"Young master!!!" Lianaās voice rang from a distance.
Javier turned his head and saw Liana and Gloria rushing toward him, their steps quick, skirts brushing the grass. Behind them, Pikko and Peanut trotted, feathers puffed with pride.
Inside Javierās mind, he sighed.
Ah... looks like they found me. Of course. Pikko and Peanut can track Buddy, and Buddy will always track me. Figures...
Still, he smiled faintly, tilting his head. "Liana... Gloria." His voice was smooth, his smile effortlessly charming.
"Where have you been!!!" Liana scolded, her eyes sharp, hands clenched against her waist.
"Ah, just taking a night breeze. Ehehe..." Javier replied, scratching his cheek lazily.
"Not funny!!!" Gloria raised her voice this time, her usual calm tone breaking.
"Wha? Hey, hey, chill, both of you." Javier lifted his hands in mock defense, smirking.
"Itās not like I went sneaking out or anything.."
"Young master!!!" Lianaās eyes softened but her voice trembled with frustration.
"Do you know how worried we were when we couldnāt detect your mana? We both thought... something happened to you!"
Gloriaās lips pressed tight, her glasses catching the moonlight.
"We searched everywhere... and you were just here, hiding."
Javier let out a soft chuckle.
"You two really are scary when youāre mad, you know that?"
"Now tell me!! Where have you really been!?" Liana pressed again, her eyes narrowing.
"I already told you both, didnāt I?" Javier shrugged lightly, gesturing toward Buddy beside him.
"I was just taking in the night breeze. You see me here with Buddy, right?"
"Cuquawked!" Buddy puffed up proudly, as if backing his masterās excuse.
"So you know I wasnāt outside. And I wasnāt in any trouble."
Gloria adjusted her glasses, her voice firm.
"Still... you shouldnāt conceal your mana like that."
"Ah, well..." Javier rubbed his neck, a lazy grin tugging at his lips. "I just wanted to relax a bit. And see? Iāve already activated my mana again."
"Next time, donāt do that!!!" Lianaās voice rose, her cheeks puffed with frustration.
"Ah... canāt promise that." Javier chuckled, slipping his hands behind his head as he moved along with them slowly.
Both maids let out a sigh at the same time, exchanging a knowing glance before flanking his sides, making sure he couldnāt slip away again.
"Anyway, young master," Liana said firmly, her voice softer now but carrying weight,
"you should go meet your promised future wives too. Theyāre already waiting at the grand hall."
"Ah... Felicia, Mimi, and Delya..." Javier muttered, scratching his cheek with a half-smirk.
"Well, itās not like they wonāt have a chance later. I just donāt want to... you know, get involved in that loud mess right now. Because if I do, Iām sure Iāll be forced to bring Chieftain Gumarak here with my transport drone."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"And Father didnāt tell you two to find me and drag me back there, right?"
"No..." Liana admitted, lowering her gaze slightly. "Lord Garius didnāt say that."
"Exactly." Javier chuckled. "That means he already knows those two kings, are going to ask me for something. Something not impossible for me to do... but too much of a pain. So Iām avoiding it."
Gloria adjusted her glasses, her amber eyes narrowing. "How do you know that, young master?"
Javier smirked, his voice low and lazy. "Ah... letās just say... instinct."
While walking, Javier glanced sideways at Liana, then at Gloria.
"But itās weird," he said lazily. "You two were supposed to be mad if I went to meet them."
Lianaās steps didnāt falter, her face calm but her tone steady.
"Yes... before, we would have been. But you already promised them, young master. And since Gloria and I have approved them... well, letās just say, weāve already agreed to it."
Gloria gave the smallest of nods, pushing her glasses up with a graceful motion.
"It does not mean we like sharing you... but we accept it. Because we trust you. And because weāve chosen you."
Javier blinked, then chuckled under his breath, scratching the back of his neck. "Heh... scary. You two really corner me without raising your voices."
Liana smirked faintly, her tone soft but sharp.
"We donāt need to shout to win, young master."
Liana and Gloria exchanged a quick glance as they walked, a silent understanding passing between them.
Well... Felicia may be the beauty among them, Liana thought, her lips curving in the faintest smirk.
But sheās still far from us.
Her eyes softened, but her mind kept running. Of course weāve noticed where your eyes wander, young master. The way they linger on the bounce of our chests... the way they drift down to our hips... and of course, our butts.
So no, we donāt worry too much.
Gloria, walking calmly on Javierās other side, adjusted her glasses with a light touch.
We also notice those hands of yours lingering on us when we all sleep together.
Her eyes flicking toward Javier for just a moment before looking ahead again.
But we pretend, young master... we pretend to sleep.
Gloriaās lips curved, her gaze hidden behind the glint of her glasses. We know what you like. And we let you have it, because youāre ours, just as we are yours.
Neither spoke a word aloud, yet the air between them was thick with that unspoken understanding.
Javier, sandwiched between them, rubbed the back of his neck with a lazy grin, completely unaware of the dangerous smirks tugging at both maidsā lips.
Meanwhile, in the grand hall.
"Father,"
Felicia spoke, her voice graceful, every word carrying the polished manners drilled into her since birth. She rose from her seat, hands folded neatly in front of her.
"Ah... what is it, Felicia?"
King Lioness asked, his tone casual, though his sharp eyes turned to her at once.
"Please excuse myself," Felicia said with a soft bow.
"I believe I am tired and need to retire for the evening."
Lioness studied his daughter, his brow lifting slightly. "...Tired, or looking for someone?"
Felicia lowered her head slightly, her hands folded neatly before her. Her voice was calm, her expression serene, even under her fatherās sharp gaze.
"I do not know what you mean, Father," she replied, every syllable laced with flawless courtesy.
There was no trace of defiance in her tone, nor eagerness, only the quiet dignity of one who knew how to veil truth behind manner.
Lioness let out a soft hum, studying her carefully. A small smirk tugged at his lips.
"As graceful as always."
Felicia dipped her head once more.
"If you would allow it, Father, I shall retire for the night."
( End Of Chapter )