Javier arrived in front of his father’s private room and was just about to knock.
Two hands clapped down on his shoulders at the sa ti. A knuckle grazed the top of his head right after.
"Ouch! Oi!" he flinched.
"Ahahahaha!" Marcellus burst out laughing, while Cedric gave a rare, smug smirk.
"What trouble did you cause this ti, little brother?" Marcellus grinned slyly.
Javier shot him an annoyed look. "I’m not like you two."
"Oho~ says the one who always stirs sothing up," Cedric chid in.
"Ugh. I don’t even know. Father summoned . I’m sure you two got called too, right?"
"Yeah..." Marcellus rubbed the back of his head, face scrunching a little. "Honestly, I thought with all the vow ceremonies and his wedding with Queen Mylezra coming up, he’d skip etings like this."
"Heh. It’s Father. Of course he’s still planning sothing." Javier gave a sly grin. "You know how he is."
"Man... I was just enjoying the sight of Harny and Lithia arguing over wedding dresses," Marcellus muttered, shaking his head fondly. "It’s fun watching your future wives bicker about looking prettier for you."
He smirked, eyes softening.
"Ah~ I still can’t believe I’m marrying both the mother and the daughter."
"Yeah yeah, lucky you," Javier rolled his eyes, then glanced at Cedric, who stood calmly beside them, arms crossed... but his eyes were clearly elsewhere.
Javier narrowed his eyes. "Stop daydreaming about ira’s tail or Zania’s smile. It’s annoying."
"Wh..what? I wasn’t thinking about that!" Cedric snapped, eyes twitching.
"Sure you weren’t," Javier said, rolling his eyes.
He clicked his tongue. "Both of you are lucky. Already got your partners pregnant and everything. At this rate, Mother’s gonna beco a grandmother... while still looking like she’s in her twenties."
Marcellus and Cedric glanced at each other.
"...You say that like it’s a bad thing," Marcellus chuckled.
Cedric sighed. "We’re all going to get scolded again if we make father waiting."
"Yeah, yeah." Javier shook his head, stepped forward, and knocked on the door.
"Co in."
Javier instinctively shifted to the side, trying to let Marcellus take the lead.
But Marcellus imdiately grabbed Cedric by the shoulder and nudged him forward instead.
"Oh no you don’t," Cedric muttered, stepping aside and firmly pushing Javier toward the door.
Javier hissed under his breath, "Oi... if we keep doing this, Father’s going to get pissed."
Marcellus casually cracked the door open. Cedric gave one final push, and Javier was the first to enter, followed closely by both of them, all slipping into proper noble posture like nothing had happened.
Inside, Garius sat at the head of a long table, elbows resting lightly as he glanced at them.
He closed his eyes for a breath, then sighed.
"...Really now."
The three sons quickly stepped forward and placed their palms over their left chests.
"Esteed Father."
Garius looked at them one by one, brow twitching faintly.
"What took you three so long?" His voice was calm, but firm. "Do you all assu I can’t hear everything you were whispering outside the door?"
Javier instinctively gulped. Marcellus and Cedric both glanced sideways, clearly avoiding eye contact with him and with Garius.
"...We apologize, Father," Cedric offered smoothly.
"Hmph. Sit down," Garius said, gesturing to the chairs before him. "We have sothing important to discuss."
The three quickly obeyed.
Erinnette gracefully poured the tea for Garius, her movents quiet and refined, before stepping back without a word. Nearby, Alf sat at the secondary table, reviewing so papers, his presence as firm and composed as ever.
Garius took a sip of tea and placed the cup down with a soft clink.
"I called you three here for an important discussion."
His calm gaze swept over his sons.
"Marcellus," he began, tone steady. "Your request for a new residence has been approved. It will be constructed within the Armand estate. Cedric, your ho will be built adjacent to it. Since the estate’s land is far more than sufficient, I see no reason to allocate external plots."
Marcellus bowed slightly. "Yes, esteed Father."
Cedric gave a small nod as well, visibly pleased, but doing his best to maintain a composed expression.
Garius continued.
"As for duties, you will all formally resu your respective roles once all ceremonial events are complete."
He turned slightly. "Javier."
"Yes, esteed Father."
Garius exhaled lightly and leaned back.
"The remaining expenses for the public feast in both Armand and Arjam will be fully covered by the Armand Treasury. I’m aware that you personally funded much of the previous feasts, and your idea of a free, all-you-can-eat buffet for every citizen was... bold. But well-received. From this point forward, however, there is no need for you to bear the cost alone."
Javier nodded with a faint smile. "Yes, esteed Father."
"Good." Garius set his cup down once more.
"Now... to the main topic."
The air shifted.
He paused, glancing at each of his sons.
"I assu you three are already aware of Kimar’s plan?"
Javier’s smile faded, and Marcellus and Cedric’s expressions sharpened. All three straightened slightly in their seats.
"Just as I thought," Garius said, eyes narrowing. "Let’s speak plainly."
Garius leaned forward, hands laced, his chin resting lightly atop his knuckles.
"As you all already know... King Kimar is attempting to develop a weapon said to rival our Armand elite knights."
He let the words settle in the air, his tone calm yet heavy.
"According to our special elite investigation unit," he continued, "Kimar has been secretly researching your inventions, Javier."
Javier nodded without hesitation. "Yes, esteed Father. I was aware of that."
Garius’s lips curved into a knowing smirk.
"I assu you’ve already conducted a full investigation on your side."
Javier returned the smirk slightly. "Yes, esteed Father. I’ve already carried out... let’s say, covert surveillance. They’re gathering skilled blacksmiths and mages at several hidden locations, operating under the guise of trade guild expansions."
"Mmm," Garius nodded slowly. "That much I know. In fact, they even tried to reach out to our genius blacksmith, Rasdingen, while he was off duty, drinking at a tavern."
Alf gave a small nod, a rare grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "The entire recruitnt squad was knocked out cold. Rasdingen was already drunk by the ti they approached him. Apparently, they made the mistake of offering him ’better coin and freedom.’"
( End Of Chapter )
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