Chapter 653: Obedience and Mischief ( 653 )

Before Liana could retort, both girls froze.

From around the corner, soft footsteps echoed—elegant and measured.

They both immediately turned.

In perfect synchronization, Liana and Gloria straightened their backs, placed their right hand over their chest, and bowed politely.

“My lady.”

Walking past with her usual grace and subtle authority, Lady Francesca gave them a knowing smile.

She stopped beside them, eyes flicking between the two with amused curiosity.

“Oh my~ Are there hot sales in this hallway today?” she asked casually, voice dripping with sarcasm.

“What’s with the serious tension? Did someone drop a diamond? Or is my son being fought over again?”

Liana and Gloria both kept their posture perfect.

“Nothing, my lady,” they answered in unison.

Francesca’s eyes glinted, and she leaned in slightly—still smiling.

“My~ Is that true? …Honey bun~?”

Javier, who had been trying to tiptoe away like a guilty thief, jolted at the sound of her voice. He turned slowly, sweat already beading on his forehead.

“Ahaha… I—I have my mission later… gotta go prepare! See ya!”

And just like that, he dashed away down the hall as Liana sighed and Gloria giggled behind him.

Francesca chuckled softly, folding her arms with a proud expression.

As Javier vanished around the corner, Francesca turned her attention back to the two girls still standing respectfully in front of her.

“Now then… Liana. Gloria.”

“Yes, my lady?” they replied in unison.

Francesca’s voice softened—still playful, but lined with something more maternal.

“You both won’t be coming with my honey bun for his next mission.”

Both girls blinked.

“…Mission?” Liana asked carefully.

Francesca nodded. “Ah~ My husband—Lord Garius—told me to make sure you two don’t follow him.”

Liana’s eyes twitched.

Gloria quietly adjusted her glasses but said nothing.

Inside Liana’s mind…

“Is young master going on a long mission again…?”

“Leaving us behind… just like last time…?”

Her heart sank a little.

He had promised.

That if he ever went for that mission—the one to reclaim the Dwarven territory—they’d be by his side.

He promised.

Francesca’s gentle voice broke the silence.

“…Liana?”

Liana blinked and straightened. “Yes, my lady?”

Francesca’s tone became more perceptive—less teasing now.

“You’re worried he won’t be back for a long time… aren’t you?”

Liana’s lips pressed together for a moment. Then she shook her head.

“…No, my lady.”

Francesca gave her a soft smile.

“My~ You say that… but your face says otherwise.”

She reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from Liana’s cheek.

“Don’t worry. Honey bun’s not going off to war. Just a clean-up mission. He’ll be back before dinner.”

She winked.

“You know how fast Buddy is.”

Liana looked down briefly, then gave a small, quiet nod.

“…Yes, my lady.”

Francesca turned, her voice breezy as ever.

“And when he’s back, make sure to greet him properly. Both of you.”

Gloria smiled faintly behind her glasses.

“Of course, my lady.”

Francesca took a few graceful steps forward, her long dress swaying lightly with each motion.

Then—she paused.

Without turning fully, she glanced back over her shoulder, voice soft but unmistakably clear.

“…By the way, Liana. Gloria.”

Both girls straightened instinctively.

“Yes, my lady?” they answered in harmony.

Francesca’s lips curled into a gentle smile—the kind that could either melt hearts… or make someone panic.

“I expect more grandchildren once you two are properly married to my honey bun,” she said sweetly.

“Once he becomes an adult, of course.”

Liana choked on her breath.

Gloria’s glasses slid slightly down her nose.

“My—my lady…!” Liana’s voice trembled.

Gloria’s composed mask cracked slightly. “Ara~ T-That’s rather… direct.”

Francesca giggled behind her fingers.

“Hmm~ You two are already kissing him daily, snuggling in bed, and fighting over lips in the hallway… so don’t act shy now.”

She turned back forward, hands behind her back.

She turned back forward, hands behind her back, voice still lilting with amusement.

“Well… still a few years before we’re going to discuss that, right?”

Liana and Gloria both exhaled a breath of relief.

Francesca stopped again.

Her smile faded.

When she looked back this time, her eyes were sharp, commanding—the true first wife of the Armand household.

“One more thing..”

“Don’t any of you two dare to follow Javier on his mission after this.”

The air turned heavy. Even the hallway seemed to still.

“This isn’t a warning,” she continued coldly.

“It’s a command.”

Liana straightened instantly, bowing deeply.

“Understood, my lady.”

Gloria lowered her head as well, voice respectful.

“Of course, my lady.”

Francesca gave one final nod, the coldness in her gaze lingering a moment longer… then softened slightly.

“Good.”

She walked away without another word, her presence lingering behind like a shadowed wind.

Once Francesca’s footsteps faded and she turned the next hallway corner, her presence finally out of sight…

The air shifted.

Liana exhaled softly and turned to Gloria, her eyes now serious and focused.

“…We should find young master first.”

Gloria adjusted her glasses, the lenses catching a faint glint of light.

“Yes. He didn’t tell us what his mission is yet.”

The two shared a look—no words needed beyond that.

Their movements were already synchronized as they stepped quietly toward the corridor Javier had disappeared into.

They would follow his orders…

They would obey Francesca…

But first—they had to know.

They reached Javier’s room—but the door was open, and the room was empty.

Liana frowned. “He’s not here…”

Gloria adjusted her glasses, scanning the room quickly.

“…Then he’s already outside.”

Without another word, the two turned and rushed down the hallway, skirts fluttering as they headed straight toward the Pekko pen.

The moment they arrived—

“There he is!” Gloria called.

Javier was already seated on Buddy, gently adjusting the saddle straps, humming casually to himself.

“Young master!!” Liana shouted.

Javier blinked and looked over his shoulder. “Hmm?”

“How dare you leave before saying anything to us!” Liana snapped, stomping forward.

“Huh?” Javier tilted his head. “I wasn’t leaving yet. I was just playing with Buddy first…”

Gloria folded her arms, clearly unconvinced. “You didn’t plan to sneak out on us again?”

Javier gave a half-smile and held up a long wooden stick with a fat slab of meat tied to the end like bait.

“For real. Look—see this?”

He dangled the meat in front of Buddy’s beak, swaying it teasingly.

“You know… I was just gonna do a quick run—”

“CUQUAWK!!”

Before he could finish, Buddy let out a loud squawk and took off like a missile, chasing the dangling meat with terrifying speed.

“Eeeeeekkk!!! Buddy! Wait!! I didn’t finish telling them—!!”

Buddy dashed across the training field, dragging Javier along as he held desperately to the bait stick—his legs bouncing in the saddle like a ragdoll.

Liana and Gloria stood in silence, wind brushing their hair as the dirt cloud kicked up behind him.

Gloria sighed.

“…He’s hopeless.”

Liana crossed her arms, cheeks puffed slightly.

“…Agree…”

( End Of Chapter )

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