Next Morning.
Arjam Region.
Farkam Town.
Javier woke with a groan, his whole body stiff. He tried to sit up, only to realize he couldnāt move at all. Something heavy pinned him on every side.
What the...?
He blinked, trying to clear his vision. Liana was hugging him tightly from the right, one arm locked firmly around his chest. Gloria had claimed his left side, her grip unyielding. Mimi, somehow, was sprawled right across his chest, her head nestled under his chin.
Felicia lay curled along his right thigh, her tail draped over his knee, while Delyaās long hair tickled his left leg, her arms wrapped around his other thigh like a pillow.
For a moment, he just stared at the ceiling, memory returning in sluggish pieces. He was supposed to go straight to Armand and stop the Keeper.
He remembered... something hitting his neck.
No, I have to get up. If the Keeperās already there, Father will definitely send out recognition letters to the four nations, Beastkin, Demon, Dwarven, and Elven. That means official support, and once those letters are sent, thereās no turning back. Armandās sovereignty will be sealed.
Javier tried to wiggle free, but both Liana and Gloria tightened their hold.
"Where do you think youāre going, young master~?" Lianaās voice was soft, but the warning in it was unmistakable.
Liana, I need to.." Javier struggled, but Gloria pressed in closer.
"Ara~ are you planning to run away and leave us all here, young master? How cruel~" Gloria teased, her grip like iron.
"But if I donāt go, itās all paperwork, responsibility, and..."
Liana buried her face against Javierās neck, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Please, young master... just let it go. Iām sure Lord Garius has already planned for everything ahead."
On the other side, Gloria pressed closer, her lips at his ear.
"Besides, itās not such a bad thing. We can help you with the paperwork, or anything else you need."
Javier let out a long sigh, shoulders sinking in defeat. "Fine..."
Inside, his thoughts churned with reluctant acceptance.
Yeah... I know. Father probably predicted every step before I ever noticed. I canāt send drones or puppets to attack my own people just to keep Armand from gaining independence. Iām not heartless enough to risk innocent lives, not even for my own freedom.
Still... sob, sob... paperwork. And all the time I wanted to spend with Liana, Gloria, and the rest of my harem... Itās all going to vanish under a mountain of responsibilities.
Gihhh! Just you wait, Father. Iāll find a way to make you stay young and healthy forever. Thereās no way Iām taking the throne while youāre still around!
Fine. You win this round.
But later... kekeke...
Javier wrapped his arms tighter around Liana and Gloria, pulling them close. Mimi, still drooling in her sleep, sprawled across his chest without a care in the world. With a little effort, Javier hooked his legs and drew Delya and Felicia closer too, pulling his entire harem into one warm, tangled embrace.
Later that morning.
After breakfast, Javier stepped out into the courtyard of their temporary house in Arjam.
He watched as Buddy pecked through a crate of fresh fruit, sending orange rinds flying. Nearby, Pikko strutted around the roast meat pile, while Peanut, Jito, and the two Pekko belonging to Delya and Felicia eagerly squawked over their share.
"Cuquawked!" Buddy called, feathers ruffling as he claimed another fruit.
Javier rubbed his chin, watching the chaos.
Did the girls already name their Pekko?
He realized heād never actually asked. I should really get their names, canāt have them running around nameless forever. Iāll have to check with them later.
Wait...nowās not the time for Pekko introductions!
Javier squatted down, both hands buried in his hair as frustration set in.
The border gates... theyāre closed. I heard it over the mana talkie. Father sealed the Armand border, just as soon as he got the decree. That means itās all happening now. Fatherās already stripped of his rank and title by royal decree.
He clenched his teeth.
What an idiot.
King Kimar actually thinks removing Fatherās rank would do anything? What a fool. No wonder Father refused to support Duke Kimar as king back then. A man like that doesnāt have the vision, the talent, or the sense to rule. He canāt even spot or gather the best minds to help him govern, let alone outplay Father.
Now...
How do I beat Father at his own game?
That Eyes of Truth is the real problem. Itās impossible to hide anything when he can see right through you. Every scheme, every little plan.
I swear, itās like heās reading my mind before Iāve even finished the thought.
Iāll need to take precautions this time. Make sure my mind canāt be read so easily when we meet again. Thereās no way he wonāt summon me back to Armand after all this.
Esspecially with his wedding to Queen Mylezra coming up.
And this time, Iām sure he wonāt be able to postponed it any longer.
Ehehehe...heās not the only one who can set things in motion.
Javier slipped a hand into his pocket, pulling out a small, finely crafted clock. The date and time glinted on its polished surface.
Just wait. Within this week, youāll hear the news yourself.
The Elven Kingdom will announce a new interim ruler to assist Queen Mylezra in governing the nation. All thanks to the plan I sent over, relayed straight to her using my own mana talkie signal drones. This time, even Father wonāt be able to stall the wedding.
And as for that fifth promised bride... Well, sheāll be arriving sooner than expected.
Ah~consider this my thank you gift, Father. Kekekeke...
Javier rubbed his hands together, a sly grin spreading across his face as the Pekko flock pecked contentedly behind him.
This time, thereās no way he can counter me. Iāll finally get my first real win!
Ehehehe...
Praise this genius! Let the world bow before my brilliance!
Javier grinned smugly, lifting his chin and striking a pose that would make any ikemen jealous.
Ah, victory at last... my first win over Fatherās endless plans!
I can pictured it now~ Queen Mylezra arriving in Armand, the grand wedding proceeding without a single hitch, Father left with no room to maneuver. This time, he wouldnāt be able to wriggle out of marrying Mylezra, not as the head of the Armand Region, but as the Sovereign of the newly independent Armand Nation!
Not only that, Iāve already set aside a mountain of my own gold to fund everything. A grand feast for all of Armand and Arjam, every citizen celebrating in style. Iāve even designed a special dress for Mother, Lady Francesca, so sheāll outshine everyone as Fatherās First Wife. I made sure every one of my stepmothers, especially that dragon, has a dress perfectly suited for her.
And I canāt wait to launch my mana satellite and show off the first prototype Holo Mana TV.
Javier grinned, pulling out a sleek, palm-sized cube. With a casual flick, he tossed it onto the ground. A shimmering holo-panel rose into view, broadcasting a live feed from the courtyard where Buddy and the other Pekko feasted. In his other hand, Javier held a mana cam, capturing it all in real time.
Just you wait, this grand wedding for Queen Mylezra and Father will be the first event broadcast live to all of Armand! The vow renewal ceremony will be streamed too, giving Mother her moment in the spotlight before Father takes Mylezraās hand.
Kekeke! This is what happens when you try to outplay Javier De Armand, Father!
Javierās laughter echoed through the courtyard as the Pekko flock squawked in chorus, the worldās first live mana broadcast already underway.
( End Of Chapter )