Now?" He exchanged a glance with Mirena, who set her napkin down, her face unreadable. "Tell the envoy I’ll meet him after dinner. Prepare the small council chamber."

The maid bowed and darted out. Adrian’s ears perked up. Varyn. The same dukedom he’d name-dropped during negotiations.

Their envoy’s timing was suspicious — had Cedric’s deal with Adrian reached their ears already? He filed the thought away, focusing on his food, but the undercurrent of tension at the table grew.

Fabian not being able to bear it any longer decided to interrupt the silence. "So, Adrian, I heard you’re tinkering with toys now? Figured out how to fake a spark yet?"

Adrian didn’t look up, slicing his pheasant with calm precision. "Pass the salt, Serena."

Diana chimed in with her sharp tone to support her brother. "No magic, no talent and you dare come here. Why bother? In two months, we’ll be off to the Academy. You’ll be stuck in your little village."

Adrian took a bite as their childish taunts did little to faze him. He chewed slowly, letting the silence stretch.

Fabian pressed in irritation. "What, no defense? I thought the Academy had always been your dream."

Adrian finished up the food in his mouth and met his gaze with a flat expression. "Enjoy the Academy."



He resumed eating, dismissing them entirely. Diana got even more annoyed, but before she could retort, Mirena raised a hand.

"Enough. This is a family dinner, not a battlefield. Adrian is our guest, and you’ll treat him as such."

Fabian snorted but fell silent, stabbing at his food. Diana’s lips pursed, and she returned to her plate. Julian, as always, seemed detached, his fork moving mechanically, while Serena squeezed Adrian’s hand under the table, in an attempt to comfort him.

Dinner ended soon after and Cedric rose, smoothing his tunic. "Adrian, a word. The ten men you’ll train are ready. You can begin tomorrow morning in the east workshop. Torren will guide you."

Adrian stood with a nodding. "Okay, no problem."

Cedric’s eyes softened slightly. "Rest well. We’re glad you’re here."

Adrian inclined his head, then turned to leave with Serena. Fabian’s glare followed him, but he ignored it. Serena walked him to his room, her chatter subdued after the tense meal.

"Don’t mind Fabian and Diana," she said at his door. "They’re just... them. I’m happy you’re here."

"Thanks, Serena," he said, managing a smile. "Get some sleep."

She hugged him quickly and left. Adrian meanwhile sat on the bed and began processing his new knowledge.

After several minutes of fully understanding everything, he came to a conclusion:

’I can make the magic gun now!’