Cedric let out a sigh and stepped forward, rushing toward ira with a gentle smile.
He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Aw~ co on, ira… don't sulk."
ira turned her head away, her ears twitching. "Hmph!"
Her tail flicked aggressively, showing her displeasure.
Cedric recognized this behavior all too well.
Suddenly, soft arms wrapped around his arm.
Cedric stiffened.
Slowly, he turned his head.
Zania.
Despite her bruised face, the sore spots on her skin, and the pain she had just endured—she was smiling.
Not just any smile.
A dreamy, lovestruck smile.
Her eyes shimred as she pressed herself against Cedric, her grip on his arm tightening.
She looked at him like he was her entire world.
Like she had already decided her fate.
Like she had fallen—completely, utterly, hopelessly.
Cedric felt a sudden headache creeping in.
Javier, Liana, and Gloria, watching from the side, had completely different reactions.
ira was furious.
Her tail fluffed up, and her eyes narrowed.
Her grip on her fists tightened.
"Oh? What's happening here?"
A deep, authoritative voice cut through the air.
Everyone froze.
Javier imdiately straightened up. "A-Ah! Esteed Father!" he stamred.
Liana and Gloria, who had been smirking a mont ago, imdiately lowered their heads and bowed gracefully.
ira, who had been sulking and ready to attack again, snapped to attention. Her tail flattened, and she quickly bowed, her expression shifting to one of professionalism.
Cedric?
He was stamring so hard he forgot how to breathe.
Zania, still clinging to his arm, looked up in confusion. But when she saw Garius's piercing gaze studying her, she felt a cold chill run down her spine.
Garius silently observed the situation—the grill, the scattered food, his flustered second son, the furious catmaid, and… the bruised Amazarak princess.
He let out a long, exhausted sigh.
His sharp eyes settled on Zania.
"Erinette."
A calm, composed voice responded instantly. "Yes, my lord?"
Garius didn't even look at her. "Heal her, please."
"As you wish, my lord."
From behind him, Erinette stepped forward.
Liana and Gloria instinctively moved aside, showing their respect.
Without hesitation, Erinette raised a single hand, activating her healing magic.
A warm, gentle glow enveloped Zania's body.
The bruises slowly faded. The soreness in her limbs vanished. The burning pain lted away, replaced with a comforting warmth.
Zania's breath steadied.
She looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers in amazent.
Erinette finished the spell, lowering her hand gracefully.
She then turned her sharp gaze toward ira.
"ira. Do I need to discipline you for overdoing it?" her voice was smooth yet heavy.
ira flinched.
"N-No, Mrs. Erinette!" she quickly replied, standing perfectly straight. "It won't happen again!"
Erinette's gaze lingered for a mont before she nodded. "Good."
anwhile—
Garius crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing.
"Now."
His gaze shifted to his stamring second son.
"Cedric."
Garius stood tall, his sharp golden eyes scanning the scene before him.
Then, with an unreadable expression, he spoke.
"So… mind explaining what happened?"
Silence.
Cedric tensed. "Err… umm…" he stamred, struggling to find words.
Javier's eyes darted around.
He didn't like this kind of trouble.
Assassins? No problem.
Intruders? A piece of cake.
But their father?
No way.
That was a whole different battlefield.
He stayed quiet, hoping Cedric would handle it.
But before Cedric could even attempt an explanation—
Zania moved.
Still clinging to Cedric's arm, she suddenly bowed.
And then—
"I love him."
Silence.
Javier choked on air.
ira's ears twitched violently, but she didn't dare move because Lord Garius was present.
Liana and Gloria, now standing behind Javier, grinned slightly, no longer hiding their amusent.
Alf and Erinette?
Completely calm.
As if this kind of absurd situation was nothing new.
Garius remained silent for a mont, studying Zania carefully.
Then—he smirked.
"Are you sure?"
His voice was smooth and patient, yet carried an unmistakable weight.
Zania tightened her grip on Cedric's arm.
"Y-Yes…" she answered, her voice small but firm.
She didn't dare look directly into Garius's eyes.
Because she knew—if she did, she might break.
Garius exhaled slowly, his golden eyes flickering with amusent.
Then, with his usual calm authority, he spoke.
"Hmm… we'll talk about this later."
Cedric visibly relaxed. Javier did too.
"Now, Amazarak princess."
Zania imdiately tensed. "Y-Yes…?"
Garius's gaze sharpened slightly. "There's soone who wants to et you."
Zania instinctively tightened her fingers around Cedric's arm.
She wanted to ask who—but didn't dare.
Garius then shifted his attention.
"And ira."
ira flinched slightly. "Y-Yes, my lord…?"
His expression didn't change.
"Don't be too reckless next ti."
ira imdiately lowered her head. "Understood, my lord."
Javier let out a small breath of relief.
Zania followed silently, her footsteps light as she walked behind Garius.
On either side, Erinette and Alf moved with their usual grace—silent, disciplined, unreadable.
The atmosphere felt heavy.
Her heart pounded.
Who… was waiting for her?
They entered the grand hall, where towering ceilings and polished floors reflected the soft glow of the chandelier.
Garius moved toward the grand chair at the center and sat down with effortless authority.
Imdiately, the household maids appeared, moving with flawless coordination to prepare his wine and set out food before him.
Zania stood still.
Her eyes flickered toward Alf and Erinette, who remained by Garius's side, standing like silent sentinels.
She swallowed nervously.
Then—
The grand doors opened.
A voice rang out, trembling with emotion.
"Princess!!"
Zania's breath hitched.
Her eyes widened.
"Mrs. Julana?"
"Princess!!"
A figure rushed toward her, arms outstretched.
Before she could react—warmth.
Mrs. Julana embraced her tightly, holding her like a mother reunited with her lost child.
Her shoulders trembled, and her voice shook.
Tears fell freely as she held Zania close, unable to contain her emotions.
"Princess…! I thought—I thought I lost you forever…!"
Zania stiffened.
She had never seen her like this before.
Mrs. Julana, always composed and strong, was crying.
Because of her.
Zania slowly lifted her arms, hesitating, then returned the embrace.
anwhile, standing a bit further back—
A halfling girl stood quietly, her small fra almost hidden behind the tall Armand guards beside her.
Her gaze flickered with relief—but also uncertainty.
At that mont, heavy footsteps approached.
Hesbeirn, with his massive greatsword resting on his back, strode forward with confidence and stopped near Garius.
He glanced at the scene before lowering his head slightly in respect.
Then, his deep voice rumbled.
"My lord. All precautions have been taken."
Garius nodded once, sipping his wine.
His eyes glead with quiet calculation as he watched everything unfold.
( End of Chapter )
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