“A killer doctor, a surplus of messengers, an attack in the middle of the Merchant Quarter… It's unusual, even in a city like this. I can’t help but feel like something very bad is about to happen.”

  Lucian’s mind wandered aimlessly through the events that had uprooted his life in the last two days. The sudden and repeated danger he had found himself entangled in was a total derailment from the structure he enjoyed as an apprentice jeweler. As he stepped through the door to his home, his only hope was that no other unfortunate events would befall him.

  “Lucian! Where have you been?”

  Stood impatiently before Lucian, was his father Jacob, a deep scowl souring his face. Jacob Faust was an indignant-looking man with salt and pepper slicked back hair and a square beard that tightly cut around his jawline. His shrewd green eyes and narrowed brows ingrained a fierce look of greed on his face. And indeed, his overall persona encapsulated that of a veteran salesman.

  Before Lucian even had a chance to explain himself, his father had crossed his arms and gritted his teeth, shooting Lucian a look that told him that no matter what story he offered up, it would not be enough to make up for his mistake.

  “Don’t you understand we’ve got orders to fill?! How do you expect to take over this business one day if you can’t even keep up as an apprentice? You should be ashamed of yourself!”

  “Jacob! Calm yourself!”

  Jacob Faust stepped back as a third presence arrived at the front landing. It was Lucian’s mother, Sapphira.

  Sapphira Faust was well-dressed and well put together. One glance at her overall air would tell anyone that this was a woman with all the confidence in the world. And though her eyes shared a similar shrewdness to her husband’s, her personality was far more compassionate. Almost too compassionate…

  Sapphira rushed over to her son and draped her arms over him, pulling him into a tight embrace.

  “What’s wrong, Lucian!? You look faint!”

  Lucian struggled to open his mouth for a moment as he tried to escape his mother’s hold on him. It was a lost cause.

  “I-I’m fine. Thank you for your concern, Mother, but I’m just a bit tired. I rushed here as fast as I possibly could…There was a bit of trouble at the Mage Tribute.”

  “Trouble?... What kind of trouble?”

  “...Thieves. According to the guards, they’ve been hanging around the Merchant Quarter at a higher rate than usual lately. One of them tried to rob me, but the guards took care of them.”

  Lucian thought it best if he left out the details. There was no need to make his parents worry. Jacob unfolded his arms and moved his right hand to stroke his beard as his gaze faded in intensity.

  “I see, I’d heard rumblings of such activity… But to think they’d stage a robbery in broad daylight… We must be cautious… Hmm… Regardless, I’m glad you're safe, Lucian. I apologize for pushing my frustrations onto you… Hmph, I can hardly believe I’m saying this, but this newest order has got me somewhat stressed.”

  “Really?! You, stressed by an order? I can’t say I’ve ever heard that before.”

  As if in response, Sapphira released Lucian from her grip and floated over to the family’s workroom. Lucian and Jacob followed close behind. Sifting through a stack of parchments, she eventually found the one she was looking for and raised it above her head with a cheeky grin.

  “Here it is! Take a look, Lucian, I could hardly believe it myself.”

  Lucian took the parchment from his mother’s hand and gave it a once-over.

  “Fifty… golden rings… encrusted with opal…. and amethyst?!…”

  Lucian’s eyes widened.

  “That’s outrageous! Are you sure this order is legitimate?”

  Jacob placed his hands on one of the room’s many workbenches and smiled slightly.

  “It came directly from the lords of the Holy Trichotomy. The nobles there like giving out rings as welcoming gifts for their grand parties. As a matter of fact, your sister told me they were having a particularly extravagant one next week… Looks like we got selected as the supplier.”

  Lucian had never imagined fulfilling an order that large in his life, let alone while still an apprentice. Not only was the sheer number of rings quite daunting, but the specificity of the gemstones made it an even tougher job.

  “How long would we have to fulfill the order?”

  “Ahaha… That’s the thing that worries me… The deadline… is the day after tomorrow…”

  Lucian nearly toppled over.

  “And you accepted the job?!”

  “Indeed, I did, Lucian. It’ll be a slog for sure, but if we all work together, I’m sure we can get it done… Just think of the money we’ll be making!”

