I heard quiet footsteps from beyond the red cover to the dining room stall I reserved. The cover was pushed to the side as she came through wearing a school uniform. "Waltsia, I apologize for making you come out here so suddenly." I took a sip of my tea to clear, "I would have brought Hilda with me, but she's busy with something as of now."

  She sat down opposite of me. "No, it's fine Asterisia..." I handed her a menu to the establishment to look through.

  "Order whatever you like; I'll cover everything here." It was my family business establishment for informal meeting, so payment was of no concern. "Also we can drop formalities; we both know each other enough Goldia to speak normally."

  Goldia let out her signature giggle; "Hehe, then is Prince fine, Desnyoon?" Guh!

  “Actually, I think we might have to go back to formalities, haha,” I gave a lighthearted joke to express my displeasure of that name. “… darn Yesen…”

  “Yesen…” She uttered—though she was bound to be surprised by what I pnned to tell her.

  I may have said something unnecessary though with how down she appeared to be hearing his name. "Let's order first before we speak about business." Something to distract her mind for the time being. Not to mention it would be a shame to finish our conversation before dinner even ended.

  "Unn." She gave a small nod as she picked up the menu I gave her on the table and started looking.

  We both didn't order much. It was Goldia's first time here, but my whateverth times for me. As the servers whom I knew started coming in and serving everything, I began the true discussion with Goldia.

  "I'm sure you know - being a Waltsia -, but to make sure; you do know the role and history of your people, correct Goldia?" I started off with basics; I was fairly certain it was taught to her by the Second Major house of Waltsia, but I was merely testing her knowledge.

  "Yes." She answered, slightly wavering... "The Waltsia; stemming from ancient times, were the people who inherited the power from..." A long pause came. I wasn't expecting her to know this power; only the Asterisia family, the Empress, and that nosy Yesen knew. "... No; all Five Families are inheritors of the ancient powers reted to the Empress... Was what Yesen told me." She spoke off on a tangent, straying away from my original question, but she tried to sound confident.

  "I would like to correct some of what you spoke regarding that; but you were mostly correct." I was impressed by Goldia. "Though what is the role of the Waltsia family in current times?" Though this should give me the answer I wanted.

  "We, the Waltsia, are responsible for social stability in the political climate as a neutral power, and overlook the armed forces, right?" Good, I deemed her good enough to tell her.

  "I am proud of you Goldia." She was, without a doubt, someone fit to repce Yesen as the head of the Waltsia family. "... now—are you aware what it means to take hold as head of one of the Five Families?" This was something I was not expecting her to know; though I wasn't quizzing her to see if she did.

  "Ano—eh..." Goldia sat trying to think of something, "... No..." She didn't lie; which I liked.

  "No worries; it's not something someone not a head would know." I told her. "Anyways; I'll tell you more on inheriting when we're done eating." My revetion wouldn't be long; as I really only would be saying one sudden thing.

  We ate together, with small fun conversations. We were acquaintance enough to speak to each other like friends; or really more like a senior and his undercssmen. As our dinner neared the end, I decided to let out the bomb.

  "You know that I, as head of the Asterisia family prepare all preparations for official change of heads ceremony, correct?" Goldia nodded... I prepared myself for an initial outbreak. "Goldia; you cannot be the head of the Waltsia family."

  "What—!" She instantly stood up in shock, "Wait—... You wouldn't give a sudden answer without an expnation... right Desnyoon?"

  "Yeah." I uttered. "You are obligated to know since you are one yourself..." I took a deep breath; unbelievable things would be spoken today. "Yesen—his power as head of the Waltsia family did not return to us."

  "Wait—doesn't... What?" Surprise, shock, and... Well, a smile snuck out of her face as she sat back down. She probably had a crazy idea.

  "Yeah..." I just answered to show the seriousness of this situation...

  Even I was confused when the time came for me to prepare the inheritance ceremony. As the person in charge of all the ceremony and traditions for the Five Families, I was astonished. His autopsy showed clear and true that he was dead so his power should have returned for inheritance, yet it didn't.

  "Somewhere; he is still here, somehow..." Goldia's eyes and attention lit up even more. "I can't say how, where, or what, but he still exists."

  "I see..." We both went into thinking mode.

  I couldn't think of what or how this happened. If his power didn't come back, then it was clear he should be alive... Yet he was also clearly dead. Despite me being a me, I couldn't come up with an expnation on how and why. He did die much earlier then heads usually did; not even 15 years, but nothing about Yesen was terribly unique... Not that I knew.

  "Goldia; keep this between us. The only people that know are me, Hilda, and you. Do not speak of this to anyone." I know she would keep it a secret, but I said this as a reminder.

  "Unn." A nod of understanding.

  I got up from the seat. "Otherwise, I'm done rambling. If I have any updates, I'll come find you Goldia."

  “Guards; fall out.” The two guards that escorted me to my housing both took a step back with their left foot before leaving.

  I finished my actual workday after meeting with Goldia, to come back home…

  I had a lot on my mind—, “I hope your doing well wherever you are Yesen.” He was undoubtedly someone I called my friend, and reliable buddy. He caused me a lot of trouble recently; but I still hoped him well. “I wonder if I’ll see you again.”

  Desnyoon’s Research Journal,

  Section - Family Heads (Revision 4)

  We were special. It was clear we were normal people, but we held within us a special will; almost as if we were chosen by something. A ceremony to select Heads of Families was required for one to inherit the succession.

  It was unbelievable to think mere coincidence makes it that all Heads of Families were successful at their assigned duty. There was clearly a link between success and being a Head - not to say not being a Head meant no success as the record books said. It was also clear that Heads shared common traits within the family. Each ahead held different traits that were small, but noticeable compared to non-Headed members of the family.

  It was clear that each of the Heads had powers that appeared more then could be seen. And that power was for the duties and responsibilities pced upon us.