The Extra's Rise

The Nightingale family dinner had been scheduled for days, but Aria's engagement announcement gave the gathering additional significance that had everyone arriving with heightened anticipation. Our family's main dining room had been prepared with the kind of attention to detail that marked special occasions—the good china, carefully arranged flowers, and an atmosphere that balanced formality with genuine warmth.

I arrived with Stella, Reika, Rose, and Cecilia, noting how the gathering had grown considerably larger than originally planned. When Cecilia and Rose had learned about the family dinner, both had insisted on attending—though for somewhat different reasons.

"Remember," I said quietly as we approached the front door, "tonight is about Aria's happiness. Whatever else happens, that's the priority."

"Of course, Daddy," Stella replied with the kind of serious attention she brought to all significant matters. "Aunt Aria's engagement is a momentous family development that deserves proper celebration."

"Arthur, darling," Cecilia said with the kind of playful possessiveness that marked her approach to everything, "you act like we'd cause problems at a family dinner. When have I ever been anything but perfectly charming?"

"Would you like that list chronologically or alphabetically?" Rose asked with dry humor, her brown eyes sparkling with amusement at Cecilia's mock indignation.

"Traitor," Cecilia replied without heat, though she moved closer to my arm with the kind of territorial behavior that was both endearing and potentially problematic in family settings.

The front door opened before we could ring the bell, revealing our mother with the kind of welcoming smile that had never changed despite everything I now knew about her true nature. Alice Nightingale appeared exactly as she always had—elegant, warm, radiating maternal affection that made coming home feel like stepping into safety.

"Arthur, darling," she said, embracing me with genuine happiness. "And my beautiful granddaughter Stella. Girls, you all look lovely."

"Mrs. Nightingale," Reika said with respectful warmth. "Thank you for including us in tonight's celebration."

"Thank you for having us, Mrs. Nightingale," Rose added with genuine warmth.

"Mother," Cecilia said with the kind of familiarity that only she could get away with, "thank you for having us. Though I do hope Arthur's been properly behaved during family time."

"When is he ever anything but?" our mother replied with obvious amusement, though I caught the knowing look she gave me that suggested she was perfectly aware of the complex dynamics involved in managing multiple fiancées.

We were led into the main sitting area where the rest of the family had already gathered. Douglas sat in his favorite chair, looking every inch the successful patriarch despite the knowing gleam in his eyes that suggested he was perfectly aware of tonight's significance. Aria paced near the windows with barely contained excitement, while Marcus stood beside her looking like someone who was trying very hard not to appear nervous.

"Arthur!" Aria called out the moment she saw me, her face lighting up with genuine happiness before her gaze shifted to my companions. "And the entire entourage. Perfect timing."

"Entourage?" Cecilia repeated with raised eyebrows. "I prefer 'distinguished guests.'"

"I prefer 'family,'" Rose said quietly, settling into comfortable seating with the kind of grace that spoke to years of formal training.

"All of the above," I said diplomatically, noting how Marcus's nervousness had increased considerably upon realizing that tonight's dinner included not just the Nightingale family but also a duke's daughter and the Empire's princess.

Aria shot me a look that carried both affection and mild exasperation. "You could have warned me we were having a state dinner instead of a family announcement."

"Sorry," I replied with genuine contrition. "Everyone wanted to be here for your good news."

"What good news?" Cecilia asked with the kind of immediate attention that suggested she was always alert for interesting developments.

Marcus cleared his throat with visible nervousness, clearly realizing that his audience had grown considerably larger and more politically significant than originally planned. "Your Highness, Lady Rose, everyone—Aria and I wanted you all to hear this together."

He took Aria's hand with visible affection, and I could see her squeeze his fingers encouragingly. Whatever nervousness he was feeling, her support was clearly providing the confidence he needed.

"Aria has agreed to marry me," he said with growing steadiness. "We're engaged."

The explosion of reaction was immediate and exactly what Aria had been hoping for. Our mother gasped with delight, Douglas broke into a genuine smile, and Stella clapped her hands with precise enthusiasm.

"Marcus!" our mother exclaimed, rising to embrace him with immediate acceptance. "Welcome to the family, officially this time."

"Congratulations," Rose said with warm sincerity, her formal manner softening into genuine happiness. "Aria, you look radiant."

"About time," Cecilia added with characteristic directness, though her smile took any sting out of the words. "You two have been circling each other for years."

