The Draven Table
1027 Words
The Draven dining room was large enough to make a family dinner feel like a formal meeting.
A long black table stretched across the center of the room, surrounded by twelve chairs that were rarely all occupied at once.
Tonight, however, almost everyone was there.
Viktoria entered behind her grandfather.
Her father was already seated at the head of the table.
He glanced at her once before returning his attention to the glass in front of him.
"You're late."
Viktoria pulled out her chair.
"I'm two minutes late."
"Two minutes is still late."
She sat down.
Her grandfather took the seat beside her.
"Let her eat, Marcus."
Her father looked at him.
"I was only making a comment."
"And I was only answering it."
Viktoria hid a smile.
Her grandfather noticed.
So did one of her brothers.
Leonard, the eldest of her half-brothers, leaned back in his chair.
"You always defend her."
Her grandfather looked at him.
"Is there a problem with that?"
Leonard smiled.
"No problem."
His tone said otherwise.
Viktoria picked up her fork.
She had grown used to the way her brothers looked at her.
There were five of them in total, all sons of different women her father had brought into the household over the years.
They were all Dravens by blood.
But blood wasn't enough.
The old rules of the family were clear.
Only the child born to the legitimate wife could inherit the Draven name and position.
That child was Viktoria.
Her brothers had never forgotten it.
Neither had she.
"Grandfather," another voice said.
Viktoria looked across the table.
Daniel, the second oldest, was watching her necklace.
"Where did you get that?"
Viktoria touched the silver crown hanging around her neck.
"Grandfather gave it to me."
Daniel looked at their grandfather.
"That belonged to Grandma."
"Yes."
"And you gave it to her?"
Her grandfather nodded.
Daniel didn't say anything else.
Leonard, however, gave a quiet laugh.
"Of course he did."
Viktoria looked at him.
"Something funny?"
"Nothing."
"Then why are you laughing?"
Leonard shrugged.
"You really don't know?"
"Know what?"
He leaned forward.
"Grandfather has always made it clear that you're his favorite."
The table became quiet.
Viktoria looked at her grandfather.
He didn't appear bothered.
"She's my granddaughter," he said.
"So are we your grandsons."
"And?"
Leonard's smile disappeared.
Their grandfather calmly continued eating.
Viktoria looked down at her plate.
She didn't feel guilty.
She had never asked to be her grandfather's favorite.
She had simply been the one who stayed beside him when everyone else was busy fighting over the future.
Her father cleared his throat.
"There is something we need to discuss."
Her grandfather looked up.
"What is it?"
"The council."
Viktoria's hand paused.
Her father continued.
"They want to know when Viktoria intends to begin taking on more responsibility."
"I already work."
"Not enough."
Viktoria looked at him.
"I've been working with the organization since I was sixteen."
"Working under supervision."
"Everyone works under supervision at first."
"You are not everyone."
She raised an eyebrow.
"That's true."
Her grandfather gave a small cough that sounded suspiciously like a laugh.
Her father ignored him.
"You are the future heir."
The words sounded strange coming from him.
Viktoria had heard other people call her that.
She had never heard her father say it.
Her brothers had gone quiet.
Leonard's jaw tightened.
Her father continued.
"When you eventually take your grandfather's position, you will have to deal with people who will not respect you simply because you carry the Draven name."
"I know."
"Do you?"
Viktoria put her fork down.
"I know exactly what I'm expected to do."
Her father studied her.
"Then you should know that being intelligent isn't enough."
"I know that too."
"What else do you know?"
Viktoria thought for a moment.
"That people usually tell you what they think you want to hear."
Her grandfather smiled.
Her father didn't.
"And what do you think I want to hear?"
"Nothing."
Her father stared at her.
Viktoria continued calmly.
"I think you want to know whether I can handle the position."
"And can you?"
She looked at him.
"Yes."
A quiet laugh came from across the table.
Leonard.
"That's a confident answer."
Viktoria turned toward him.
"You asked."
"I didn't."
"You were thinking it."
Leonard's expression hardened.
Before he could respond, their grandfather spoke.
"Enough."
The single word silenced the table.
Dinner continued.
But the atmosphere had changed.
Viktoria could feel the tension around her.
She wasn't surprised.
Her brothers had spent their entire lives knowing that no matter how hard they worked, the throne wasn't theirs.
And she was the reason.
After dinner, Viktoria followed her grandfather into the hallway.
"You didn't have to defend me."
"I know."
"Then why did you?"
"Because I wanted to."
She smiled.
"You always do that."
"Do what?"
"Make everything sound simple."
He looked at her.
"Most things are simple, Viktoria."
"Really?"
"People make them complicated."
She laughed.
"That's exactly what a man who has spent his entire life running a mafia empire would say."
He smiled.
"Watch your mouth."
"You taught me that too."
They continued walking.
At the staircase, her grandfather stopped.
"Tomorrow, come to my office."
"Why?"
"I have something to discuss with you."
"Is it serious?"
"Very."
Viktoria looked at him suspiciously.
"What did I do?"
"Nothing."
"Then why do you look so serious?"
He smiled.
"Because you're twenty now."
She groaned.
"Everyone keeps saying that."
"Because it's important."
He placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You've spent years learning how this family works."
Viktoria nodded.
"Tomorrow, I want to show you something your father has never seen."
She frowned.
"What?"
Her grandfather smiled.
"You'll find out tomorrow."
Then he walked away.
Viktoria stood on the staircase for a moment, watching him disappear down the hallway.
She had no idea what he wanted to show her.
But for some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that whatever waited for her in his office the next morning would change something.
She touched the small silver crown around her neck.
Then she smiled to herself.
"Grandfather and his secrets."
She turned toward her room.
Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.
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