Chapter 889: Carefree on the Surface ( 889 )

Javier walked off toward the manor, hands tucked casually in his pockets, chatting softly to Buddy as the big Pekko strutted smugly beside him. The sight of their young master, carefree, confident, and completely at ease, left a gentle hush over the group he’d left behind.

Liana leaned in, fixing Mimi with a playful, knowing smile. "Now, tell me, Mimi... Earlier you said he’s handsome and your type, but you didn’t think he could charm someone just by standing there, right?"

Mimi blinked, cheeks turning red as she quickly looked away.

"Umm... err... I...I don’t know what you’re talking about," she stammered, fidgeting nervously.

Liana’s smile widened. She glanced toward Delya, who was still staring after Javier, her eyes dreamy and distant, a tiny line of drool escaping the corner of her mouth.

"Ah~ Danna-sama~ So handsome~" Delya sighed, looking absolutely enchanted.

Liana returned her attention to Mimi, her voice light but serious. "Now, looking at how you’re fidgeting... and clearly at Delya over there," she nodded toward the spellbound demon princess, "are you really so sure about what you said?"

Mimi’s ears drooped again, her tail flicking with embarrassment. "Uu... I...I didn’t mean it like that! It’s just... umm... err..."

Gloria chuckle softly behind her hand, while Felicia let out a long, resigned sigh, her usual regal calm wavering as she looked away, cheeks tinged with the faintest blush.

Liana straightened with easy grace, her gaze sweeping over Mimi, Delya, and Felicia.

"If Gloria and I, who are always by his side every day, can still fall for that smile..." Her tone softened.

"What do you think happens to a girl who sees him for the first time? Hmm?"

The girls exchanged uncertain glances, all suddenly quiet.

"The only way to keep other girls from approaching him is for me and Gloria to always be by his side. And we’ll make sure he keeps looking for us, too. Like..." Liana paused, her smile growing softer, confidence shining in her eyes.

Before she could finish, a familiar voice called out across the yard.

"Liana? Gloria? What are you two standing there for? Let’s go. Ah...and bring them, too." Javier’s voice was relaxed, his posture casual as he turned, one hand in his pocket, the late sun lighting his face.

"Yes, Young Master~" Liana replied with a bright smile. She watched as Javier continued on ahead.

Buddy trotted off to join the rest of the Pekko birds, Pikko and Peanut already waddling over, flapping their wings, with Mimi, Delya, and Felicia’s Pekko trailing behind in a colorful parade.

Liana glanced at Gloria, their eyes meeting with a spark of shared amusement.

"Looks like Young Master is calling for us," she said softly, then turned to Felicia, Mimi, and Delya. "Let’s go... our ’husband’ is waiting."

Everyone nodded, falling in step behind Liana and Gloria.

"Liana?" Felicia asked quietly as they walked, her tone curious.

"Yes?" Liana replied, glancing over her shoulder.

"Who was that maid before? The one you two suddenly rushed toward when you saw her near Javier?"

Liana’s eyes grew serious. "Erisa. She’s the Head of Household Maid"

Felicia nodded, thinking for a moment. "What was that earlier, between you all? There was... a feeling."

Liana smiled, though a hint of caution flickered in her gaze.

"Ah, that? Well... let’s just say, Erisa is also someone who’s quietly fallen for our ’husband.’ There are plenty of maids who admire him, but she’s a little different."

"Trouble?" Felicia pressed gently.

Liana shook her head. "No, not really. She’s not the type to cause drama or make things difficult for anyone. How should I put it...? She’s not the type to make a direct approach, like Gloria once did. And she’s not the dangerous, aggressive sort, either."

Liana paused, searching for the right words.

"She won’t make any obvious moves or declare her feelings openly. She’s the quiet, patient type... the kind who gets close by helping, always being there, quietly making herself important. She’s careful. If she ever does confess, it’ll be subtle. Or she’ll wait for the right moment, when Javier starts to depend on her more and more, until one day, when he finally thinks of marriage, he won’t hesitate to include her."

Felicia absorbed this in silence, glancing back at where Erisa had disappeared. "That might be even harder to deal with."

Gloria nodded in agreement. "Besides, you all noticed she’s beautiful, and very much Young Master’s type. If we’re not careful, she’ll be part of his harem for sure."

Liana’s eyes softened, a little resigned. "Mm~ If you’re not careful, you won’t even notice how close she’s gotten, until she’s already part of the family. Not that it’s a bad thing... but with Young Master, it’s always the quiet ones you need to watch."

Mimi and Delya exchanged nervous glances, wide-eyed and uncertain.

Felicia nodded thoughtfully. "I see..."

Liana gave them a sly, serious look, then spoke casually. "Just like now. Young Master was supposed to have only us, but look at you three. Now all of you are in his harem... right?"

Mimi and Delya both blushed, and even Felicia smiled, her cheeks tinged pink as they walked on together.

Meanwhile...

Inside Javier’s mind, thoughts churned quietly as he walked.

How can I bring them all to Arjam? He glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of Liana and the others walking a little ways behind him, their laughter drifting on the breeze.

I’m sure none of them want to be left behind. Not Liana, not Gloria, not even those princesses... Sigh.

If I take all these girl with me, there’s bound to be more trouble. Not just for me, for Armand, and especially for Father. Kimar’s the type who never lets things go. He bought his way onto that throne with lies and false promises, and I doubt he’ll just watch quietly while Armand gains even a shred more influence in Arjam.

I know he won’t move his troops openly. Not with our Right of Arm still active, and not when everyone knows how strong Armand’s army is, even without my help. But politics and power aren’t always that simple. If Kimar’s planning something, it’ll be in the shadows, where we won’t see it coming until it’s already set in motion.

Father isn’t careless. If anything, he’s always ten steps ahead, like his mind is some kind of grand simulator. Always thinking, always ready. Still... the thing that bothers me most isn’t the noble coalition or even Kimar’s schemes.

It’s Father himself.

I have a bad feeling. Trouble is going to come knocking soon enough. And I know exactly who’s going to get dragged into it first.

Me.

He let out a soft sigh, pushing his hands deeper into his pockets. I can already picture it, another round of headaches, more paperwork, more "lessons" about leadership, more reasons for Father to nudge me further out front.

What a pain.

( End Of Chapter )