Lord Garius sat in his study, the dim light casting long shadows across the ornate wooden desk.Beside him, Francesca sat gracefully, her delicate fingers wrapped around a porcelain teacup. She took a slow, deliberate sip, her eyes half-lidded as she savored the tea and the buttery biscuit she had just nibbled on.
Across from them stood Alf, Erinnete, Hesbeirn, and Rasdingen, their postures rigid yet respectful. The room was silent save for the occasional rustle of paper as Garius flipped through the detailed report in his hands. His sharp eyes scanned the words, lips curling into a faint smirk.
"Hmm… this is true, Erinnete?" Garius finally broke the silence, his voice low and asured, carrying an air of authority that demanded imdiate attention.
Erinette stepped forward slightly, bowing her head. "Yes, my lord. As you predicted, using the alternate route ensured we encountered them. It also allowed us to witness the true potential of your youngest son."
Garius leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening. He glanced briefly at Francesca, who t his gaze with a subtle, knowing smile before returning to her tea. The lord's fingers drumd lightly on the armrest, a sign of his satisfaction.
"I believe… none were left?" Garius asked, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer.
Erinnete nodded firmly. "Yes, my lord. I confird it personally before departing. Our investigation team has already been dispatched to docunt every detail."
"Good," Garius said, his voice carrying a note of finality. He closed the report and set it down on the desk, his gaze shifting to the others in the room.
His smirk lingered. "And?"
Alf t his gaze with calm precision. "The operation was flawless, my lord."
Hesbeirn crossed his arms, his usual easygoing deanor absent. "That boy of yours really played them well. I'd say he's a damn seasoned commander."
Rasdingen, arms behind his back, let out a deep grunt of approval. "Aye. Never thought I'd say this, but that lad's got a good head on his shoulders. Knows his limits. Knows how to win. Smarter than most war-hardened fools I've seen."
Garius's smirk deepened. "Of course."
He leaned back, fingers tapping lightly against the desk. Francesca set her teacup down delicately, her gaze resting on her husband. "You seem quite pleased."
"Why wouldn't I be?" Garius chuckled. "My son not only survived but ensured the total annihilation of our enemies. And from what I see here, he barely lifted a finger."
He gestured at the report before him. "Puppet knights. Mana artillery. Terrain control. Psychological warfare."
His eyes glead. "A perfect combination of intelligence, patience, and execution."
Alf nodded slightly. "He didn't let arrogance cloud his judgnt. He knew his limits and planned ahead."
Garius let out a low hum of approval, but then his smirk faded slightly. "But…"
The room fell silent. Francesca, ever composed, took another sip of tea, waiting for her husband's next words. Garius's fingers stilled.
"He's still young."
A flicker of sothing unreadable passed through his gaze. "And because of that… there will be those who underestimate him. Others who won't take him seriously until it's too late."
His voice dropped slightly. "That… is both an advantage and a danger."
Erinnete's expression remained neutral, but she understood. Javier was strong, brilliant, and dangerous. But in the eyes of the world, he was still just a child. And children were easy to provoke. Easy to use.
Garius exhaled softly, leaning forward again. "We will continue to observe. No interference… for now."
He glanced toward Alf. "But have the house of assassins keep an ear to the ground. If any of the higher nobles take an interest in him after this… I want to know imdiately."
Alf bowed his head. "Understood, my lord."
Hesbeirn grunted. "You expecting trouble?"
Garius smirked. "There's always trouble when an Armand makes a move."
Francesca chuckled softly, setting down her teacup. "Then I suppose it's only a matter of ti before Javier causes another stir."
Erinnete allowed a small, rare smile. "Knowing him, it won't take long."
Garius exhaled through his nose, amused. "That boy… is going to shake this kingdom one day."
And deep down—
He was looking forward to it.
Garius leaned back in his chair, a smirk tugging at his lips. "And did you see his face when we arrived with our Pekkos?" He let out a low chuckle, glancing at Alf, Erinnete, and Hesbeirn. "He was completely shocked."
