The spilled wine was merely the catalyst. The ensuing chaos at the Volkov dinner was a masterpiece of controlled demolition, orchestrated by Anya's subtle presence. Lady Volkov's furious tirade against her clumsy daughter, Lord Volkov's booming demands for order, and the younger stepsister's barely suppressed giggles created a cacophony of discord. Anya, observing from the periphery, felt a surge of satisfaction. The carefully constructed facade of the Volkov family was cracking, revealing the bitter resentments beneath.
"This is an outrage!" Lord Volkov finally bellowed, his face a mottled purple. "Anya, you will explain yourself! How dare you disrupt this family dinner?!"
Anya met his gaze, her expression calm, almost serene. "Disrupt, Father? I merely arrived. It seems the disruption was already present, merely waiting for a catalyst." Her words, delivered softly, carried a sharp edge that cut through the lingering tension.
Lady Volkov, still fuming, pointed a trembling finger at Anya. "She's bewitched them! She's always been a strange one, a curse upon this house!"
"Indeed, Stepmother," Anya replied, her voice dripping with mock sincerity. "Perhaps the spirits of those you've wronged are finally seeking their due." A subtle, almost imperceptible shiver ran through the room. Anya Volkov's past had been filled with neglect and abuse, and many in the household knew it.
Lord Volkov, for once, seemed at a loss for words. He looked from his enraged wife to his cowering daughter, then back to Anya, who stood there, an enigma of calm defiance. The usual bluster was gone, replaced by a flicker of unease in his eyes.
"Quest: Volkov Family Disruption. Progress: High. Objective: Create significant discord within the Volkov household, leading to a noticeable shift in power dynamics. Reward: 50 System Points, 'Basic Stealth' Skill Book."
The System's notification was a silent cheer. Anya had achieved her objective. She had not only disrupted the dinner but had also exposed the family's dysfunction for all to see. The seeds of doubt and suspicion had been firmly planted.
Suddenly, a new voice cut through the tension. "Perhaps," a calm, measured voice interjected, "we should consider the possibility that Anya is merely… unwell. The stress of her recent… confinement, perhaps?"
All eyes turned to the speaker. It was a distant cousin, a quiet, scholarly man named Elias, who rarely spoke at family gatherings. He was known for his sharp intellect and his detached observation of family politics. He had always shown Anya a modicum of kindness, a rare commodity in the Volkov household.
Lady Volkov scoffed. "Unwell? She's a manipulative little wretch!"
"Or," Elias continued, ignoring her, his gaze fixed on Anya, a flicker of something akin to understanding in his eyes, "perhaps she is simply… growing. People change, after all. Even within the confines of a family." His words were a subtle defense, a quiet challenge to the prevailing narrative.
Anya met his gaze, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. Elias was not a powerful ally in the traditional sense, but his quiet support, his willingness to question the established order, was invaluable. He was an intellectual, a seeker of truth, and Anya knew that such individuals could be swayed by logic and evidence, not just brute force.
Lord Volkov, seizing on Elias's suggestion as a way to regain some semblance of control, cleared his throat. "Yes, yes, perhaps you are right, Elias. Anya, you are excused. Go to your room. We will discuss this… incident… tomorrow."
Anya gave a slight bow, a gesture of deference that was almost imperceptible, then turned and walked out of the dining hall, leaving behind a bewildered and fractured family. She had won this round. The Volkovs were now more divided than ever.
As she made her way back to the abandoned greenhouse, the System chimed again.
"Quest: Volkov Family Disruption. Status: Complete. Reward: 50 System Points, 'Basic Stealth' Skill Book. System Points: 70."
Anya smiled. The first major step in her plan was complete. She had gained System Points, a new skill, and, more importantly, she had begun to sow the seeds of her influence. Elias's unexpected intervention was a bonus, a potential new alliance that she would cultivate carefully. The game had truly begun.
[End of Chapter 11]