anwhile, in the Armand estate.
Kliatana lay sprawled across her silken bed, arms wrapped tightly around a large body pillow, Her legs kicked lightly in the air, frustration and giddy longing battling inside her like a storm trapped under royal sheets.
"Ughh... where is he!?"
Her voice ca out in a muffled whine, buried into the pillow.
"Javier!! You said you’d help! You promised to co up with a plan! A strategy! Sothing brilliant to get close to your brother!"
She spun around, tangled herself in the blanket, and groaned louder.
"You’re supposed to be a genius! A manipulative, sneaky, ridiculously clever genius! How hard is it to arrange one accidental eting between a girl and her beloved future husband?!"
She sat up with a pout, hair slightly disheveled, eyes burning with dramatic despair.
"It’s been hours! HOURS!!"
A pause.
Then she flopped back down with a dreamy sigh.
"...Heres..."
That soft whisper echoed in the room like a sacred na.
She hugged the pillow tighter, cheeks flushed.
"That face... that sharp, aloof aura... that smile..."
She recalled earlier in the hallway.
It had been brief.
He was walking toward her.
And in that one second, she almost forgot how to breathe. But she managed to forced her lips into a composed, elegant smile, even gave a small nod like a proper princess.
Kliatana squealed into her pillow.
"He smiled..."
"Kyaaa!!! He SMILED when he nodded!! Aaaahhh—!!"
She kicked the air wildly, laughing and screaming into the bedding all at once.
"Wait... they’re half-brothers, right? Different mothers?"
She paused.
"...Whatever. Who cares."
Then back to hugging the pillow again.
"Soon... very soon... we shall et again, my darling Heres~"
She whispered like a villainous heroine in a romantic war drama, the glow of love and plotting all over her flushed face.
"But only if your annoying genius brother stops slacking off and actually does his job..."
Then she heard it.
A loud, unmistakable squawk echoed from sowhere beyond her window, sharp, dramatic, full of personality.
Kliatana froze.
...That’s Javier’s Pekko.
Another squawk followed. Even more excited.
Almost cheerful.
He’s back.
Her eyes lit up.
She sat upright in a heartbeat, tossing the body pillow aside like it ant nothing. With practiced grace, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, smoothing down her dress she wore that morning.
That ans... that little trickster is finally back. Good. How dare he enjoying his sweet monts with his girls while I’m here waiting for mine.
She gritted her teeth, tugging her hairbrush through the slight ss of curls she hadn’t finished earlier. With brisk, practiced strokes, she tad her hair and tied it into a neat, high ponytail.
No more delays. I don’t care what ridiculous excuse he cos up with, he will arrange sothing today. I want my mont. I want my Heres.
She dabbed her cheeks, adjusted her neckline, and checked her posture in the mirror. One deep breath.
Her reflection greeted her with poised elegance. A composed smile. A noble aura befitting a royal.
But inside, her thoughts spun like a dizzy bard.
He has to help today. I want to et my handso prince Heres~!
Unable to suppress it, she spun once in place like a giddy schoolgirl, hands clasped in front of her chest.
"Kyaaaa~! I can’t wait!"
But then she caught sight of her own reflection on the mirror.
...Oh no.
She slapped both cheeks lightly.
Pull yourself together, Kliatana. You are a princess. Well... ex-princess. But that’s not the point!
She straightened her posture. Eyes sharp. Smile graceful.
"You are a refined, elegant, strategic noble lady. Not so blushing ss of a teenager."
She blinked.
"...Wait. I am a teenager."
A long silence.
Then she dismissed the thought with a dramatic toss of her hand.
"Whatever~!"
And once again, she struck her best poised pose in the mirror—chin raised, hands folded gently over her stomach, eyes glowing with love and war.
"Yes~ like this," she whispered to her reflection.
A mont of stillness.
Then she twirled again.
Alright~ ti to et that annoying Javier. He owes his life, so he’s going to help ~ Whether he likes it or not.
She pointed to the ceiling as if declaring war.
"Heres~ my prince charming~ just wait for ~"
Kliatana strode toward the door, posture regal, heart thumping.
She opened it quietly and peeked outside like a spy on a secret mission. Seeing no one imdiately nearby, she stepped into the hallway with deliberate grace.
Now... where was Javier’s room again?
She scanned the corridor, lips pursed thoughtfully. Each hallway in the estate looked too similar, elegant, pristine, and confusing.
"Hmm... I’ll just ask soone," she muttered with a shrug, maintaining her princess composure.
As she began walking, a figure entered her line of sight, standing calmly just ahead, as if waiting for sothing. She approached instinctively, preparing her most graceful noble smile.
"Mm... excuse ? May I ask where your young master Javier’s room is?"
She tilted her head ever so slightly, smile polite and practiced, her voice sweet but composed.
But the mont she saw his face, her breath caught.
Her eyes widened.
It was him.
Heres.
The very man occupying her heart, her dreams, her diary... her everything.
W-Why HIM of all people right now?! her thoughts scread in panic.
But outside?
Perfectly calm.
Not a single tremble in her fingers. Not a waver in her voice.
Her eyes softened. Her smile remained.
anwhile, Heres blinked, visibly stunned.
She looked so beautiful... even more radiant than when they passed in the hallway earlier.
And he, though normally calm and composed, felt his pulse skip.
"A... Ah... P-Princess..." he mumbled, trying to gather himself. "Good afternoon..."
He smiled, trying not to look awkward. Or smitten. Or both.
"You’re looking for Javier’s room?"
She gave a gentle nod.
"Yes. I wanted to speak to him about... a small matter."
"From here," Heres said, regaining his composure, "just head straight, go down one stair... then walk straight again. His room’s the only one with a Pekko head emblem painted on the door."
"A-ah... Thank you," Kliatana replied softly, her tone formal.
She bowed slightly with perfect etiquette, a refined, noble bow and gifted him a warm, modest smile before turning gracefully.
But as she walked away, her thoughts were a hurricane.
HE TALKED TO ! HERES JUST TALKED TO ! AND SMILED!!!
She nearly tripped on air but managed to turn the stumble into a smooth step.
Heres watched her go in silence.
( End Of Chapter )
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