The captain led the way, guiding Javier and his group through the barracks. The young maids followed closely behind their master, turning heads at every corner. Soldiers paused mid-task, so even dropping what they were holding as they stared in awe. Whispers rippled through the ranks as they tried to admire the maids discreetly, often failing.
A group of soldiers trailed behind, their eyes glued to the elegant procession.
"Did you see them? They're like goddesses!"
"I can't focus, man. They're all so hot and beautiful."
One particularly smug-looking soldier, known as the resident iken, had his eyes fixed on one maid in particular. His confident smirk grew as he tried to play it cool.
anwhile, Liana walked gracefully beside Javier, her calmness making her stand out even more among the maids. Miss Gloria was on the other side, her serene smile barely hiding the sparkle in her eyes as she noticed the soldiers' reactions.
The captain's explained the layout of the barracks. "This here is the training ground, where soldiers hone their combat skills daily. Over there is the armory, fully stocked with the finest weapons and armor..." His voice trailed off as he glanced toward one maid—Cici.
Javier, walking slightly ahead, noticed the captain's distracted looks at Cici. He grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusent.
"Hehehe…Look at him! He's trying so hard to stay professional, but he can't finish his sentences."
The captain coughed, trying to regain his composure. "A-And this… is the barracks' main hall, where soldiers gather for als and announcents."
The soldiers behind barely pretended to listen, their focus entirely on the maids, who walked with practiced grace, seemingly unaware of the attention they were drawing.
Javier leaned closer to Liana, whispering mischievously, "Liana, look at the captain. He's absolutely losing it over Cici. This is gold."
Liana didn't glance at him, her eyes fixed ahead. "Young Master, behave. You're supposed to be learning about the barracks, not stirring trouble."
"I'm not stirring trouble," Javier replied with mock innocence, his grin still wide. "I'm just… observing. That's allowed, right?"
Miss Gloria chuckled softly, her composure never wavering. "Ara, Young Master, you certainly have an eye for details."
"Exactly, Gloria! Soone appreciates my talents."
Liana sighed but didn't say anything, focusing instead on the iken soldier, who seed overly interested in their group. Though she remained calm, her instincts picked up on his lingering looks. Sothing about his deanor made her uneasy, but she couldn't pinpoint why.
The tour continued, with the captain trying to keep the attention on the barracks while Javier enjoyed the unfolding drama with barely concealed glee.
Javier's eyes sparkled with mischief as an idea ca to him.
"Hmmm.. Captain Garrick," he began, dragging out his words "I'm suddenly feeling hungry. Liana, Gloria, can I try the soldiers' al for a change? Just to see how it tastes?"
Liana pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling in exasperation. "Young Master, really? Didn't you just have breakfast not even an hour ago?"
Miss Gloria chuckled softly, her calm tone teasing. "Ara, perhaps our Young Master has developed an insatiable appetite."
Before Javier could respond, Captain Garrick cleared his throat. "If you don't mind eating what we soldiers eat, Young Master, we can prepare sothing." His steady voice wavered slightly as his eyes flicked toward Cici.
Javier noticed the brief exchange. He saw how Garrick's gaze lingered on Cici a bit too long and how Cici, standing slightly behind, seed a little fidgety.
"Heh…" Javier thought, suppressing a smirk. "Look at these two. I knew it. There's sothing going on here."
Javier rembered a mont not long ago when his father had summoned Garrick to the main estate. General Hesbeirn had been there too, and while everyone was busy in Lord Garius's office, Javier had been hiding from Liana after one of his mischievous acts.
From his hiding spot, he had seen it—the subtle exchange between Garrick and Cici. A quick glance across the estate grounds. Nothing obvious, but enough to catch Javier's attention. Since then, he'd noticed Cici occasionally looking toward the back gate of the estate, the one farthest from the main manor.
"Probably hoping to see him," Javier mused, his smirk widening. "How cute."
He couldn't resist. This situation was practically begging for his intervention.
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Turning to Liana and Gloria with an exaggerated innocent expression, he urged, "Co on, let's not waste ti! I bet soldier food is hearty and filling. Right, Captain Garrick?"
Garrick, caught off guard, could only nod stiffly. "Y-Yes, of course, Young Master."
Cici shifted uncomfortably but kept her gaze lowered. Javier noticed the faint blush on her cheeks.
"Oh, this is going to be fun," Javier thought, his mischievous mind racing. "Ti to help these lovebirds out. And maybe have a little entertainnt while I'm at it."
As Captain Garrick led the group to the soldiers' main hall, Javier imdiately sensed a change in atmosphere. When they stepped inside, the soldiers at the rough wooden tables froze, their jaws dropping in surprise.
The sight of a young noble surrounded by the maids from the prestigious Armand household left them speechless. A few clanked their cups down awkwardly, while others peeked through the doors and windows, trying to catch a glimpse of the unexpected visitors.
Javier scanned the room with sharp eyes. So maids chatted among themselves or stood calmly by the walls, while others smiled softly, amused by the soldiers' reactions. Then there was Cici, her gaze lingering discreetly on… soone.
Javier noted that with a sly grin but didn't dwell on it. He had other plans for now.
He took a seat at one of the long tables, deliberately choosing a central spot. The maids clustered around him, with Miss Gloria and Liana standing protectively on either side like loyal sentinels. The rest of the maids ford a neat semicircle behind him.
Javier raised an eyebrow. "Umm… if all of you are here attending , what about yourselves? You're not planning to just stand there the entire ti, are you?"
One maid replied with a polite smile, "We're fine here, Young Master. It's our duty to attend to you."
Javier leaned back in his chair, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "Haaa… You all are going to make look like so spoiled noble who can't eat without being fussed over. Now, now…" He straightened up, flashing a mischievous grin. "All of you, sit down and eat. That's an order."
The maids exchanged hesitant glances, clearly unused to this treatnt during a formal outing. Miss Gloria smiled knowingly, her calm deanor unshaken as she gently gestured for the others to comply. "You heard the Young Master. Please, take a seat."
Liana sighed and muttered under her breath, "You really enjoy disrupting protocol, don't you?"
Javier smirked at her. "It's part of my charm, isn't it?"
Reluctantly, the maids began to sit at the nearby tables, maintaining their grace and composure. The soldiers watched, stunned and unsure how to react to the sudden presence of so many beautiful won in their usually unremarkable ss hall.
Javier clapped his hands together, grinning from ear to ear. "Now, let's see what soldier food is like. Captain Garrick, I trust it's as hearty as you claim?"
The captain nodded stiffly, signaling to the soldiers in charge of the kitchen to bring out the als. Javier leaned back, satisfied as he noticed the unease beginning to fade from the maids' expressions.
"This is how it should be," he thought smugly. "A relaxed al, with everyone enjoying themselves. Even if half the soldiers are probably too nervous to eat properly right now."
Liana leaned in slightly, her voice low and teasing. "Young Master, I think the soldiers are more interested in the company than the al."
Javier chuckled under his breath, glancing at the nearest group of wide-eyed soldiers. "Let them be."
( End of Chapter )
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