Armand Region, Armand Estate – The Next Morning
Javier stretched lazily as he woke up. He glanced to his side, noticing the empty space beside him. Liana and Gloria are already up, huh…?
With a sigh, he rolled out of bed and headed to the shower to freshen up. After a quick rinse, he dressed in proper noble attire—simple yet elegant, befitting his status.
Knock, knock.
A familiar, gentle voice ca from the other side of the door. "Young master~"
"Ah, Liana. Co in."
Liana stepped inside, her usual calm smile on her face. "Lord Garius is calling for you."
Javier adjusted his cuffs and nodded. "Oh? Alright, let's go. Where's Gloria?"
"She's already waiting for us with Lord Garius," Liana replied.
"Figures," Javier said with a small chuckle. "Alright then, let's not keep them waiting."
With that, he followed Liana out of the room.
As Javier stepped out of his room, he spotted Marcellus with Lithia, both still looking half-asleep.
"Oh… big brother!" Javier greeted with a smirk.
Marcellus yawned, rubbing his eyes. "Oh? Little brother… It's rare for you to wake up early."
"How can I not? Did you forget what Father said in the dining room last night?"
"Ah… How could I forget?" Marcellus sighed before straightening up and mimicking Lord Garius's stern tone. "Marcellus, Cedric, Javier… All of you should wake up early and et at the main dining room for breakfast."
Javier chuckled. "So… where's Brother Cedric?"
"Huh? That stupid paladin?" Marcellus scoffed. "Probably with ira… and the Amazarak princess."
"Oho~ So things are getting serious, huh?" Javier raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know… It's just that ira keeps hissing at the girl," Marcellus sighed, shaking his head. "Last ti I saw them, both of them were clinging onto Cedric's arms."
"And.... speaking of the idiot paladin, there he is." Marcellus smirked as he spotted Cedric approaching.
"Yo! Little bro!" Marcellus raised an eyebrow teasingly, a sly grin on his face. Lithia, dressed in her usual maid uniform, sighed behind him, clearly used to his antics. Without a word, she walked past Marcellus and stood beside Liana.
Javier, walking with his hands behind his head, grinned slyly and imdiately joined in on the teasing.
"Oho~ Big brother Cedric… looking busy?"
"Shut up…" Cedric groaned, clearly irritated. "It's annoying to see these two already bickering this early in the morning." He pointed toward ira and Zania, both dressed in maid uniforms, locked in an intense staring contest.
ira's tail flicked aggressively, her ears twitching. "Stay away from Cedric."
Zania crossed her arms, unfazed. "I don't see why I should."
Javier and Marcellus exchanged glances before grinning.
"Oh, this is going to be fun," Javier whispered.
Marcellus chuckled. "Breakfast is about to get interesting."
As they all arrived at the dining room, Javier's gaze swept across the table. His half-siblings, Heres, Aelius, and Athine, were already seated. Athine, as always, sat beside Aelius, as if glued to his side.
Why do these two never separate? Javier wondered before shrugging it off. Well… whatever.
Heres, anwhile, was gently rocking a small cradle beside him, babysitting his baby sister.
What caught Javier off guard was the absence of any of the won in the family. His mother, Francesca, as well as his stepmothers, Garcinia, Phenelopie, and Eridith, were nowhere to be seen. Strange… usually at least one of them would be here for breakfast…
Javier took his usual seat at the end of the long table. Liana and Gloria moved with practiced grace, setting his breakfast before him before stepping back to stand behind him—just as the other maids did for their masters.
As expected, Alf and Errinette stood beside Lord Garius, ever vigilant.
Marcellus took his seat, and Lithia quietly prepared his al for him.
Cedric, on the other hand…
Javier smirked as he watched ira and Zania practically elbowing each other, both determined to be the one to serve Cedric his breakfast.
"Ahem."
Lord Garius barely needed to raise his voice, yet the effect was instant.
ira and Zania, who had been subtly competing with each other, imdiately stiffened before swiftly finishing their tasks. They prepared Cedric's al in perfect synchronization—though they both shot each other one last glare—before silently stepping back to stand behind him.
Garius gave a small nod of approval before speaking. "Now, all of you—eat."
"Yes, esteed Father," ca the unified response from his children.
The dining room fell into a comfortable silence as they focused on their als. The only sounds were the clinking of silverware and the occasional sip of tea.
As they ate, Garius observed each of his children carefully, his gaze sharp yet unreadable. After a few minutes, he finally spoke.
"Everyone will follow after breakfast. There is sothing important I will show you all."
Javier raised an eyebrow. That's rare… His father wasn't one to gather them all unless it was sothing truly significant.
"Yes, esteed Father," they all replied in unison, though curiosity flickered in their expressions.
After the al, Lord Garius wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up.
"Now, all of you. Follow ."
Javier, still seated, blinked in confusion. "Umm… where are we going, Esteed Father?"
"Just the hill near the barracks behind the estate."
Javier frowned. "Hmm? What's so important over there?" He pondered for a mont.
As they walked behind their father, Javier couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. His father, Lord Garius, wasn't the type to casually take them anywhere without a reason. And if it involved the barracks, well… the possibilities weren't looking good.
Leaning toward Marcellus, he whispered, "Maybe Father wants to test us in a fight?"
"I don't know!" Marcellus whispered back, looking just as concerned.
Cedric, walking beside them, sighed before muttering under his breath, "Perhaps this is what he ant when he ntioned training?"
Javier wiped his face with his hand, already regretting waking up early. "Maybe this is it…"
All three of them sighed in unison. There was no escape.
anwhile, Athine and Aelius were engaged in their own hushed conversation, clearly discussing the situation. Heres, on the other hand, was just following along, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere.
Behind them, their personal maids—Liana, Gloria, Lithia, ira, and even Zania—followed closely. Liana and Gloria exchanged subtle glances, while ira was still throwing occasional glares at Zania.
Javier didn't know what awaited them at the hill, but one thing was certain—his father had sothing planned, and it probably wouldn't be pleasant.
( End of Chapter )
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