Chapter 961: Clothes Fit for the Heir ( 961 )

Javier’s Room.

"Young master! Hurry up!" Liana called out, catching him sprawled on the long couch.

"Ehh? Do I really have to go to the throne room? I just know Father will find some way to get me again..." Javier muttered, but Gloria had already grabbed his wrist and was tugging him upright.

"No excuses, young master~ Today’s a big day for your family." Gloria smiled as she and Liana began dressing him in the ceremonial clothes Garius had prepared.

Javier shot them a sidelong look as they worked the buttons and straightened his collar.

"Why are you two so excited about this, anyway?"

"Hm? Of course we’re excited! Our young master is about to become a prince~" Liana said, exchanging a look with Gloria. "And don’t forget, our Aunt Mylezra is here too. Now, hold still and put this on."

Javier frowned, eyeing the new outfit suspiciously.

An elegant, jet-black suit with bronze-gold embroidery curling up the lapels and cuffs. A matching vest, gold buttons, and a striking bronze tie completed the look. The black cloak with embroidered edges swept behind, regal and dramatic. Beside it all rested a slender, gold-tipped cane.

"Ugh, who designed this? Bronze-gold stripes? You both know I hate wearing things like this. My neck always gets itchy afterwards." He tugged at the collar, half-grumbling.

Liana just smiled. "This set was picked by Lord Garius himself. You’re about to become Armand’s prince, and next in line as sovereign. Everyone needs to see you shine."

Gloria helped drape the cloak over his shoulders, smoothing the heavy, embroidered fabric.

"It suits you, young master. And don’t complain, you look dashing. All your brothers is wearing theirs, too, and just so you know, Lady Athine is dressed in the most beautiful princess gown of all."

Javier grumbled under his breath, tugging at the collar. "Yeah, yeah. As long as nobody makes me carry that cane around... I’m not an old man yet."

Liana and Gloria helped Javier into the tailored coat, straightening the shoulders and buttoning it with practiced hands. He caught his reflection in the mirror and frowned, leaning closer.

"Wait a minute..." he mumbled. "Isn’t this the same design I made for Father? The full gold one? The only difference is the royal mantel. Ugh! Father got me again. The seamstresses really followed the pattern I gave them, and now he’s using it for all of us?"

Liana just smiled, stepping up to adjust his collar. She leaned in close, whispering, "But young master, you look very handsome in it."

From his other side, Gloria leaned in and whispered teasingly, "Yes... it’s turning me on~"

Javier coughed, doing his best to look dignified as he puffed out his chest. "Well... if you both say so, I suppose I can wear it. But only for ceremonies like this or for Father’s wedding. No way am I wearing this just to visit town."

Liana let out a soft chuckle and gently tapped Javier’s chest, adjusting his collar and making sure every line was perfect. "Now, young master. Let’s not keep everyone waiting."

Javier exhaled, straightening his shoulders as he headed for the door. He paused, glancing back at Liana and Gloria. "Where are the others?"

Liana tilted her head, a small smile on her lips. "You mean Felicia, Mimi, and Delya? They’re already at the throne hall."

"Oh... well, let’s go then." Javier pulled open the door, stepping out with Liana and Gloria close behind.

Only to find Garius already waiting in the corridor, arms folded, his expression calm and unreadable.

Javier snapped to attention, suddenly stiff. "Esteemed father."

Garius gave him a measured nod. "Good. You finally finished getting ready."

"Y...yes, esteemed father." Javier bowed slightly, quickly glancing over the assembled group.

Marcellus, Cedric, Aelius, Heres, and Athine were all there, each dressed in the same princely outfit style as Javier, each wore the accent colors matching their own Pekko. Every one of them looked just as formal and uncomfortable, except for Athine, who wore her princess dress with effortless grace.

Inside Javier’s mind, a sly thought crept in. Hehe... everyone’s just as stiff as me. Well... except Athine. She always makes this look easy.

Garius turned, leading the way. "Now, let’s go, Javier."

"Yes, esteemed father."

Javier followed, his family falling into step behind.

He glanced over at Athine as they walked down the corridor.

Athine caught his gaze, moving with her usual serene grace. "Don’t fall for me, little brother. I already have Aelius~" she teased softly.

Javier grinned, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "No way I’d fall for you, even if you are exactly my type, beauty, grace, gentle as a spring breeze... Just like Liana. Except Liana can be a bit rougher at times." He flashed her a teasing smile. "Besides, I wouldn’t make brother Aelius sad, princess Athine."

"My, my~ Prince Javier," Athine replied with a playful sparkle in her eyes.

Javier leaned in slightly, keeping his voice low. "I heard you... ahem... got pregnant?"

Athine only smiled, her hand slipping easily into Aelius’s. "You could say that~"

Javier’s eyes widened a touch. "So, what’s the plan then?"

She gave a soft, contented laugh. "We’re getting married. Marcellus, Cedric, Heres... all of us, on the same day, same ceremony."

"Oho? That’s bold, making it official in front of everyone, huh?"

"Father approved, Mother approved... Even your mother, Lady Francesca, had no objection."

Javier just smiled, shaking his head in amusement and genuine happiness. "Good for you, Athine."

Javier laced his hands behind his head as he walked, stealing a glance at Aelius and Athine ahead. The way those two moved in perfect sync, whispering, smiling, fingers entwined, made it clear: these siblings really in love with each other and were serious about getting married.

Well...I don’t have any objection. This world isn’t bound by the same laws as my old one. There’s no law against it, and nobody here treats it as something scandalous. No one’s being forced, and honestly, by the look of it, they really couldn’t live without each other.

And this world is a world of magic. So bad things like incestuous marriages won’t happen in this world.

I wonder when it all started?

How did Aelius end up falling for his own sister? Or was it Athine who first reached for him?

Javier smiled to himself, but quickly straightened his posture, dropping his hands to his sides as soon as Garius’s sharp gaze flicked over his shoulder.

Gulp. Father’s still scary, even after all these years.

He took a breath and called softly, "Athine."

She looked back, graceful as ever. "Yes, little brother?"

"Where are our mothers?"

Athine smiled. "They’re already at the main grand doors, I think. We’ll all gather together there before the cue. Mister Alf arranged everything perfectly, as always."

( End Of Chapter )