  “That’s if we finish it on time…”

  “Well, son, that’s why it’s all the better that you’re here. I’m going to need all hands on deck for this one.”

  “Of course. I’ve got nothing else going on today, so I’ll do whatever I can to help out.”

  “Glad to hear it, my boy, let’s get started then. Your mother and I have already gotten a bulk of the casting done, so if you could just start by filling the molds, that’d be great.”

  Lucian nodded and turned his focus toward the work at hand. Like a well-oiled machine, the trio tirelessly labored on the crafting process. With his parents’ expertise and Lucian’s blossoming skill, their task had progressed nicely by the time dusk began to settle on the streets of Giadia. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Jacob Faust placed his hands upon his hips and smiled confidently.

  “Ah, it appears my worries were unfounded. We’ve made great progress today! Thank you, Lucian, we couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “I’m glad I could be of help, Father. I think we should be able to get this done early tomorrow if we really work for it.”

  “That won’t be necessary. Your mother and I can take it from here. You should go out and enjoy a day off.”

  Lucian glanced quizzically toward his father, unsure where to place his motivations. It wasn’t usual for the workaholic Jacob Faust to put a priority on off days.

  “It was my suggestion, Lucian. You’ve been working so hard of late, so I thought you could use an off day.”

  “I see, well, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling a bit tired as of late… Thank you, I’ll use tomorrow to rest up.”

  Lucian bowed his head slightly in appreciation. Though the reason for his tiredness was not at all what his parents must’ve believed it to be, he wasn’t foolish enough to deny an opportunity to reset his slightly tarnished mental state.

  “Finally… A day when I can absolutely avoid any dangerous situations. Maybe my luck is finally turning around…”

  “Alright, you two, it’s just about time for dinner, so let’s all head to the kitchen. Elvira is cooking tonight, so let’s all be sure to show her our appreciation.”

  Lucian left the workroom, his parents at his heels. As he entered the kitchen, a pleasant aroma grasped his senses. At the fireplace, Elvira stirred through a large pot of stew. Lucian recognized its scent as an old family recipe, and one of his favorites at that.

  “Look at you go, Elvira… Cooking breakfast this morning and dinner now. I’m impressed.”

  Elvira shifted her eyes toward Lucian and smirked.

  “Hmph! Your praise is duly noted!”

  Though she tried her best to hide it, the slight flush that had materialized on her smiling face was a clear sign that she was quite pleased with the compliment. Lucian laughed quietly to himself before taking a seat at the table just as he had done in the morning. No sooner had he relaxed in his chair and prepared himself for the wonderment of soup when a loud pounding on the front door made his heart nearly jump from his chest.

  “Lucian, can you get that?”

  “Uhh… Yeah… Who is it?”

  “Guests.”

  “Guests?! Ugh, Mother how could you?!”

  If there was one thing Lucian hated more than public crowds, it was private ones. The time he spent with his family was fleeting at best, so he tried his utmost to savor the few moments he had. The meals he enjoyed with them were one of these moments, and so he looked forward to them each time they came around. Adding guests into the equation… Well, that just ruined the moment entirely. There was just something about the very act of an outside presence harming Lucian’s family time that truly annoyed him. Having to put on a public facade in the presence of a family meal was contrary to what a family meal truly meant.

  “And to ruin, perfectly good soup! What a shame!”

  Lucian begrudgingly stood from his chair and approached the front door, all the while grumbling to himself about the blasphemy against soup he was bearing witness to. With an overdramatic sigh, Lucian plastered on his best mannered smile and slowly pulled open the door.

  “LUCIAN!!!”

  Lucian cringed and reeled back, nearly falling head over heels as he attempted to cover his ears. At the door was a hulking young man dressed in a faded tan suit with work boots and several fur

  capes wrapped around his body. A belt across his waist held various pouches and knives, each tailor-made to serve a specific purpose. Hunting.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “Dammit Ridge, don’t you think you could lower your voice just a little bit!? You scared me half to death!”

  “AH HAHA SORRY!!!... Ahem… Good to see ya Lucian!”

  The man rubbed the back of his head, then sniffed the air.

