William
It was his twentieth birthday, and Lakehall was filled with guests. Cousins and other kin made up the bulk of those in the feasting hall. Aunts and uncles. His three surviving sister of his father, and other kin like Alyn who he had called aunt and uncle since childhood but were in truth great aunts, and uncles, or great, and great great. Even a few great great great aunts and uncles filled the hall.
Mixed in with the Stouts of Lakehall were friends of William. Samantha, Anders, Zoe, and a dozen others. The hall was fill with the sounds of loud chatter as people drank and laughed. Kids ran through the ranks of tables and people, and William let out a heavy sigh. He had been so miserable in weeks.
If there was one thing William hated it was being surrounded by people. Another at times was his own family. Those who lived off his father. That filled the estate, and were forever asking for handouts and treating William as though he did not belong in his own home. Above all though, William hated his birthday. He hated the attention it brought him. He would be happy enough for it to be no different than any other day.
William spotted his mother as she went about table to table to ensure all the guests had all they needed. It was a task best left to the many Bots of Lakehall, but one she enjoyed, and William let out another small sigh. She loved to celebrate the birthdays of her children, and there was no way to get out of it. He tried to pretend to enjoy himself for her. He didn’t know how she could enjoy it, she always seemed so busy when she held a feast.
William felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked to his right to Sam who gave him a smile.
“It’s not as bad as you pretend it to be,” Samantha told him with a small smile. “It’s rather enjoyable if you let yourself smile.”
William managed a small smile. “I know,” he said. She was right, and he knew it. There was more to his mood though. He looked about the hall. He knew it was unlikely, but he looked for his father.
Lord Stout had been off world for several weeks. The protests had heated up on several worlds, and as always he went to do the work of Lord Karth.
‘We are Lords of Lakehall,” William could hear his father say in his mind. ‘A lordship comes with duties, and duty must be done at the cost of our persons. To be a lord is to hold responsibilities. Still he wished that his father had been able to be home, even if he did hate his birthday.
“I know,” William finally managed. “At least all the others are having a good time.” He looked to face, and gave her a genuine smile. She was beauiful, and he didn’t know why she liked him as much as she did, but he loved her.
