anwhile, on the first-floor balcony.
Liana and Gloria leaned against the railing, their eyes searching through the crowd below. Both had expected to find Javier sneaking off sowhere by now, yet instead they caught sight of the scene unfolding at the gates.
"It seems our lord truly has good friends," Liana murmured, her tone calm but touched with amusent.
Gloria adjusted her glasses, her smile serene. "Yes... not only kings as companions, but nobles from the Human Kingdom, and allies from the Beastkin, Elven, and Demon Kingdoms as well. His reach extends farther than most would imagine."
Liana’s eyes shifted toward the carriages, her lips curving into a smirk. "By the look of it... Felicia is here."
"Ara~ not only Felicia," Gloria replied smoothly, her tone almost sing-song. "I’d wager those two brats as well... Mimi and Delya."
"My, I am not worried about those two," Liana said with a quiet laugh. "Even when they tried training under Mrs. Erinnette in the special chamber, they gave up once they reached level seventy. They can’t compare."
Gloria’s eyes glimred with playful mischief. "Yes~ and beyond that, despite being the sa age as young master... their ’assets’ hardly asure to ours." She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, her voice teasing. "But Felicia... she is nearly on your level, Liana."
Still smirking, Liana shook her head lightly. "Even so, she has already lost. I have no reason to worry."
The two shared a quiet laugh together, their tones filled with confidence.
Then Liana’s eyes widened. Her smile faded as she fixed her gaze on the courtyard below.
"Gloria..." she whispered.
"Hm?" Gloria glanced at her, already scanning the crowd for danger. Her mind imdiately went to possible threat. An assassin, a hidden spell, so enemy presence.
Liana’s voice trembled slightly as she asked, "Do you... ever rember seeing young master playing with other friends?"
Gloria froze. Her eyes widened behind her glasses, surprise flashing across her usually serene face. "...No. I don’t think I ever have."
A shadow crossed Liana’s expression, worry etching itself across her face.
"During his ti at the noble school... he rarely spoke to other children. Most of the noble boys never dared to approach him. And those who did..." Her voice grew tight. "They were only from higher houses. They didn’t co to befriend him. They ca to mock him."
Gloria’s serene mask slipped, her features mirroring Liana’s concern.
"Yes... I rember."
Her hand tightened against the balcony railing.
Silence fell between them for a mont as the weight of that realization sank in.
"What have we done?" Liana whispered, her eyes trembling.
"We were supposed to look after him," Liana whispered, her voice trembling. "To make sure he had a good life. To help him... make friends among the nobles."
Her eyes darkened, her hand clutching the railing. "But... what have we done instead?"
Gloria lowered her gaze, her usual serene composure breaking. "...Is it our fault?"
"No... no..." Liana shook her head quickly, though the worry on her face did not fade.
"Gloria."
"Yes?"
Liana’s eyes fird, her tone soft but resolute. "Let’s find young master now. I am certain he is hiding sowhere, watching all of this in silence."
Gloria adjusted her glasses, her lips pressing together before she gave a sharp nod.
"Yes. Let’s go. And this ti..." She exhaled slowly.
"...We will make sure he makes a friend. At least one, when Lord Garius and Lady Mylezra’s wedding cos."
The two shared a determined glance before turning from the balcony, their steps quick and purposeful.
anwhile...
Javier strolled down one of the quieter halls of the estate, humming softly to himself. His steps carried a smug rhythm, his hands folded casually behind his back as though he owned the entire corridor.
Familiar doors ca into view.
He stopped, leaning lightly against one of them. From within ca muffled voices. Low, breathless, and far too telling.
Inside his mind, Javier grinned.
Oho~ so Marcellus is busy with Lithia and Harny, huh?
He smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Alright then...
Lifting his fist, he hamred against the door.
Loud, relentless, far more than necessary.
Without waiting for a response, he darted down the hall like a thief.
"JAVIER!!!"
The roar from behind the door shook the hall, echoing down the corridor.
"Ehehehe!" Javier chuckled to himself as he slowed his pace.
Then, as he turned a corner, he stumbled upon sothing unexpected.
"Oh? Father’s private wine cellar."
His grin stretched slowly across his face as he glanced around, making sure no one was watching.
Alright... ti to take two or three. Tonight, Nakamura Junichi deserves a drink. Yep... an adult night just for myself!
He chuckled under his breath, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
With a quick flick of mana at his fingertips, the lock clicked open. The heavy door creaked as he slipped inside, the cool air of the cellar brushing over him.
Rows of bottles lined the shelves, each one ticulously labeled and stored.
Treasures carefully chosen by Garius over decades.
Javier stord in without hesitation, plucking two of the finest bottles and tucking them neatly into his magic storage. He gave a satisfied nod.
Stepping back out, he pulled the door shut, flicked his magic to lock it again, and dusted off his hands as if nothing had happened.
Now... where should I go?
If I head to the pekko pens, Liana and Gloria will surely find . No chance of peace there.
Hmm... the barracks? No, everyone there would go stiff the mont I show up. Not relaxing at all.
The maid quarters then? Ugh... no. The mont I step in, it’ll be nothing but "Young master this" and "Young master that."
Blergh. I can already imagine Iria and Iziya snapping to attention, shouting "Young master!" like soldiers on parade.
His steps slowed, his expression softening slightly.
Those two really changed after training with Erinnette. Back then, they were just girls I saved from hunger during my noble school days... timid, clinging to each other just to survive. Now? Strict, disciplined, beautiful young won.
Couldn’t believe the difference.
He shook his head faintly, though the smirk returned.
Lucky for , they weren’t permanently assigned as my personal maids. Though... for a few weeks, they did attend . Haa... that was trouble enough.
Still... they have food now. Shelter. And, most importantly, each other. After losing their parents to those damned saints of the Three God Churches, the sa rejects who tried to spark the Noble Coalition.
( End Of Chapter )
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