  “Ooh!!! Is that the famous Faust family stew I smell? Boy oh boy, I can’t wait to- Ugh..!”

  “Quit being rude, you overgrown child!”

  From out behind the man, a young woman stepped forward, giving the man a not-so-light elbow to the stomach as she did so. She wore faded brown pants with a loose-fitting button-down shirt and a dark red cloak that she draped over her shoulder. As she observed Lucian, she fidgeted with several expensive-looking rings that lined her fingers.

  “Sorry about that, Lucian. You think he’d learn by now how to properly act in someone else’s home… Obviously not!”

  Lucian’s displeasure at having guests was rescinded a bit once he saw the two people before him. They were Ridge and Eleonora Kilduff, twins the same age as Lucian and two of his and Hywel’s closest friends. Their mother and father were the Garrad family’s Masters of the Hunt, and the two siblings had followed in their parents' footsteps as skilled hunters. Ridge was over a head taller than Lucian, and his stature, combined with his cropped spiky hair, gave him an intimidating presence. In truth, however, Ridge was known as the Giadia’s happy-go-lucky giant who would much rather hang around the local tavern trading stories than take part in anything conducive to his appearance, a fact that was no more clear with how warmly his hazel eyes glowed. In contrast to her brother, Eleonora was much more proportionally sized, although her overall musculature inarguably proved her prowess at physical labor. She had light brown hair, the same shade as Ridge’s, that came down close to her chin and was quite messy-looking. Her fiery orange eyes and seemingly constant smirk conveyed exactly what everyone needed to know about her. Mess with her and she’ll ruin your day…or week…or life.

  Not waiting for a response, Eleonora brushed past Lucian and into the Fausts’ home. With a deep stretch and crack of her knuckles, she bounded into the kitchen to greet the rest of Lucian’s family. Lucian noted the not-so-subtle irony of her actions before formally inviting Ridge, who was still clutching his stomach from the elbow he had received, inside.

  “Hello, Mrs. Faust!”

  “Eleonora! I’m so glad you were able to make it! Did you bring the ingredient I’d asked for?”

  “Of course! Where would you like it?”

  “Oh, you can just give it to Elvira. It’s just about time to add it to the pot anyway.”

  Eleonora approached Elvira and handed her what appeared to be a small plant of some kind. Lucian knew a rudimentary amount about cooking, but this plant was a mystery to him. No one had ever identified it for him, and he’d never seen it sold at any shop. The only one who seemed to know anything about it was his mother, and she had made it clear that she would not reveal her secrets until she was ready to pass them down.

  “Of course, since Eleonora and Ridge brought it with them, they probably know what it is… I’ll have to ask them later.”

  After a few minutes of casual conversation, the Faust family and their guests moved to the dining table and sat expectantly with their food in front of them, ready to begin the meal. Elvira watched proudly over her creation, trying and failing to hide her desire to see everyone’s reaction to her cooking.

  “Thank you again for inviting us. The soup looks wonderful.”

  “And smells even better! Haha, there’s nothing like the famous Faust Stew!”

  Eleonora shot Ridge a dirty look.

  “Uh… I mean, thank you… all for…your…kindness!”

  “Oh, it’s no trouble at all, we always love having guests! I just wish your parents could’ve made it tonight.”

  “Unfortunately, they had to plan for the emperor’s next hunting excursion, so they were unable to attend. They promised to be here next time, though.”

  “Hey! Speakin’ of hunting… Lucian, you wanna head out to the forest and hunt with us tomorrow? ”

  “Hunting? With my recent string of bad luck… No thank you!”

  Just as Lucian opened his mouth to reject Ridge’s invitation, he noticed a glint in his father’s eyes from the corner of his own.

  “A hunt sounds like a great idea! Lucian doesn’t have anything going on tomorrow anyway, so I’m sure he’d love to go.”

  “Oh, come on! You’re practically volunteering for me!”

  “Aw, sweet! It’s been a while since you’ve gone hunting with us, Lucian. I’m sure you’re just chomping at the bit to get out there!”

  “...Yeah… sure am… I can’t wait.”

  Ridge was practically beaming.

  “Man, this is gonna be awesome! Elly, we gotta get Hywel to join us too! It’ll be just like old times! The fearsome four, back in action!”

