Chapter 851: One Smile, One Sigh, No Words ( 851 )
As he walked down the corridor, his personal maid followed a few respectful steps behind, silent as a shadow.
Just as he rounded the next corner, another presence entered the hallway.
Kliatana.
Graceful as ever, she strolled forward. Her two newly appointed personal maids followed behind her, their heads slightly lowered, their steps perfectly in sync.
Her gaze lifted when she saw him.
She gave a soft smile.
A gentle nod.
And then, without a word, she passed by, leaving behind a faint trail of sweet fragrance.
Heres instinctively nodded back, trying to keep his composure as they walked past each other.
But the moment he was sure he was out of her line of sight...
Damn it!! She smells so good!!
Ahhh!! I want to talk to her! Just a little chat! Even a hello!
His brow twitched, his lips tight from the restraint.
Behind him, Mrs. Kathrine noticed.
She tilted her head slightly, her voice calm and composed.
"...Master Heres? Is something the matter?"
"Ah! N-No... Nothing at all!"
His reply came out a bit too fast, and he cleared his throat quickly to cover it.
Kathrine narrowed her eyes slightly.
How suspicious...
While outside.
Javier was already full.
He stood tall atop Buddy, grinning from ear to ear.
"Liana! Gloria! Hurry up already!!"
"Yes, yes~ Young master," the two maids replied in perfect unison, their pace calm despite his eagerness.
"We’re going to my cocoa farm!!" Javier announced grandly, pumping his fist once in the air. "Can’t wait to test my Magic Cocoa Processing Machine!"
Liana tilted her head as she walked beside Pikko.
"What are you going to do with that thing called cocoa anyway?"
Javier rubbed his hands together, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Just wait and see..." he said, drawing out his voice like some evil mastermind. "Today will be the day... it shall finally be..."
He leaned dramatically forward from atop Buddy, eyes sharp and mock-serious as he stared at Liana and Gloria.
"...Unleashed."
But just as the word left his lips.
Buddy shook his massive body without warning, feathers fluffing up as he gave an excited squawk.
"Cuquawked!!"
Liana and Gloria raised their hands gracefully to their lips, giggling at the interruption.
"Oii! Buddy!! Don’t interrupt me when I’m speaking to them!"
"Cuquawked!?"
Buddy tilted his head as if innocently confused.
Javier narrowed his eyes. Leaned forward with a mock-threatening side glare, voice dropping low and ominous like a villain from a children’s play.
"...Don’t you dare pretend you don’t know..."
Buddy blinked.
Then squawked again, loud and proud.
"CUQUAWKED!!"
"...Just you wait buddy. One day, I’ll cook you," Javier muttered under his breath.
Liana and Gloria just kept giggling.
"Now now, young master~" Gloria said, smiling.
"You know Buddy’s always like that, young master," Liana added with a soft laugh as she gracefully mounted Pikko.
Gloria followed suit, settling herself atop Peanut with practiced ease.
Javier, still atop Buddy, leaned forward slowly, his expression darkening with theatrical menace.
"...You know what, featherball?" he muttered.
He raised his palm slowly... and then pretended to slice Buddy’s neck.
"I’m gonna cook you. Pekko Head Soup. Slow-boiled. Thick broth. Once it’s done, I’m slurping your brain. Like this."
He made exaggerated slurping noises.
"Sluuurp. Sluuuurp."
Buddy, unfazed, gave him a slow side-eye... then calmly turned his head away.
"Cuquawked~"
"Ugh! This guy..." Javier groaned.
He threw his hands up in surrender, then exhaled a long sigh, ruffling his own hair.
"Whatever!! Let’s go!!"
He stood tall again, pointing forward with full dramatic flair.
"TO THE COCOA FARM!!!"
The three Pekkos let out excited squawked as they kicked off the ground, their massive legs thundering across the estate road in a dashed.
High above, from the rooftop balcony of the manor’s top floor, a tall figure stood silently.
His hands were clasped behind his back, gaze following the dust trail left by the charging Pekkos.
Javier was laughing. Gloria and Liana flanked him on either side, their Pekko birds in perfect formation as they raced toward the distant cocoa fields.
"Dear~"
A soft, melodic voice broke the still air.
Garius turned slightly.
Francesca stepped into view, walking with serene elegance, her flowing white dress catching the gentle wind.
She stopped beside him, her hand slipping naturally onto his arm, her head leaning gently against his shoulder.
"Watching our son enjoy his day with his maids?" she murmured, voice warm.
Garius gave a small nod, the corner of his lips lifting faintly.
"Mmm."
Francesca smiled, her gaze following the vanishing trio.
"You’re thinking about what’s coming, aren’t you?" she asked quietly. "How busy it will be... for all of us."
He didn’t answer at first.
His eyes lingered on the path beyond the estate.
"...Yes."
Francesca gently tightened her grip on his arm.
"Are you worried?"
Garius exhaled softly.
"No," he said with quiet conviction. "I know what’s coming. And I know who will make the first move."
Garius’s lips curved into a calm, knowing smile.
"They’ll try everything to make it final. Because they know they can’t challenge Armand’s strength. Neither in economy, military, nor our autonomous governance. So they’ll use the only move left to them."
He narrowed his eyes slightly, gaze distant but sharp.
"I’m certain of it."
Francesca’s smile deepened, elegant and composed.
"So... if they do?" she asked softly.
Garius turned his eyes to hers.
"We won’t lose anything," he said, steady and unflinching. "Not the people. Not the land."
Then, slowly, he turned back to the horizon. The sky stretched wide and open, like a stage awaiting its curtain call.
His voice, low but resolute, cut through the breeze.
"We will gain everything."
"The problem is..." Garius said with a smirk, his tone light but laced with meaning. "All our sons will be far too busy for the next three months. And someone’s bound to be annoyed by that."
Francesca let out a soft, elegant laugh, resting her head gently against his shoulder.
Before Garius could continue, he turned slightly at the sound of approaching footsteps.
Alf and Erinnette appeared at the rooftop entrance, both bowing respectfully.
"My lord," they said in unison.
Garius gave a nod of acknowledgment, his calm expression never faltering.
"Looks like Heres will arrive at my private chamber soon," he said softly.
"Yes, dear~" Francesca replied warmly, watching him with serene affection as he turned to leave.
Just before Garius reached the door to the rooftop stairwell, he paused.
He turned slightly and glanced back at Francesca over his shoulder.
"We’ll be welcoming a new daughter-in-law soon,"
Francesca chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Phenelopie has already been informed, dear," she said knowingly. "We don’t need to lift a finger. Let Javier handle it."
She smiled fondly as the breeze played gently with her hair.
"It’s good for them," she added. "It’ll strengthen the bond between brothers."
Garius gave a small nod, his expression thoughtful, and he descended the stairs.
( End Of Chapter )