Javier ran his hand through his hair, his posture suddenly shifting to that of a cool, dramatic ikemen. With an exaggerated, heartfelt sigh, he strode over and dropped to one knee in front of Gloria, meeting her gaze with sparkling, earnest eyes.
"Oh, my beloved Gloria~" he declared in a low, rich voice, playing along with her performance. "Even as this body steps into adulthood, this heart, this soul, will never, ever forget you!"
He reached for her hand, lifting it gently and placing it over his own chest, as if swearing an eternal oath.
"Though fate may try to part us, and new trials come with each passing dawn, your loyalty and love remain forever engraved upon my soul! How could I ever abandon you, my second wife, the moonlight to my endless night?"
Gloria, cheeks flushed with delight, pressed her hand to her forehead, feigning faintness. "Ah~ Young Master... your words alone are enough to heal this wounded heart~"
She reached for his hand in return, eyes shining with playful tears. "If you say so, I shall endure even the greatest heartbreak, so long as you remember this humble maidâs love! Even if the heavens fall, I will wait by your side, ah~!"
The others could only watch, half in awe, half in disbelief at the sheer level of their dramatic exchange.
Mimi leaned in, whispering to Delya, "Is this how adults show love?"
Felicia, face turning pink, simply shook her head, caught between laughter and embarrassment as Javier and Gloria continued their mock-theatrical display.
Liana clapped her hands twice, her tone firm.
"Alright, alright! Enough with the usual morning theatrics. If you keep this up, breakfast will turn cold."
Javier grinned at Liana, then, unable to resist, leaned back into the act for one final flourish. He threw himself at Gloriaâs side, grasping her hand with desperate flair.
"Forgive me, my beloved! Fate is cruel, dragging me away before I can make it up to you!"
Gloria reached out, her voice trembling with mock despair. "No~ Young Master, donât leave me behind! Not when my heart still longs for you~!"
"Gloriaaa!" Javier called dramatically, as if the world itself was tearing them apart.
Smack! Smack!
Liana, now thoroughly done with the morningâs drama, gave them both a light bop on the head with her palm.
"Enough," she said, sighing as she shook her head at the two. "Youâll both lose your minds before breakfast if you keep this up."
Liana let out long sigh, folding her arms as she glared at the pair still sprawled dramatically on the ground.
"Why do I always have to handle two children every morning? Both of you, up! Breakfast is getting cold."
Javier arched an eyebrow at Gloria, putting on an exaggerated shiver. "Ooh~ fierce. Sheâs scarier than Father~"
Gloria pouted, whispering just loud enough, "Mm~ sheâs scary..."
Smack! Smack!
Liana delivered another swift bop to both their heads. "Yikes!" Javier yelped, rubbing the spot.
"Ow..." Gloria winced, sitting up straighter.
"Enough playing around. Go eat your breakfast, and Gloria, fix your uniform! I wonât have the second wife looking like a mess in front of everyone."
"Yes, yes~" Gloria replied meekly, smoothing out her dress, while Javier shuffled obediently toward the breakfast table.
Once Javier settled at the table, Mimi wasted no time scooting close, her eyes wide with curiosity. Delya, ever the dreamer, sidled up on his other side and gazed at him with fascination.
"Ne ne~ what does Gloria mean by âturn into manâ?" Mimi asked, her ears perking up as she peered intently at Javierâs face.
Before he could answer, Delya reached out, running her fingers along his arm and then across his chest, her touch delicate and light. "Does your muscle grow? Or your face... did it turn more handsome?" she asked, her voice dreamy as her hand traced up to his cheek.
Javier nearly choked on his coffee, caught completely off guard by the barrage of innocent questions. He coughed once, then again, scrambling to recover his composure while Delyaâs fingers poked experimentally at his biceps.
"Ah... well, itâs not really about muscles, Delya," Javier managed, a bit awkwardly. He gave her a helpless smile as she continued to inspect him with all the curiosity of a child discovering a new toy.
Delya pouted a little, then squeezed his arm. "But you do look more... manly today, Danna-sama~" she sighed, eyes sparkling with admiration.
Javier scratched his cheek, trying to play it cool. "Maybe I just finally look my age. Or maybe itâs because I slept better last night." He forced a laugh, only for Mimi to lean in even closer.
"So... does turning into a man mean you just look different?" Mimi pressed, her tail flicking behind her.
Gloria hid a giggle behind her hand, her eyes twinkling. "Maybe you should ask Liana, Mimi~ She might know the answer better than anyone here."
Liana, caught off guard as she was pouring tea, almost spilled the pot. "Gloria..." she muttered, trying to keep her composure.
Felicia, sitting nearby, just let out a soft sigh, her elegant mask slipping into quiet amusement as she watched the scene unfold.
Of course, Javierâs a man. Why do Mimi and Delya even ask such things?
Javier grinned, then reached over to give Mimi and Delya each a gentle pat on the head. "Donât think about it too much, Mimi, Delya. Just eat your breakfast, okay?"
Mimi puffed her cheeks, a little disappointed, but nodded. "Okay... but Iâm still going to ask Liana later!"
Liana placed the freshly grilled meat on Javierâs plate, her smile gentle and warm.
"Young master... here, your favorite," she said softly.
"Mm... thanks, Liana." Javier nodded, his expression easy, while Mimi and Delya flanked him, each happily digging in.
Liana sat across from him, her posture calm, her eyes lingering on Javier. As she watched him eat, her thoughts drifted back to last night.
The memory vivid behind her steady smile.
---
She gazed up at him, seeing not just the boy sheâd watched over since childhood, but the young man she loved. The only man she ever wanted.
Her first love.
Someone she truly, deeply loved. Someone who, even now, still held tightly to that shy, stubborn promise made long ago, a promise only she remembered.
"I donât mind, Young Master..." she whispered, her fingers tracing a soft, lingering line along his jaw, her smile tender and full of longing. "Just donât forget... you promised me, when you were just a boy, that youâd make me your first wife."
Her heartbeat faster, anticipation and hope rising as she waited for his answer.
She smiled quietly to herself, teasing in her mind.
Letâs see... Will young master really do it this time? Or will he back out like before?
Then she felt it, his hand, warm and steady, beginning to move, no longer hesitant.
Is he... really doing it?
No more holding back?
( End Of Chapter )