House of Omen: The Indomitable Smithersmith #featured

Chapter 13- Baron

Lionel let out a hearty laugh that could be heard throughout the entire restaurant. Darius didn't respond to this, he simply kept looking at him with the same grim expression he had maintained throughout their entire conversation.

"Well I've been waiting to hear you say that all day." he said still chuckling.

Darius however wasn't really in the mood to talk, the only thing left on his mind was to get all of this over and done with.

After some time Lionel was able to contain his happiness as his almost involuntary laughter began to subside, with the occasional chuckle here and there.

The prince himself was a very happy-go-lucky kind of guy. His life of wealth and privilege had made him cheerfully irresponsible and carefree, resulting in his constantly cheerful and sometimes brash demeanor.

Although he was just third in line which meant his chances of becoming Emperor were quite possible, he felt his two older brothers had it handled. So much so that Lionel didn't actually want to become the Emperor because of all the actual work and energy he would be forced to put in, meaning he would have to relinquish his life of carefree living which to him was not an option. He shuddered at the very thought.

Darius had decided he would just have to get used to Lionel's happy attitude, either way he would soon have problems much bigger than that if the test was as dangerous as Lionel had said it would be.

An awkward silence filled the booth as the two men sat there quietly, or at least that was how Darius felt about it. Lionel was clearly lost somewhere in his own thoughts, yet still beaming eerily at Darius. Lionel never felt awkward, uncomfortable or out of place with the exception of a few instances whereby his father would ask for his input on matters of the kingdom. It would be clear that these were tests to take note of his capable leadership skills and each time Lionel would fail miserably.

It wasn't at all because Lionel was incompetent or at all a bad leader, although that's what everyone was beginning to think. In truth, Lionel was quite intelligent and capable, which was how he was able to find the loop hole for the test in the first place. No, Lionel only failed those tests from his family because he simply wanted to look unfit to be Emperor. This way, no one would ever consider him for the role. Lionel could easily take the job and do it well, but he was just too lazy to do so.

'Who in their right minds would give up my life for a fancy title and a life filled with endless problems and responsibilities?' he had always thought to himself.

Unfortunately despite his best efforts the noble examination was one that even he couldn't avoid.

"So when do we get started?"

The sound of Darius' voice jolted him back to reality. Darius had been sitting quietly up until now, watching Lionel closely and contemplating his own thoughts.

"Well now I need to give you my qualifications." Lionel extracted a card from the inner pocket of his blazer and handed it to Darius.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" Darius said as he examined the blank piece of paper Lionel had just handed him.

"You'll see." he replied as the card immediately lit up in Darius' hands. A capital letter 'n' appearing in gold on the card.

"Identification required." came a female voice produced by the card. Darius looked up at Lionel, not sure what he should do since it wasn't really his card.

"It's fine, just say your name." Lionel whispered as if trying not to be heard by it. His eyes never left Darius as he picked up a glass filled with purple liquid of of the table and began drinking through a straw. A look of surprise appearing on his face as if whatever the drink was had been better than he had expected.