Chapter 1011: Brothers, Wine, and Wisdom ( 1011 )

After a while, Cedric was still grumbling softly about the prank, while Javier and Marcellus had finally settled down, their laughter fading into satisfied grins.

"Hmm? Where’s Meira and Zania?" Javier asked, glancing at Cedric.

"Oh, them? They were with me, but Mother stopped them on the way here." Cedric exhaled and uncorked a fresh bottle of wine from the center of the table.

"Huh? What for?" Javier pressed.

"Even if you ask me, I don’t know. Mother just told me to go on ahead and wait with you all." Cedric paused, then glanced toward Lithia and Harny. "Ah, I forgot, Lithia, Harny."

"Yes, Prince Cedric?"

"Mother is calling for you both. She said to report to the Queen’s chamber."

Lithia and Harny stood up at once, offering polite bows to Javier and Cedric before each leaned down to press a quick kiss to Marcellus’s cheek.

"We’re going, dear."

"Mm, okay. Be careful."

After Lithia and Harny left, Javier grinned slyly toward Marcellus.

"Woo... how romantic~"

Marcellus just shook his head. "It’s not like you don’t do the same with Liana, Gloria, and all three of your princesses."

"Yeah, but we don’t do it out in the open." Javier grinned, wiggling his eyebrows, then turned toward Cedric. "So, Cedric."

"Hmm? What?" Cedric glanced up from his wine.

"You all still kissing-kissing? Chu chu~?"

"What are you talking about, Javier? Of course we do. They’re going to be my wives soon. Romance and kisses are... well, part of it. You’re making it sound weird." Cedric exhaled, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

"Hey, I didn’t say it was weird," Javier smirked.

Cedric shot back, "Even Father is still romantic with all his wives, you know. Especially our mother."

"Well... that’s normal. Our mother is beautiful and timeless. I wonder what her secret is."

"Heh... how about you ask Mother yourself, then." Marcellus shot a look at Javier.

"Hmm? No way... do you think Mother would actually tell me about that?" Javier mumbled around a mouthful of meat.

"What? You’re her favorite son~ She even calls you ’honey bun’~" Cedric grinned.

"Yeah," Marcellus added, his gaze lingering on Javier. "She even lets you bury your face in her chest."

"That doesn’t mean I’m her favorite. It just means you two were too shy. Me? I’m happy to have a mother like her."

"We’re not shy, okay? It’s just..." Marcellus paused, his smile softening. "It feels a little odd doing that with Mother."

"Heh. That’s what I call shy," Javier said, taking another bite. "Have you ever thought about how Mother would feel? She has three of us as her sons. She’d be sad if none of us let her dote on us or treat us like her little boys anymore. So I just let her. Even if I’m grown up now."

"True..." Cedric nodded slowly, swirling his wine.

"At least you two could go into town with her sometimes, or share a meal with her when Father’s busy." Javier gestured toward them with the hand holding his fork, keeping the tines pointed downward. "She gets lonely too."

"She has Father, of course. But when he’s busy, or when it’s not her turn, she still gets lonely. What makes her happy is time with her sons. Even just eating together or taking a walk in town and talking would mean a lot."

"Especially after you two get married. She’ll be sad, and you know she’ll make a fuss about it. That’s why she told you not to give her grandchildren before, remember?"

"Ugh... don’t remind us," Marcellus exhaled.

"Now she’s got two of her sons racing to see who can make their partner pregnant first." Javier’s gaze slid slyly between Marcellus and Cedric. "Of course she feels more lonely. That’s why she asked Liana to adjust my schedule so I can spend time with her."

Marcellus chuckled. "Heh... you talk like you’re older than us~"

"Nope. Just more mature," Javier smirked.

"Mature? You?" Cedric laughed into his wine.

"Not just mature. More handsome, too~" Javier swept his hair back and wiggled his eyebrows.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Let’s just drink."

The three of them drank happily, pouring wine and chatting about everything.

They were so absorbed in their drinks and laughter that they didn’t notice the figure approaching from behind.

"Drinking this early in the morning, hmm?"

"Oi, Cedric! Enough copying Father’s voice. You’re not going to get us a second time!" Javier laughed, still facing the table.

Marcellus went quiet. He set his glass down slowly.

"Huh? I didn’t say anything," Cedric glanced between them, confused.

Javier’s laughter died. He followed Marcellus’s wide-eyed stare, then slowly placed his own glass down and fixed his gaze on his plate.

"Huh? What’s wrong with you two? Why so quiet all of a sudden?" Cedric tilted his head, bewildered by the sudden shift. He turned around, and his eyes went wide. He shot to his feet, standing straight.

"Ah! Esteemed Father!"

"Don’t cause too much trouble. I don’t mind you drinking since you’re all grown men now. But I could hear your voices from across the courtyard."

"Ah... um... sorry, esteemed Father." Cedric bowed slightly, while Javier and Marcellus shot to their feet, standing straight.

"We’re sorry, Father."

"Mm. Don’t cause trouble. Especially you two." Garius’s gaze settled on Marcellus and Cedric. "You’re going to be fathers soon."

"Yes, esteemed Father."

"Good. Continue, but don’t make a scene. And make sure none of you sneak out of the estate." A faint, knowing gleam flickered in his eyes. "I’ll be watching."

"Yes, esteemed Father!"

They remained frozen until Garius turned and continued toward the wedding altar, Alf falling silently into step beside him.

"Fuhh... Father’s still scary."

"Yeah... I don’t think that aura of his is going away anytime soon."

Javier leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Wanna bet?"

"About what?" Marcellus whispered back, easing back into his seat.

Cedric exhaled heavily. "Don’t start trouble now."

"Oi! That’s rude! I’m not planning to cause any trouble."

"Yeah, but you get ideas. Chaotic ideas. And they always end with Father giving us a lecture. Don’t involve me." Cedric poured himself another glass of wine, his expression weary.

"Aw, come on! That was just one time! Besides, what I want to bet on won’t cause any trouble at all."

"Fine. What is it?" Marcellus sighed, leaning in slightly.

"How do you think Queen Mylezra will react after Father puts the wedding ring on her finger?"

( End Of Chapter )