"JAAAVVVVIIIIEEERRRRRRR!!!"
The loud voice echoed across the manor grounds, stopping Javier in his tracks. His instincts kicked in, and he quickly turned around. "Oh crap! It's mother!"
Without thinking, he ran in the opposite direction as fast as he could. He already imagine the fate that awaited him.
But Lady Francesca was quicker than Javier expected. She grabbed his ear tightly, stopping him from running away.
"AAAHHHH! Mother! Don't pull my ear! Hiiiiiik!" Javier squealed, squirming like a caught fish.
Lady Francesca, looking elegant but stern, glared at her youngest son. "Where do you think you're going, young man?"
"Errr..." Javier looked around, hoping to find a good excuse. "Outside?" he said with a sheepish smile, trying to look innocent. "Ehehehe..."
His mother raised an eyebrow, clearly not impressed. "You're not going anywhere!" she said, dragging him back inside by his ear.
"Eeekkk! Mother! Have mercy!" Javier begged, waving his hands in a useless attempt to get free.
Liana softly chuckled as she saw her young master struggling with his mother. It was always funny to see him act this way. "Young master really doesn't learn," she said to herself, walking behind them as Francesca took Javier to the library.
Lady Francesca's maid rushed to help, holding the door open as Francesca brought Javier inside.
"Eekkk! Mother!! Don't be rough!"
The door clicked shut, leaving Javier kneeling on the floor in front of his elegant mother, who sat gracefully on the couch.
"What's with the birds outside?" Francesca asked, her voice calm but annoyed.
"Err… my pet?" Javier answered nervously.
"Pet? PET?!!!" Francesca's eyebrow twitched as she sighed loudly. She looked over to Liana, who stood quietly with her hands together. "Liana… I told you to keep an eye on him."
"I'm sorry, Madam," Liana said with a small bow. "But you know how stubborn he is."
"Ehehehehe…" Javier laughed nervously, scratching his head.
"Don't 'ehehehe' me!" Francesca snapped. "You are a noble! Why did you buy… birds? Of all things?" She rubbed her temple, looking frustrated. "What am I going to do with you?" Didn't I say that if you wanted a ride, we have plenty of horses for you?"
"Err… but I wanted Pekko. They're cool and faster… ehehehe," Javier replied, giving his biggest charming smile.
Francesca sighed again, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. This son is so different from his siblings, she thought. What will I do with him?
"Liana," Francesca said, looking at the calm maid.
"Yes, Madam?"
"Make sure those birds are moved to the edge of the estate. And teach him to control them properly. I won't let those creatures cause chaos."
"Understood, Madam," Liana replied with a polite nod.
"And you, young man!" Francesca looked at Javier seriously. "GROUNDED!"
"Ehhhh!?? But Mother…"
"No buts! If I catch you sneaking outside again, those two birds will go straight to the butcher!"
"Eeeekkk!! Please no, Mother!" Javier cried, putting his hands together to plead.
Francesca leaned forward, narrowing her eyes. "Then behave yourself, young man. Do you understand?"
Javier looked down, mumbling, "All this for a couple of birds…"
Francesca heard him and gave him a sharp look. "What do you say?"
"Nothing, Mother!" Javier quickly replied, straightening up with a nervous smile.
Liana, by the door, shook her head and chuckled quietly. "Young master, one of these days, you'll learn."
Javier pouted playfully. "You're supposed to be on my side!"
"I'm on the side of keeping you out of trouble," Liana said with a small smile as she followed Francesca out.
"Troublesome as always," Francesca said, though she seemed fond of him despite her annoyance.
After leaving Javier sulking in the library, Francesca stopped just outside the door and turned to Liana.
"Liana," she said with a soft yet commanding tone, "keep an eye on him for me. If he sneaks out again, I expect to be informed immediately."
Liana gave a graceful bow. "As you wish, madam."
Francesca let out a tired sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "And those birds... make sure he keeps them far from the main house. They're his responsibility now. Speak with the carpenter and arrange for a proper pen or cage to be built for them. I don't want them wandering about and causing trouble."
