Once they stepped through the towering doors of the grand hall, a wave of noise and warmth washed over Javier.
His eyes wandered over the long banquet tables.
The food had already been refilled.
New dishes, steaming and colorful, lined every tray. Despite the fact that the feast had been going since after afternoon till now, the chefs were still giving their all.
Javier’s gaze lingered on their faces in the distance. Even from here, he could feel it.
The satisfaction in their smiles as guests devoured every dish. Plates were never left half-finished, not a single scrap wasted. Every platter ca back to the kitchen spotless.
No wonder every chef in Armand had been excited tonight.
Inside, Javier thought wryly.
If we won’t leave tomorrow... maybe I should hold a feast for the entire Armand territory.
I have my own money anyway... well... ehehe... safe inside my storage.
His eyes shifted further into the hall.
There, gathered already, were his siblings and half-siblings.
Marcellus and Cedric, deep in conversation; Athine and Aelius, seated close as always; and Heres, watching quietly from his place.
A firm hand clapped down on Javier’s shoulder.
"Let’s go! n’s night!" Lograc’s booming but cheerful voice carried easily above the noise.
Javier’s polite smile didn’t falter, though inside he sighed.
Yeah, yeah... whatever.
His eyes shifted slightly. "Liana, Gloria?"
"Yes, Young Master~?" both answered at once, their tones sweet but edged with that usual hidden sharpness.
"I’m going with Lograc to Marcellus and Cedric, along with Lioness’s sons and Veldrac’s sons," Javier said calmly.
"You go with them, and eat sothing, alright?"
Liana’s lips curved faintly. Gloria adjusted her glasses with a soft click.
"Ah~ don’t worry about us, Young Master," they answered smoothly in unison. "We’ll be near. Just like ira and Lithia, who stay close to their masters."
Javier’s polite mask held steady, but inside his mind he groaned.
Great... even when I try to create space, they pull right back in.
Lograc laughed heartily, steering him toward the waiting group with a grin.
"Co on, Javier! Ti to et the rest properly."
Javier exhaled softly, stepping forward with calm composure as the grand hall’s noise swelled around them.
When they arrived at the center of the hall, Javier caught sight of Cedric and Marcellus.
Both of his elder brothers were grinning wide, their eyebrows wiggling in unison as they gave him knowing looks.
"Oho! We thought our little brother doesn’t like parties," Marcellus teased.
Cedric leaned in, smirking. "Yet here you are, Javier."
Javier let out a soft sigh, his expression calm but his tone even. "I’m not... but you both know how strict Father is."
The brothers froze for a mont, then quickly glanced away, their laughter turning awkward.
"Y... yeah..." Cedric muttered.
Marcellus rubbed the back of his neck with a nervous chuckle.
Inside Javier’s mind, a lazy smirk tugged at his thoughts.
See? Even this wizard and this paladin are still scared of Father. Damn.
"Ah, you must be the next heir of Lord Garius."
Javier turned at the voice.
Two well-dressed gentlen stood beside Marcellus. One of them stepped forward with a confident grin and extended his hand.
"We et again. You might not rember , but allow to reintroduce myself. I am the next heir of King Lioness, and the elder brother of Mimi and Felicia. The first prince, Kivira. Or..." he wiggled his eyebrows playfully, "...do you prefer I use my full na?"
Javier exhaled softly, his lips curving into the faintest sigh. "Haaa... looks like you’ve been infected by the way Marcellus speaks. Damn it, Marcellus, you really."
He spoke aloud, his tone calm but edged with dry humor.
"Heheh!" Kivira laughed, unbothered. "That’s how we are when our strict fathers aren’t around, right?"
Marcellus chuckled and rubbed the back of his head, while Cedric looked away, trying to hold back his own grin.
But Javier’s expression smoothed again, polite and steady.
"And for the record, it isn’t who’s supposed to inherit Father’s position as ruler of Armand. It should be these two here."
"O... oi!!" Cedric’s voice cracked as he jabbed a finger at Javier.
Marcellus quickly waved his hands. "We’re not going to beco the next rulers of Armand!"
Their nervous denial made Kivira laugh even louder, his shoulders shaking as he clapped Javier’s hand warmly.
Inside Javier’s mind, he groaned again.
Great. First my brothers teasing , now Lioness’s heir joins in. Tonight really won’t be peaceful.
The next figure stepped forward, his posture composed but his eyes sharp.
Javier studied him quietly.
"Allow to introduce myself, since this is our first eting," the man said with a calm, resonant voice.
"My na is Kezzoth. I am the first prince of King Veldrac of the Demon Kingdom."
He offered a polite smile, though a faint chuckle escaped him as he added.
"Unfortunately, my two younger brothers could not attend such a gathering. Well... let’s just say Father is strict. Hehe."
Javier gave a small nod, his tone steady and courteous. "An honor to et you, Prince Kezzoth."
Before the air could settle, both Kezzoth and Kivira turned their gazes toward Lograc, who had been standing tall nearby.
"Ah...pardon our rudeness," Kivira said with his usual grin. "And you are?"
Lograc straightened, his expression calm. "Ah, my na is Lograc, the first son of—"
But before he could finish, a thunderous roar shook the grand hall from the courtyard outside.
"Gyaaarhhh!!! Lioness!!! Veldrac!!!! Let go, you mischievous Lion and Demon!!!"
The voice was unmistakable.
Javier froze, his eyes narrowing faintly.
...That’s Gumarak.
Inside, Javier pinched his thoughts with a groan.
No wonder Father said, don’t worry.
Looks like Veldrac and Lioness really couldn’t wait to capture him, huh.
Javier’s lips twitched faintly as another roar echoed from outside, mixed with the booming laughter of two familiar voices.
Yeah... they’re definitely out there. Those two are probably betting on who managed to grab Gumarak first.
Javier glanced toward his father.
Garius only sighed, shaking his head slowly, one hand brushing over his brow.
Looks like Father is busy handling not just one child... but all three of them.
The thunder of footsteps grew louder outside, followed by Gumarak’s shout.
"Let go!!! You sly Lion! You wicked Demon!!!"
Then ca Lioness’s booming laugh. "Alright, Gumarak! Ti for punishnt drink!!!"
Veldrac’s deep voice rumbled with equal mischief. "Whoever loses the barrel first pays the other ten crates! Hah!"
Inside his head, Javier sighed.
...And here I thought tonight’s chaos would only co from my so-called harem.
Now it’s Kings themselves joining the circus.
( End Of Chapter )
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