Chapter 2 - A Noble’s Breakfast

The dining hall was a cavernous space, its vaulted ceilings painted with scenes of Grendel ancestors conquering beasts and kingdoms. A massive chandelier hung above the table, its candles flickering despite the morning light streaming through the stained-glass windows.

Kazuki hesitated at the entrance, his fingers tightening around the edge of his emerald coat. The long table was already half-filled with the Grendel family some faces familiar from the game, others not.

At the head of the table sat Duke Aldric von Grendel, a mountain of a man with silver-streaked black hair and a beard trimmed to sharp perfection. His coat was black as midnight, the Grendel crest stitched in silver thread over his heart. His hands, large and scarred, rested on the table as if ready to crush anything that displeased him.

To his right was Claudius, the eldest son. Tall, broad-shouldered, with the same sharp features as his father but none of the warmth. His golden-brown hair was tied back neatly, his dark green coat immaculate. His expression was calm, but his fingers tapped impatiently against the table.

Beside him was Seraphina, already seated, her crimson dress a violent splash of color against the dark wood. She sipped from a goblet, her sharp eyes flicking toward Kazuki with amusement.

And then there was Lady Isabella, the duke's second wife Claudius and Seraphina's mother. A beautiful woman with honey-blonde hair and cold blue eyes. She wore a high-necked lavender dress, her posture perfect, her smile polite but empty.

Kazuki swallowed.

Where do I sit?

"Ah, the prodigal son finally graces us with his presence," Claudius drawled, not looking up from his plate. "Late again, third son?" Claudius continued still not looking up as he spoke, the title dripping with venom.

"One might think you enjoy wasting Father's time."

Seraphina smirked. "Perhaps he was busy composing another terrible poem. What was the last one? "Ode to a Drunken Night"

A ripple of laughter from the main family's end. Even Lady Isabella's lips curled, though she hid it behind her napkin.

The duke's fist hit the table. Plates jumped.

"Enough." His glare landed on Kazuki.

heavy and unreadable. "Sit down, Leonhardt. We don't have all morning."

Kazuki moved toward the only empty seat at the far end of the table, as far from the duke as possible.

Of course. The unwanted son gets the worst spot.

As he sat, a servant immediately placed a plate in front of him roasted pheasant, glazed vegetables, and a slice of dark bread. The food smelled rich, but Kazuki's stomach churned.

"You look terrible," Seraphina remarked, swirling her wine. "Did you finally drink yourself into a stupor?"

Kazuki forced a lazy smirk. "And miss the pleasure of your company, sister? Never."

Claudius's knife scraped against his plate. "If you spent half as much time training as you did drinking, maybe you wouldn't be such an embarrassment."

The duke's grip on his fork tightened, but he said nothing.

Kazuki took a slow bite of the pheasant, buying time. The game had always hinted at the family's disdain for Leonhardt, but seeing it in person was different.

They really do hate him. Kazuki's fingers twitched around his fork. The game had never captured the weight of it the way the servants hesitated before filling his wine, the barely-there flinch when the duke's gaze slid over him like he was a smudge on glass.

Then

A flicker at the edge of his vision.

[SYSTEM ACTIVATED]

Kazuki nearly choked. Floating before him, translucent and glowing faintly blue, was a status screen.

Name: Leonhardt von Grendel

Title: "The Doomed Heir"

Strength: D

Agility: D

Endurance: D

Magic Affinity: F

Charm: B

Luck: E

What the hell?

He glanced around, but no one else seemed to notice the screen.

[WARNING: Survival Probability – 0.3%]

Kazuki's grip on his fork tightened.

Only I can see this.

"Leonhardt." The duke's voice cut through his thoughts. "Are you even listening?"

Kazuki blinked. "My apologies, Father. I was… distracted."

The duke's expression darkened. "The Spring Ball is in three days. You will attend, and you will not disgrace this family. Am I understood?"

Claudius smirked. "A miracle if he manages that."

Kazuki ignored him, his mind racing. The Spring Ball in the game, that was where Leonhardt's first major death flag triggered.

Poisoned wine. A staged "accident."

"Of course, Father," Kazuki said smoothly. "I wouldn't dream of disappointing you."

The duke grunted, turning back to his meal.

Seraphina leaned forward, her voice low. "You're acting strange, little brother."

Kazuki met her gaze. "And you're as charming as ever."

She smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Careful. The last time you tried to play clever, you ended up with a broken nose."

A memory not his own flashed in Kazuki's mind

Leonhardt, younger, sprawled on the training grounds, blood dripping from his face as Claudius loomed over him.

Right. Not just disdain. Active hostility.

[SYSTEM NOTICE: New Quest – "Survive the Spring Ball"]

[SYSTEM ACTIVATED]

Golden text burned across his vision, visible only to him:

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