Arthur stood before the man who had been a steadfast figure in his life, and without thinking, he called out, "Alfred!"
The familiar face belonged to Alfred, the devoted butler of the Osborn family.
Having served Arthur's father with unwavering loyalty until his passing, Alfred now dedicated himself entirely to caring for and preserving the family's legacy.
"Master Arthur," Alfred replied in his deep, resonant voice, fixing him with a steady gaze that seemed to see right through him.
"If you hadn't emerged from your room soon, I would have had to summon the Second Master."
The mere mention of Nathaniel, Arthur's strict yet caring second uncle, stirred a mix of affection and apprehension within him.
Nathaniel had always shown fondness during Arthur's childhood; however, that affection was wrapped in firm discipline, a blend that demanded respect.
Arthur managed an awkward smile as he scratched the back of his neck. "I'm fine, Alfred.
Just dealing with some annoying matters at the company lately. So I drank a bottle or two to unwind. Could you please ask the staff to tidy up my room?"
"Of course, Master Arthur," Alfred nodded before retreating down the hall to fulfill his request.
As Arthur made his way toward the dining hall, he slowed upon catching sight of what awaited him.
In the grandeur of the Osborn estate's luxurious breakfast room lay an extravagant spread that could rival any royal banquet.
A long marble table gleamed like glass under golden rays of morning sunlight streaming through stained glass windows.
The warm glow bathed everything in an almost sacred light, crystal glassware sparkled alongside gleaming cutlery and intricately embroidered linen napkins adorned with fresh arrangements of exotic flowers.
But it was the food that truly stole his breath away.
Truffle-infused scrambled eggs topped with black truffle shavings and caviar sat elegantly on toasted brioche.
A smoked salmon platter featured wild-caught salmon from Aquarion paired with dollops of silky crème fraîche and miniature blinis.
Cold-pressed juices made from exotic fruits like dragon fruit and golden kiwi glistened enticingly in tall glasses garnished with edible gold flakes.
Freshly baked artisan breads, some crusted with seeds while others swirled with fragrant herbs, were perfectly complemented by whipped truffle butter exuding an irresistible aroma.
For a moment, Arthur stood speechless.
"Damn! Is this how rich people eat breakfast?" he muttered under his breath, unable to hide his astonishment.
To anyone outside looking in, this display screamed wealth and power, a stark contrast to their current financial struggles as a family teetering on bankruptcy.
He inhaled deeply; fragrant aromas danced around him as his stomach growled in agreement.
Memories from his previous life as an overworked corporate drone flooded back: instant noodles and vending machine coffee filled those days. This feast felt like heaven on earth!
Taking a deep breath, Arthur strode confidently to the head of the table,his rightful place.
As he settled into his seat, the servants moved with remarkable grace, plating his food and pouring juice into a sparkling crystal goblet.
Without a second thought, he dove in, etiquette be damned.
Each bite was an explosion of flavor that danced on his tongue, nothing like he had ever tasted before!
The staff exchanged amused glances until one servant chuckled softly. "Master Arthur! Slow down; the food won't run away!"
With a playful grin and another mouthful, Arthur waved her off. "I haven't eaten in three days! This is amazing!"
"Then eat more!" she encouraged, gesturing for additional dishes to be brought to the table.
Midway through a particularly decadent bite of salmon, Arthur glanced up and asked, "By the way, where is everyone?"
The servant straightened with respect. "All of them are out, Master. The First, Second, and Third Masters left early this morning to gather more cash flow. The First and Second Misses are managing company matters. The rest of the family is either at school or out seeking opportunities to help keep us afloat."
Arthur paused, fork hovering mid-air.
A wave of unexpected emotion washed over him.
So they weren't just relying on him after all; the entire family had mobilized! Everyone, regardless of age or status, was doing their part to preserve their legacy.
He'd once assumed they were idle or disillusioned but realized now they were working tirelessly behind the scenes.
A lump formed in his throat.
This was the kind of family he had only dreamed about in his previous life, a family that stood together during tough times, fiercely loyal to each other.
He clenched his fist under the table.
I won't let them down again!
"Master, are you okay?" the servant asked gently, noticing his sudden silence.
Arthur blinked and quickly flashed a smile. "Yeah! Just thinking."
"What about my brother and sister? Where are they?" he inquired after a moment's pause.
"Master Billy is still at university," she replied. "And Young Miss Elizabeth just left for class."
Arthur nodded slowly as memories flooded back.
Collins was finishing up his final year at university while Emma was still in middle school but throwing herself into studies that would one day support their family's operations.
Both were grieving yet pushing forward with determination.
Once breakfast was finished, Arthur rose from his seat and made his way to the garage.
What greeted him there nearly made his jaw drop!
A sleek supercar rested like a metallic panther waiting for its master, the Aether GT, with golden trims gleaming under overhead lights.
Emerald-green highlights traced its contours like whispers of luxury accentuating every inch of its aerodynamic perfection.
"Damn! What a beautiful car!" Arthur exclaimed breathlessly as excitement sparkled in his eyes.
No Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Bugatti from his past could even begin to compare.
This beast was in a league of its own.
He remembered the jaw-dropping price tag: 10 million Unicreds for this particular model, with only 200 made each year, most of them snatched up by the elite of Aurelia.
Can you imagine begging your dad for a whole year just to get behind the wheel of this beauty? That's exactly what Arthur did, and when he finally received it as a birthday gift at eighteen, it felt like a dream come true.
There was a time when they considered selling it to save the family company, but no buyer could match its true worth. Now? Selling it wasn't even on the table.
With a grin spreading across his face, Arthur gently opened the butterfly doors.
The car responded like a loyal steed ready for action, its interior glowing with sleek, next-gen tech that seemed almost alive.
As he settled into the plush driver's seat and placed his hands on the wheel, anticipation surged through him.
With one press of the ignition, the engine roared to life, a low growl that hinted at untamed power waiting to be unleashed.
The moment he pulled out of the garage, the Aether GT transformed into a silver-blue blur, effortlessly slicing through Neo-Luminara's streets.
Heads turned and eyes followed; in that instant, it wasn't just a man driving a car, it was royalty on wheels.
Arthur was not merely cruising; he was claiming his kingdom.