Chapter 920: News Before the Storm ( 920 )

Javier walked toward the living room, the subtle aroma of chocolate and roasted biscuit filling the air. As he turned the corner, he saw Heres already seated on the couch, back straight, legs crossed, posture perfect as always. His expression was calm.

Gloria gracefully poured a steaming cup of chocolate, placing it on the tray beside a neatly arranged plate of biscuits. Heres’s personal maid, stood politely nearby.

The moment Heres saw him, his face lit up. "Little brother!"

Javier exhaled. "What now, Heres?"

"Ah... I have something to discuss with you. You know..." Heres gestured vaguely.

Javier simply stared at him for a beat, then walked over, shaking his head. He sat down on the opposite couch with a thud.

Liana and Gloria moved in sync, placing a fresh cup of coffee at his side, then standing just behind him as they always did.

Heres just smiled, that same gentle, composed expression never leaving his face.

Javier’s eyes narrowed.

"So? What do you need, my brother?" Javier asked flatly.

"Err... can we talk in private?"

Javier tilted his head, then gave a long, slow exhale.

"...Fine. Liana, Gloria?"

"Yes, young master?" they said in unison.

"Could you give us a moment?"

The two nodded without protest. Gloria gave a soft bow while Liana smiled and turned toward the hallway.

Heres motioned subtly to his own maid, who followed them silently out of the room.

The doors closed, leaving only the two brothers alone.

Javier leaned back and stared at Heres.

"Alright. You got your privacy. Now spit it out."

Heres shifted uncomfortably, eyes darting around the room.

Javier narrowed his eyes, sighing again. "Just spit it out, Brother Heres. We’re family. If it’s money, I can give it to you now, or request it from the treasury back at Armand. You know we all get a monthly allowance from Father, but if you need more, just say so."

"Ah... it’s not about money." Heres offered a sheepish, nervous smile. "It’s about Kliatana."

Javier’s shoulders slumped. "What about her?"

"Umm... do you think... it’s too early if I..." Heres trailed off, glancing away.

"Too early for what?" Javier pressed.

"You know... marriage."

Javier shook his head. "Come on, Heres. Don’t ask me. It’s your life. If you’re serious, you should go to Father for advice, not me."

Heres managed another sheepish smile. "Well... Kliatana is your friend, so I thought..."

Javier let out a slow exhale. "She’s not really my best friend and you know it. We just went to the same academy and we’re the same age. She’s a friend, sure, but she always annoyed me. You don’t need my permission. If you want advice, go to Father. Seriously."

Suddenly, Heres gestured for Javier to lean in closer.

With an annoyed sigh, Javier complied, tilting his ear toward his brother.

"I think... she’s pregnant," Heres whispered.

Javier’s eyes snapped wide open. He hissed in disbelief. "Are you sure? How can you be so sure?"

"Err... umm... she’s been vomiting, she gets dizzy in the mornings, she’s craving weird foods, she gets tired really quickly, and...well, she’s late. You know, late."

Javier could only stare, his mind blank. Finally, he slid over and sat beside Heres.

"How many times did you...? Your relationship hasn’t even hit three months yet!"

"Umm... err... every day?" Heres said, turning red.

"You’re both idiots," Javier muttered, rubbing his face.

Heres’s cheeks flushed deeper. "I-I know, I know... but, little brother, what should I do now? I mean, what if she really is...?"

Javier dropped his hand, giving Heres a deadpan look. "First, get her checked by a healer. Make sure she’s actually pregnant. If you’re too worried to spread rumors, I can call someone discreet from Armand."

"Yeah. Yes. Good. That’s a good idea. I’ll do that."

"And then," Javier continued, voice flat, "You go straight to Father and tell him. Don’t even think about hiding it. If Kliatana’s really pregnant, there’s going to be a royal wedding whether you’re ready or not."

Heres swallowed, obviously picturing Garius’s stern face and the family council.

Javier rolled his eyes. "Seriously, the two of you... every day? Did you even stop to think about what could happen?"

Heres stared at his fingers, fidgeting. "I... um... she’s really beautiful, you know?"

Javier couldn’t help but snort. "Yeah, yeah. Go get her checked. I’ll handle whatever needs handling on this end. And for the love of the gods, at least try to act less like a lovestruck idiot in public."

Heres managed a shaky laugh. "Thanks, Javier. Really."

Javier waved him off. "Just go. And remember, Father’s going to find out no matter what. Better he hears it from you. And, ah... I wonder what your mother will say."

The color drained from Heres’s face at the mention of Lady Phenelopie.

Javier shook his head, sighing. "Don’t worry too much. But seriously, you’re the first among us to get your girl pregnant this early. Even Marcellus and Cedric, with all their long-term drama and harems, haven’t managed that yet. Marcellus has Harny and Lithia, but he actually controls himself."

He let out a short laugh. "Those two are finally getting permission to marry next month, after Father’s wedding with Queen Mylezra. I’m pretty sure there’ll be babies popping up everywhere after that. But you... sigh."

Heres just gave a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his head.

"Anyway," Javier said, "tell Father as soon as it’s confirmed. The sooner, the better. Trust me, you do not want him to find out some other way. At least if you’re honest, he’ll handle the rest."

Heres nodded quickly. "I’ll do that. Thanks, Javier. I mean it."

Javier just waved him off again, shaking his head with a tired smile.

"Umm... one more thing, little brother."

Javier raised a brow. "Hmm? What now?"

Heres shuffled, looking hopeful. "Since the new estate and manor are being built... can I ask for your help with some... modifications?"

Javier rolled his eyes. "You don’t need to worry about that, Heres. It’s not that I don’t trust the workers from Arjam, but for safety, and to make sure the layout doesn’t leak to the wrong people, any sensitive designs or secure areas, I’ll handle personally. We can’t risk an assassin or a spy getting their hands on the blueprints."

He leaned back, voice growing more practical. "But honestly, I doubt Father will let any of us live outside the main estate, anyway. You know how he is. I’m sure your house with Kliatana will be within Armand Estate, not out here in Arjam."

Heres blinked, confused. "Err... then what’s the estate here for?"

Javier snorted. "For Father. For Kliatana’s official visits. You forget how fast Pekko are? It’s just a place for family to rest during trips or handle business in Arjam. But actually living here? Not happening. I’m sure of it."

Heres let out a sheepish laugh and nodded. "Yeah... we all know how Father is."

Javier’s gaze softened for a second. "It’s not a bad thing. Besides, you’ve heard from your mother how Father lost his entire family when he was just a kid, right? If Kliatana, daughter of his late friend and the last heir of King Edmund, really is pregnant, that means your child will be his first grandchild."

( End Of Chapter )