"Thank you," Marcus replied with obvious relief, clearly grateful that the announcement had been received so positively despite the expanded audience.

"You'd better take good care of her," I said with mock menace that carried undertones of very real protectiveness. "Because I know where you live."

"Arthur," Aria said with exasperated affection, "stop terrorizing my fiancé in front of the princess."

"I'm not terrorizing anyone," I replied with injured innocence. "I'm simply establishing clear expectations."

"Your protective instincts are showing again, darling," Cecilia said with obvious amusement, her crimson eyes sparkling with the kind of mischief that suggested she was enjoying the family dynamics.

"They're supposed to show," Reika said quietly, her violet eyes warm with understanding. "It's what good brothers do."

As dinner was served and the conversation shifted toward lighter topics, I found myself observing the complex social dynamics that had developed. Marcus gradually relaxed as it became obvious that acceptance into the Nightingale family was genuine, though he remained somewhat awed by the presence of imperial royalty and ducal nobility at what he'd expected to be a simple family dinner.

Cecilia, predictably, had positioned herself to my right with the kind of casual possessiveness that made her territorial nature clear without being overtly inappropriate for family settings. Rose had taken the seat across from us, her more reserved nature allowing her to observe and participate without competing for attention.

Reika remained close enough that her presence felt like a constant source of warmth, her devoted attention providing stability in what could have become a complicated social situation.

"Have you set a date?" our mother asked with practical enthusiasm.

"Spring," Aria replied with obvious happiness. "We want enough time to plan properly, but not so long that we have to wait forever."

"Spring weddings are lovely," Rose said with quiet authority. "The symbolism of new beginnings, gardens coming back to life. Perfect timing."

"Though you'll need to consider security arrangements," Cecilia added with the kind of practical awareness that came from growing up in politically significant family. "Family events involving Arthur tend to attract... attention."

The table fell silent as everyone processed the implications. It was easy to forget, during these normal family moments, that my public status created complications for people I cared about.

"We'll handle whatever security is needed," I said with firm authority. "Aria's wedding day should be about her happiness, not managing external pressures."

"The imperial security services can provide discrete protection," Cecilia offered with the kind of casual authority that reminded everyone present exactly who she was. "Consider it a wedding gift."

"That's incredibly generous," Marcus said with obvious amazement, clearly still processing that he was receiving offers of imperial protection for his wedding.

"Family takes care of family," Cecilia replied with a smile that was both warm and faintly predatory. "And Arthur's family is my family."

"Our family," Rose corrected gently, though her tone carried steel that suggested she wouldn't accept any attempt to exclude her from that categorization.

"Of course," Cecilia agreed with the kind of gracious acceptance that didn't quite hide her competitive nature. "All of us."

As the evening continued and conversation shifted toward wedding planning and family memories, I reflected on how much more complex these gatherings had become as my personal relationships evolved. Managing the dynamics between multiple fiancées who all cared deeply about being included in family events required diplomatic skills that hadn't been covered in any heroic training.

"Uncle Marcus," Stella said at one point, using the family title with careful precision, "have you considered the logistical implications of coordinating a wedding that will likely attract significant public attention?"

Marcus blinked with surprise at the question's sophistication. "Public attention?"

"Arthur is the Second Hero," Stella explained patiently. "Family events involving him generate media interest and security considerations."

"Nothing dramatic," our mother assured him with the kind of calm that suggested she'd dealt with similar considerations before. "Just normal precautions when prominent families gather."

"I don't want my wedding to become a political event," Aria said with growing concern.

"It won't," I said with absolute certainty. "Whatever arrangements need to be made, we'll handle them quietly. Your wedding day will be exactly what you want it to be."

"Promise?" she asked with vulnerable trust that reminded me she was still my little sister, regardless of her adult confidence.

"Promise," I confirmed without hesitation.

"We'll make sure of it," Cecilia added with the kind of authority that reminded everyone she commanded significant resources. "Between imperial security, ducal connections, and Arthur's legendary status, your wedding will be perfectly protected and completely focused on your happiness."

"Exactly," Rose agreed with quiet conviction. "This is what family does for each other."

As the dinner wound down and good-byes were exchanged, I found myself appreciating how my chosen family had embraced my blood family so completely. Despite the potential for jealousy or competition, all three of my fiancées had focused entirely on ensuring Aria felt supported and celebrated.