Chapter 1081: A Seat for Everyone ( 1081 )

After breakfast.

Javier walked toward his father’s private study, the girls following closely behind him.

They noticed Varrick standing outside the huge double doors.

"You are late, Prince Javier."

"Mm..." Javier clasped his hands behind his back and glanced at Varrick. "Yes. I had matters to attend to."

"If you say so, Your Highness." Varrick placed his palm over his left chest and bowed slightly. He knocked on the door three times, and it swung open.

"After you, Your Highness."

"Mm." Javier nodded and walked slowly into the room, his posture straight, his movements measured and calm, every step carrying the quiet authority of a prince.

The others were about to follow when Varrick raised his palm. "Official duty. Prince Javier’s partners are not required for administrative proceedings. I suggest you all take this time to rest."

Liana and Gloria glared hard at Varrick before Javier turned and glanced toward them, his hands still clasped behind his back.

"Liana, Gloria, everyone... go rest. Head to my room and relax. I’ll join you later." He smiled reassuringly. "Don’t worry. I’ll be fine."

Liana and Gloria placed their palms over their left chests and bowed slightly. "As you wish, young master."

Varrick glared at them. "Miss Liana, Miss Gloria. I suggest you address Prince Javier as ’Your Highness.’"

"Ara~? He’s going to be our husband soon. What’s the problem with us calling him by the title he’s used to?"

"Indeed," Liana added, her tone cool and noble. "There is nothing improper about it. It is not a breach of etiquette, and we have explicit permission from the prince himself, as well as from Lady Francesca, to address him as ’young master.’"

Varrick exhaled. "It is our duty to maintain the proper forms of address to reinforce the hierarchy and respect due to the crown prince, especially in official settings."

Liana glanced at Varrick, her expression unyielding. "Still, I do not believe this matter warrants such a fuss. The distinction is one of affection, not disrespect."

Javier just shook his head and chuckled. "Let’s head inside and start our official duty, Varrick."

"As you command, Your Highness." Varrick placed his palm over his left chest and bowed, glancing at Liana and the others one last time before stepping inside and closing the door.

Liana gritted her jaw. "Ugh! I hate him. He’s always like that. Unlike his brothers and sisters, he’s the only one obsessed with rules and regulations."

"Yeah! I really want to punch his nose." Gloria bit her lower lip while adjusting her glasses.

Felicia just exhaled softly.

Mimi and Delya looked at each other, then glanced at Liana.

"So what now, big sis?"

Liana exhaled. "Let’s just head to the young master’s room and rest, or do whatever you want. I just want to sleep."

"Ara~? Feeling ’tired,’ L.i.a.n.a?" Gloria glanced at her from the side and smirked.

Liana glared sideways at Gloria. "You should rest properly too, G.l.o.r.i.a~ since who knows what will happen to a certain ’someone’ tonight~"

"Ara~ You don’t need to worry about that, Miss First Wife. I’m sure ’she’ can handle it properly, unlike ’someone’~" Gloria said, her eyes lingering on Liana.

Liana exhaled and began walking slowly, the others following behind.

Just you wait, Gloria~ Let’s see if you really can handle the young master. I’m sure you won’t be able to walk normally tomorrow~

Once Javier stepped inside and the door closed, he glanced around, his hands clasped behind his back as he calmly surveyed the room.

"Oh? Mahira? You were assigned to me for this official duty?"

Mahira stepped forward and placed her palm over her left chest, bowing. "Yes, Your Highness. Mrs. Erinnette assigned me for this official duty."

"Mm... good." He glanced again at a huge, muscular man in tactical gear. "Mm... let me guess... you were assigned by Uncle Hesbeirn?"

The man placed his fist over his left chest and bowed. "Yes, Your Highness. General Hesbeirn assigned me for these two days of duty. My name is Lorcan."

Javier nodded while rubbing his chin.

Wow... Hesbeirn assigned one, Alf assigned one, and Erinnette assigned one. Father really thought this through, huh?

He glanced at the wall and smirked.

"So... I believe we’ve met before at the base?"

Varrick’s eyes widened, along with Mahira and Lorcan.

H... how does Prince Javier know?

A voice was heard from the wall. "It is difficult to conceal one’s presence from the crown prince."

"Hmm... no need to reveal yourself. But I’d prefer you take a seat instead of standing there."

"Pardon me, Your Highness, but it is our duty to ensure your safety inside this room."

Javier calmly looked at everyone.

"No... even when Father is on duty, everyone has to sit, am I right? Even your master has a seat so no one gets tired if something happens." He turned to Varrick. "You too. Relax a little. Even your father, Alf, isn’t this strict when it’s just us."

Javier turned and calmly faced Varrick. "There are times and places where formality is not just expected, it’s required. Like during state visits, official ceremonies, or when addressing foreign dignitaries." He gestured around the private study. "But here, in my father’s private study, there’s no need for such rigid protocol. This is a space for work, yes, but also for trust."

"As you all know, even when my father is on duty, he never wants any of his trusted aides to be burdened or exhausted while serving him. So I prefer you all do the same. Especially you, Varrick."

Javier’s tone softened slightly. "I appreciate your discipline and dedication to protocol. But what I need is an aide who knows when to advise, when to step back, and when to simply be present, not a statue of rules alone."

Varrick placed his palm over his chest. "As you command, Your Highness."

"Mm... Just be like Alf and Erinnette. Not too strict when it’s just us, but always prepared when it’s needed. And just like how your masters operate, there’s no need to be rigid about everything. Trust, flexibility, and understanding are just as important as discipline."

"I... I’m sorry about earlier, Your Highness." Varrick bowed again.

"There’s no need to apologize, Varrick. I do understand the weight of your father’s expectations and the standards you feel you must uphold." Javier smirked. "Just be like your father is more than enough for me. Since you know how your father is~"

Varrick chuckled softly. "If you say so, Your Highness."

"Alright. Let’s get this over with. Varrick, you sit where Alf always sits. Mahira, take the seat where Erinnette always sits. And you... Lorcan? Take the seat where Hesbeirn always sits, but no drinking like him." Javier grinned. He glanced toward where the Shadow unit apprentice stood. "And you, take a seat where your master always sits."

"As you command, Your Highness." Everyone bowed politely before taking their designated seats.

( End Of Chapter )