Erinnete, standing with her usual poise, allowed herself a small smirk. "Yes, my lord. When he saw Silverwind, he simply couldn't believe it. The 'Head of all Armand maids' having her own Pekko?" She shook her head, amusent dancing in her eyes. "He was questioning everything."
Alf, arms crossed, smiled faintly. "It's not every day he learns sothing new about us."
Hesbeirn let out a gruff chuckle. "And he still has no idea just how long we've had them."
Garius exhaled through his nose, amusent sparkling in his gaze. "It's official now. We don't need to hide them anymore." He shifted slightly, giving a subtle nod. "Tell the Mrs. Caretaker to take it easy."
Erinnete raised an eyebrow. "And what of Giddie?"
Garius's smirk widened. "Let him roam freely around the estate as he pleases."
The room fell silent for a beat. Then—
Hesbeirn let out a small whistle. "Heh. I hope the other stable animals don't have a heart attack."
Alf just shook his head, a grin breaking through his facade. Erinnete, anwhile, started ntally preparing for the chaos that would ensue.
And sowhere in the estate, Giddie squawked loudly, clearly relishing his newfound freedom.
"By the way, my lord… here is the result of Young Master Javier's Blessing Ceremony," Erinette said, handing Garius the report.
Garius broke the seal with a flick of his thumb, his smirk widening as he scanned the contents. "So… the color of the crystal?"
Erinnete answered smoothly, her voice calm yet firm. "Several, my lord: white, green, blue, gold, and black."
The room fell silent. Then—
"Hahahahaha!"
Garius's laughter echoed through the study, rich with amusent. He set the report down with a soft thud, shaking his head. "That boy thinks he can fool ?"
Francesca, Erinnete, Alf, Hesbeirn, and Rasdingen all tensed slightly, sensing a shift in the atmosphere. Garius's right eye flickered, its color subtly changing as he scrutinized the report once more. It was a unique ability that had always allowed him to see beyond deception.
His gaze narrowed. "Noble Lord, huh?" He tapped the page lightly with his finger, smirking. "Or… the real class—'Strategic Ruler.'"
The air in the room grew heavier. Francesca elegantly set down her teacup, her expression unreadable. Erinnete remained silent, but her grip on her arm tightened slightly.
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Alf exhaled slowly, his usual calm deanor now unreadable.
Hesbeirn clicked his tongue with irritation.
Rasdingen let out a deep grunt. "Hmph. Knew it."
Garius chuckled once more, amusent never fading. "That boy… really is sothing else."
As Garius reviewed the results of Javier's blessing, the significance of the displayed colors weighed heavily in the air: white for purity and higher thinking, green for growth and healing, blue for calm and communication, gold for wealth and success, and black denoting protection and power.
"Looks like we have much to prepare for with my young boy," Garius said, his smirk returning, excitent shimring in his eyes.
Garius leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly against the report, his smirk never wavering. "Just like how I noticed your real class potential before, huh?"
Alf gave a slight nod, his expression neutral. "Yes, my lord."
Garius chuckled, his right eye flickering with an otherworldly glow before fading back to normal. "This eye… It sees through deception. It reveals the truth—potential, hidden talents, strengths that even the person themselves may not recognize."
He turned his gaze toward Alf, a knowing smirk curling his lips. "Right, Alf?"
Alf's posture remained firm, but a rare hint of nostalgia flickered across his usually calm features. "Yes, my lord."
Hesbeirn let out a gruff laugh. "Heh! Back when our lord was still a child, Alf was nothing more than a house caretaker. Focused on gardening, of all things."
Rasdingen snorted. "Aye. Thought he was just so quiet fool trimming hedges."
Garius's smirk deepened. "And yet, with these eyes… I saw his real talent."
The room fell into a brief silence. Alf's calm gaze remained steady, but sothing flickered in his expression. The past was the past, yet it was because of this eye—because of Lord Garius—that he stood here today.
( End of Chapter )
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