Yorn Alard sat next to his aunt.

I had been expecting Gileon or his father to sit in that spot, not Gesai's dad. Her mother sat in the last unclaimed seat.

Harror stood alone in the middle of the ballroom, smiling as she did a slow turn to look at everyone.

"I want to thank everyone for taking the time to attend this meeting!" She eyed the tables. "It's been a while since everyone has shown up!"

A few nervous chuckles echoed around the tables. It was clear from the nervous and confused faces that no one knew why they'd been summoned, and quite a few were nervous about being here.

"We have a few things to cover…" The Goddess pointed at the seat next to hers. "First, I'd like to welcome our honored guest, Trent Vowler." She smiled. "I've been trying to get him into bed with us for a while, and after the unfortunate Dungeon Break in Mive, well working with him and his son finally convinced them that we are stronger together."

An infectious smile washed over the entire room. Harror beamed more than I'd ever seen anyone use Aura.

"This city has stood for over four hundred years." The Goddess slowly walked towards her seat. "In that time, we've seen many other cities rise and fall. Many other families and businesses collapse under the weight of time, but together, we've stayed strong."

She stood in front of her seat and nodded at the guards waiting by the main doors. "While we're waiting for our food, I'd like to acknowledge the work that Farsch Alard has done to expand the reach of Alard Hospitals." She clapped her hands, cueing the rest of us to join in. "Congratulations! In the thirty-one years that you've been at the helm, Alard Hospitals has managed to go from serving the Cathedral, Shrine, and Synagogue Wards to having hospitals in every Ward, including the Kingdom!"

The silver man puffed out his chest. "It's been a pleasure to serve with your favor, my Goddess."

"Yes, you've made a number of very strong political alliances, but I would also like to recognize the person who brought the legendary Trent Vowler into the family!" Harror motioned at the far end of the table. "Gesai Alard has joined Atlas Vowler, securing their interest in our family."

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I swallowed as the crowd clapped to congratulate her. Gesai grabbed my hand, and I felt bones crack as she squeezed. A green aura covered the injured appendage as her magic knitted the bones back together.

"Sorry." She whispered under her breath. "This isn't…" Panic covered her face as I laced my fingers through hers.

"It's okay." I pulled her hand close to my stomach.

Trent's face was devoid of emotion, but I could feel the frustration rolling off of him.

"In light of this momentous occasion, I have decided that there is only one way to honor the people responsible." Harror touched her CB and pulled out a set of green armor with brown accents. "Farsch Alard, I am bestowing you the rank of Root for all you've done." She turned to her right and gave him the armor.

"I'm honored." The old man bowed out of his chair and accepted the armor. "I will use this new power to expand Alard hospitals until we are the only medical option in the world!"

Harror turned her head to the side. "You misunderstand, young one." She touched her finger under his chin and lifted it so he was looking at her. "You cannot stay as the administrator and serve as a Root. You will stay here in the palace with me."

"But Gileon…" Farsch tried to look at the crowd, but Harror held his face with a finger. "He's not ready! The heir is still in school!"

"The hospital has expanded under your rule, but from what I have seen, it has not thrived." She turned to look at the crowd. "There is a difference between expansion and growth. When I started Alard Hospitals, my vision was that it would be a place that would nurture this city and turn it into a better place through healing, not by absorbing other families like a slime." She turned back to her newest guard. "While I acknowledge what you've done, I don't have faith in your vision for the future."

Farsch struggled to speak, but his lips refused to part.

"Slece recently meddled in the line of succession with her favored house, and I see no reason why I can't do the same." Harror looked at the opposite end of the table from me. "Since the position of head of the family is now vacant, I grant Yorn Alard the power of patriarch of the Alard line."

Gesai broke my hand.

My eyes watered as her healing magic fixed the injury. Her hands were shaking as the crowd erupted with questions, complaints, and congratulations.

"What just happened?" I blinked as I looked from Gesai to the Goddess, then back.

The silver woman still holding my hand swallowed.

"I just became the heir."

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