The grand hall was beautiful. Sparkling chandeliers hung from the ceiling, filling the room with a warm light. Noble guests chatted and laughed, creating a festive atmosphere. Lady Francesca, the star of the night, stood near the head table in her stunning gown, looking as lovely as ever.
But she didn't look happy. Her youngest son, Javier, was late.
When she finally saw him walk in, her eyes narrowed, and she turned her face away, pouting even more.
"Ah…" Javier scratched the back of his neck and grinned sheepishly.
"See, young master? You just made Madam sulk," Liana whispered beside him.
"Ehehehe," Javier laughed nervously.
Lady Francesca stood stiffly, clearly waiting for her son to come over and apologize. Javier noticed this and straightened up. He walked over, still wearing his mischievous smirk.
"Mother," he said warmly, bowing slightly. "Happy birthday to the most beautiful lady in the kingdom."
Lady Francesca huffed and kept looking away, but a little blush showed that she was softening. "You're late, Javier."
"I know, I know," he said, his voice sounding sorry. "I wanted to make sure your gift was perfect."
Her pout loosened a bit, but she still didn't turn to face him.
"Here, Mother." Javier pulled a small, elegant box from his pocket and opened it to show a beautiful necklace.
It was an exquisite piece—a delicate gold chain with sparkling jewels that glimmered in the light. But what made it truly special was the hidden magic Javier had put on it. The necklace wasn't just pretty; it held a powerful barrier spell, ready to protect Lady Francesca from danger. Javier didn't plan to tell her about this magical detail.
"This is for you," he said, holding it out. "A necklace as unique and radiant as you, Mother."
Finally, Lady Francesca turned to him, her pout fading into a smile. "Oh, Javier… you shouldn't have."
"I wanted to," he replied sincerely. "No one deserves it more."
She took the necklace and held it up to admire its beauty. The jewels sparkled brightly, catching the attention of nearby guests.
"It's beautiful," she said, her voice filled with real happiness. "Thank you, my dear."
Javier grinned, feeling proud. He stepped closer and fastened the necklace around her neck, stepping back to admire how it looked on her.
"Perfect," he said, nodding in approval.
Lady Francesca touched the necklace gently, her smile growing. "You always know how to make your mother happy, don't you?"
"Of course," Javier replied teasingly.
Liana, a few steps behind, watched their interaction with a small smile. Despite his usual playful behavior, she knew how much Javier loved his family, even if he didn't always show it in the usual ways.
Lady Francesca, her eyes glistening with joy, walked over to Javier with a radiant smile. Before he could react, she pulled him into a tight embrace, pressing his face against her breast.
"Ummphh!!" Javier's muffled voice struggled to escape. (Mother!! I can't breathe!!)
As he squirmed, he caught a whiff of her scent: a mix of floral perfume and something sweet that was uniquely hers. It was comforting yet disarming, and despite the embarrassing situation, he found himself inhaling deeply, his mind slipping into a monotone thought.
"Wow,nice breast..ehehehe"
Even in this odd moment, he couldn't help but appreciate the softness of her breast and the way her warmth enveloped him.
"Oh, my sweet honey bun," Lady Francesca cooed, holding him even tighter. "You really know how to make your mother happy!"
"Ummphh!!" Javier's arms flailed, his muffled protests barely audible. ( Oh no! im going to be dead..for real !! )
Liana, standing nearby, pressed a hand to her mouth, trying to stifle a laugh at the scene. "Madam, perhaps you should let him go. He might actually suffocate."
Lady Francesca blinked and loosened her grip slightly, allowing Javier to take a big, dramatic gasp of air.
"Mother!" he coughed, his face red—not just from the lack of oxygen, but from sheer embarrassment. "You're going to kill me before I even turn twelve!"
Lady Francesca giggled, clearly unbothered by his complaints. She ruffled his hair affectionately. "Nonsense! I could never hurt my precious boy. You're just too cute when you're flustered!"
