In the dining hall, two kids were glaring at each other.
They were facing each other as if they were in a standoff.
On one side was a young girl, her brown hair interlocked in a single pony as she was glaring at the boy with her light gold eyes.
"Brother, I will sit here today." The young girl said in a hushed voice.
The boy's hair was blue in color, he was staring back at her with his deep blue eyes.
"No, today is my turn to sit here," the boy replied in lower voice.
"You sat here yesterday too."
"Because you sat here for a week."
"B-but you were not even here."
"I was out in a meeting of young lords."
"And how is that my faul-." The little girl just then noticed someone.
Noticing the girl's expression, the boy followed her gaze and looked behind him.
The first thing the boy noticed was blue attire, and when he looked up, he saw bright red eyes looking towards them.
Both of them were momentarily stunned.
"uh...Good Morning?"
The boy snapped to his senses first and greeted him back.
"Ah yes, Greetings brother."
"G-Good morning brother." the little girl also greeted clumsily.
Yes, these kids were Grey's siblings, Jason and Mary Skyfall.
Grey nodded back and then proceeded towards the seat opposite side from both kids, and sat on it.
He didn't try to talk with them, as they weren't that close anyway.
So he just sat there silently while waiting for the lord and lady of the house.
On the other hand, the kids who were just watching him looked at each other and remembered what they were originally doing here, and as if deciding something, they moved their hands towards each other but stopped at midpoint.
Mary was holding a fist while Jason extended two fingers out.
"Yes!" Mary exclaimed and sat on the seat.
The moment Mary sat, the first thing she saw was Grey sitting opposite to her.
"Ah ahem" Mary fake coughed and looked away.
While Jason let out a defeated sigh and sat beside her.
Grey who was pretending to not see that, was quite amused; he unconsciously smiled a little.
Both siblings flinched a little after seeing him smile.
"Uhm, brother Grey, how are you doing?" Jason asked after composing himself.
"I am doing great." Grey replied.
"That's great to hear." Jason replied calmly.
"..."
"..."
"...So you are early Brother?" Jason asked.
"Well, I had nothing better to do."
"Is that so."
"Speaking of early, you two are early too." Grey spoke trying to maintain this awkward small talk.
"Well it's because of the cha-" Mary tried to speak.
"Well we were free as well." Jason covered Mary's mouth and spoke.
Mary looked at Jason with a questioning look then as if realizing something looked down. And Jason withdraws his hand.
Grey was now curious about what was this about, but refrain to ask.
'They are lot more childish than I expected'
In the novel, these two appeared, two years later from now. Jason was described as a dignified noble who was responsible and mature while Mary was described as someone who has a very strong presence.
It was rumoured that one of them would become the next lord since both of them were talented and had good reputations, unlike Grey, who had neither.
Grey who had never seen this side of character, he had only read about was intrigued.
'There is one more difference ' Grey thought while looking at Mary, who looked up.
She tried to act like nothing happened, but one could see her ears, which were slightly red.
"B-By the way brother why are you sitting there?" Mary asked trying to change the topic.
To this question, Grey smiled; he was waiting for someone to ask this question.
Grey was currently sitting on the left side of the main seat, leaving one seat between him and the main seat.
Normally the next heir or current lord's wife sits on the seat that Grey left. And since he was the eldest son he should be sitting there.
This was done on purpose by Grey to tell everyone that he is not the heir of the Skyfall.
He had no desire of becoming lord, as it was troublesome and with war breaking out in the future, it was quite frankly certain death for a person like Grey, who has no talent for magic or fighting.
"Well..." he said while putting up a sad smile "because this seat belongs to someone else".
'With this they will think I have given up the lord title, with this I have laid foundation for my goal.'
"Ah" Mary made sound as if realizing something.
It was normal for them to be shocked, as normally nobles will do anything to get position of head.
"...I see." Jason replied with low tone.
'hmm? he accepted it this easily? I mean it is good for me but I was not expecting this kind of response.'
For some reason they look little gloomy, like they heard someone is going to die.
Grey couldn't understand the sudden shift in the kids mood.
'Are they okay? I mean we are siblings but it's not like we are close.'
As Grey was trying to figure out the situation with kids, he felt some kind of sensation in the direction of hall entrance.
He stood up and turned towards the entrance and he saw a man and woman entering together.
The man has blue hair which were neatly combed and was smiling slightly, while the woman beside him had bright gold eyes, her long brown hair tied in half crown style made her look quite elegant.
Of course they were none other than the marquise Jake Skyfall and his wife, Lady Selene Skyfall.
Mary and Jason also stood up to greet them.
