anwhile.
Inside the Armand Manor.
Gloria walked gracefully through the hallway, her hands folded neatly in front of her, her steps silent, composed.
Today... I get to accompany young master Javier to the cocoa farm.
Her eyes softened with a quiet smile.
I wonder what he’s planning this ti...
But no matter what it is, as long as I’m beside him.
Tehe~
Just as she was about to turn the corner, a voice called out from behind her.
"Gloria."
The calm rhythm of her thoughts ca to a halt.
She paused, turned gently, and lowered her head with a slight bow.
"Good morning, Master Heres."
She lifted her gaze and saw Heres standing there, looking... oddly hesitant. His usual reserved expression was still present, but there was sothing subtle in his posture.
She tilted her head, her tone kind and curious.
"Is there anything I can help you with, Master Heres?"
"Umm..." Heres looked around awkwardly, as if making sure no one else was nearby.
"Where’s... Javier?"
"Young master?" Gloria repeated softly, then nodded as she recalled.
"I believe he’s in the courtyard right now."
Heres seed relieved, though still fidgeting slightly. Gloria blinked once, observing him carefully.
"...Would you like to guide you there, Master Heres?" she offered with a gentle tone.
Heres looked at her for a mont, then quickly shook his head.
"N-No... it’s fine. I just... wanted to know where he was."
Gloria smiled, calm and warm, noting the way he avoided her gaze entirely.
"Understood," she said, voice smooth and composed. "Then if you’ll excuse ."
She turned slightly to continue on her way, heels clicking gently on the polished floor.
"...Wait."
The word ca out abruptly.
Gloria stopped, mid-step. She glanced back over her shoulder, and turn to face him, folding her hands neatly.
"Yes?"
"...I have sothing to say to you."
Gloria’s stunned, surprise flashing behind her calm exterior.
"I’m listening," she said, gently.
But Heres didn’t speak right away.
He looked down, then to the side.
His shoulders tensed slightly.
The mont passed in silence, tension wrapping around them like mist.
Heres finally spoke, quiet, earnest, trembling.
Gloria’s eyes widened slightly as the words reached her.
When he finished, Heres looked up, searching her expression for any sign of reaction.
But Gloria, ever composed, took a small step back and lowered her gaze. She bowed gracefully, hands resting neatly in front of her.
"I’m sorry, Master Heres," she said softly. "Truly... I’m very sorry."
Heres’s shoulders slumped, his eyes dropping to the polished floor as quiet disappointnt flickered across his face.
Gloria, still graceful, straightened from her bow and continued gently,
"But... if you’re truly serious about this..."
She looked him in the eye.
"...then you’ll need to speak with Young Master Javier himself."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"If you’ll excuse ," she added, offering a final bow of respect before stepping away, her footsteps light and composed as she continued down the hall.
anwhile, just a little down the hall, several Armand household maids were huddled behind a slightly ajar door, peeking out like curious cats.
All of them held their breath as they watched Master Heres standing stiffly, speaking to Gloria.
One of the maids nudged the other.
"Is Master Heres... confessing to Gloria?"
"Looks like it," another whispered, eyes wide with anticipation.
"But... did she just reject him?" a third murmured, frowning as they watched Heres lower his head in clear disappointnt.
"She bowed. That’s the classic ’graceful letdown’ look."
"No way... Gloria turned him down?"
"Who knows? Maybe she didn’t say no... maybe she gave him a ’think about it first’ answer."
"Wait... isn’t Miss Gloria one of Young Master Javier’s future wives?" one maid whispered, eyes still peeking through the crack of the door.
"Yeah," another nodded quickly. "She’s always with him. They kiss... she even sleeps in his room with Miss Liana too."
"Then... why is Master Heres confessing to her?" a younger maid blinked.
"Isn’t Miss Gloria working in this estate longer than us? Even before she was assign as young master Javier personal maids?"
"Mm-hmm."
"So that ans... Master Heres, the calm and silent handso man, been falling for her all this ti?"
"Maybe," one of them whispered, holding in a gasp. "Maybe he kept it inside all these years."
Another maid leaned in with wide eyes. "But if she’s already going to be with Young Master Javier... then this is a disaster."
"Or a love triangle."
They all gasped together softly.
"...This is better than any romance novel in the library,"
anwhile, Gloria walked gracefully through the Armand Manor’s hall, her expression calm, but her thoughts quietly turning.
Hmm... if Master Heres was seeking help, he should’ve just gone to the young master directly.
Especially about that kind of thing.
Her steps were light, but her brow furrowed slightly in thought.
But maybe... he avoided asking because the young master would definitely tease him first before helping.
That does sound like him.
She let out a soft sigh.
Still, I don’t think I could help properly with sothing like that. It’s better if he talks to the young master anyway, he’s the one who knows her well. After all, they were friends since their academy days.
A gentle smile curled on her lips.
Well... whatever happens, I should ask the young master to help him. If he refuses... I’ll just ask Liana to help persuade him. Or force him.
Her eyes twinkled.
Or maybe I should plan sothing on my own.
She humd a little tune as she walked.
That way, that princess won’t sneak her way into the young master’s harem list~
This is all for and Liana...
For our future with him.
Once Gloria arrived at the courtyard, she ca to a gentle halt.
There was no sign of Liana.
No sign of the young master either.
Her eyes scanned the open space, just the sound of wind rustling through the trees and the soft bubbling of the courtyard fountain echoing.
...Did they... leave ?
And then she saw it.
Buddy was racing in circles, squawking in delight as he playfully pecked and chased after Pikko and Peanut. The three large Pekko birds dashed and spun like oversized toddlers, beaks clicking, feathers ruffling.
"Cuquawwk!! Cuquawwk!!"
Gloria let out a breath of relief, smiling softly.
Of course not... they’re still around.
She watched the Pekko birds for a mont, her heart settling. Then her gaze swept the courtyard again.
Still no sign of Liana. Still no sign of Javier.
Didn’t the young master say he was going to the cocoa farm today?
She tilted her head, puzzled. But then, a thought clicked into place.
Hmm... maybe they’re at his personal workshop.
She began walking gracefully toward the far side of the courtyard, where the workshop stood tucked beside the storage shed and the Pekko pen. As she drew closer, her steps slowed and spotted him.
Javier was sitting on a bench near his workshop, elbows on his knees, hands tangled in his hair as he leaned forward in deep thought. He looked restless, muttering sothing under his breath.
Behind him stood Liana, arms crossed, watching him with a half-sigh, half-smile expression.
Gloria stopped for a brief mont, just watching the scene with a warm smile.
Found them~
( End Of Chapter )
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