Chapter 670: Roots and Bonds ( 670 )

She clearly remembered how Javier kept breastfeeding from her until he was three.

Even though she never had milk, he always seemed satisfied afterward—smiling like he’d just tasted the finest dessert in the world.

What surprised her most was how much he enjoyed it.

He’d always say things like...

"Mmm... Liana’s nectar is the best..."

She didn’t understand what he meant back then.

It was silly.

Embarrassing, even.

But every time he said it, he looked genuinely happy.

As if her presence, her warmth—even without real nourishment—was enough to make him full.

Liana smiled to herself.

"...What a strange kid," she muttered fondly.

Even now, she couldn’t forget how he’d curl up in her arms afterward, clutching her tightly, refusing to let go.

Liana smiled softly, a quiet sigh escaping her lips.

By the time he was seven, he was already so mischievous, she recalled silently, warmth filling her chest at the memory.

And it only got worse when he turned ten—always playing pranks on the other maids, causing chaos throughout the household.

She remembered clearly how he would chase after her, constantly tugging at her apron, seeking attention.

Then he started asking for kisses, she thought fondly. At first, just on the cheek... then later, he’d aim for the lips. He was so persistent, so clingy.

She chuckled inwardly at the memory.

He couldn’t even sleep unless I was nearby. He would hold my hand tightly and refuse to close his eyes unless he knew I was there. Always inseparable... every day, everywhere.

She recalled vividly the chaos that erupted the one time she’d taken a day off, and couldn’t help but smile.

Turning slightly, she spoke softly aloud to Gloria, breaking her own thoughts gently.

"Gloria?"

"Hmm?"

"Remember the one day I took off?"

Gloria groaned immediately, her eyes closing in mock distress. "Don’t remind me. That day, the entire maid force scrambled desperately just to contain him."

"Yeah..." Liana laughed softly, looking upward, the fondness evident in her eyes. "He really was too much back then."

"Not just mischievous," she added, "but hard to contain. Always running off, hiding in the weirdest places, causing chaos like it was his job."

She smiled to herself, remembering those tiring but oddly fulfilling days.

"Yeah... and by afternoon, I gave up on that boring day off and just called him."

Gloria chuckled. "I remember that. He came out immediately, like a guilty little puppy. Followed you all the way back to your room, didn’t he? And slept clinging to your arm."

"Mm." Liana nodded, her expression soft. "I miss him being like that sometimes."

Gloria smirked, a playful glint in her eyes. "Are you sure? He was such a cheeky little brat back then."

She leaned closer with a teasing tone. "Now he’s all grown up... a bit more mature, taller than both of us."

Liana gave a dramatic pout. "And a lot more flirty."

The two shared a knowing laugh, the kind that only came from years of shared memories.

"Do you think he felt lonely," Liana asked softly, "when we both weren’t there to serve him breakfast, his afternoon food, and his dinner?"

Gloria tilted her head, thinking. "I don’t know. But the Armand estate has plenty of household maids. Surely someone served him."

"Yeah..." Liana nodded faintly. "Mrs. Erinnette is strict. You remember the rule—whenever the lord or his sons dine, at least two maids must be present behind them. Dab their mouths with napkins, offer dishes before they even ask... everything done perfectly."

"Mm." Gloria smiled a little. "That’s how strict our job is."

"But worth it," Liana added. "We get proper rest, the working conditions are fair, and honestly? The pay is better than most royal maids’ salary."

Gloria laughed lightly. "Exactly. That’s why so many try to join the Armand household. Even the daughters of who failed to marry into a higher family want to be maids there just for the perks."

"Right?" Liana grinned. "Still... serving Javier was special. Not just duty."

Gloria’s smile turned more gentle. "Yeah. It felt like... home."

"So, Gloria?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you come to the Armand Region?" Liana asked as they rode past a group of elven children playing by the roots of a massive tree.

"You know it’s far from the Elven Kingdom. Too far if using horseback or carriage... We’re just lucky we had Pekko. Fastest mount, only available in Armand."

Gloria smiled faintly. "Nothing much... It’s just, among my siblings, I’m the only one who looks human. The others all inherited my father’s elven traits."

"Just because of that?" Liana looked over, a bit skeptical.

"No... not really." Gloria’s voice turned thoughtful. "It’s not like they bullied me or anything. But... I just felt like I didn’t belong. One day I overheard travelers talking about the Armand Region. They said Lord Garius was fair to everyone—beastkin, elf, human... didn’t matter. As long as you worked hard, you’d be respected."

Liana glanced at her.

"So I thought—why not? Go see if it’s true." Gloria chuckled. "Turns out, it was true. More than I expected."

Liana smiled. "And then you got stuck with a bratty young master who peeked under skirts and clung to you like a leech."

Gloria giggled. "Yeah... and I ended up falling for him."

Liana looked ahead. "Same here."

She exhaled softly, the wind brushing past her cheek.

"...Let’s finish our holiday here," she said. "Attend our siblings’ wedding properly... then after that—we go back to Armand."

Gloria smiled, eyes soft. "Yeah..."

She looked up at the swaying tree canopies above.

"...I’m sure he will... well... maybe he missed us," Gloria added with a quiet chuckle.

Liana smirked faintly, but her tone was light. "Hmmph... he better."

Both women let out a soft laugh as the two Pekkos trotted side by side, leaving faint prints on the mossy cobblestone road. The sky was clearing up, the clouds parting just enough for light to trickle through—just like the thoughts in their hearts.

Even if they didn’t say it aloud, both were already imagining that familiar courtyard...

The sound of a certain someone shouting...

"Lianaaa! Gloriaaa! Where did you gooo!?"

Liana smiled, imagining his voice echoing in the courtyard.

"Yeah... probably he’d do that."

Gloria grinned. "I don’t think he won’t be sulking or panicked... after all, we didn’t even inform him where we were going."

"Yeah... I don’t believe he’d chase us all the way here," Liana added, glancing to the side.

"Mmhmm," Gloria nodded playfully. "He wouldn’t go that far. I’m sure he’s just curled up on the bed, sulking and pouting."

Liana giggled. "Wrapped in a blanket, hugging a pillow... probably skipped dinner."

Gloria chuckled. "And blaming everyone else but himself."

They both laughed, the tension easing for a moment as the warm breeze carried the scent of leaves and wildflowers.

( End Of Chapter )