311 Family Dinner [2]
Adel blankly gazed at his mother for a few moments, then offered her a polite smile and nodded.
"Of course, Mother," he said before turning toward the butler standing near the table. "Well? Don't just stand there. Go ahead and serve the meal."
The 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.
"Pass me the chicken," Lucas ordered, extending his hand toward a servant.
But right at that moment, Adel chimed in as if it was a competition, "I'll have the chicken."
The poor servant, who found himself standing between Lucas and Adel, could practically feel the tension crackling in the air as the two brothers locked gazes. And he was in the middle of them, caught in the crossfire!
In the end, in a desperate attempt to save himself from the crushing pressure emanating from the both of them, the servant presented the chicken hotpot to Adel.
After all, Adel was still a member of the family, so serving him first seemed like the logical choice, didn't it?
...Or did it?
Throughout the whole week that will follow, the poor servant would question whether or not he had made the right decision that night.
But right now, Lucas couldn't care any less. He merely made an expression that seemed to ask, "Are you serious?" to the servant and moved on.
Meanwhile, Adel relished his moment of petty victory and rewarded himself with a generous portion of chicken.
If Lucas had any lingering doubts before, there were none now. He could confidently say that Adel was unquestionably a very, very petty person.
Shaking his head, Lucas ate in silence for a while. To say the food was delicious would be an understatement of the century.
Before him were the most scrumptious, almost heavenly, dishes Lucas had ever tasted after coming to this world.
Unfortunately, he really had no appetite today. Well, at least Sera was enjoying the mouth-watering dinner.
Lucas wasn't alone, actually. No one on this table had any appetite today no matter how inviting the food looked.
Adel was only waiting for the discussion that was going to come after this dinner.
While Reynold and Yennefer were only eating because they wanted to prolong that discussion for as long as possible.
To be honest, both of them were surprised when they were informed of Lucas' return. Neither of them thought they would be seeing their second-born this year.
Their surprise only grew into shock after seeing how much Lucas had changed
— or rather, changed back into his old self.
Reynold was informed by Yelena, but still, seeing Lucas act as confident and proud as he used to be in his childhood was rather… strange.
It almost felt like he never suffered those years of solitude, disparity, and depression before ultimately being disowned… almost.
The cold indifference in his eyes and his sharp posture were a stark reminder that their son was a different person now… a person they didn't know.
Reynold was still curious to know as to what caused Lucas to change again. What was it that made him the genius he used to be?
All the talks about Lucas' performance in the King's Tournament and especially what happened after it had not eluded his ears.
But how could he go about this and talk to Lucas? His son rightfully resented him too much.
He couldn't just straight up ask, "Hey, son. I heard you had an amazing academicyear. Tellyour old man about it!"
Thankfully, his wife stepped in right then. Yennefer turned to face Lucas and made a remark, breaking the silence.
"I heard you received a medal of honor for your role in stopping the Massacre of Silveserine," she mentioned.
Lucas glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the plate of food in front of him.
"Yeah, sure."
Her attempt at conversation met a curt response, causing Yennefer to fall silent. A pang of remorse gnawed at her heart.
She still vividly remembered how Lucas used to follow her all around the house as a toddler. But now, he wouldn't even talk to her properly.
What made it even sadder was the fact that he had every right to behave this way after how they both had treated him.
Before she could pose another question, however, Adel interjected.
He slammed his hands onto the table and exclaimed, "Instead of asking him why he's here, you're asking about his medal?"
At that moment, Lucas finally put down his spoon and fork. He looked at Adel and spoke with a smile that was as mocking as it was polite, "You know, if I didn't know you better, I'd almost think you're jealous, brother."
Adel scoffed, reclining back in his chair and tossing his cutlery aside. "Ha! Jealous? Please! Why on earth would I be jealous of someone like you?"
Lucas shrugged, his smile turning into a daring grin.
"I don't know, you tell me. You enjoyed bullying me when we were kids. You took delight in taking my things. You also never missed an opportunity to belittle me, even in our younger days. So, I'm curious, why do you have this obsession with me?"
Adel scrutinized Lucas for a moment before letting out a chuckle. "I see what you're trying to do. You're trying to ruin the first dinner I'm having with my family in so long. But you won't get under my skin."
"Your family?" Lucas arched an eyebrow, not missing how Adel put emphasis on the word 'my' in his sentence.
"What, you still think you have a place on this table?" Adel sneered. "You've been disowned. I suggest you kneel and thank my father for not stripping our family name from you!"
Lucas's mocking grin turned into pity as he responded, "You don't truly consider yourself a Morningstar, do you, Adel?"
"Huh?!" Adel furrowed his brow in confusion as Lucas continued.
"You were never the first choice, little brother. The position you hold now was initially meant for me. Your father taught the Dawnbreaker to Yelena, not you, the designated heir of this family. If Yelena weren't a girl, she'd have taken your place as heir as well. Do you understand what I'm saying, Adel? You didn't earn your position! You were the only option left."
Adel widened his eyes in fury as he attempted to retort, but before he could, Reynold's authoritative voice thundered through the hall.
"Stop your quarreling, both of you!"
Lucas couldn't help but let a grin creep back onto his face as he shifted his focus to the patriarch of the family.
With a scoff, he mocked, "Oh, dear Father has finally decided to intervene! And after all these years of turning a blind eye to his children, no less!"
Reynold let out a disgruntled huff and averted his gaze.
Lucas was about to continue, but in an instant, his younger twin brother took the window.
"Why are you even complaining?! You've been enrolled in the best military academy and were permitted to take bags of all your expensive belongings on your 'exile' for your bad behavior! And now that you have finally come back, no one even questioned your return! This is not punishment! It's practically a vacation!" Adel exclaimed, slamming his hands on the table again.
Lucas narrowed his eyes at the golden-haired boy and sneered. "...Is that how you see it?"
