Year 2050
Month 2
Mercier Manor:
COLE!
I still remember very clearly, as though it were yesterday, as clearly as if someone turned a page on a chapter of my life. When he tried to kill me at his mother’s command.
Out of all my siblings he is probably the most well rounded not particularly amazing at anything but no real weaknesses either. Except for his obedience to his mother. Luckily, his mother is quite incompetent
Cole entered the room dressed in an immaculate white suit, tailored to a perfect precision, neither too tight nor too loose. Silver cufflinks of a tiger held the sleeves in place.
Beneath it, a silk shirt of sky blue. Between the jacket and shirt, a crisp white vest buttoned with an almost obsessive neatness.
A platinum silver tie with subtle diagonal texture completed the suit perfectly. Complementing both the white suit and the tiger cufflinks, maintaining a noble and sophisticated appearance.
His short blond hair, combed precisely to the side, only emphasized the pristine image further—every strand in its proper place.
Pharmaceutical and Biotech Industries.
Those are Cole’s domain, the power he has in this family.
Drugs of all kind the most noticeable is NGI15.
The same drug that flows through the bloodstream of our security.
However, there are rumors that NGI16 is in development, which not only enhances muscle fiber but also ensures that it always performs at top condition. But also gets rid of the rare side effect of NGI15 which in 1% cases can cause internal damaging.
It gave him more than just wealth. It bought him leverage—contracts with hospitals, favors from politicians, even quiet influence over the military’s medical division.
Unfortunately for him, Katarina already had her hands in those things, or else he would have even more power than he already does.
Of course the two of them have many overlaps.
Sometimes Katarina pushes him down, and sometimes she helps him up.
Lengthy approval processes.
High failure rate for new drugs.
Cost of research and development.
Ethical considerations around testing.
Public relations issues around pricing.
These are issues that Cole faces. Sometimes Katarina speeds up the approval processes, and other times she slows it down.
I don’t know much more details than that since I’ve kept away from the battles between my siblings.
Especially considering I try to avoid Cole and anything he touches as much as possible.
I don’t even know how I survived that day.
“Durrant, Corso, Samantha”
…
“Katarina.” Cole called his eyes glancing at each one. Ignoring Dante entirely.
“It seem’s I am the last one to make it here.” Cole continued as he strode in.
“Cole, as a proper noble don’t you think you should be a beacon of etiquette and nobility.” Durrant began.
“That’s enough Durrant we don’t need to hear you embellishments on the topic of nobility. It isn’t etiquette or some vague ideal of nobility that keeps us in power. It is our power in of itself, such as our security guards and growing mercenaries.” Corso cut in.
“How dare you. I’d expect such disgraceful words from a commoner like Dante but you should know better Corso.” Durrant glared.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Durrant’s correct, nobles have a duty to teach other’s their place.” Cole nodded calmly.
“There are plenty of nobles with no power,lands or wealth, so you’re saying they are better than commoners?” Samantha joined her words filled with annoyance.
“Haha, so many opinions my dear siblings.” Katarina covered her mouth using the tips of her fingers.
So begins the gathering.
I have no doubt Alexander is watching us.
Dante thought as he surveyed the room, his eyes landing on each butler and maid, some standing, others muttering among each other.
Where are you father?
As Dante spent his energy in his search for clues, the siblings continued back and forth.
“Wait until father arrives and we begin then you’ll see exactly how far behind me you have fallen.” Durrant tapped his rubbied cane.
“Please, I’m making the building blocks of a small army, my army, Merciers army. Father entrusted it to me for a reason, unlike the rest of you he knows my loyalty is to the family not myself.” Corso replied.
“Corso I know speechcraft is not your strength however a lesson on word play, do not say your loyalty and not yourself after you call the Mercier army yours, It shows the cracks in your mask my older brother.” Cole countered.
“Cole!” Corso glared.
“Well at least we know who contributes the least to the family, Samantha when will you truly work in the families interest?”
“Oh shut up Durrant, I fill the families bank after the rest of you spend so much between you Corso and Cole spending so much for late returns, if it wasn’t because of me.”
…
Samantha glanced at Katarina, who returned the glance after noticing with a bright smile.
“If it wasn’t for me AND Katarina, the family would have lost a lot of money, enough to be felt.”
“At least Samantha tries to give something back, we have another in this room who just takes from the family.” Corso glanced at Dante, who’s eyes were still looking around the room.
“The only thing we probably agree on.” Durrant commented unlike Corso who glanced at Dante however Durrant turned and let his stare linger on the youngest of the Mercier’s.
Cole stood with his hands in his pockets his eyes still not moving toward Dante’s direction.
“Thats enough you two.” Samantha said
“Dante is not your punching bag, he is still a Mercier!” she continued.
Katarina on the other hand stayed quite curious to know what was going on in Dante’s mind. A giggle escaping her lips.
“Did I say something wrong Katarina?” Samantha asked her eyes turning to her sisters.
“Hmm? Not at all just … I wonder if Dante decided to take things abit more seriously if you would still be defending him the way you are.” the woman licked her lips softly.
“Whats that supposed to mean?”
“Oh nothing, nothing really just nonsense from your sister, no need to take it seriously Samantha.”
Before the Merciers could continue they heard another voice.
“So everyone has arrived I see.”
Violet eyes glared down on everyone, as a man with short raven hair walked in.
…
Everyone stared in shock.
What the.
Corso and Durrant stared at Dante with clear aggression.
Samantha looked shaken.
Cole closed his hands tightly and the sound of his teeth could clearly be heard.
Katarina looked wide eyed and held back a burst of laughter.
Dante looked confused for a moment and then collected himself.
Alexander, he doesn’t look like a man in his late forties. Just going by appearance one would think he was 30 at most. That was always my first thought when I would see him but.
…
Now I can’t help but wonder why is he dressed.
…
Like me?
Alexander Mercier wore a dress shirt of a pristine red, and similar to Dante’s lined rubies, Alexander had intricate veins of crushed black diamonds embroidered throughout the fabric.
On his neck he wore the exact same ruby eyed obsidian necklace.
What game is he playing?
Trying to force me into fighting the others by dressing similar?
Was this his plan for giving me this suit and the necklace?
Or is this just another test?
Is there a hidden truth he wants me figuring out…
There are too many possibilities and not enough information.
Try as he might Dante couldn’t figure out what was going on.
For now I’ll just have to wait and see.
Dante quieted his mind as he focused his attention back to Alexander Mercier.
Well built, muscular and standing a full 6 feet.
On his side the glint Dante knows him for, a metal he always carries around sometimes with and sometimes without a sheath. A sword, of pristine condition with a dark grip and silver pommel. Its crossguard wide and slightly curved.
The Mercier sword.
Our family sword.
It has belonged to the family for centuries and is the symbol of the Mercier house hold.
“Father why…” Durrant began his words quickly silenced by Alexanders cold violet gaze.
“Now then children come to the dinner table, we will eat and then begin the family gathering.
Alexander followed Dante’s gaze as he was repeating what he had learned of the Mercier sword from his lessons years ago.
“Compete Dante, and you may be able to obtain it. Perhaps you may even find a use for the sword. It is not simply an ornament.” Alexander said as he turned around.
Dante ignored the gazes of his siblings and whispered softly.
“Doubt it.”
I doubt I'd ever find a use for it.
Dante and the rest of the Mercier’s walked following Alexander to the highlight of the evening.
