Chapter 151: Family Dinner 1

Before leaving my room, I took a moment to complete a very important task…. I slipped out of my clothes, as I was still wearing the institute’s uniform. So after stripping down, I washed up.

After washing up, I put on a luxurious yet simple attire – a black silk shirt, matching trousers, and a sleek matte black watch that complemented my hair.

Only after I was satisfied with my graceful appearance did I step out of my room, walked through the unreasonable long hallways, and then descended the stairs and arrived at the entrance of a magnificent dining hall.

Without hesitation, the royal guards pulled open the gates, granting me entry to the grand room hidden behind. Upon entering, the first thing that I saw was a long dining table set at the center of the hall.

The dining table easily had the capacity to host at least fifty people, yet it appeared dwarfed in comparison to the giant dining hall. Crafted from luxurious black wood that matched the table’s material, numerous seats were positioned in front of it.

The ceiling was adorned with majestic chandeliers made some mystical material, and exotic crystals, while opulent artworks adorned the walls.

Several alcoves were embedded in the walls all around. In each one of them, a single guard clad in lustrous metal armor stood like a statue of steel.

Damn- even though I had seen it from my memories, the dining hall still looked straight out of a storybook. But all those weren’t things that had my attention. What had my attention was at the end of the long dining table.

As my gaze traveled along the length of the long dining table and settled at the end of it, I locked onto six figures sitting there.

There they were – The crazy family of mad people.

Sitting at the head of the table was, obviously, my father — The emperor of the Darkfell Empire, Amon Darkfell, also known as the Mad emperor.

He was a man in his early thirties with a head full of long, wavy jet black locks that fell down to his neck and a clean shaven face that outlined his jaded jaw.

His striking grey eyes, often called the symbol of the Darkfell bloodline, reflected the ceiling light, resembling an exquisite pair of shiny, most clear crystals.

Amon had a tall, robust physique that would undoubtedly give anyone doubts about approaching him carelessly. He wore matching black robes that complemented his hair, and had a dark crown, adorned with blue jewels, sitting on his head.

He exuded an otherworldly aura that made everyone feel like they were ants before his presence- which was technically true. Even if I hadn’t known who he was, I could’ve still been able to tell that this man was beyond mortal.

Taking the rightful position on his right was my mother — Yvonne Netric, the Empress, also known or commonly referred to as the Winter’s herald.

She, a woman who looked like she was in her late twenties, appeared as if time had stopped affecting her, with all signs of aging stopped on her body.

Her porcelain white skin, along with her overall fair complexion made her look as if she was frozen in place, unaffected by the impure, mundane world. Her ageless beauty was evident in every aspect of her appearance.

She possessed long, white hair that flowed gracefully down to her waist, framing her slender yet graceful figure. And her calm but striking amethyst eyes, reminiscent of a deep frozen lake, shifted to find me the moment I entered the room.

Sitting on father’s left was a young man with hardened, yet soft features. Just like any other Darkfell, he had short jet black hair and striking grey eyes. He was none other than Aldrich Darkfell, the first in line to succession, and also the crown prince. He looked like a younger and less mature Amon.

Next to mother was a another young woman who looked like a younger exact replica of her. Albeit the younger one also had the features of a Darkfell, long jet black hair that fell gracefully to her waist, and striking grey eyes that turned to take me in.

That was Ariel Darkfell, the first princess, second in line to succession, and perhaps the only member of this family I had a favourable opinion of. Save for the difference in hair color and eyes, she and mother could even be called sisters.

Anyway, in the same format, were Emmet, who sat next to Aldrich, and Rose, who sat next to Ariel. They looked… just the same as before, I guess.

The only noticeable difference was that there was a mischievous smile adorning Emmett’s face now, making him look even more insufferable.

As gaze met mine, a glint of mischief appearing in his wild eyes. One that meant he was up to something.

’Ah shit, here we go again.’ I thought just as he opened his mouth and announced, “Oh, brother, what took you so long? we’ve been waiting for you. Dinner can’t start without the prodigal son, now can it?”

Even though all of them had noticed me the moment I entered, Emmett’s words were the key that let them truly turn to me. In a moment everyone’s eyes were on me, be it Mother, Aldrich, Ariel, Emmett himself, and Rose. Only the Emperor didn’t deign to look at me.

I spared Emmett a brief glance, and then without bothering to utter a response, I moved along the side of the table, pulled out the chair next to Emmett, and opposite to Rose, and took my seat. That had always been my seat.

“Wow, you’ve certainly grown, ignoring me now are we?” Emmett grinned, when I didn’t seem to respond to him. I knew what he was trying to say. I hadn’t been able to hold it in when he kept talking me down the day before, so he had expected me to do the same here, but unfortunately for him, I had to look graceful and regal. Someone as graceful as myself couldn’t bring himself to the level of petty squabbles.

Though, sometimes I wondered why Emmet seemed to be the only one who didn’t suddenly go quite in Father’s presence amongst us- Mother was an exception of course. But then again, it had to take a lot of nerve to run a shadow empire under the noses of the four races.

Still, seeing that I ignored his jab once more, Emmett opened his mouth again.

Fortunately, just at that moment, Mother chipped in with her icy voice, which seemed to sweep through the dining hall like a chilling blizzard.

“Cease trying to provoke him, Emmett! Let’s eat first and then discuss… the other matters.”

Emmett blankly gazed at Mother for a few moments, then offered her a polite smile and nodded.

“Of course, Mother.”

With that, a butler hurriedly signaled to the other servants, who came carrying trays laden with lavish dishes and set them upon the long dining table. One by one, plates were placed before each family member, and their portions were served.

However, another problem soon bloomed.

“Pass me the chicken,” Both Rose and I ordered, at the exact same time, extending our hands towards a servant.

The poor servant, who found himself standing between us, could practically feel the tension crackling in the air as us twins locked gazes. And he was in the middle of us, caught in the crossfire!

In the end, in a desperate attempt to save himself from the crushing pressure emanating from the both of us, the servant presented the chicken hotpot to Rose.

Throughout the whole week that will follow, the poor servant would question whether or not he had made the right decision this night. Yes, I was that petty.

Shaking my head, I ate in silence for a while. To say the food was delicious would be an understatement of the century.

Before me were the most scrumptious, almost heavenly, dishes I had ever tasted after coming to this world.

Unfortunately, I really had no appetite today. In fact, I was already getting bored, but I knew this dinner was merely a buffer for what would follow.

At that same moment, Mother’s cold amethyst eyes turned to me.

“I heard you took the second spot in the mid terms.” she mentioned.

’Eh?’ Why the hell was she asking me something like that? I glanced at her briefly before returning my attention to the plate of food in front of me.

“Yeah, sure.” I replied nonchalantly.

At that moment however, a commanding voice spoke as I felt a crushing gaze lock on to me.

“How did you achieve that? Last I recall, you had Kappa ranked potential.” The Emperor finally spoke for the first time since I entered these halls, and worse, his eyes were fixed on me.

Guess the moment of truth had arrived.

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