"Yes, madam."
Francesca glanced back at the closed library door and shook her head. "Honestly, even if he bought them with his own money, he shouldn't spend so recklessly on something like this. It's... frivolous."
Liana tilted her head slightly, a small, knowing smile forming. "Young master has his reasons, madam. He's… very determined when it comes to the things he cares about."
Francesca paused for a moment, her stern expression softening just a fraction. "That boy... He's always been different. Sometimes I don't know whether to be proud of his resourcefulness or worried about his impulsiveness." She straightened, her composure returning. "Go to him, Liana. Ensure he understands his responsibilities with those birds. And remind him, once again, that he's grounded."
Liana gave another polite bow. "Of course, madam. Leave it to me."
Francesca turned and walked away, her elegant form disappearing down the corridor. Liana watched her go before turning back toward the library door. A faint chuckle escaped her lips as she thought about her mischievous young master.
"Time to see what kind of trouble you'll get into next, young master," she murmured to herself before pushing open the door.
"Hmmph!! Betrayer!! Traitor!! Turncoat!! Double-dealing stool pigeon!!" Javier huffed, crossing his arms and pouting dramatically as Liana entered the library.
Liana let out a soft, melodic chuckle, clearly entertained by her young master's exaggerated reaction. "Now, now, young master," she said with a teasing tone. "Perhaps I should inform Madam Francesca that... we should send those birds straight to the butcher. Hmm?"
"Ekkk!! Please, anything but that!" Javier immediately dropped to his knees, clutching his chest like he'd been mortally wounded. "My honey, sweet bun, light of my life, angel in disguise, most beautiful goddess of all the realms!"
Liana raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into an amused smile. "That's quite the flattery for someone who just called me a stool pigeon."
"I-I didn't mean it!" Javier cried, dramatically grabbing her hands. "You're my savior, my one and only—"
"Your cook, your babysitter, your maid..." Liana interjected, tilting her head.
"Exactly!" Javier nodded enthusiastically. "Which is why you must protect my precious Pekkos! My entire future depends on them!"
"Your future?" Liana asked, crossing her arms.
"Yes!" Javier jumped up, puffing out his chest. "Today Pekkos, tomorrow the world!"
Liana sighed and shook her head, but her soft chuckles betrayed her amusement. "Young master, if you don't put even half this energy into your studies, Madam Francesca will ground more than just your birds. She'll ground you to your chair."
Javier winced. "Ehh... Studies can wait. Pekkos are first!"
"They're not if they end up in the stew pot," Liana teased with a sly smile.
"Ekkk!! My sweet bun, have mercy!!"
"Fine, fine… Now, young master," Liana said, placing her hands on her hips with a patient smile. "Shouldn't we go check on the Pekkos?"
"Yeah!!! Let's go!!" Javier exclaimed, his face lighting up. He dashed toward the door.
Liana shook her head with a soft sigh, following him at a more composed pace. "Honestly," she muttered to herself, "his priorities are entirely out of order. But… perhaps that's not such a bad thing."
She knew full well that Javier had already surpassed the limits of what books could teach him. Magic? Mastered. Swordsmanship? Exceptional. Crafting and enchanting? Flawless. Advanced magic? Effortless. Instant casting? Unparalleled. For an eleven-year-old, her young master's skills were nothing short of monstrous.
But Liana also understood that knowledge from books could only take someone so far. Real growth came from stepping into the world, facing its challenges, and finding one's place in it.
As she followed Javier outside, watching him bounce with excitement, she thought to herself, Perhaps these Pekkos will teach him something no book ever could. Responsibility… or at least how to avoid getting grounded again.
"Young master," she called out, "try not to trip over your own feet in your excitement."
"Don't worry about me, Liana! I've got this!" Javier grinned over his shoulder. A moment later, he stumbled on a loose cobblestone and almost fell flat on his face.
Liana sighed but couldn't hide the small, affectionate smile tugging at her lips. Maybe responsibility will take a little longer…
( End of Chapter )