The Stand-In Is Done Being His Second ChoiceChapter 3

That night, we were called back to the manor for dinner.

It suddenly hit me that it was my birthday too, not just Diana's.

Ever since I joined the family, they'd celebrated it on the same day as hers.

Victor had a bottle of Russian vodka brought over, the family's grandest way to celebrate.

It was top-shelf liquor, all right.

But it was Diana's favorite, not mine.

I had a severe stomach ulcer. A single sip of liquor that strong would leave me doubled over in pain.

Yet no one seemed to think there was anything wrong with that.

Victor poured the first glass as he always did and pushed it toward Diana.

"Diana, the first toast is yours. Here's to another step toward the top."

I looked at the glass, at the smugness in Diana's eyes, at Victor's same old favoritism.

This time, I spoke up.

"Victor.

"Whenever there was territory or weapons to divide, Diana always got first pick, and I had to settle for the scraps. But tonight, you couldn't even spare me a glass of vodka?

"And why do I have to wait until she's done drinking before it's my turn?"

The noisy banquet hall went silent at once.

Victor frowned.

"It's always been this way. What's wrong with you tonight?"

My father slammed his cane down on the table.

"She controls the family's lifeline! You're just muscle! She's 100 times more valuable than you, so of course she goes first!

"If you could bring the family a hundred million euros in profit, I'd pour your drink myself!"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

Diana threw back her head and drained the glass.

Thunderous cheers erupted all around.

By the time they remembered me, the bottle was practically empty.

Victor glanced at my empty glass.

"Never mind. We're out anyway, and you don't even like vodka. It's just a formality. There's always next year."

Next year.

It was always next year with him.

And somehow, that day never came.

I quietly retreated into the shadows and watched them celebrate.

Somehow, the conversation drifted to the wedding ceremony a few days away.

My father suddenly turned and stared at me.

"How's security along the perimeter coming?"

I was about to answer, but he'd already turned to Victor.

"Oh, and Don, the heads of several neighboring gangs will be there on the wedding day.

"Diana just took over the West District port. The ceremony would be the perfect chance for her to announce its new tariff rules."

Victor nodded without a second thought.

"Cut the blood oath reading. Leave time for Diana to take the stage and establish her authority."

Diana covered her mouth and laughed softly.

"Oh, how could I? It's Eve's wedding. I can't steal the show, can I?"

Victor gazed at her tenderly.

"What does it matter? The family's interests come first. Don't worry. I'll set up the whole thing for you myself."

The three of them gathered around the long table, eagerly discussing how to lower the West District's new flag and force the other capos into submission.

This was supposed to be my wedding.

Instead, they'd turned it into a grand spectacle to celebrate Diana's rise to power.

And not once had anyone asked whether I agreed.

Luckily, all of it was almost over.

I made an excuse to leave the table and went back to my room to pack my things.

There really wasn't anything to take.

I took only my precision watchmaking tools, the one thing I truly loved.

Suddenly, a deafening roar went up outside.

Then came a volley of celebratory gunfire.

Diana had won the Alliance vice chair position by a landslide.

Diana complained in a coy, almost playful tone.

"But my inauguration is on the same day as the wedding. If I go to North America, no one will come with me.

"It's supposed to be one of the biggest moments of my life, and I'll have no one there to share it with. How depressing!"