As they entered the servant, who had finished setting up table a while ago, bowed to greet them and stepped back.
Jake nodded back and walked towards the table, as he reached near Grey he stopped.
"You came." Jake commented.
"...yes"
"...how is your health?"
"It's better"
"That's good then." Jake nodded.
"Greetings Grey" Selene greeted Grey with a smile.
"Greetings Lady Selene." Grey returned the greetings.
""Good morning Father"" both Jason and Mary greeted Jake in unison.
Jason and Mary looked at each other.
"Brother, don't copy me?"
"I am not."
"You two seems healthy" Jake said with a little smile bloomed on his face.
"Where are my greetings" Selene said suddenly appearing behind them with a expression that she was hurt.
'What in the name of Kenshiro'
Even Grey was shocked by his step-mother's you are already dead technique.
"eeh!" Mary shrieked.
"...Mother" said Jason who was surprisingly, calm as if seen this many times.
"M-Mother! I told you not to do that"
"Aww I apologize" while trying to coax Mary.
"Selene, you know you shouldn't use magic on children, and inside dining hall no less"
"I know but it's fun teasing them"
"Mother! forget it I won't talk to you" Mary said while puffing her cheeks.
"sigh"
"sigh..."
Both Jake and Jason sighed tired of Selene's childish behavior.
"...Well then shall we take our seats". Jake said, gesturing towards the chairs.
Grey who was still little shocked snapped out of the stupor and sat with everyone else.
With that everyone settled down.
As they sat down Selene who sat besides Mary and Jake noticed that Grey was sitting beside the empty seat opposite to her but didn't say anything.
Jake who was sitting on the main seat also didn't said anything.
And then servant came forward and started to serve the food.
Today's menu was fish soup and salad.
The soup, filled with chunks of tender fish, vibrant vegetables and fragrant herbs.
The sight and aroma of the soup alone were enough to make one drool. The salad was also there, but compared to aromatic and soup it looked quite simple.
Grey was quite tempted to taste it but held himself back. It's a common rule in noble families that the head of the family takes the first bite.
And our dear Marquise did not made anyone wait, he dipped his spoon in the soup, then gently brought it towards his mouth and blew it lightly before taking a sip.
His every action contains mannerism and elegance.
After Jake took his first sip everyone followed suit. Selene had the same elegance as Jake.
Jason and Mary while not as proficient were still looked quite well mannered.
'Are they eating or performing art?' Grey was dumbfounded by their level of artisticity in just eating.
He didn't even try to perform this 'art' and just eat like he usually does.
The original Grey never put much effort into etiquette anyway.
As Grey took his first sip, a warmth spread throughout his palate, his usual stiff expression softening a little.
As he continued to eat soup, he grew little curious about the taste of salad. He stabbed his fork and took a small bite.
He was taken by surprise, as he chewed it, the crispy texture of salad and various flavor spread, creating a refreshing sensation with each mouthful.
'This is what heaven feels like'
Grey was enjoying the meal, he forgot all his previous worries and just focused on enjoying the meal in this silent environment.
'Wait, why is it so quiet?'
Grey who belatedly noticed the unusual silence looked up for a moment.
Everyone on the table was looking at him.
'What? what is it?' he was confused.
"Is something wrong?" he asked, his expression stiff.
'Did I do something suspicious? Did they find out I am an imposter?' Grey mind raced as he thought of all the possibilities.
"Nothing, you really seem to like the meal." Selene said.
"Ah yes, it's great."
"Is that so?"
"yes"
"...do you like fish soup?" Jake asked.
"If it's well made."
"I see."
"I like fish soup too!" Mary exclaimed.
Her little face tinged with a bright smile was quite adorable.
"Nobody asked for your opinion" Jason rebutted.
"And might I ask who asked for yours, brother?" Mary said, glaring at her brother.
"Okay you two do this after you finish your meal." Selene interjected.
"but-"
"no but's." Selene asserted.
After that, both ate their meal silently not wanting to offend the marchioness.
At the end of meal, Grey was preparing to make his exit not wanting to be in presence of the lord or the lady.
"Grey " however our Marquise has other plans.
'here it comes'
"After you're done with the meal come to my office."
'Damn it!'
"You too Jason"
"...yes"
"Yes father"
Grey was hoping this wouldn't happen but at last he was called to Marquise office. He had pretty good idea why the Lord of Skyfall would call him.
'Can't be helped I already knew this would probably happen'
Though Grey wanted to avoid it, he was still prepared for this scenario.
And so after the meal Grey and Jason were standing in front of the Marquise office.
'Let's do this'