Javier turned back to his docunt, pretending not to hear what they were saying, though a bead of sweat trickled down his temple.
"Ah, Varrick, this docunt... we need to properly assess this first."
Varrick glanced up from his paperwork. "Yes, Your Highness?"
Javier extended the paperwork, and Varrick took it.
"Oh, this one, Your Highness. This section and this one..." Varrick explained professionally, pointing to specific lines with a subtle tone. "...the budget allocation here could be optimized. The proposed expenditure for ceremonial decorations seems disproportionate to the actual necessity, given the existing infrastructure."
"Ara~ First wife." Gloria leaned in and whispered toward Liana. "Looks like soone is pretending not to know what we’re talking about."
"Yes, second wife. He really is quite skilled at selective hearing when it’s convenient for him~"
anwhile, in Francesca’s study room.
Francesca had just finished explaining the basics of intimacy to Mimi in a gentle, subtle way, emphasizing communication, trust, and how to take initiative when the ti felt right.
"Really, nya!?" Mimi’s ears perked up in excitent as she leaned closer to Francesca.
"Yes~" Francesca patted her lap, and Mimi eagerly sat down, leaning back against her. Francesca gently caressed her head, making Mimi pur softly in contentnt. "Just rember, communication and comfort are the most important things."
"Thank you, Mother-in-law! Ehehe."
"Don’t worry about it. But rember... the first ti will be a little painful~ But after that, I’m sure you’re going to love it."
"Ehehehe~ I’ll try it, Mother-in-law!"
Francesca continued to gently stroke Mimi’s hair, her fingers tracing the base of her ear. Mimi’s purring grew a little louder, a deep, rumbling sound of pure contentnt.
"You know," Francesca began, her voice soft and nostalgic, "when your mother and I were young, we used to talk about the future. We dread about the kind of partners we’d find, the families we’d build."
Mimi tilted her head back to look up at Francesca, her golden eyes wide with curiosity. "Nya? You and Mama are close?"
"Yes~ We are very close. Even your father and my husband are best friends, you know~" Francesca smiled, a fond expression touching her lips.
Mimi snuggled closer, nuzzling Francesca’s shoulder. "Mama always said you were the smartest and kindest person she knew, nya. She said if I ever had questions about... about human things... or noble things... I should ask you."
Francesca chuckled, a warm, rich sound. "Did she now? I’m glad her trust in extends to this as well." She gave Mimi a gentle squeeze. "It’s an honor, little one. To guide not just my son’s wife, but the daughter of my dearest friend."
She paused, her expression turning gently serious.
"Your mother entrusted you to this family, and to my son. That is a bond deeper than any treaty. You are not just Honey bun fiancée, you are my daughter now, just as much as Liana or Gloria. This ho is yours. And if that foolish boy ever makes you doubt that for even a second, you co straight to . Understood?"
"Nya? Husband never hurt ~ ehehehe~"
Francesca smiled as Mimi tilted her head to look at her. "Now, go call every one of your co-wives~ Especially Liana. Tell them their mother-in-law is calling."
"Nya?" Mimi tilted her head cutely, her ears twitching with curiosity. "What for, Mother-in-law?"
Francesca smiled gently. "We’re going to continue what we started earlier. About the special advanced-tier skill book, rember?"
"Eh?" Mimi’s ears perked up, her eyes widening. "The owner of this book is Liana? Or Gloria?"
Francesca chuckled softly and shook her head. "No~ I’ll call the author once you bring all of them here."
"Eh? I thought Mother-in-law was going to show now, nya~" Mimi pouted her lips, glancing up at her with big, pleading eyes.
Francesca chuckled softly and caressed her head. "No... I have to be fair. Since Liana has been with us for so long, and the others are just as important, it’s only right they’re included."
"Mm~... okay, nya~" Mimi smiled before standing up. She gave a little hop off Francesca’s lap, smoothed her skirt, and adjusted the ribbon in her hair with a cheerful bounce. "I’ll go get them right away, nya!"
After Mimi headed out of the room, Francesca smiled, her fingers gently tracing the intricate, glowing runes on the cover of the massive skill book. The jewel at its center pulsed with a soft, warm light, responding to her touch.
"Looks like you’ll be serving another five chosen girls, right? You don’t mind, do you?"
A soft, lodic voice, like chis in a gentle breeze, responded from the book.
"O, Light of the World, you honor with your presence. Every word inscribed upon my pages is a pale echo of your voice. To hear it truly is a blessing this humble servant could never have dread of. To serve is my sole purpose, Radiant One. To be held by hands you have blessed, to whisper the secrets you have entrusted to into the ears of those you have chosen... it is the highest honor. Five more, five hundred more, my bindings would never tire. Their triumphs shall be verses in an endless hymn, composed in their hearts and recorded in my pages. I exist only to reflect your will."
"Oh, hush, Serena~" Francesca chuckled softly, her tone warm and familiar. "You don’t need to call that."
"I cannot, Radiant One," the voice replied, its tone gentle but unwavering in its respect. "To address you with anything less than the title that reflects your true nature would be a profound discourtesy. You are the Luminescence, the Guiding Star, the First and Final Word. This humble to exists only by your grace and for your will. Please forgive this humble vessel its devotion."
Francesca smiled, her hand hovering above the to’s cover. A soft, golden luminescence emanated from her palm, weaving into the ancient runes and causing the central jewel to flare with a gentle, radiant light.
"There," she murmured. "A piece of goes with you. As it always does."
The to’s voice trembled with reverence. "I am unworthy of such grace..."
"You’re my friend, Serena. That’s the only worthiness that matters." Francesca smiled and gently stroked the cover of the book, her touch as tender as if it were a living being.
"Forgive for my presumption, Radiant One... but do these five girls possess a talent akin to the Eyes of Truth user?"
Francesca smiled warmly. "No~ They are each unique, with their own strengths and affinities. I would like you to assess them yourself. Show them only the skills they are ant to learn, the ones that resonate with their hearts and potential. Guide them gently, as you have always done."
( End Of Chapter )
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