He walked down the corridor slowly at first, the quiet sound of his footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor.
His thoughts drifted back to what Javier had just said.
Teaching Kliatana to ride a Pekko.
A chance.
A real chance to be near her.
To talk to her.
To stand beside her.
To see that gentle, shy smile again, this ti, just for him.
The more he thought about it, the harder it beca to keep his composure.
Before he knew it, his pace quickened.
Then faster.
The calm and composed Heres was now practically speed-walking down the hall, his robe swaying with each determined step.
Inside his mind, his thoughts spun with quiet excitent.
I need to change quickly.
I should wear my best outfit today.
Sothing that looks proper... elegant, but not too formal.
Then his eyes lit up slightly as he rembered sothing.
Ah, right... that perfu Javier gave before.
He could almost hear his younger brother’s teasing voice in his head.
"It’s not too strong, just enough to make people notice when you walk by. Comfortable for you, irresistible for others."
Heres chuckled softly at the mory, shaking his head.
"Maybe... just this once," he murmured to himself, his smile turning faintly nervous but full of quiet anticipation.
He reached his room door, hand already on the handle.
His heartbeat picked up again.
Alright... calm down, Heres. Just teach her how to ride a Pekko.
He exhaled deeply.
...And maybe talk to her a bit more while you’re at it.
He stepped inside and quietly closed the door behind him.
Moving toward his wardrobe, Heres pulled the doors open and scanned the neat rows of folded clothes.
"No... this one’s too formal," he muttered, brushing his fingers along a dark blue coat.
"If I wear this, Javier will start teasing again. ’Oh, look at Heres dressing up for soone~’ No. Not happening."
He sighed softly, pulling out another outfit and holding it up in front of the mirror.
"...Too stiff. Makes look like Father during etings."
He swapped it out for another, a lighter shirt with subtle gold threading near the cuffs.
"Hmm... maybe this one."
He laid it across the bed, then grabbed another vest from the wardrobe. "Or... maybe this one?"
A third outfit joined the others.
"Ah, maybe this one too..."
A beat of silence passed before he froze and stared at the growing pile of clothes on the bed.
"...Ugh! What’s wrong with ?" He pressed his hands to his face, exhaling sharply. "Get it together, Heres. Stay calm. Stay composed. Don’t show eagerness."
He took another deep breath and straightened his posture, forcing a serious expression, only for a soft, dreamy smile to slip past his lips a second later.
Ah~ soon I’ll hear her voice again... asking questions while I teach her to ride the Pekko.
He leaned against the wardrobe, lost in thought, that gentle smile still tugging at the corner of his lips.
And I’ll get to see that smile again... that sa smile that makes my heart feel lighter every ti.
anwhile, in Javier’s room.
"Eeeehhhh!?" Kliatana’s eyes widened, her entire face flushing in surprise.
"Y-You... asked him to teach ... what!?" she stamred, looking at Javier, who stood calmly near his wardrobe still in his robe, towel draped loosely over his shoulders.
Javier turned slightly, his expression casual, almost bored.
"What? You wanted to arrange sothing so you could have your chance with Heres, right? You should be thanking for that," he said, shrugging as he reached into his wardrobe.
"H-How am I supposed to do that!?" Kliatana shouted, half-panicked, half-excited.
Javier glanced back over his shoulder, narrowing his eyes.
"Even if you already know how to ride a Pekko, just pretend you don’t. Is that really so hard?"
Behind them, Liana and Gloria exchanged quick grins, both raising their fists in a silent victory cheer.
Yes, yes, Princess~ they thought in unison. Go get glued to Heres and stay out of our young master’s harem list.
But outwardly, both maids stood still, hands folded gracefully in front of them, smiling like proper attendants.
Kliatana, anwhile, was pacing in small circles, her hands fidgeting nervously.
"It’s easy for you to say! How....how can I just pretend like that!? What if he finds out I’m lying!? What if...what if I ss up!?"
Javier sighed dramatically, turning toward her. "Then I’ll just go tell Heres you refuse and that you’re not interested in him...."
Before he could finish, Kliatana moved like lightning and landed a perfect punch right in his stomach.
"Ughhhh!!!" Javier wheezed, doubling over instantly, one knee hitting the floor.
"I...I...I didn’t say that!!" Kliatana puffed her cheeks, her face bright red as she crossed her arms and looked away.
Her voice trembled slightly, betraying the mix of panic and excitent bubbling inside her.
Javier, still clutching his gut, groaned.
"Guhh... my... my stomach... this damn bratty..." he muttered weakly, glaring up at her between wheezes.
Javier groaned, rubbing his stomach before straightening up.
"Now go! I’m going to change," he said, waving her off dismissively with both hands.
"Shoo, shoo!"
Kliatana puffed her cheeks, glaring at him. "Even if you didn’t say it, I was planning to go! It’s not like I want to stay near you anyway. You’ll just... curse with your bad luck or sothing!"
Javier chuckled, the sound low and deliberately annoying. "Heh, whatever you say, bratty."
Kliatana’s glare lted instantly into a dreamy expression, her eyes sparkling as she clasped her hands together. "Liana... Gloria~" she cooed, her tone suddenly sweet.
"What should I wear?"
Before either maid could answer, Javier spun around with groan.
"Just wear what you’re wearing now! It’s not like you two are going on a private dinner or sothing! We still don’t even know if..."
Her sudden outburst cut him off as she stomped her foot, her face glowing red.
"This is my morning dress! It’s past noon!" she shouted, gesturing dramatically at her outfit. "If I wear this, Heres might think I’m... I’m sloppy!!"
Javier blinked, then tilted his head with a faint smirk. "You? Heh. Heres probably won’t even notice what you’re wearing. He’s the definition of calm obliviousness."
"Mou! You don’t understand!" Kliatana huffed, twirling once to check her reflection in the nearby mirror, her expression turning from frustration to pure panic.
"He has to think I’m elegant! Refined! Worthy of his attention!"
Liana and Gloria exchanged another quiet glance, both smiling softly behind their hands.
anwhile, Javier sighed and turned back toward his wardrobe. "Yeah, yeah. Just don’t take two hours. He’s not waiting for you forever."
Kliatana pouted, already heading toward the door. "I wasn’t planning to make him wait!" she said sharply, before muttering under her breath.
( End Of Chapter )
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