  “Ridge, stop being an idiot and calm down! You’re shaking the table!... But, yes, I’m sure we can ask him when we head back to the palace… It would be kind of nice…”

  “Oh, this is just great, thank you, Father, for dragging me into yet another day of labor…”

  “Ahem…Speaking of the table…Can we eat now?”

  Elvira’s proud look of accomplishment had been replaced by impatience as she lightly tapped her fingers against the wooden surface of the table.

  “At this rate, the stew will get cold…”

  “Ah, yes, everyone, I have an announcement to make. While this recipe has been a staple of my own cooking, today, Elvira volunteered to take on the brunt of the task. So, let’s all say thank you to Elvira for this wonderful meal she’s made for us!”

  Elvira held her face in her hands as everyone thanked her in unison. A slight tinge of pink lined her cheeks as she mouthed a silent “you’re welcome.”

  Lucian smiled and took a bite of the stew. Despite the unwanted presence of outsiders, the taste was just as incredible as he’d remembered it, perhaps even better than his mother’s version, though he’d never admit that out loud. The warm, embracing flavor washed over his body and calmed his nerves. Though he did his best to appear numb outwardly, he was still feeling the effects of his recent encounters.

  “I was so close to getting a normal day to catch my breath… Now, I’m stuck hunting with a wild boar and his sadist sister… That's the opposite of a safe and normal day!”

  “Lucian, stop staring out into space and answer the question!”

  “Huh, oh, sorry Ophelia… What were you asking?”

  “I wasn’t asking you anything. Elvira wanted to know if you liked the stew.”

  “...I know it’s your favorite… so… um… I’m sorry if it’s not quite as good as Mother’s…”

  “Y-You don’t need to apologize, Vira… You did a great job! In fact, I think it’s even better than Mother’s-...Ah..”

  Elvira went bright red and beamed as Lucian’s blood ran cold.

  “Shit… I said the one thing I shouldn’t of!”

  Lucian slowly turned toward his mother, fully expecting the worst. To his utter relief, she seemed solely focused on her end of the table, where she seemed to be having a spirited discussion with Oswin and Jacob.

  “Thank goodness she didn’t hear me…”

  “Lucian… You know you can’t just say that out loud.”

  “Yeah, I know… I was just trying to compliment Elvira.”

  “Well, you certainly succeeded in that… Just look at her, she looks like a tomato.”

  Elvira’s bright red face had not subsided as she absentmindedly tried to comprehend Lucian’s compliment. Lucian was glad he’d been able to fluster her as much as he did. It was just the right type of ammunition for the next time they started arguing.

  “Hahaha, you won’t beat me next time, Elivira, you’re taking that tribute whether you like it or not!”

  Unfortunately for Lucian, someone with sinister intentions HAD heard his compliment. And just as he’d let his guard down, she pounced.

  “Hehe, that’s quite a compliment coming from you, Lucian…”

  “Ravenna?! Oh, you heard that?”

  “Mhmm, I certainly did… and… I’m so utterly shocked by it that I just HAVE to tell someone… Ooh, I know! What about… mother…”

  Lucian’s heart skipped a beat. He could see it in her eyes. She was serious.

  “N-Now why would you go and do a thing like that?”

  “Oh, I don’t know… for fun?”

  “Hmph, so dangling my livelihood by a thread is fun for you? There must be something wrong with your head.”

  “Careful there, Lucian. You never know when I might slip up and call for mother’s attention… One false move and I might just blurt out the first thing on my mind.”

  Lucian was floored by his youngest sister’s tenacity. The same girl who had embraced him with open arms only hours earlier was now effectively blackmailing him.

  “Well, she was bound to end up like the other two at some point… Ha! She got me good.”

  “Alright, alright… You got me… What do you want?

  “Money.”

  “Money?”

  “Yep! Oswin and I were going to go with Phelia to get dessert after this.”

  “Uh huh… And why can’t Ophelia buy you dessert?”

  “Because she’s a cheapskate, duh!”

  “Hey!”

  “Oh, please, you know it’s true! You can’t seriously tell me you were going to let me get the special addition magic blend pudding, can you?”

