Chapter 1050: A Family in Bloom ( 1050 )

Javier smiled. "There’s another reason why I don’t want to commercialize this air transport thing."

"Why?" Liana asked.

"Because roads connect people. When you travel by land, you pass through villages, towns, markets. You stop at inns, buy supplies, trade stories. You see the land, meet the people, understand their lives. That connection builds community, supports local economies, and keeps our nation woven together."

He gestured toward the viewport, where the landscape rolled by far below.

"If everyone just flies from city to city, those small towns get bypassed. The roadside inns close, the local markets shrink, and people become isolated. Roads aren’t just for travel, they’re lifelines. They let goods move, let news spread, let neighbors help each other. Air travel is fast, but it skips over everything that makes a nation feel like home."

He glanced back at Liana, his expression earnest.

"So, air travel is for emergencies, for speed when it’s needed... not for everyday life. I don’t want to build a world where we fly over each other without ever really seeing who’s below."

Javier glanced around at them and smiled.

"Ever heard the metaphor: ’The farther the view, the wider the perspective’?"

"Hmm... I think so." Gloria tapped her lower lip thoughtfully, while the others exchanged curious looks.

"By traveling far, experiencing new places, or seeking knowledge from afar, one’s mind and understanding become broader. It encourages people to step out of their comfort zones, learn from the wider world, and avoid being narrow-minded."

He leaned back slightly, his gaze drifting toward the horizon visible through the viewport.

"But air travel... it gives you distance without depth. You see the world from above, but you don’t feel its texture. You miss the smell of the forest after rain, the sound of a village festival, the taste of bread baked in a roadside oven."

His voice softened, carrying a note of conviction.

"True perspective doesn’t come from altitude, it comes from connection. From walking the same roads your people walk, from seeing their lives up close, from understanding what they need because you’ve been there with them. That’s why Pekko and carriages will always matter more than flying machines for everyday travel."

"So, I’ll keep building things that fly when we need to reach far or fast or for defense, to get air superiority so nobody could bully our nation... but I’ll never let them replace the journeys that teach us what it means to belong somewhere."

Meanwhile.

Armand Estate.

Francesca sat on the balcony, sipping her tea gracefully, attended by maids around her.

When she noticed someone approaching.

Francesca smiled and glanced at the person walking toward her, accompanied by several maids.

"Garcinia?" Francesca smiled, tilting her head.

"Big sister." Garcinia walked slowly and smiled. "May I sit here?"

"Of course." Francesca gestured to the seat across from her.

Garcinia sat gracefully, and a maid served her tea and evening snacks.

Francesca noted her expression, her eyes held a subtle, lingering worry, her smile didn’t quite reach them, and her posture was a touch too careful, as if she were holding something back.

"What seems to be the problem, Garcinia?"

"Mm... nothing..." Garcinia shook her head and smiled.

Francesca’s smile softened, but her gaze remained perceptive. "Your face doesn’t show that it’s nothing, dear. You look like you’re carrying something heavy."

Garcinia fell silent for a moment before moving closer to her.

Francesca smiled and leaned her ear closer.

"Actually... umm... how do I tell you this... umm..."

"What is it?" Francesca chuckled.

"I think... I’m pregnant again."

Francesca chuckled softly.

"Big sister!!!" Garcinia hissed.

"You’re sure?" Francesca’s eyes gleamed.

"Umm... yes... I already checked with our... umm... healer... and with your youngest son’s invention... what’s it called... the pregnancy test... twice..."

Francesca laughed softly.

"Big sister! This isn’t the time to laugh!" she hissed.

"What makes you worry about that? Isn’t it a good thing?" Francesca smiled slyly.

"But... for Aelius and Athine to get another sibling when they’re both about to get married... not to mention Athine is already pregnant with Aelius’s child... what will people think? A grown son and daughter, about to start their own families, suddenly getting a sibling who will be the same age as their own child..."

Francesca laughed softly. "That’s not a bad thing, you know, Garcinia."

"Big sister!" Garcinia puffed her cheeks, her hands curling into small fists on her lap. She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a flustered whisper. "It’s embarrassing! My son is about to marry my daughter, and now I’m... I’m..."

Francesca’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You’re what? Giving them a little brother or sister to dote on? Someone their own child can grow up with as a playmate? That’s not embarrassing, dear, that’s a blessing."

Garcinia slumped back in her chair, lips puckered in a full, dramatic pout.

Francesca shook her head and smiled. "But truly, this is wonderful news. Our husband will be overjoyed. Another child in the family, another life to cherish. And think, Aelius and Athine will have a sibling close in age to their own little one. They’ll grow up together, share toys, get into mischief... it’ll be beautiful."

She leaned in, her voice softening with warmth. "This isn’t something to hide or fret over. It’s something to celebrate. We should tell our husband about this new. Im sure he will be happy with another addition to the family."

Garcinia’s pout slowly softened into a shy, hesitant smile. "You really think so?"

"Yes, dear. I’m sure of it. Besides, for someone like our husband, who lost his own family so young, every new life in this household is a treasure. It’s not just another child; it’s another piece of the family he’s built, another soul to love and protect. He’ll be overjoyed."

Francesca raised her palm to her lips and laughed. "But seriously, Garcinia. Our husband just married Mylezra, and our children are getting married soon, and now this news~"

"Big sister!!!" Garcinia hissed and glanced away.

"But that’s proof our husband is still strong~ right~?" Francesca whispered to Garcinia.

Garcinia blushed and glanced away shyly.

"Ah~ I wonder what Aelius and Athine’s reaction will be~"

"Big sister!!!"

( End Of Chapter )