The academy was busy as everyone prepared for the Blessing Ceremony for noble children. Servants and planners rushed around, making sure everything was perfect for the big day.
But there was also another event happening—
A Grand Ball, where every noble student would be introduced to society. Dancing, socializing, and eting people—things that nobles loved and that Javier hated.
anwhile, in his room…
Javier lay on his bed, pale and weak, coughing softly. "Uhuk… uhuk…" He was barely hanging on to consciousness.
"Erinnete… I feel sick…" he whispered, sounding exhausted. "I can't go to the Grand Ball tonight… uhuk… uhuk…"
He reached out weakly, showing he had no energy left. "Can you please tell the school… that I won't be there…?"
"Uhuk… uhuk…!"
There was a short silence.
Then ca a voice—
"Young master, don't pretend now."
Javier flinched and turned his head. It was Mrs. Errinette, standing beside his bed with her arms crossed and an unimpressed look on her face.
Javier closed his eyes again, groaning softly. "I'm not pretending, Errinette… cough cough!!"
His acting was convincing. His pale skin (made pale with a trick), his weak breathing, and his shaky voice were all spot on.
But Errinette saw right through him.
She sighed and put a hand on her hip. "Fine. I'll tell the school about this."
Javier felt a little hope—his plan seed to be working!
But then—
Errinette looked down at him with a smirk. "But make sure you're healthy for the Blessing Ceremony tomorrow."
She said the word "healthy" in a way that made Javier nervous.
He knew he couldn't back down now, though.
"Cough! Cough!" He turned his head away weakly. "I'll… try, Errinette… Sorry for… cough! cough!… the trouble…"
Errinette smirked again and called out, "Liana."
Liana, who had been standing by the door, stepped forward. "Yes, Mrs. Errinette?"
Errinette smiled wider. "Make sure he is taken care of. Don't let him get out of bed."
Liana blinked, understanding the task, and then a slow smile spread across her face. "Understood, Mrs. Errinette."
Javier's body tensed up as he realized he was in trouble.
"W-Wait… Liana…? What do you an by that?"
Liana walked toward him with a calm, slightly creepy smile. "Young master, you must rest. I will make sure you don't leave this bed today."
Just then, Gloria, who was peeking in from the hallway, chuckled softly. "Ara~ how unfortunate, young master."
Javier broke out into a cold sweat.
Outside in the courtyard, Errinette stood calmly, adjusting the reins of Silverwind, her special mount bird, a large, silver-feathered Pekko. Silverwind let out a soft trill as Errinette got ready to leave. The big bird stood tall, its keen eyes watching her.
Before she got on, Errinette turned slightly and called out, "Gloria."
Gloria appeared at the doorway of the house, her usual calm expression in place. "Yes, Mrs. Errinette?"
Errinette smirked. "Make sure our young master is treated carefully."
Gloria bowed gracefully, her warm smile unchanged. "Understood, Mrs. Errinette."
Errinette chuckled, knowing what would happen next.
And right on cue—
"GYAAAHHHHHH!! LIAANAAAAA!!!" Javier's panicked scream echoed through the house, followed by Liana's calm voice. "Young master, please don't move. It's just dicine for your 'fever.'"
Errinette's smirk grew as she mounted Silverwind, the Pekko stepping forward gracefully. She looked back at the house and sighed in amusent.
As soon as Errinette left for school, Javier's panic exploded.
His eyes darted around the room, looking for a way to escape, but Liana and Gloria were already blocking the exits.
"Eeeekkk!! Lianaaaaa!!!" Javier struggled against the blankets, but Liana had tucked them in tightly, making it hard for him to move.
Liana stood beside the bed, tilting her head slightly. "Hmm? What's wrong, young master?" Her voice was calm, but it had a teasing tone.
Gloria, near the table, chuckled softly. "Ara~ young master, why are you struggling? You need to rest, don't you?"
Javier's face twitched. "I'M NOT SICK!" he shouted.
"Oh?" Liana's eyes narrowed. "Then why are you acting like this?"
Javier hesitated and then turned his head away dramatically, pouting. "…I just don't want to go to the Grand Ball."
Liana blinked. "Oh? And why is that?"
Gloria smiled knowingly. "Indeed, young master. You've faced battlefields, assassins, and monsters. Surely, a simple dance event isn't enough to scare you?"
Javier gritted his teeth. "It's because of you two!"
Liana raised an eyebrow, her calm expression unchanged. "Hmm? What do you an, young master?"
Gloria adjusted her glasses, smirking slightly. "Oh my~ now I'm curious. What did we do?"
Javier looked between them, then groaned. "I saw it."
Liana's gaze sharpened. "Saw what?" Discover hidden stories at My Virtual Library Empire
Gloria's smile widened. "Hmm?"
Javier grumbled, looking flustered. "Rember? When Athia clung to , asking to be my dance partner?"
Liana's smile froze a little, and Gloria's eyes showed interest.
Javier, feeling bold, smirked. "Yeah, I saw that look."
Liana blinked innocently. "Hmm? What look?"
She looked calm and neutral, as if she didn't know what Javier ant. Gloria, standing beside her, also smiled elegantly. "Ara~ young master, are you imagining things?"
Javier narrowed his eyes. "Oh?" A mischievous grin appeared on his lips. "So you both don't mind if I'm with other girls?"
For just a second, Liana's smile twitched.
Then—
Pinch!
Both Liana and Gloria pinched his waist at the sa ti, making him squirm.
Javier yelped, flinching. "Ouch! See!? You do mind!"
Liana sighed softly, shaking her head with a small smile.
Javier smirked, looking at Liana. "And Liana?"
Liana tilted her head. "Hmm?"
Then—
"Chuuuu!!!" Javier puckered his lips playfully, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Liana's eyes widened slightly, but then she shook her head with a soft smile. "Haa… honestly, young master."
Without hesitation, she leaned down and kissed him. The warmth between them was gentle and full of affection. It had been a while since they last kissed.
Javier lted slightly, his playful smirk turning into a satisfied grin.
But before he could react further—
Another presence moved beside him.
"Ara~ how unfair, young master." Before Javier could turn, Gloria leaned in and planted a second kiss on his lips.
"Mmph!?" Javier's eyes widened, but Gloria pulled away smoothly, her teasing smile still there.
Liana sighed softly, not very surprised. "Now, now, young master…" Gloria whispered, brushing his hair back gently. "You are 'sick,' right?"
Liana smiled, adjusting his blanket. "Just rest for today."
Javier, still a bit dazed from both kisses, grinned. "Okay!! Ehehehe!"
As he snuggled into bed, completely satisfied, Liana and Gloria exchanged knowing glances. After all, Javier wasn't getting away with this so easily.
Javier let out a soft chuckle, his eyes half-lidded with satisfaction as he lay snug under the covers.
"Ehehe… I love you both…" he murmured, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Liana and Gloria, still standing beside his bed, exchanged warm glances before turning back to him.
"I love you too, young master." Their voices were gentle, filled with genuine warmth.
Javier closed his eyes briefly, feeling completely at ease.
Then—
He suddenly grinned, excitent bubbling inside him. "Can't wait to go back to the Armand region! Ehehehe!"
Liana chuckled softly, brushing his hair back fondly. "We'll be back soon, young master."
Gloria smirked playfully, adjusting his blanket. "But until then, just rest and recover from your terrible illness."
Javier snickered, knowing full well he wasn't fooling them.
But right now? He was exactly where he wanted to be.
( End of Chapter )
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