The two transport drones glided down smoothly, their runes dimming as they settled onto the wide courtyard of the Armand estate. Soldiers and maids were already lined up in formation, their discipline flawless under the evening sky.
The first to descend was the dwarven queen.
Elegant, poised, her smile serene. In her hand, she dragged a bound and gagged Gumarak across the ramp like a sack of grain. His wrists were tied with enchanted rope, his mouth stuffed with a thick cloth that muffled his shouts.
"Mmpphh!! Mmphhh!!" Gumarak protested, thrashing in vain.
"My, my, dear husband," the queen said sweetly, her tone sharp enough to cut steel.
"You are about to et your two other best friends. At least act like a real king, won’t you?"
"MMMPHH!!!"
She tilted her head, pretending to listen. "Oh? What’s that? You’re excited?"
"Mmphhh!! MMmmphh!!" Gumarak shook his head furiously, his beard bristling as he stomped his boots against the ground.
"My, my," she laughed softly behind her fan, pulling him along without the slightest pause in her stride.
"So eager you can’t even wait to speak properly. How adorable."
At the sight, the soldiers tried hard not to laugh. A few maids hid their smiles behind lowered heads.
Javier straightened as the familiar trio walked toward him.
His father, Lord Garius, flanked by Mrs. Erinnette on his left and Mr. Alf on his right. Their presence made every guard and maid stand straighter.
"Alright... my job is finished. Ti to let Father handle the ss," Javier thought, relaxing his shoulders.
Garius stopped in front of the dwarven queen, his hands calmly folded behind his back. His gaze fell on Gumarak, bound, gagged, and struggling like a big child. He breathed out softly.
He looked at the queen. "Must you do this to Gumarak, Ferya?"
The queen smiled calmly, tilting her head a little.
"My, my ~ since this husband of mine kept trying to run, I had no choice, Garius."
"Mmphhh!!" Gumarak protested, shaking his head and stamping his feet on the stone.
"See?" Ferya’s smile never wavered as she gave Gumarak a tug, her voice smooth and refined.
"Even now, he resists. Truly hopeless without restraint."
Garius closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with the calm authority of command.
"Very well. But now that he is here... release him. We are in Armand, and he is still a king. Let him walk with his dignity intact."
For the first ti, Ferya’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. "As you say, Garius."
She flicked her wrist, and the enchanted ropes fell away. Gumarak ripped the gag free, his beard bristling as he gasped for breath.
"Bah! That witch tried to sha in front o’ everyone!" he roared.
Ferya’s eyes glittered, her smile unshaken.
"My dear husband ~ if you did not act like a child, I would not need to treat you like one."
"Now, if you all please... let us head to the grand hall," Garius said evenly, though a sly smirk showed his mood.
"Or should I use the more polished tone for royal etings?"
Ferya’s chuckle was soft and lodic. "My, naughty as always. No need to be formal with , you know?"
Beside her, Gumarak averted his eyes.
He dared not et Garius’s gaze.
This sly fox... still serious as ever, he thought with a shiver.
Garius sighed and stepped forward. "Let’s go, Gumarak."
"Bah! Don’t wanna!" Gumarak barked suddenly, stamping his boots. His eyes narrowed with defiance.
"I know that loud lion and demon are inside waiting! Not dragging in there, Garius!"
And with that, he bolted.
"Bwahaha! You can’t catch , Garius!" he roared over his shoulder, surprisingly fast for a dwarf of his size, weaving through startled guards like a mischievous child escaping chores.
The courtyard rippled with muffled laughter. Garius pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling heavily.
"...Never mind Gumarak. Let him run. He will tire himself out soon enough."
He turned back to Ferya and the rest, the queen’s attendants, royal advisors, and guards all standing stiff with their heads bowed.
"Let us head to the party."
As they began walking toward the estate, Garius’s eyes fell on the finely featured man walking just behind the queen. His steps were steady, posture regal, and his resemblance to Ferya unmistakable.
"Oh?" Garius’s brow arched faintly. "Ferya? Your eldest son?"
"Yes," the queen replied gracefully.
"He is the one who will take over when Gumarak finally steps down."
"Hm." Garius’s smirk returned.
"That is... if Gumarak ever chooses to step down."
Ferya’s serene smile never faltered, though her eyes softened knowingly.
"My, my. You may not be wrong."
Garius stopped in the middle of his step, his eyes narrowing slightly at the sight ahead. His youngest son stood in the courtyard, surrounded on all sides by his so-called "future wives."
Liana and Gloria were on either side, their sharp glares locked on Felicia, Mimi, and Delya. And now Ferine, who had slipped into the circle as well, making the chaos even heavier.
Javier was being tugged and pulled by all of them in turn.
"Javier."
The single word, spoken with calm weight, cut through the courtyard like a blade.
Javier imdiately straightened his back, smoothing his expression into perfect politeness.
"Yes, Esteem Father."
The effect was instant. Liana, Gloria, Felicia, Mimi, Delya, and Ferine all froze, stiffening in place. Their hands slipped from Javier’s sleeves, their glares subdued, their lips pressed into polite lines as they lowered their gazes.
Garius’s gaze lingered on them a mont, then returned to his son.
"At least go eat sothing at the grand hall. And...at the very least....introduce yourself properly to the future kings. Lioness’s sons, Veldrac’s sons. They are waiting."
"Yes, Esteem Father." Javier bowed his head slightly, his voice polite.
Inside his mind he groaned.
Ugh! The first problem isn’t even settled yet.
Liana and the others are still ready to bite each other’s throats, and now Father wants to introduce myself to Veldrac’s sons and Lioness’s sons? Perfect. Just perfect.
But if I don’t do it... then it’s law and rules, lecture after lecture. Not just from Father, but from Alf too. And that old butler loves it. It’s like his hobby, teaching manners over and over again.
Alf, standing quietly at Garius’s side, caught Javier’s glance and, almost like reading his thoughts, nodded slightly with a trace of a smile at his lips.
See? Exactly that look! Like he can’t wait to correct if I slip even once.
He exhaled softly, stepping forward. His voice ca out calm and respectful
"As you command, Esteem Father."
Behind him, the harem followed in silence, each girl still stiff under Garius’s presence. Yet their eyes flicked toward each other.
( End Of Chapter )
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