Chapter 987: Beneath the Celebration ( 987 )

The Vow is complete.

But the mana cams kept rolling, broadcasting the marriage vows live across all of Armand and Arjam.

In every city, town, and village square, people crowded around holo-TVs, cheering.

"Did you see our King? So calm and regal!"

"Queen Francesca looked like a goddess in that gold dress!"

"Prince Marcellus and Prince Cedric are so handsome!"

Nearby, a group of boys sighed. "Princess Athine is stunning..."

Someone in the crowd shouted, "Why can’t we see the maids? I heard the Armand household is full of beauties!"

Laughter followed as the feast began in earnest across the nation. Tables were piled high with food and drink.

"Man, being part of Armand really has its perks."

"No kidding. No hunger, no war...just peace."

"And have you seen our tech? We’re decades ahead of anyone else!"

Meanwhile.

Marcellus, Cedric, and Heres rose to their feet, clapping. Aelius and Athine stood hand in hand, their smiles soft and proud as they watched their mothers beaming beside their father.

Javier just smirked.

Heh... success. Good to see Mother smiling like that. And wow... look at the old man. Didn’t know that dried plum could smile like that.

He nudged Marcellus, then Cedric.

"Your turn next. Hehehe."

"Ugh, shut up, little brother," Marcellus grumbled.

"What, nervous?" Javier wiggled his eyebrows with a sly grin before turning and poking Heres in the side. "And you, Brother Heres... how’s that brat...ahem...Kliatana?"

"Little brother... just focus on the celebration," Heres said softly.

"What? It’s just feasting after this. Don’t forget your wedding day is the same as Marcellus and Cedric’s."

"I know." Heres smiled, his gaze drifting to Kliatana beside him.

"Blergh! Stop eyeing her. It’s not like that brat’s going anywhere." Javier grinned slyly, wiggling his eyebrows toward Kliatana.

Kliatana smiled politely on the outside.

But inside her mind:

Ugh! This little... Just play nice... breathe... smile...

Then she saw how wide Javier’s sly smirk was.

Kliatana brow twitch but maintain her gentle, serene expression and smile.

Just you wait, you cheeky prince. I’ll get you back when no one’s looking.

Garius stood facing the mana cam, glass raised. Crystal caught the light.

His gaze swept the hall, over his wives, his children, his allies, the staff moving quietly in the background.

"To family," he said, voice low but clear. "Not only by blood. By choice. By loyalty."

He glanced at Francesca, Garcinia, Phenelopie, Eridith. "To the women who have been my foundation. My peace. My strength."

Then to his children: Marcellus, straight-backed; Cedric, grinning; Heres, steady; Aelius, hand in Athine’s; Athine, glowing; and Javier, watching quietly.

"To the next generation. May you build upon what we’ve protected, without fighting the wars we fought."

"To my sons. You are not just my heirs. You are Armand’s future."

His eyes softened on Athine. "And to Athine... you have always been this family’s heart."

He lifted the glass higher.

"But a king is nothing without his people. This feast is not for us alone. It is for every farmer, merchant, knight, and child who calls Armand home."

A brief look toward the mana cam. A silent nod to all watching.

"So raise your glasses, not just as a family, but as a nation. To Armand. To peace. To tomorrow."

Every glass in the hall lifted. A murmured chorus drifted through the open windows, echoing from squares and homes across the land:

"To Armand."

Javier met his father’s eyes and gave a slight, genuine nod.

The celebration went on, the feast unfolding in a warm hum of conversation and laughter.

Javier sat at his table with Liana, Gloria, and the three princesses: Felicia, Mimi, and Delya. He couldn’t help but smile as he took in Liana and Gloria, both had changed out of their maid uniforms into elegant dresses.

"Hehehe... It’s rare to see you two in anything but a maid dress or nightwear."

"Young master~ eat your meal," Liana said gently, setting a plate of roast meat before him and drizzling it with his favorite sauce.

Gloria filled his wine glass with a soft smile.

Felicia moved to help, but Liana stopped her with a graceful shake of her head. "Pardon me, Your Royal Highness... please, just sit and enjoy."

"L...Liana!" Felicia hissed quietly. "We agreed not to use titles."

"No can do, Princess~ We are in public."

"But you and Gloria are Queen Mylezra’s nieces. Doesn’t that make you royal too?"

"Yes," Gloria replied smoothly, refilling Javier’s glass. "But we are still Prince Javier’s personal maids."

"Besides," Liana added softly, "no one knows Gloria and I are Queen Mylezra’s nieces except His Majesty, King Garius, and the Armand family."

"Yes," Gloria agreed, her voice just above a whisper. "Even among the elves, only our closest family knows of our relation. And we are only her nieces, since our father is merely a relative of the queen."

Liana met Felicia’s gaze gently but firmly.

"So, Princess... please don’t lower your standing for our sake. And don’t tarnish your image as Princess of the Beastkin Nation. Don’t forget, your family is here."

"Mou!" Felicia pouted, crossing her arms.

Mimi happily devoured her meat with a contented hum, while Delya quietly nudged her vegetables to the side of her plate.

Felicia puckered her lips and mumbled,

"Hmmph! I know that’s just your excuse so you can enjoy serving our husband while I can’t."

Liana chuckled and took a seat beside Javier.

"Well... you’re not wrong~"

Gloria sat on his left, smiling gently. "Ara~ Don’t be jealous, Princess."

Felicia stabbed the meat on her plate. "Hmph! You two already had your sweet moment with him, and I’m still waiting."

Javier just smiled, watching his future wives bicker fondly.

Then he noticed the main table—where his father, mothers, King Lioness, King Veldrac, their queens, and Mylezra were seated.

Alf approached Garius and whispered something in his ear.

Ah, shit... I’m sure this means something’s up.

Javier kept smiling as he ate, but inside, his mind raced:

Gihhh!!! I’m sure this means trouble for me. That fool King Kimar... or some other noble from the Human Kingdom lands. Why can’t they just leave us alone?

I was going to enjoy my peaceful life... enjoy my harem... And just by the way Father smirked.

I’m sure it’s going to be my job again!

( End Of Chapter )