Chapter 329: Old Friends and New Feels ( 329 )

King Edmund leaned back in his throne, his fingers tapping against the armrest.

The memories of their youth weren't just about fights, stolen food, and mischief.

No—Garius had taught him valuable lessons.

Ones that he never forgot.

"Don't trust someone you can't trust."

It sounded obvious, but Garius had a way of drilling it into his head.

Trust was not given—it was proven.

If you couldn't see a person's true nature, then never trust their words.

And most importantly—

"Always find a way to know everything before the enemy."

This—this was the rule that Edmund lived by as king.

Garius had been paranoid, always planning two steps ahead, then five steps more.

But Edmund?

He listened. He learned.

And that was why—even as king—he was never blind.

The failed assassination attempt today?

The fake delegation?

He had seen through them immediately.

Because Garius had hammered this truth into him since they were kids.

Edmund smirked.

"You really trained me well, Garius."

And because of that—

No one would ever outplay the king.

King Edmund exhaled, shifting his thoughts to the present.

Garius youngest son.

And his daughter, Princess Kliatana.

They had both attended the same noble school before.

And every time Kliatana returned home, all he heard from her was—

"Father! That Count's son ignores me! He doesn't respect me at all!"

Or—

"He's rude! Arrogant! How dare he treat a princess like this?"

Edmund had merely laughed at first.

Because he knew exactly whose son Javier was.

Garius' son.

Of course, he wouldn't act like a normal noble.

Of course, he wouldn't flatter royalty.

The boy was probably avoiding attention on purpose.

But then—

When the Blessing Ceremony happened…

And Javier left…

Kliatana cried.

She stormed into his chamber, eyes red and puffy, and practically threw herself onto a couch, sobbing.

Edmund had been stunned.

"What's wrong with you now?" he had asked, confused.

Through sniffles, she had wailed—

"Javier left without saying goodbye to me!"

…What?

Edmund had blinked, completely lost.

This was the same boy she had been complaining about nonstop.

And now she was crying over him?

He smirked, shaking his head at the memory.

"Just like his father."

That boy, Javier—he was trouble.

And somehow, his daughter had gotten caught up in it.

King Edmund's smirk faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression.

He straightened on his throne and raised a hand.

"Bring me royal paper and ink."

A nearby royal scribe—the one responsible for writing official decrees and letters—hesitated.

The man glanced at Gilmon, as if expecting clarification.

The king? Writing a letter himself?

That was unheard of.

But Edmund's eyes sharpened.

"I said, bring it to me."

There was no room for argument.

The scribe hurriedly bowed and rushed to prepare the writing materials.

Gilmon, standing beside the throne, raised an eyebrow.

"Your Majesty, writing it yourself? That's rare."

Edmund smirked.

"This one… is personal."

He picked up the quill, dipping it in the ink.

As the smooth paper lay before him—

A single thought filled his mind.

This should be interesting.

And with that—

He began to write.

After finishing the letter, King Edmund sealed it with his royal insignia.

He raised his hand, signaling the delegation leader to step forward.

The long-bearded man approached, bowing respectfully.

Edmund held out the letter.

"Send this to your lord."

The delegation leader carefully took it, securing it within his coat.

Edmund leaned back, smirking slightly.

"And again, thank you for the tribute."

The delegation leader placed a hand over his chest and bowed deeply.

"It is my lord's will, Your Majesty."

With that, the delegation turned and exited the throne room.

Gilmon watched them leave, then glanced at the king.

"Shall I assume this letter contains something... interesting?"

Edmund chuckled.

"Oh, very."

His eyes glinted with amusement.

"Let's see how my dear friend reacts to this."

Meanwhile,in another part of Armand Region.

Javier rode through the village, accompanied by his two favorite girls—

His two favorite maids—Liana and Gloria.

Each of them rode their own Pekko.

Javier sat comfortably on Buddy, humming a cheerful tune.

Buddy, as always, walked with a smug attitude, chest puffed out like he owned the entire village.

Liana, riding beside him on Pikko, glanced at him with a soft smile.

"You seem to be in a good mood today, Young Master."

Gloria, following close behind, adjusted her glasses. "It's rare to see you this relaxed."

Javier grinned. "Why wouldn't I be? The weather's nice, the air's fresh, and—"

Suddenly—

A sharp shiver ran down his spine.

His body froze.

Buddy halted abruptly, his smug confidence vanishing in an instant.

Liana noticed his reaction immediately. "Young Master?"

Javier's humming stopped.

His eyes darted around, suspicious.

What… was that just now?

A bad feeling.

Like something dangerous was heading his way.

Gloria tilted her head. "Something wrong?"

Javier frowned.

"…I don't know."

But deep inside—

He felt like something big was coming.

And he wasn't going to like it.

Javier looked around, his eyes scanning the village.

Everything seemed normal.

People were going about their day. Merchants were selling their goods. Children were playing.

Nothing was wrong.

And yet—

Inside his mind, unease crept in.

Why… do I feel like something bad is going to happen?

It wasn't just today.

This feeling had been creeping up on him for a while now.

Before the whole heir situation.

Before everyone suddenly decided to push responsibilities onto him.

And now—it was back.

Javier shuddered.

"Eee… I don't like this…"

His grip on Buddy's reins tightened.

Buddy, as if sensing his unease, let out a low squawked—his usual smugness replaced by cautious curiosity.

Liana noticed immediately.

She turned to him, eyes filled with concern.

"Young Master, what's wrong?"

Javier forced a grin. "Uh… nothing! Just… just a weird feeling."

Gloria sighed, adjusting her glasses. "A weird feeling?"

Javier nodded slowly.

Yeah… like something's coming. And it's going to be a pain in my ass.

He had no proof.

No reason to feel this way.

But somehow—

He just knew.

Something was about to happen.

And it was going to make his life a lot more complicated.

"Young Master?"

Liana's gentle voice pulled Javier from his thoughts.

"Hmmm?" He turned to her, still distracted by the uneasy feeling in his gut.

But before she could say anything—

A cheerful voice called out.

"Young Master of Armand!"

Javier blinked, looking ahead.

A small child came running toward them, waving excitedly.

A crowd of villagers.

Men, women, and children smiled brightly, stepping forward to greet them.

Some waved, some bowed, and the children—full of excitement—gathered around the Pekko birds.

Javier quickly shook off his bad feeling.

For now, at least.

He grinned, leaning forward on Buddy.

"Yo~ Everyone doing well?"

The villagers cheered.

Liana and Gloria exchanged glances.

The ominous feeling Javier had just moments ago?

Completely forgotten.

For now.

( End of Chapter )