Javier threw his hands up at the empty air.
"Oi, Ari! Aria! We’re not even finished!!"
For a mont, silence. Then Gloria’s body shifted slightly, Aria’s lazy voice slipping out.
"If you want to know, go ask Garius~. I’m going back to sleep. Yaaawn~"
Javier grit his teeth.
"Ugh... you know it’s hard to ask sothing like that with Father, right?"
Instead of sympathy, a soft chuckle drifted into his ears.
"Well..." her voice purred faintly, fading like a dream, "...good luck, handso~."
Javier grit his teeth, jaw tightening in frustration.
Then, his lips curved into a sly smirk.
"Well, whatever. If both of you don’t want to tell , that’s fine. Since I’m growing up and will beco an adult soon, I’ll marry both Liana and Gloria anyway. Ah~ can’t wait for our honeymoon." He let out a low chuckle, eyes half-closed with mischief. "You both said you feel the sa, right? You already know it."
From within, Aria’s soft laugh slipped through, playful and warm.
"Ah... I don’t mind, young lord. Besides, you’re handso~. And if Gloria is happy..." her tone lted into a teasing hum, "...then I’ll be even happier~."
Ceh!" Javier clicked his tongue, glancing at the ground with a crooked grin.
From within Liana, Ari’s gentle voice slipped out, hesitant yet firm.
"Umm... well... and Liana are one now... so... when... umm... you both marry... I... will be ready... for that too."
Liana’s cheeks ward, and Gloria covered her lips with a soft laugh. The two won exchanged knowing glances, perfectly aware of what Javier truly ant.
Aria’s laughter followed soon after, sweet and mischievous.
"You should be lucky, handso~. You can have both Liana and Gloria... and at the sa ti, us too~."
Aria’s teasing voice carried like a bell through Gloria’s lips.
"And you have another four candidates, right? Two catfolk princesses, a dwarven princess... and one very special demon princess who can split into seven with her phantom skill. I really wonder if soone even has the stamina to handle all that~."
Javier let out a low whistle, stuffing his hands behind his head as though completely unbothered.
"Who knows..." he muttered, feigning ignorance, lips tugged into a lazy grin.
Aria humd again, clearly entertained.
"Mm~ pretending you don’t know, huh, handso? Don’t worry, we’ll see soon enough~."
Javier smirked deeper, closing his eyes as if savoring the future.
Ari’s voice trembled shyly at first, though it was still heard through Liana.
"Th-this... this ans you have eight. Including and Aria... so..."
Javier groaned, dragging a palm over his face.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I won’t add more."
Aria cut in with a playful lilting laugh, "Ahn~ but I don’t know if soone has the stamina to handle all eight~."
"Ugh! Enough of that," Javier snapped back, but his smirk gave him away.
Inside his mind.
Oho~ you don’t know at all. Nakamura Junichi has been waiting for this for so long. Just you wait until I get married. Heh.
Inside the Armand estate.
Garius’s private room.
The heavy chair creaked softly as Garius settled into it, one arm resting on the polished armrest, the other lightly pressing the table. His expression was unreadable as usual.
Calm, sharp, but weighed with authority.
Two maids entered in perfect synchrony, heads slightly bowed as they placed the tray with freshly brewed tea on the low table before him. Steam rose from the porcelain cup, carrying the delicate scent of elven mountain leaf.
Alf stood silently to his right, hands clasped behind his back, expression stoic and unflinching.
Erinnette stood to the left, eyes constantly scanning the room despite the safety of its location. Her presence always carried a sense of readiness.
The maids bowed again and left without a sound, softly closing the double doors behind them.
A mont later, a knock ca.
"My lord," ca a respectful voice from behind the door.
"Yes?" Garius answered, not moving, his tone cold and flat.
The guard’s voice followed, calm but clearly aware of the weight of the ssage.
"Gilmon is here, my lord."
Alf’s brow furrowed slightly. Erinnette’s gaze sharpened.
Garius reached for his teacup, brought it to his lips slowly, and took a asured sip.
He set it back down with perfect precision before replying,
"Send him in."
The knock on the door ca again.
"Co in," Garius said firmly.
The heavy door creaked open, revealing a man in a simple outfit.
Gilmon stepped in, stood tall, and gave a polite bow.
"Lord Garius."
Garius gave a slight nod.
"Gilmon... Since the war is over, you are free to return to the Human Kingdom. But given that Edmund is... well, you know."
"I know, Lord Garius," Gilmon replied solemnly, his tone weighed with old guilt and bitter mory.
Garius leaned back, folding his arms.
"Then let give you your next path. Go. Assist and protect the last heir of the Human Kingdom. Princess Kliatana."
Gilmon’s eyes twitched slightly, but he nodded without hesitation.
"This ti," Garius said, voice tightening, "I warn you. Do not repeat the sa mistake you made with Edmund. You knew what he was becoming, and you remained silent until it was too late."
Gilmon’s jaw clenched. "Yes, Lord Garius."
"If you need support, whether logistics, strategy, or protection, you are to co to . Or to Alf, Erinnette, or Hesbeirn. We won’t allow the last heir... the soon-to-be queen... to fall as Edmund did. Never again."
There was a long silence.
Then Gilmon straightened his posture even further.
"I understand. I swear upon my blade. I won’t let history repeat itself. I will protect Princess Kliatana with everything I have."
From the side, Alf finally spoke.
"You better. Because if you don’t... we will."
Erinnette’s eyes narrowed but she said nothing.
Garius finally raised his cup and took another slow sip of tea.
"...Good. Then prepare yourself. You’ll depart with supplies and escorts tomorrow."
Gilmon bowed again, his voice low and respectful.
"Yes, Lord Garius."
Garius’s gaze shifted slightly, his tone steady but firm.
"And the prisoners Javier captured recently, hundreds of them. You will take them back to your kingdom."
Gilmon blinked, then nodded quickly.
"Yes, Lord Garius. And... thank you."
"Mm," Garius exhaled softly, placing his teacup down. "The Armand region does not keep prisoners. You may bring this letter with you, deliver it to your military officers. It will confirm their release under my word."
Gilmon stepped forward, receiving the folded letter from Alf with both hands, bowing again.
"Yes... thank you again. For sparing their lives. For sparing mine."
Garius’s eyes narrowed faintly, his voice sharpening just enough to pierce the air.
"Then make certain, Gilmon, that you do not make another mistake like before."
The forr general’s shoulders stiffened. He bowed deeply, his forehead nearly touching the floor.
"I will not. Never again, Lord Garius."
For a long mont, silence lingered in the private chamber. Erinnette’s eyes followed Gilmon’s retreating form, and Alf stood with arms crossed, expression unreadable.
When the door closed behind Gilmon did Garius lift his cup again, murmuring softly.
"...For his sake, and for his kingdom’s, he had better an those words."
( End Of Chapter )
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