  “Of course not! Don’t you know how expensive-!...Hmph… Point taken.”

  “...Oh!... You’re goin’ to get pudding?! Can me and Eleonora tag along?”

  “Sure, I don’t see why not, but… You like pudding, Eleonora?”

  “Well, uh, I don’t dislike it per se... Besides, I don’t normally have time for sweets, so just this once… Yes, I think it’ll be fine!

  “Okay then! We’d love to have you along! Just make sure you pay for your own dessert…”

  “Huh? I thought Lucian was paying for everyone?!”

  “I’m not paying for any of you!... EXCEPT for Ravenna…”

  Lucian had caught himself just as Ravenna had opened her mouth to ruin his entire existence.

  “Haha! Fine fine! I’ll just have to get Elly to give me some of hers! Now! Where’s that pot? I’d love a second helping!”

  Ridge helped himself to more soup as Eleonora stared him down with a look of pure murderous intent. Luckily, she didn’t kill him over the remaining course of the meal, and the remaining time the group spent together was filled with great camaraderie. When the meal was finally finished, Jacob and Sapphira excused themselves and headed back to the workroom to continue work on the rings.

  “Lucian, Elvira, you coming with us?”

  “Nah, I figured I’d clean up the kitchen, you can go on without me… And before you say anything, you little crook, here’s your money. Enjoy your ultra rare pudding or whatever.”

  Ravenna giggled as she snatched the money from Lucian’s hand.

  “Man, the Holy Trichotomy has a lot to answer for…”

  “How about you, Elvira?”

  Elvira simply responded with a wave of her hand. Ophelia nodded and hurriedly exited the room with Ravenna and Oswin close behind. As Eleonora and Ridge stood up to follow, Ridge gave Lucian a quick pat on the shoulder.

  “Meet us at the front gate tomorrow at dawn, it’s gonna be a blast!”

  “Sure thing, see you then.”

  “Thank you for the food, Elvira.”

  “Yeah, it was great!”

  “Y-You’re very welcome… I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  Ridge and Eleonora simultaneously nodded and made their exit. Lucian waited a moment before hearing the door shut behind them, leaving the once lively area barren save for Elvira and himself.

  “Lucian…”

  “What’s up, Vira?”

  “Though it pains me to do this, I must thank you for your compliment… I…really…appreciate you saying such a nice thing.”

  “Yeah sure thing, I meant it, you know…”

  Elvira’s gaze wandered around the room a bit as she shifted in her chair.

  “By the way, I noticed you haven’t been yourself since yesterday, did something happen?... I hope it wasn’t more woman trouble. Lucian! You should know by now that that evil seductress, Margaret, is no good for you!”

  “Hey, I told you not to bring her up, Elvira! You know that’s a touchy subject!

  “Yeah, and it’s only a touchy subject cause you can’t seem to get your mind off of her! You’re so gross, Lucian!”

  “It’s not about her!... And no, I can already see the look on your face, and it’s not about Alodia either… It’s not woman trouble, okay! I’ve just had a rough couple of days.”

  Elvira’s dubious-looking face made it clear she didn’t believe him, but rather than pressing it, she simply shrugged.

  “Dear oh dear, Brother Dearest. If you keep worrying like that, you’re going to get all wrinkly. You’re already old as it is, no need to push it.”

  “What is with you and the word old today? Could it be that you’re… projecting? …Are you perhaps… concerned about your own aging?

  “Incorrect, I am like a porcelain doll, I never age!”

  “Yeah, whatever helps you sleep at night, old lady!”

  “Pah, go away, you stupid geezer!”

  Elvira’s banter helped ease Lucian’s nerves just a little bit more. With the day nearing its end, Lucian finally felt as if he was moving past the hecticness of the last day and a half.

  “It’ll all be fine by tomorrow morning. Sure, I may be going on a hunting trip with a couple of lunatics, but Ridge and Eleonora are just about as skilled as hunters come. Plus, if Hywel’s there, they’ll calm down their shenanigans… well, at least by a little bit… Yeah! It’ll be fine. I’ll have a relaxing morning out and get to lounge around at home all afternoon and evening. It’ll be the perfect day…I’m sure of it… Probably…I hope…”