Chapter 665: Aristocratic Dinner ( 665 )

Meanwhile, in the Armand region.

Inside the grand manor, the main dining room was lively yet dignified, filled with the pleasant sounds of silverware, conversation, and the occasional soft laughter.

The entire Armand family was present around the long, ornate table.

At the head sat Garius, his calm, authoritative presence.

To his right, Lady Francesca sat gracefully, sipping tea, eyes gently watching over her children.

Beside her were their sons—Marcellus, quietly amused; Cedric, eating heartily; and Javier’s empty seat, noticeably vacant.

Opposite, Lady Garcinia sat elegantly, flanked by her children—Aelius and Athine, who exchanged subtle, meaningful glances with one another.

Lady Phenelopie sat at the far end, holding her youngest baby daughter gently, with Heres seated beside her, patiently feeding his little sister small spoonfuls of puree.

Standing respectfully behind Garius were his two most trusted servants: his lifelong butler, Alf, to the right, and Erinnette, head of all the Armand household maids, to the left.

Garius turned to Francesca, brow slightly raised.

"Honey?"

Francesca set her cup down gently, turning her graceful gaze to her husband.

"Yes, dear?"

Garius gestured lightly toward Javier’s empty seat.

"Where’s our youngest? I don’t recall sending him out on a mission yet."

Francesca tilted her head slightly, recalling the earlier incident.

"Ah... he rushed out in a panic after hearing about Liana’s wedding."

Garius blinked, visibly puzzled.

"Liana’s wedding?" he echoed, voice calm but confused. "What are you talking about?"

Francesca paused, blinking gently.

"Oh...? Didn’t you mention Liana came to your room earlier today, dear?"

Garius nodded slowly, realization dawning in his eyes.

"Yes, but Liana merely requested leave for two weeks. She informed me that her older sister and Gloria’s elder brother are getting married."

He sighed lightly, half amused.

"She even showed me the invitation letter. How could I refuse, especially since Queen Mylezra herself had requested that I allow them to visit their family at least occasionally?"

The dining room fell into momentary silence.

Then, slowly, Francesca’s eyes widened.

"...Oh dear," she whispered, covering her mouth slightly.

"I might have phrased things... poorly."

Cedric chuckled quietly from his seat, nudging Marcellus lightly.

Marcellus smirked, shaking his head with faint amusement.

Garius sighed deeply, rubbing his temple.

"So, our impulsive youngest is currently chasing after Liana... believing she’s marrying someone else?"

Francesca gave a guilty yet playful nod.

"Well, it’s better that way, dear," Francesca said calmly, lifting her teacup with a composed smile.

"So our honeybun can learn something important."

She glanced toward Garius with that knowing, dangerous softness in her eyes.

"If not, he’ll keep flirting with every girl he meets—"

Her smile widened just a touch.

"Just like someone else before."

Garius, mid-sip of his tea, choked.

He coughed hard, nearly dropping the cup as Alf immediately stepped forward and handed him a cloth with practiced speed.

Francesca kept smiling—serene and deadly.

"Dear..."

She took a slow sip of her tea.

"You did promise quite a few women, didn’t you?"

Garius froze.

Marcellus, Cedric, and even Aelius all turned slightly to watch their father.

Francesca continued, tone as smooth as ever.

"First Eridith... then Queen Mylezra..."

She set the cup down with perfect grace.

"And lastly? That poor Nyxara."

Garius cleared his throat, regaining his composure.

Francesca’s eyes sparkled slightly.

"You better keep your promise to them, dear. Especially since our youngest son seems to be... following a certain example."

The entire table fell silent.

Then...

Athine covered her mouth to hide her grin.

Aelius chuckled behind his glass.

Cedric leaned toward Marcellus.

"I swear, our family dinner is more intense than court politics."

Marcellus smirked.

Garius sighed deeply, placing his cup down with regal patience.

"...My beloved wife," he said slowly.

"I believe you’re the only one in the world who can strike like that with a smile."

Francesca gently dabbed the corner of her lips with a napkin.

"As I should be."

Francesca’s serene smile returned... but her eyes turned sharply toward Marcellus and Cedric.

"And you two..." she said smoothly, dabbing her lips again.

"You’re not far from your father either."

Both men froze mid-bite.

"I believe the only one who hasn’t built himself a harem so far... is Heres."

Her eyes slid toward the quiet boy, who simply blinked while spooning food to his baby sister.

"And Aelius."

She paused.

Then added, almost sing-song:

"Athine~"

Aelius choked.

He immediately reached for his cup of water, face flushed.

Athine, sitting beside him, calmly leaned over and began gently tapping his back, her expression composed and innocent.

Francesca watched the scene unfold, saying nothing.

But the faint glimmer in her eyes betrayed her amusement.

She took another sip of tea, her smile softening.

Too close...

Far too close...

But Francesca said nothing more.

She knew well—this world had its own customs, its own rules.

And nowhere in the law... did it say they couldn’t.

Francesca turned her elegant gaze toward the quieter end of the table.

"And Heres?"

The young man straightened immediately, spoon still midair.

"Y-Yes, Lady Francesca?"

She smiled sweetly.

Too sweetly.

"Your mother has been a little worried about you, dear."

Lady Phenelopie, holding her baby daughter beside him, gave a gentle nod.

Francesca continued, voice graceful but unmistakably probing.

"You’re already an adult. Just a few year younger than Marcellus and Cedric."

She set her teacup down.

"And yet, you’ve never shown any interest in girls."

Heres blinked. Stiffened. Slowly lowered his spoon.

"Within our estate, we have many lovely maids, refined staff... not to mention the entire Armand region is full of elegant beauties."

Her words came slowly.

Warm...

Deadly.

Heres began to sweat.

He averted her gaze, panicking under the spotlight.

"Err... I... I..."

Francesca raised a delicate brow, her smile never fading.

"Don’t tell me you’re going to that way~"

"Wha—!" Heres nearly stood from his seat, flustered.

"I-I’m... I’m not!" he stammered, face flushed red.

"I just haven’t... um... found the right person yet! That’s all!"

Marcellus smirked behind his cup.

Cedric leaned over to whisper with a barely contained grin.

"He’s doomed."

As the laughter died down and the table returned to its relaxed atmosphere, Francesca softly spoke again, her gaze drifting toward the empty seat.

"By the way, dear..." she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Javier will be turning fourteen soon."

She looked at Garius beside her.

"Maybe we should prepare a birthday party for him. Just something simple."

Garius glanced toward her, thoughtful.

"I don’t know, dear."

He paused, setting down his tea cup.

"He’s always said he doesn’t want a party."

Francesca tilted her head slightly.

Garius continued with a faint, fond sigh.

"Every year, it’s the same. He tells us that the money we’d spend on a celebration... would be better used as bonuses for the staff."

He gave a small smile.

"’Just cook something good and let everyone eat well,’ he says."

Francesca exhaled lightly, smiling too.

"Same as before, huh?"

"Mm. He hasn’t changed in that regard."

She folded her hands gently over her lap.

"Even so... he deserves something special. Especially this year."

( End Of Chapter )