Chapter 1034: A Grateful Embrace ( 1034 )

"Honey... we can’t do that..." Garius tried to persuade Francesca, but Francesca’s glare cut him short.

"No. I want my Honey Bun to be ready. We never know what the future holds."

Garius exhaled in defeat, raising both hands in surrender. "Fine, fine... but at least let me handle the audience with Kayra today."

Francesca’s smile returned. "No. Let our youngest handle it. I want to see how good my Honey Bun really is~"

"W...what? Honey... don’t you think..."

"No~ If he chooses the wrong path, you can always step in and guide him. But let him try first."

Garius exhaled slowly and looked toward Alf.

"It is as Lady Francesca says, Your Majesty," Alf said calmly. "I believe we should see how Prince Javier handles the matter."

"Very well." Garius smiled, his gaze softening as he met Francesca’s eyes. "I’ll let our son conduct the audience with Lady Kayra."

Garius turned to Alf.

"Alf?"

"Yes, Your Majesty?" Alf stepped forward, bowing slightly.

"Since my wife here insists on letting our youngest handle this, I believe it falls to you to inform him?"

"As you command, Your Majesty."

Garius smiled and pressed a kiss to Francesca’s cheek. "I’ll finish feeding Giddie, then head to the office to focus on work."

Francesca’s smile took on a teasing edge. "Ara~ Have you forgotten your new bride already? Mylezra just became your wife yesterday, and you’re already planning to slip away? I’m sure she’s looking for you right now~ Don’t treat her like just another wife. I won’t allow my husband to act that way~"

"Ah... right..." Garius exhaled. "I’ll accompany her today."

"Good~ Especially since Mylezra will be returning to the Elven Kingdom tomorrow to finalize the last of her paperwork before coming back."

Meanwhile, in the main dining room.

Javier was eating calmly while two maids served him.

One poured hot coffee into his cup while the other adjusted his napkin.

"Long time no see, Iria... Iziya."

Iria smiled softly. "Mm... same to you, Prince Javier. We’re sorry we’ve been so busy with work and training. We haven’t been able to serve you much lately."

Javier chuckled. "Looks like you two have grown into such beautiful ladies." He wiggled his brows. "I still remember back when I was just eleven and attending the noble school."

"That’s the past, Prince Javier," Iziya said, her tone gently dismissive. "Back then you were just a noble’s son."

"Ah, Iziya... the crybaby~" Javier teased, glancing sideways with a playful smirk. He pitched his voice higher, mimicking a child’s whine. "Onee-chan~!"

"Prince Javier! Mou! Don’t tease me like that!"

"Ahahaha!" Javier laughed, then glanced toward Iria, who had exhaled softly in resignation. "And here’s the protective onee-chan~"

"Prince Javier," Iria said, stepping smoothly behind his chair. "You should focus on eating now~"

"How old are you now, Iria?" Javier asked, glancing over, fork and knife still in hand.

"Prince Javier, I don’t know if that’s a trick question, or if you’ve genuinely forgotten." Iria exhaled again, a soft smile on her lips.

"No~ I reaaaaallllyyy forgot~" He wiggled his brows playfully.

"That sounds like an excuse... but very well." Iria’s smile held a hint of amusement. "I’m a bit younger than you, Prince Javier. Back when you found us on the street and helped us... Iziya was a year younger than me."

"Oho~ But you’ve grown into such a beautiful lady~ exactly my type." Javier grinned slyly, wiggling his eyebrows again. "How about becoming my wife in the future?"

Iziya fidgeted, cheeks flushing. Iria simply facepalmed.

"No, Prince Javier. You should watch where you scatter promises like that. Words like that... they can give people hope." Her tone was gentle but firm. "Especially for girls like us."

Iziya bit her lower lip, eyes downcast. "Don’t make promises if they’re just jokes. Or we might... fall for real."

Iria exhaled softly. "And Miss Liana already warned us. ’Just serve, and don’t get added to the harem.’ So please..."

Javier chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, alright... sheesh. I was just teasing. Don’t take it so seriously."

Iziya fidgeted. Iria stayed quiet.

"Hmm? Is there something you want to ask? Or need?"

"Actually... umm... there’s something... we wanted to say."

"Oh? What is it?" Javier set down his fork and knife, turning to them with a soft smile. "But if this is about joining the harem... I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have joked like that."

"N... no!" Iziya fidgeted more, while Iria exhaled softly. "It’s not that, Prince Javier," Iria said.

"Alright, alright." Javier’s smile softened. "If it’s about a raise... I think I can put in a word for you both."

"No... it’s not that either." Iria shook her head gently. "Can you... please just listen?"

"Okay... I’m listening."

"Pardon us, Prince Javier," Iziya whispered, stepping forward.

"Hmm? What is..." Javier began, but before he could finish, both sisters moved in and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you... thank you for saving us back then," Iziya murmured, her voice trembling. "For giving us hope."

"We’re so grateful to work here... to serve the Armand household," Iria added, her own voice steady but warm.

"And... thank you... for letting me stay with my sister." Iziya’s words caught in her throat, tears beginning to well in her eyes.

"If you hadn’t saved us back then... who knows if I’d still be with my little sister," Iria began, her voice breaking into a soft sob.

Iziya was already crying openly. "If you hadn’t saved us... I don’t know if we’d still be alive... or dead... or... who knows what would have happened to us..."

"It’s... thanks to you," Iria whispered, her words trembling. "that we can be together... that we have a roof over our heads, a salary, a life... happiness."

"Mm... don’t cry," Javier murmured, his voice gentle as he patted their backs and slowly ran his hands over their hair. "I only helped where I could. You shouldn’t carry that weight anymore. It’s all in the past. Now you both live in Armand, work as Armand maids. You’re safe."

"Mm... thank you... Prince Javier." Iria’s words were muffled as she buried her face deeper into his shoulder.

After they pulled back, still wiping their tears, Javier grinned.

"If you’re really that thankful~ how about a thank-you kiss~" He puckered his lips and closed his eyes playfully.

"Chuuu~"

Iria and Iziya chuckled softly, leaning in slightly, but froze when a sweet, terrifying voice cut in from behind.

"How about I give you a passionate kiss here... young master~"

Javier’s eyes snapped open just in time to see Liana kiss her knuckle, then drive it straight into his face.

THWACK.

He flew backward from the chair, hands flying up in surrender. "Liana! I was just messing around! I saw you at the door already!"

"No, no~ I know you were expecting a kiss... a real kiss." She smiled, her eyes gleaming. "Here~ I’ll give you some more~"

"GYARRRHHH!!! MOTHERRRR!!!"

( End Of Chapter )