The Novel's Sidekick

"Either way,” Lily snarled, “it does not matter. I came prepared. I already got permission from Father and came with the decree. You can't do a thing about it."

"Of course, you come prepared; If you hadn't, it wouldn’t be you, would it?" I said, and I rested my buttocks on the chair once more, the sword on one lap and the plate of pizza on the other, no anger or other emotion visible on my face.

"But you'd be gravely mistaken if you thought I'd give up the sword so easily," I said with a slight smile.

Julies moved to give the other plate to Sir Lorne, who took it, still staring with a stony face. Julies returned to my side with his plate in hand. His eyes glared at the two, while his palm shoved one slice of the pizza into his mouth.

“How does it taste?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Odd,” Julies answered, chewing. “It’s sweet, sour, and a bit bitter at the same time. Acidic too. It feels off.”

“Well, you will get over it the more you eat it,” I said and took a slice.

"So, you plan to make more of it?" he asked, with his mouth continuing to chew. "The odd taste does not go off, but I seem to crave it more now. Really odd. Boss, do you have a name for it?"

I was about to answer when I heard Lily coughed, staring at us like we two are buffoons.

“Right, where were we?” I said and looked at the sword, the decree. I took another bite to say, “Lily, you will not have this sword, oh crap! I forgot about the sauce. Julz, get me the sauce, will you?.”

Julies laughed and went back again while Lily gave me one of her insufferable glares.

"Little sister, you don’t know what you are missing," I said, holding up a slice of the pizza. "You see this? It will change the future, and I will make sure it does."

“Whatever,” Lily snorted. "Let's rest the argument here. It will only waste my precious time. Just give me the sword, and I’ll leave.”

"It’s the sword again. Little sister, why are you so fixated on the sword?" I asked in a condescending, cool voice. "I know it’s a fine sword and all, but do you really think our other siblings will really consent to you taking the throne?"

Lily frowned. She knew very well what I was talking about. House Emberheart is a house with one of the oldest heritage and traditions. They will never let someone weak sit at the top. While Lily is not weak, she is but a woman, which entitles to weakness in the old teachings. It will be twice as harder for her than anyone else with less aptitude.

“I will still be better than you with it,” she said.

"I suppose you are right," I agreed. Even though I needed the sword for the future, I did not need the title of High Prince. The lord of the house had to worry about a lot of things, from the state, empire politics, and the wellbeing of the house, while I already had enough on my plate to think about them. Moreover, I knew nothing about governing. I suppose I could learn it, but there are more concerning matters.

“What do you want?” Lily asked obnoxiously.

Originally, Scar had made a scene here, breaking into fits and shouting over his sister. But that was not really a viable option. He was reluctant to give up the sword, as it held many meaningful memories of him and his mother. Unfortunately, keeping the sword was not an option. This lass came with a decree, after all. Let's get whatever advantage I can get here while keeping the door open.

“Ahh,” I said, “I am glad we came down to some negotiations.”

Julies returned with the sauce. I took it from him and dropped it into the slice while Lily impatiently tapped her foot.

"You know, little sister, life has not been treating me well for some time," I started. "There are so many problems already, and the original story has not even started yet, and I still have to deal with mundane problems like paying the bills."

“So this is it?” Lily said sceptically. “You want money?”

"Money is one of many solutions," I said, taking another bite, nice and slow, taking every option on how to annoy her. For one thing, I know her character very well. The more she sees I'm in control, the more she would like to come to a compromise. I was her favourite brother, after all. "While it could not solve every one of my problems, it could deal with the mundane ones. As you know, since the family had cut off their lines of credit, I have made quite a debt."

“So, money it is.”

“Chacha,” I clicked my tongue. “Have you heard of the term: borrow, little sister?”

Lily gave me an incredulous look. “That is not possible. Father forbade it personally for any of us to send you money or any kind of help.”

"Of course he did." I finished the slice and continued. "But we can always get away with bending the rules." I stood upright again. "I cannot give up this sword, and I know for certain you will not find better use of this sword than I, but what I can do is lend it to you with some promise."

Lily looked at me carefully and nodded slightly. I know what she was thinking, but if she thought she could take it for granted, she was gravely mistaken.

She was probably thinking it's difficult for me to yield, so I came up with these negotiations, though that did not stop her from having all the smiles.

I laughed at that thought. After all, there was not a second person in this realm who could awaken the sword other than Scar.

Ignoring the fact that the sword still misses a certain part, it was still a powerful artifact, nonetheless. There was still the residual ego of Scar that did not want me to yield the sword.

"You know, I heard some weird stuff coming to the academy," Lily started, "and seeing you now made me feel like something really going on. Brother, you appear to have changed a lot. I don’t know if it's one of your pretences where you act all goofy to swindle money, but I’ll take the sword, giving you the little dignity and respect you have in my view.

"As for all the stuff you said about lending, we are all lending it in the first place. We don’t own this sword; we are all given chances to hold for a certain time."

I chuckled. "You sound like a real philosopher now. That means the body I'm holding isn't mine," I said and which is actually true, "just borrowing it for a time, until it becomes fertilisers, nor are the clothes or anything else. Either way, I am glad we came to an agreement."

"Daryl's breath, you are becoming witty with your mouth," Lily said with a snort. “Should we start the ritual, then?”

I did not waste a breath and unsheathed the sword. Light flickered a little and reflected off of Ember. Ember was the name of the sword, and it held perfectly in my wide palm.

It was not just a fine sword. Though I said it was only a tool, it really is not. I can't say there's another piece like this in House Emberheart, and nor were there more than five pieces like this on the mainland, despite missing one significant piece.

There was the flame insignia of the House Emberheart just below its hilt. It looked brand new, even though the sword was ancient and had a history of over fifteen hundred years. It had a good weight on it, and I found myself having no problem carrying it. But I have to let it go now.

Releasing a deep breath, I ran the blade into my other palm. Scarlet blood oozed out from the cut, and I let it drop into the flame insignia.

The insignia lit up in scarlet, and Lily came kneeling before me, bringing her arms forward.

In the custom of the House Emberheart, one had to announce that he was transferring ownership of the sword, but I was in no mood for it.

I gave the sword to Lily, who took it and cut her palm as well. She let the blood drip into the insignia and the ritual was done. She stood up and gave me a bright smile.

“Don’t forget the agreement,” I said. “I will come back for the sword.”

"Hmph," Lily snorted coldly and left with Sir Lorne with the sword.

I sighed again and sat in the chair, coming out of my pretence. Scar's sword held many meanings for him, despite the fact that he hadn't used it or demonstrated his abilities in over a year and a half. It was given to him when his mother was still alive, and she was so glad to see him wield it.

Scar's father, Lord Emberheart, gave Lily permission to take the sword. So, that meant he had lost all hope for Scar. It's just one step away from disownment.

“Boss, are you alright?”

“They really should have eaten the pizza,” I said.

Looks like I won't have free time any time soon.

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Edited by Mysteries. Proofread by kqwxz.