The Dreamer's POV

'So it's finally come to this…'

The atmosphere in the grand dining hall remained heavy with tension as Theo took a moment to gather his thoughts.

The issue of succession had finally been brought up, just as Luke had suspected.

Not only had all the suspicions he had been affirmed, but he could see it all with his very eyes… the eyes his own family used to look at him.

It was repulsive!

Theo turned his gaze to Sarah, his grandmother and the family matriarch, who sat at the opposite end of the long mahogany table.

Her expression was stern, her emerald eyes unyielding. The two of them had always shared a special bond, but recent events had strained their relationship.

"Grandmother," Theo began, his voice calm and tinged with no emotion, "before we continue, I must address something that has been troubling me. In the letter you sent prior to our reunion, you spoke of your concern for my well-being and expressed the desire to discuss various matters regarding that."

That was the context of the visit, was it not?

"Yet, the first thing you addressed wasn't that, nor how I have managed to survive for this long without my parents and sisters…"

It disgusted him to even think of these people as his family.

"No, you went for the matter of succession first. Isn't that a little too much?"

Interlocking his fingers as he stared at the old woman before him, he asked the ultimate question.

"What are you really after?"

Sarah's gaze remained fixed on him, her expression unchanging.

After a brief moment of silence, she finally spoke.

"You have become quite the cheeky brat, Theo. I see now that your actions speak louder than words."

He furrowed his brows, but Theo could feel more than that mere display of emotions coursing through him.

"What do you mean?"

"What else could I mean? Look at how you treated us when—"

"I had hoped for a more personal conversation, where you would inquire about my well-being, my experiences, and my feelings. Yet, since my return, you have not asked about any of these things." Theo's jaw tightened, but he maintained his composure.

"Whose actions speak louder?"

Sarah's eyes narrowed, her voice sharp. "Actions have consequences, Theo. Your treatment of your own family, your decisions about the estate, they all speak volumes."

"Oh?"

"The fact that you have been rude to us, despite our sheer consideration, is proof of that. You keep defying my words, and you keep bringing strangers to a meeting meant for just family. It's clear who isn't being considerate here."

'You gaslighting bastards!' Theo took a deep breath, drawing upon the training he had received from Luke to maintain his poise.

"I understand your concerns, but I must assert that I have been making decisions based on what I believe is best for the family's future."

Fiona and Margarette, sitting nearby, exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how this exchange would unfold.

"Though I must ask you… what have you done? What have you achieved?" Theo's voice began to rise as he glared at his grandmother.

No, at all three of the adults before him.

"Absolutely nothing! You really thought it was okay to come here after the weeks that have passed since the city's destruction, and think you can talk about succession first?"

Silence filled the air, as no one was able to give a response.

None could have expected this much fervor from a mere child.

Theo leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking with Sarah's.

"Grandmother, Aunts, I have made difficult choices, but they were made out of love for this family. I wish to see it thrive and adapt to the changing times."

His tense gaze slowly dissipated as his words echoed.

The room was silent for a moment as the weight of their words hung in the air.

"However, it seems like you three do not see that at all. Isn't that regrettable?"

Sarah's expression remained resolute, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes at this point.

Theo's words were measured and eloquent, a testament to the skills he had honed under Luke's guidance.

He had gained the upper hand in the conversation, maintaining a neutral ground between him and his family.

Somehow, he hadn't fully antagonized them, but at the same time, he ensured they all took him seriously.

Sarah, though still visibly displeased, appeared momentarily taken aback.

She had always been the formidable figurehead of the Lyma family, and Theo's newfound assertiveness had caught her off guard.

The room remained tense, but the family members, uncertain of how to respond to Theo's newfound resolve, began to back off.

No one spoke. They only stared at each other in absolute silence.

The conversation had taken an unexpected turn, leaving them with much to ponder about.

Especially concerning just how much the young boy before all of them had grown.

The dining hall had grown heavy with the weight of unresolved issues.

The topic of succession remained in the air, and the tension among the Lyma family members had escalated with every passing moment.

Theo, after a short break, finally decided to conclude on the issue.

He cleared his throat and pushed his plate aside, his eyes weary but determined.

"It is getting late, and I believe there are more matters to attend to before we delve further into the issue of succession."

Theo's announcement hung in the air, drawing the collective attention of the family members seated around the table.

Sarah remained silent but watchful, her emerald eyes locked on her grandson.

Theo continued, "I propose that we postpone our discussions for the time being. There are aspects of our family's estate and the developing Lyma Capital that I would like to show you. Additionally, you all must be tired from your journey. It would be best to allow you to properly rest before we delve into the nitty-gritty."

Sarah, who had been growing increasingly flustered by the changes she was witnessing in her family and the estate, nodded begrudgingly.

She could see the wisdom in Theo's words, even if she was not entirely pleased with the direction he was taking.

"Very well, Theo," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of resignation. "Show us what you will, and we shall discuss succession at a more suitable time."

Theo's shoulders visibly relaxed, and he offered a small, grateful smile.

"Thank you, grandmother. I believe this will give us all the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the path we are embarking upon."

With that, the tension in the room began to dissipate, if only slightly.

The Lyma family members, weary from the emotionally charged conversation, were relieved by the prospect of a respite and the chance to explore the developing Lyma Capital.

Plus, they had more time to think and respond to the new changes they were seeing in the boy.

As they left the dining hall, their steps lighter and their minds more burdened than ever, they were filled with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension about what lay ahead.

The issues of succession and the changes within the family still loomed, but for now, they would set them aside, allowing for a temporary respite and the opportunity to explore the evolving world around them.

Hopefully, they could find a way to get rid of the ever-growing threat that was Theo.

… Before it became too late.