Chapter 750: Pride, Pulls, and Pledges ( 750 )

Javier dried himself off with the towel, rubbing it briskly through his hair before wrapping it around his waist.

He hummed softly, a lazy tune escaping his lips as he padded across the polished floor, water still dripping from his skin.

Reaching his wardrobe, he pulled the doors open and began sifting through the rows of neatly folded clothes and hanging outfits.

"Hm... this one?" He held up a full noble outfit, embroidered with gold trimming. His face twisted.

"Nah... too noble. Too stiff."

He tossed it aside and grabbed another. A more layered attire, heavy with extra belts and clasps. His eyes narrowed.

"...Too much work. Way too lazy to wear this."

Digging deeper, he finally pulled out a simpler, more casual noblewear.

Light, practical, but still polished enough not to draw Alf’s disapproving glare.

Javier’s lips curved into a grin.

"Yep. This one’s good. Casual enough for me... but won’t give Father a reason to nag."

He slipped into the outfit quickly, buttoning it with ease before adjusting the cuffs.

"Strict old man... last thing I need is him nagging about appearances. I can already hear it... ’Discipline starts with presentation, Javier.’"

He mimicked his father’s deep voice, rolling his eyes.

And then another voice popped into his head, stern, sharper.

"Young master, proper etiquette must always be observed."

Javier groaned.

"Ugh... Alf would lecture me for an hour if I showed up in the wrong attire. Nope. Not today. My time’s valuable. And I’m not wasting it on etiquette lessons."

He looked at his reflection in the mirror, tugging lightly on the collar until it sat just right.

"Perfect. Good enough for Father. Good enough for Alf. And easy enough for me."

Javier exhaled, already thinking ahead.

"After this meeting... I’m visiting the cocoa farm. Three years since I planted those trees... wonder if they’ve started bearing fruit yet. If they have... chocolate, cocoa drink, all mine."

He chuckled, shoulders relaxing as he gave himself a final once-over in the mirror.

"Alright... time to face Father."

Javier checked himself one last time at the door’s edge.

He brushed his hair back with his fingers, letting a confident grin creep onto his lips.

"Yep," he muttered, tilting his chin slightly.

"Perfect. Handsome. Charming young master Javier is here."

He pulled the door open, humming proudly.

Only to freeze.

Standing right in front of him, calm as ever, was his father.

"A–Ah! Esteem Father." Javier straightened instantly, puffing his chest, posture stiff as a spear. He didn’t dare meet those sharp eyes, his gaze fixed just past Garius’s shoulder.

Garius’s tone was even, yet heavy. "What took you so long?"

Javier’s throat bobbed. "I–I was... bathing."

His father’s eyes narrowed faintly. He stroked his chin, examining his son with a weight that made Javier’s back stiffen even more.

"Hmm... Where are your maids?"

Javier’s eyes darted aside, lips twitching. "...Pekko pen, perhaps?"

Garius’s gaze lingered on him for a breath longer before shifting slightly, scanning the hallway. Javier caught a glimpse of Alf at his father’s side.

Silent, loyal, as always. The butler’s presence felt like that of a strict older brother who would never let him slip away from scrutiny.

Inside, Javier cursed. Ugh, Alf’s always here. Always. Like Father’s shadow. No way I can get away with anything at this rate. He managed to hold back a sigh, forcing a small, nervous smile instead.

"Now," Garius said, turning on his heel, cloak trailing behind him with quiet authority,

"let’s go to the meeting room."

"Y–Yes! Esteem Father!" Javier responded quickly, falling into step behind him.

Inside his head, he groaned.

Meeting room, huh? Yep... this is gonna be another long lecture, isn’t it?

Javier trailed behind them, keeping up with his father’s steady pace.

"Alf," Garius’s voice rang through the corridor, calm but commanding, "are all my sons and my daughter, Athine around?"

"Yes, my lord," Alf answered without hesitation. "I’ve already called them. And I’m sure Erinette has informed the others as well."

"Good."

Javier’s eyes flicked downward, a wry grin twisting his lips as he thought to himself.

Oho? If Father wants all his adult children gathered, this must be serious. Let’s just hope this isn’t another mission.

Ugh... the war is over. It’s probably about helping other regions and kingdoms recover. What a pain.

He sighed quietly, watching his father’s back.

Father is always like this. He’s always helping others, putting everyone else first. Yep... that’s so like him.

Garius’s deep tone broke the silence again.

"By the way, Marcellus and Cedric? Alf?"

"Yes, my lord," Alf replied with his usual calm politeness.

"I’ve already captured them and made sure they can’t leave the estate. They were each carrying pouches full of gold coins."

Javier nearly flinched, his jaw twitching.

Ah... those gold coins they took from me...

He rubbed his temple, groaning inwardly.

Well, it’s not like they stole them outright. As usual, they make it look like I freely gave them the money.

But damn, Alf. Even the strongest mage and the strongest paladin in the Human Kingdom couldn’t slip past him. And yet, he caught them as if it were nothing.

The double doors of the meeting room loomed ahead, but what struck Javier first wasn’t the room itself.

It was the line of maids flanking the corridor.

Every personal maid was there. Marcellus’s Lithia and Harny, Cedric’s Meira and Zania, Aelius’s and Athine’s attendants, even Heres’s quiet ones, all lined up neatly.

Francesca’s own personal maid Erisa stood tall with her usual composed dignity. And farther down, the maids of his stepmothers as well.

But at the center of it all, walking toward them with deliberate steps.

Was Erinette.

The undisputed head of all Armand maids, Alf’s wife, and the one who commanded even the most elite among them.

Her expression was calm, but her pace was slow and measured, carrying a weight that pressed everyone to straighten their posture just by instinct. Behind her, two familiar figures followed.

Liana and Gloria. Their eyes were calm, faces serious, lips set in silence.

Javier blinked.

Whoa...this serious?

The air itself felt heavier. The way every maid, every servant, every personal attendant was gathered.

It wasn’t just a routine family gathering. This was something else entirely.

If the whole family is called in like this, then this is super serious. No doubt about it.

His eyes flicked to Liana and Gloria again, narrowing slightly.

And judging from their faces, did they just get scolded?

Or perhaps they were helping Erinette with something big... either way, they look like they’ve been through it.

( End Of Chapter )