“Will she be ok, father?” Alister muttered, staring after his friend, who was getting pulled along to the buffet.

Blas nodded, “She’ll be fine. She won’t actually hurt anyone important to me, despite her protests. She’s… fond of me.”

“That’s an understatement,” Alliana sighed, fanning herself as she glared at the back of the snake woman’s head, “She’s got a fascination with your father, Alister. She has wanted to make him a mate of hers for more than a decade. He said no every time, but she’s convinced he’ll eventually change his mind.”

“I don’t want any mistresses. I can respect desiring such a thing, but it’s just not for me. Besides, if I did so, I’d have to be willing to let your mother take a paramour. It would only be fair. And I’m… a little too selfish for that,” Blas mused, smiling at his wife, “Now then, shall we entertain our guests?”

“Yes. I think we shall,” she responded in kind, hiding a blush on her cheeks with her fan, “I think I spotted the Jamisons. The old Count’s still kicking after five years. We should greet them. I heard their youngest granddaughter finally married off, so they’re practically empty nesters now since their only living grandson is bedridden.”

“Poor souls. I heard about the grandson, but I’m surprised he’s still alive as well. They’ve had nothing but bad luck the last twenty years,” he walked slowly toward them, giving a small wave.

Alliana’s voice hushed, “Some believe it to be a curse from the gods. Such a shame. Let’s offer a belated wedding gift for them. A spear from the vault perhaps?”

“I like that idea. It’s quite sweet,” Blas said, before smiling kindly at the elderly deer beastkin couple in front of them, “Mr. and Mrs. Jamison, a pleasure to see you at our humble party. I hardly expected you two to come on such short notice but I’m pleased to see your faces. Have the last five years since I’ve seen you been kind to you? I heard your youngest granddaughter got married! I’m so sorry I couldn’t attend.”

“It’s quite alright, Duke Severin,” the man wheezed with a bow. He sounded like his health was ailing, his frame bent from years of worry, “A pleasure to see you, no matter how long it’s been. Time hasn’t been too kind, but thus is the way of things, I suppose. My granddaughter is a sweetheart. She married a Margrave, believe it or not, so she’ll be cared for quite well.” He coughed, covering his mouth with a handkerchief, “Apologies. I’ve been under the weather recently. Iker willing, I will see at least a few more years on Bellianis.”

“I’m sure you will, Count Jamison,” Alliana softly added, “Do you remember Alister? He’s grown quite well over the last five or so years. Almost six years by now. He’s nearly nine.”

The countess gave a small bow to Alister, “He was so small last I knew. He’s a bit small for his age though, don’t you think? He needs more sun.”

“Janice don’t pester them about it. I’m sure their boy is fine,” the count hushed. They shared a look between them. The duke and duchess had tried for children for many years, and only had one to show for it. If he was a bit small and frail-looking then so be it. He continued, “You should enjoy your childhood years, young lord. You remind me of our grandson, sweet boy that he is.”

The conversation grew somber and quiet for a moment, before Alister awkwardly spoke up, “Ah… thank you for the kind words, sir. I wish your grandson will get well soon.”

The couple smiled at him, the countess nodding, “Thank you. He’s quite ill. We know we won’t be on this world much longer, but we hope to at least live until his illness is handled… whether he’s cured or if he dies from it. We just don’t want him to be left alone. He’s a sweet boy.”

“What’s wrong with him? Ah… respectfully, I mean… I just… healers and whatnot…”

“It’s alright,” she said, waving her hand, “He was cursed. Our family doesn’t have many boys, and he’s the one that would take the title after we pass. Some people don’t like that and would like our family to disappear. He was out on a hunt… loved joining other young nobles to do that sort of thing. His best friend came sobbing to us saying something had gone wrong. And now… well, he can barely move, barely eat. No healers have made much progress. It just helps him stay stable.”

“I’m sorry…”

Blas spoke up, “I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for any new healing methods and keep you in our hearts and prayers.”

The count smiled kindly, “Thank you. And don’t worry about it, Lord Alister. It’s nice of you to worry about him and ask. Please keep that curiosity. It’s good to foster care for others.”

As awkward as he felt about it, the couple kept talking with his parents about a dozen different things, mostly trading and their thoughts on different laws. The elderly count and countess didn’t seem too interested in social gossip, but unfortunately that made it less interesting to listen in, and his focus was swiftly waning.

Was this going to be his life one day? Party after party of chatting? It sounded so boring. Calm, sure, bloodless as well, but combat was more entertaining than this. He let a sigh escape him, and their eyes laid on him.

“Alister sweetie if you’re bored you can go find others to chat with,” his mother offered, petting his hair.

He gently waved her hand away, “…I’ll try that, I suppose. I apologize, Count, Countess.” With a bow, he wandered off. Wisteria was still stuck by the buffet with Amaiara. His uncle Felthinus was talking to a group of people as well, his wife by his side. He commanded an air of knowledge and control, comfortable with his people. Most of the kids were in a group together, though some of the younger ones were still walking around by their parents’ sides. Alister had no interest in dealing with the kids, and as much as he’d love to just hang out with Wisteria, he wanted to avoid the powerful snake woman.

Morgan looked out of place in her dress, but was talking to a group of nobles with her same unabashed vigor he had come to enjoy. Ode and Jacob were with her, though Jacob looked uncomfortable and kept looking at the knights on guard like he wanted to be with them. Alister meandered their way, and the teens she was speaking with immediately turned their focus to him.

“Oh! Is this your cousin?!” one girl exclaimed, squatting down to his height. She was huge and muscular, though not as tall as Amaiara. An elf of some kind.

“Hey Alister,” Morgan said, smirking, “Yeah he’s my cousin. Blas’s kid.”

“You’re the Duke’s kid? Really? Your hair isn’t black like his.”

“Amy, you know white hair isn’t that uncommon in our family.”

She shrugged and stood back up, “I guess yeah. So they’re heading up to the funeral, right?”

“Of course.”

“We could go to a dungeon I know of near the capital. It’s called the Undead Cathedral.”

Morgan grinned, “Alister this is Amy, by the way. She’s one of my party members. She’s a Baronetess, not a super high noble family, but she’s like me. She doesn’t want to just get married off.”

“I see,” Alister said, looking up at the two of them, “If I can get permission somehow, then I’d be interested in going as well.”

“Ahh… I doubt your mother would let you,” Morgan replied, folding her arms as she glanced across the room to Alliana, “But we can try to work on her for the rest of the trip up there.”

Ode nodded, “Yeah she’ll definitely have issues with it, considering how often trouble keeps popping up.”

Alister shrugged, “I can badger her about it. So. Tell me about this adventuring thing…”