Chapter 1106: Tears and Tight Hugs ( 1106 )

Meanwhile.

Inside Garius’s private office.

Javier sat calmly, his expression serious. He laced his fingers together, his elbows resting on the table, his face partially hidden behind his clasped hands as he processed the report.

"So... the intruder has been handled?"

"Yes, Prince Javier. That beastkin has been dealt with. Princess Mimi was the one who handled him without me needing to intervene," the shadow leader’s assistant whispered from his invisible position nearby.

"Has his identity been identified?"

"Not yet, Prince Javier, but we’ve already ensured the command center is contacting the Beastkin Ambassador."

"Mm... This is a serious matter. He attacked the youngest daughter of King Lioness, who is also my fiancée. An act against her is an act against the Armand Nation."

Javier exhaled and looked at all his girls. "Make sure none of you go out without me from now on. Even though I know you’re all strong and capable of defending yourselves, I wouldn’t want to risk any of you."

"Yes, Young Master." Liana and Gloria nodded in unison.

Felicia smiled softly. "Yes, Husband. Don’t worry."

Meanwhile, Delya simply smiled dreamily and hugged Javier from the side. "Mm~ I’ll always listen to you, Danna-sama~ I wouldn’t want to cause you any worry."

Javier smiled, then continued. "So, where is Mimi now?"

"Ah... about that, Your Highness..." the shadow leader’s assistant said in a low voice.

"Hmm? Don’t tell me you just left her alone?" Javier’s aura slowly flared.

"Ah... pardon me, Your Highness. I didn’t leave her alone. She was just... ’escorted’ by someone of the highest authority. Someone I couldn’t... intervene with."

"Who?" Javier’s brow raised as he looked toward where the shadow leader’s assistant stood invisibly nearby.

"The First Queen of Armand, Your Highness."

"Ah..." Javier said before falling silent. "I guess there’s nothing I can do about that..."

He reached for a document and began reading it again, though a bead of sweat trickled down his temple.

"I guess I’ll continue working, then." Javier said, trying to sound calm, though the slight tension in his shoulders and the hard swallow he took told another story. He then gestured for the shadow leader’s assistant to take a seat.

While reading the report and placing a seal of approval on a trade agreement, Javier paused.

"Hmm? Isn’t it Mother’s turn with Father today?"

Liana, who sat behind him on the long couch, whispered softly, "Yes, Young Master. If I’m not mistaken, it’s her turn today."

"Oh... But why did she suddenly take Mimi?"

Javier rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Is it because Mimi was in danger earlier?"

Javier then realized something, and his expression shifted slightly, a flicker of unease crossing his face.

Ah, crap... This means Mother will be mad at me again.

He swallowed hard and pretended to focus on the document in front of him.

I better finish all of this fast. So when Mother comes later, I can run away quickly.

But...

Can I even run from her?

Ugh! I better finish all these documents with Varrick and the others quickly. Then I can focus on crafting the engagement necklaces. Or I’ll be in huge trouble.

Not only will Mother be mad, but Liana, Gloria, Felicia, Delya, and Mimi might feel neglected or hurt if I don’t make our engagement official soon.

Javier put down the document and glanced at Varrick and the others.

"Everyone can take a rest for a moment. I have something I need to discuss with my fiancées. We’ll resume..." Javier paused and looked at his mana watch, "...in 20 minutes."

"As you command, Your Highness." Varrick and the others stood up and headed toward the refreshment area.

Javier then turned his chair to face Liana and the girls.

"Liana... Gloria... Felicia... Delya?"

"Hmm? Yes?" Liana glanced up from her book, while Gloria nudged her glasses and smiled. "Yes, Young Master?"

Felicia and Delya scooted closer on the long couch, facing Javier attentively.

Javier exhaled and smiled faintly.

"I’m really sorry."

"Hmm? For what, Young Master?"

"I’m sorry for forgetting something important, despite loving all of you and wanting to make you mine in every way."

"What do you mean, Young Master~?" Gloria adjusted her glasses again with a knowing smile.

"Yes, Danna-sama~ What do you mean?" Delya looked at him with dreamy eyes.

Felicia, still shy, simply met his gaze quietly.

Liana remained calm, but her eyes began to shimmer with emotion.

"I’m sorry for forgetting to make you all official fiancées. I should have given you the engagement necklaces long ago. I was so caught up in everything else that I overlooked what mattered most."

Gloria smirked, adjusting her glasses dramatically before reaching for her handkerchief to dab her eyes. "Ah~ How cruel of you, Young Master," she said, her voice dripping with playful melodrama. "You forgot about me after taking my ’flower’~ Using me as your ’plaything’ just for fun~" Her tone was playful, her eyes glinting with mischief.

"G... Gloria..." Javier said with a low exhale, a soft smile touching his lips.

Delya, already dreamy-eyed, stood up and hugged him tightly, planting a sweet kiss on his lips before looking at him with her usual love-struck expression. "I don’t mind, Danna-sama~ I understand you were busy~ You’re working so hard for everyone, and that’s what makes you even more wonderful~"

Felicia, still shy despite last night, smiled softly and glanced away, her cheeks tinged with pink. "As... as long as you don’t leave me... I... I don’t mind. I’m yours to begin with."

Javier smiled, touched by their understanding. "Thank you... and I’m sorry." Then he looked at Liana, who remained silent.

"Liana?"

Liana slowly stood up and pulled Javier into a tight, heartfelt hug. Her eyes shimmered with happy tears as she whispered against his shoulder, her voice soft but full of emotion.

"Young Master... you were my first love, and I was yours. That memory is something I’ll cherish forever. I’ve waited for you, believed in you, and loved you and only you in my heart... as long as you don’t forget about me, as long as you keep looking at me the way you always have... I don’t mind waiting. I’ll wait for you to make it official, because I know... when you do, it will be the most meaningful moment of my life. I’ve watched you grow from a mischievous boy into the man I love, and I’ll keep watching you, standing beside you, no matter how long it takes."

( End Of Chapter )