Chapter 681: Giggles and Mounts ( 681 )

Viessa sighed deeply. Then stepped forward, her voice stern yet composed.

"You two—stop."

Liana froze instantly, fist still raised mid-air.

Gloria’s hands halted just before twisting Javier’s leg any further.

"But Mother—" Liana protested weakly.

"No buts," Viessa said firmly. She turned her eyes sharply toward Javier, who was now sprawled pitifully on the floor, bruised and thoroughly beaten.

"You, young man. After this, go take a bath immediately." Viessa then turned back to her daughter. "And Liana?"

"Yes, Mother?" Liana lowered her fist obediently.

"Prepare some proper clothing for him. Take something from your brother’s wardrobe and give it to this boy."

Liana sighed, reluctantly lowering her fists completely. "Yes, Mother."

Viessa turned toward the door, shaking her head slightly as she exited.

Just before leaving, she glanced back at Javier with narrowed eyes, cheeks faintly red.

"And please... refrain from mistaking me for my daughter again, young man."

Javier winced, quickly lowering his head.

"Yes, Madam..."

The door closed gently behind her.

Liana glared down at Javier again, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Saved by Mother... this time."

Javier swallowed hard. "I—I’m grateful for her mercy..."

"Hmm~ I suppose he deserves it," Gloria sighed softly, releasing her grip on his leg at last. She straightened gracefully, adjusting her glasses as if nothing had happened.

Javier slumped back onto the floor in relief.

It had been a close call... again.

Javier stood slowly.

His clothes were wrinkled, his face a mess, but his gaze was locked onto them.

"...Liana... Gloria..."

His voice cracked. His eyes welled up.

Then.

"I missed you two!!"

He rushed forward and wrapped his arms around them both, burying his face into their shoulders.

Gloria stiffened slightly.

Liana’s lips trembled, but she bit them, refusing to cry.

"Y-Young master..." Gloria said softly, trying to maintain her composure—yet her hands slowly wrapped around his back.

"I was shocked..." Javier’s voice muffled against them. "When Mother... said... you two had gone back to your hometown... for a wedding..."

Liana blinked. Her voice came out quiet.

"Y-Young master... it’s not us who got married."

"It was my sister who married," Liana said gently, brushing back a strand of hair. "She married Gloria’s brother."

"R-Really...?" Javier blinked.

Gloria nodded with a soft smile. "Yes. So don’t worry, young master."

"...Then why didn’t you both tell me?"

Liana crossed her arms, a vein popping on her forehead. "Because if we did, you’d definitely follow us all the way to the Elven Kingdom... and flirt the entire journey!"

"I-I wouldn’t... I mean, I didn’t do—"

Liana’s smile was warm, but her fingers pinched his waist with deadly precision.

"Just recently, you hugged my mother."

"Eeeek! That was a mistake!! I didn’t—ow ow ow!! Lianaaa!!"

After she finally let go, Javier rubbed his sore waist with a pout.

Liana handed him a towel, ignoring the complaint. "Go take a bath. I’ll prepare your clothes."

"Umm..." Javier reached behind him and activated his magic storage.

A neat fold of clothes and trousers appeared in his hand.

"I already have mine."

Liana narrowed her eyes. "You should try wearing elven clothes. Just once."

Javier held up the outfit like a shield. "Errrr... no. This one has the Armand emblem, and I prefer it. Besides... this outfit is fully enhanced. By me. You two know that."

Gloria sighed.

Liana pinched the bridge of her nose.

"...Stubborn young master," they both muttered.

"Now go take a bath," Liana said firmly, pointing toward the door on the side. "There’s a bathroom there. But... elven baths are different from human ones."

Javier tilted his head. "Different how?"

"You need to channel mana into the root," Gloria explained calmly. "The water system is responds to your mana flow. It’ll activate the shower."

"Ah... got it."

Javier gave a light nod and turned toward the bath.

Liana added, crossing her arms with a serious look, "Gloria and I will stay nearby. We’ll make sure the door is locked. No one will disturb you."

Javier paused, looking back for a moment.

"...Thanks."

"Just take your time," Gloria said softly.

Meanwhile, outside in the lively courtyard.

The wedding continued in full swing. Laughter echoed, music played gently in the background, and the aroma of roasted dishes filled the air.

Near the grand buffet table, one particularly large figure stood out among the crowd.

Buddy—the giant orange Pekko mount—stood tall, his head slowly swiveling left and right as he scanned the table.

His eyes locked onto the grilled meat platter.

Without shame.

Without hesitation.

He took a single, deliberate step forward, his talons clicking against the cobblestone.

A few elven nobles blinked.

"Is that... a bird?"

"That’s not a bird. That’s a monster."

"That’s a mount from the Armand Region..."

Before anything could escalate, a calm voice interrupted.

"Here you go."

A soft hand reached up, holding out a slice of juicy roast meat.

Buddy lowered his head slightly, eyeing the generous offering.

He took the meat cleanly from her palm and swallowed it in one gulp.

"Cuquawked!!" Buddy squawked. (Delicious! More!!)

The elf girl laughed.

Her silver hair shimmered under the sun, and her bright emerald eyes sparkled with amusement.

She looked nearly identical to Liana—same height, same build, same graceful aura—but a touch more playful in expression.

She gently patted Buddy’s beak.

"Greedy, aren’t you?"

Buddy let out another happy chirp and nudged his beak affectionately against her shoulder.

Mistaking her for liana.

"Cuquawked!" (Liana?!)

Lyzia giggled. "Wrong girl, big guy."

Buddy happily leaned his beak against her, clearly content.

Several elves looked over with curiosity.

"Who’s that girl?"

"That’s the bride’s younger sister, Lady Lyzia, isn’t it?"

"The Pekko seems to like her..."

"Careful, that thing might follow her home."

Buddy, unaware of the stir he was causing, simply nestled closer to Lyzia.

Blissfully enjoying the moment.

Lyzia looked at Buddy with bright curiosity.

She gently patted his beak, smiling softly.

"Can I try to ride you?"

Cuquawked!!

Buddy lowered his massive, fluffy body in excitement, wings fluttering slightly as he crouched low.

Lyzia blinked, then giggled.

With a graceful motion, she stepped up, testing the stirrup and carefully climbing into the saddle.

"He’s so cute!" she said, beaming as she adjusted herself in the seat.

"Move slowly, okay?"

Cuquawked!

Buddy gave a proud huff, clearly understanding, his feathers fluffing proudly as if showing off.

( End Of Chapter )