Chapter 850: Her Smile, His Silence ( 850 )
"Young master~" Gloria cooed sweetly, her voice melodic as always.
But Javier didn’t react.
He was still hunched forward on the bench, elbows on knees, both hands gripping his head.
"Ugh... dumb plan... stupid bratty princess... why do I have to... what do I even say to Heres... picnic? sword lesson?Ahhh—!"
Gloria tilted her head, puzzled.
What’s gotten into him?
She glanced at Liana, who was standing just a few steps behind him, arms folded, expression calm, but with a faint knowing smile tugging at her lips.
Curious, Gloria walked up beside her. Liana, noticing her presence, leaned in gracefully and whispered something close to her ear.
Gloria blinked once. Then twice.
Her lips curled into a sly smile.
She leaned close to Liana’s ear and whispered something back.
Liana’s eyes widened for a moment, and then her own smile returned. A sly, mischievous smile.
The two exchanged a single glance.
Liana leaned toward Gloria, her voice barely a whisper.
"Looks like young master doesn’t need to do much~"
Gloria smiled, eyes twinkling, and whispered back softly,
"Yes~"
Liana’s gaze returned to Javier, who was still muttering on the bench, completely unaware.
"Shall we tell him? He looks like he’s about to rip his hair out thinking of how to help Kliatana."
Gloria gently covered her lips with her palm and leaned in again, her whisper graceful and teasing.
"No~ Let’s see what kind of ’brilliant’ plan our young master comes up with~"
Both women giggled quietly, their eyes full of amusement, as Javier groaned again and slumped deeper on the bench.
"Maybe I should do that... no, that’ll be too obvious. Or maybe set it up like this? No, no, she’ll get mad and Heres get all awkward..."
He furiously scratched his head.
"Arghhh!! Why do I have to be the cupid for that bratty princess?! Damn it... With how Heres never even glances at the beautiful girls in this estate or in Armand... don’t tell me... does he swing the other way?"
"Cuquawked?"
Javier blinked and turned.
Buddy had waddled over, tilting his head with a curious squawk.
"...What?"
"Cuquawked!"
Buddy puffed up his chest proudly.
"...You hungry?"
"Cuquawked!!"
Buddy bobbed his head eagerly, his squawk full of delight.
Javier groaned, then let out a tired laugh.
"Fine, fine~ Maybe I’m thinking too hard about this whole plan. Alright!"
With a snap of his fingers, he activated his magic storage. A large batch of marinated wyvern meat, perfectly seasoned and ready to grill, appeared in an instant.
"Liana!!" he called out, turning with a grin... and then blinked.
"Ah....Gloria?! When did you get here?"
Gloria smiled, bowing slightly.
"I’ve been here for a while, young master."
"Never mind that. Grill time!" Javier declared, standing up with renewed energy. "After we eat, we’re heading to the cocoa farm first!"
"Yes, young master~" Liana and Gloria replied in sync, already moving to prepare the grill.
Meanwhile, from the balcony.
Heres stood alone, gazing down at the courtyard below.
From his spot, he could see Javier and his two maids laughing around a grill, smoke rising gently as the scent of marinated wyvern meat wafted through the air.
His mind raced.
Should I go down and ask Javier for help?
...No.
He’ll definitely tease me about it.
If Marcellus and Cedric were openly teased by Javier, then what chance for me?
But...
I know javier isn’t mean. He just likes to poke fun.
Heres frowned.
Still...
I really hope Gloria tells him. If she brings it up first, maybe it won’t be so embarrassing.
He exhaled slowly, then turned his gaze toward another part of the estate.
There, across the lawn, he spotted Kliatana.
She moved with grace as she strolled leisurely through the garden path. Two newly appointed personal maids walked behind her, assigned by his father.
Her footsteps paused as she reached a flowerbed, her attention caught by a fluttering butterfly. She smiled softly.
Heres leaned on the railing, resting his elbow atop it and propping his cheek against his palm.
She’s... really beautiful.
Then he blinked, snapping back to reality and slapped both of his cheeks lightly.
"Get a hold of yourself, Heres! Damn it..."
But just as quickly, his resolve melted when Kliatana took another gentle step forward, the breeze catching her hair just right. His gaze softened again.
He leaned forward once more, smiling to himself, completely unaware how dreamy his face looked at that moment.
A flower...
That’s how he saw her.
A single flower that had suddenly bloomed in his world, soft, unfamiliar, and out of reach.
She had only arrived two or three days ago, right after the royal council ended and her title was officially revoked.
And yet...
I never knew I could feel this way.
Maybe this is how Javier feels when he’s with Liana and Gloria... or how the others are with their partners.
Heres let out a long sigh.
"...If only we could sit together. Alone. Talk. Chatting and i could see those smile again."
His voice faded into the breeze.
He stayed there a moment longer, watching as the girl who had quietly stolen his heart smiled once again.
Until.
Knock knock.
The sudden sound startled Heres out of his thoughts.
He turned around sharply, only to find Mrs. Erinnette standing at the doorway, her posture as poised and firm as ever.
Heres instinctively straightened.
"A-Ah... Mrs. Erinnette."
The head maid offered a polite nod, her tone calm and professional.
"Master Heres, Lord Garius has summoned you. Please meet him in his private study."
"O-Of course. I’ll head there right away."
With a short bow, Erinnette stepped back and closed the door behind her.
The moment the latch clicked shut, Heres whipped his head back toward the balcony.
His eyes scanned the courtyard in a rush.
But.
She was already gone.
The spot where Kliatana had been just moments ago was now empty. No trace of her footsteps. No flutter of hair. No soft smile.
"Where is she...?"
He leaned forward, searching the walkways, the garden path, the hedge rows. Anywhere she might have drifted toward.
But she had vanished.
"...Just a minute ago, she was right there."
Heres let out a slow sigh.
If only I could’ve watched her just a little longer...
He shook his head, trying to snap himself out of it, and straightened his posture.
I should go. Better not keep Father waiting... especially if he gives me that cold stare again.
Another sigh slipped from his lips, this time more resigned. He turned and headed toward the door, footsteps steady but faintly reluctant.
( End Of Chapter )