Chapter 490: Ambitions and Affections ( 490 )

Erinnette stepped in calmly, followed by three girls—each still in their nightwear, hair slightly messy, eyes half-awake but alert.

Lithia, Meira, and Zania.

Despite their appearance, they bowed politely in unison.

“My Lord.”

Garius observed them one by one.

“Good. All here.”

His voice remained calm but carried an unwavering firmness.

“Why didn’t any of you follow your masters?”

Lithia stepped forward slightly, bowing again.

“Master Marcellus said I should stay in the room and rest. He told me there was no need to follow tonight.”

Marcellus looked to the side awkwardly, silent.

Meira fidgeted quietly, biting her lip.

Zania kept her head down, avoiding Garius’s gaze altogether.

“…Stand behind your respective masters,” Garius commanded.

The three moved without a word.

Lithia positioned herself behind Marcellus, hands folded neatly.

Meira moved behind Cedric, stealing fleeting glances at Zania.

Zania silently took her place beside Meira, casting a small glare at her from the corner of her eye.

The door opened again.

A few household maids entered quietly, carrying trays of late-night snacks and freshly brewed tea. They moved gracefully, placing cups and plates in front of everyone without a word, then bowed and left.

Garius didn’t bother to look up, busy writing something—a formal letter sealed with the Armand family crest.

Once finished, he pressed the seal down and handed the letter to his side.

“Hesbeirn.”

“Yes, my lord,” Hesbeirn responded, seated but now standing straighter.

Garius fixed his gaze forward.

“Since our territory still lies within the borders of the Human Kingdom, we cannot send troops to directly assist Chieftain Gumarak.”

He tapped a finger on the table.

“King Edmund is already at war with the Dwarves; King Gurdan of the Halflings is attacking from both sides. If we move without cause, it will be seen as rebellion.”

Hesbeirn nodded.

“Understood.”

Garius then turned his focus to his sons.

“Marcellus. Cedric.”

“Yes, Esteemed Father,” they replied simultaneously.

“You will both be leaving soon. Cedric, you’ll go to the Beastkin Kingdom. Since Meira is from there, you’ll be familiar with the terrain. Your task is to cover Javier’s mission and assist in the cleansing of miasma from the border regions.”

Cedric nodded.

“Understood, Esteemed Father.”

Garius turned his gaze to Marcellus.

“Marcellus,” he continued, “since Lithia is a dark elf, you’ll be assigned to the Elven Kingdom. You will assist their forces in miasma purification and maintain close coordination with Queen Mylezra’s court.”

Marcellus sat up straighter.

“Understood.”

Garius leaned forward slightly, setting another sealed letter on the table.

“Marcellus.”

“Yes, Esteemed Father?”

“You will bring fifty mage units, along with fifty paladins from Cedric’s division. They will assist you in cleansing the miasma across the afflicted zones of the Elven Kingdom.”

“Understood.”

Garius then turned to Cedric.

“And you. You will be assigned your own support unit to handle the miasma and the dark monsters in the Beastkin region.”

He paused briefly, letting his words sink in.

“Just like you both did before—when we first dealt with the miasma outbreak in the Armand region.”

“Yes, Esteemed Father.” they answered in unison.

Garius selected another sealed letter—this one bearing Javier’s personal crest—and handed it to Cedric.

“And Cedric.”

“Yes?”

“Deliver this to Javier directly. It contains his next mission.”

Cedric stepped forward and accepted the letter with both hands.

“I will make sure he receives it.”

Garius nodded, then fixed his gaze on Cedric, his tone steady.

“This letter contains an important directive regarding Javier’s next assignment.”

He paused for emphasis.

“While Javier takes care of what’s ahead, you will be the one responsible for his current duty—cleansing the miasma spreading through the Beastkin Kingdom.”

Cedric gave a sharp nod. “Understood, Esteemed Father.”

“Be careful,” Garius added quietly. “And don’t make any mistakes.”

His gaze shifted slightly—first to Lithia, then to Meira, and finally to Zania.

“I believe you three will be looking after your future husbands.”

All three straightened immediately.

“So ensure they come back alive.”

Zania’s eyes lit up instantly.

“Yes, Father-in-law!! I won’t let anything happen to my Cedric!!”

Meira twitched, biting her lip.

Lithia simply bowed silently behind Marcellus.

Garius’s gaze shifted toward the quiet girl standing behind Marcellus.

“Lithia.”

She straightened slightly.

“Yes, my lord?”

“I know you couldn’t wait to make it official with Marcellus.”

She lowered her eyes, cheeks flushing faintly red.

Garius’s tone remained steady.

“Me… and Francesca… we’ve already agreed.”

Lithia’s eyes widened slightly, but she said nothing.

“But,” Garius continued, “since our region—and your homeland—are both still under threat… I hope you understand why Marcellus still cannot marry you yet.”

Lithia bowed her head respectfully.

“I understand, my lord.”

She remained silent, though her hands were gently clasped over her chest.

Inside Lithia’s mind, a small storm of emotions swirled.

Ahhh~ my future father-in-law and mother-in-law already agree…

Kyaa! I couldn’t wait…

Tehe~

But outwardly, her expression stayed calm and respectful.

She gave a deep, serious bow.

“Thank you, my lord.”

Garius nodded once, then turned his gaze to everyone assembled.

“Tomorrow morning, you all will depart.”

His voice was clear and commanding.

“Prepare yourselves—in mind and body. This is no longer training or border patrol.”

He shot a glance at Hesbeirn.

“Once this meeting ends, mobilize the support units.”

“As you command,” Hesbeirn responded promptly.

Garius stood up from his seat.

“Alright. All dismissed.”

Everyone in the room rose to their feet.

Garius cast one final glance at his sons before turning to leave.

Alf, Erinnette, and Hesbeirn followed behind, forming a quiet escort as he returned to his private chamber.

Once at the door, the three bowed silently and split up, heading back to their respective posts.

Garius stepped inside.

Francesca was already there, seated by the window with a warm cup of tea in hand. She waited as if she had known exactly when he’d arrive.

Meanwhile…

Lithia walked behind Marcellus as they made their way down the corridor. She kept her distance—close enough to follow, but not too near.

Her expression was composed, but inside her mind—

Kyaaa~! So Marcellus already met Lord Garius and Lady Francesca to make me official…

I’m really going to be his wife…

My heart… can’t take this~!

She smiled to herself, eyes softly glowing.

Since they were heading back to her homeland…

That meant… the last step was…

To have him meet my parents!!

Her heart raced inside her chest as she silently followed behind Marcellus.

But on the outside, she remained calm and serious—just that same shy girl, most wouldn’t guess was screaming internally like a maiden in love.

Marcellus, meanwhile, walked forward with his casual posture.

From the side, Cedric nudged him with his elbow.

“Ugh… you didn’t tell me you met Father and Mother to ask about this,” Cedric muttered under his breath.

“Now it’s gonna be hard for me to ask.”

Marcellus smirked, deliberately refusing to look at him.

“Heh~ not my problem.”

Cedric sighed. “I swear… you always beat me to everything.”

Behind them, Meira cast a silent glance.

Zania, arms crossed, huffed and puffed.

“Cedric doesn’t need to ask anyone! I already chose him as my husband!”

Meira’s eyebrow twitched.

“…Shut up.”

( End Of Chapter )

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