Thursday Morning – Estate Courtyard
The birds were louder than usual. Or maybe I was just more aware.
I stood on the stone balcony overlooking the lower grounds, arms crossed, watching the estate staff move in tight formation—like pieces on a chessboard that didn't know they were pieces.
My tea sat untouched beside me.
I was still processing the message.
"They voted. Reginald named you as the Second."
Not Heir.
Not yet.
But Second-in-line.
Which, in this family, meant a thousand knives pointed at your back and twice as many hands waiting to shake yours… until they twist.
Breakfast with Serpents
I took my place at the long dining table.
Clara was already seated.
No smile this time.
Just sharp eyes and sharper posture.
Elias wasn't present again.
Suspicious.
The moment I picked up my cup, Clara broke the silence.
"Congratulations," she said smoothly. "You're officially a threat now."
I sipped.
"I thought I already was."
"No. Before, you were a novelty. A distraction. Now you're a problem."
She set her fork down—delicately, like it was a blade.
"Enjoy the view from Second Place. It's the most dangerous seat in the room."
"Funny. It's also the one with the best perspective."
Her expression twitched for just a second.
The Letter
Vincent met me after breakfast.
He didn't speak.
Just handed me a thick white envelope sealed in crimson wax with my family's crest.
"From Lady Celeste," he said. "Private."
I took it upstairs.
Locked the door.
Sat on my bed.
Broke the seal.
My dearest Jay,
I was not permitted to be at the vote.
Not because I was unworthy, but because I still believe in softness.
That's not a luxury our world accepts.
But I know you.
And if you have accepted this role, it is not because you hunger for power—
but because you are trying to protect someone.
I ask only this:
Do not forget that kindness and strength are not opposites.
They are just rarely allowed to live in the same man.
You may be the Second now.
But in my eyes… you've always been first.
Mother
I closed the letter.
And for a long time, I just sat there, the paper resting on my chest, the words echoing.
Afternoon – The New Routine
Being the Second didn't come with a trophy.
It came with three advisors, five new daily reports, and an official overseer who trailed behind me everywhere I went with a clipboard and no facial expression.
His name was Leif.
He had the soul of a calculator.
"You are now required to attend Friday debriefs with Internal Intel," he said without looking up. "Additionally, you will shadow Minister Halvard next week during the international negotiations."
"Great."
"You also need to approve one estate expansion plan per quarter."
"Even better."
"You have ten minutes to change. Sword work review begins in the south dojo."
"I just had breakfast."
"Then consider this your second course."
Sword work & Spite
Mikhail did not hold back.
"You're moving like someone with a padded chair under his ass."
"Because I just got assigned fifty new duties."
"Then use your frustration, boy!"
I parried three strikes, ducked a fourth, and lunged forward.
He blocked easily.
"You're too reactive. Second or not, you'll bleed first."
His words stuck with me.
Evening – Wine with Shadows
Dinner was quiet again.
This time Elias was there.
He said nothing to me.
Didn't look my way.
Clara was quieter than usual.
But Aunt Adelheid?
She was smiling.
"You've stirred the nest," she said over her glass. "It will be fun to watch the feathers fly."
"I'm not here to play games," I said.
"Oh, sweet child… you're not playing. You're the game."
The others chuckled.
But I didn't.
I just smiled politely.
Because that's what the Second does.
He doesn't show weakness.
He doesn't make enemies too quickly.
And he never, ever drops his fork.
Final Scene – Private Tower Study
Vincent met me in my private study.
He poured tea—without asking.
"They'll test you now," he said.
"They already are."
"They'll try to turn Elias against you. Clara's already making arrangements behind closed doors."
"What else is new?"
He paused.
"You know what this means, don't you?"
"That I'm next?"
"No."
He looked me dead in the eyes.
"That if you don't decide why you're here… someone else will decide it for you."
I stood.
Walked to the window.
Outside, the estate was calm.
Deceptively beautiful.
Just like a throne.