With a playful grin, she leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, then to his cheek, before finally planting a quick, sweet kiss on his lips.
"Okay, okay!" Javier said, his cheeks flushing even more. "At least warn me next time before you attack me like that!"
"Attack?!" Francesca feigned offense, placing a hand dramatically over her heart. "Oh, my little darling, it was love! A huge love!"
"Right, sure," Javier muttered, straightening his clothes as Liana silently handed him a handkerchief.
As Lady Francesca returned to mingling with the guests, Javier turned to Liana, his voice low. "See what I have to endure? This family is dangerous."
Liana chuckled softly, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Dangerous, perhaps. But you wouldn't trade them for anything, would you?"
Javier paused for a moment, pondering that thought. Maybe a bit of breathing room wouldn't hurt. He chuckled to himself but felt a strange warmth in his chest that he couldn't quite place.
The two shared a quiet laugh before returning to the bustling celebration, the warmth of the moment lingering between them.
As the noble gathering bustled around him, Javier sat quietly in his seat, keeping his head low and his presence unassuming. Being the youngest son of Viscount Garius meant he was of little interest to the crowd—a fact he relished.
The hall was alive with chatter, laughter, and the soft strains of a string ensemble playing a piece that, to Javier, sounded far too archaic. It felt like a soundtrack from a past century, heavy with the weight of tradition and decorum. He grimaced inwardly. (Middle-age-era music… too old-school for my taste.)
Liana returned with a plate piled high with a selection of meats. She set it gently on the table before him and, without missing a beat, adjusted his napkin and poured wine into his goblet with the practiced grace.
"Here you go, young master," she said softly, stepping back to her usual position—standing just behind and slightly to his side. Not too close to draw attention, yet not so far that she couldn't assist him immediately if needed.
Javier glanced at the plate and smirked. "Meat. Lots of it. Liana, you know me too well."
Liana tilted her head, the faintest smile tugging at her lips. "It's not hard when all you ever want is meat, young master."
Ignoring the nobles around him, Javier picked up his fork and knife, focusing on his meal. The chatter and clinking of glasses faded into the background as he cut into a perfectly roasted slice of venison. The rich aroma filled his senses, and he momentarily closed his eyes, savoring the moment. Honestly, the food was one of the few highlights of these gatherings.
As he ate, his sharp eyes darted around the room, observing the nobles as they mingled. The men exchanged thinly veiled insults masked as compliments, their laughter sharp and calculating. The women giggled and gossiped behind fluttering fans, adding to the air of insincerity. Nobody approached him, and he preferred it that way.
Let them prance around like peacocks. I'm fine right here, eating meat and enjoying the show.
The music swelled again, and Javier winced slightly. The melody was intricate but far from the modern music he had once enjoyed in his previous life. "I swear, if they start dancing, I might just sneak out."
"Young master," Liana whispered, leaning down slightly to murmur near his ear, "try not to grimace too much. Someone might notice."
Javier chuckled, wiping his mouth with the napkin she had so meticulously adjusted earlier. "Let them notice. Maybe it'll keep them away for good."
Liana sighed softly, shaking her head. "As you say, young master. Just don't forget why we're here—this party is for Madam Francesca, after all."
Javier paused, his gaze drifting toward Lady Francesca, who was captively engaging with a group of admirers across the room. Her laughter rang through the hall, and he felt a twinge of something he couldn't quite label. She's captivating. Too captivating. He swallowed, trying to shake off the strange flutter in his chest. Yeah, yeah. I know. Let me finish my meat in peace first.
Liana straightened up, resuming her silent vigil by his side as he returned to his meal. For now, the world around him didn't matter. All he needed was the plate of meat in front of him, the music to endure, and the quiet presence of Liana nearby. As he savored each bite, he mused about how he found a strange solace in the chaos of noble life, hiding in plain sight.
At least I don't have to deal with the nonsense directly. Just me, my food, and my thoughts.
( End of Chapter )