As the servants bustled about preparing the Vertmont family's carriages, Javier stood by the estate gates with his family, seeing off their guests. On the outside, he maintained his polite smile, but inside, he was practically cheering.
YESSS! Thank god! I'm free from this! This is exactly why I hate noble parties. Too much drama. Ehehehe.
Lady Francesca leaned toward Javier . "Oh, it's so sad to see Lady Gracelle leave so soon, right, my little honey bun?"
Javier coughed into his hand, avoiding his mother's teasing gaze. "Indeed, Mother. Such a shame," ( Nope! Not at all. Go on now. Hurry up. Ehehehe! )
Gracelle approached him with a bright smile. "Javier-sama, if you have time in the future… would you visit my home? I'd love to show you around our estate."
Javier gave a courteous nod. "Of course, Lady Gracelle. If the opportunity arises, I'll make sure to visit."( Yeah, let's hope that opportunity never arises.)
Just as her carriage was loaded and ready to depart, Gracelle suddenly broke free from her maid's guidance and rushed toward Javier.
Before he could react, she threw her arms around him and pulled him into a passionate, lingering kiss. Time seemed to freeze as the entire courtyard turned silent, save for a few gasps from nearby servants.
What the—?! Oh, god, someone stop this girl! Liana, this is ALL YOUR FAULT AGAIN!
When Gracelle finally pulled away, her cheeks were flushed, and her smile radiated pure joy. "I'll be waiting for you, Javier-sama," she whispered before finally climbing into her carriage with a satisfied expression.
Javier stood rooted to the spot, his face a mix of shock and forced composure. As the carriage disappeared down the road, he could feel the amused stares from his family.
Lady Francesca's amused voice rang out, teasing and lighthearted. "Oh my, it seems someone has fallen head over heels for my little honey bun. What a passionate farewell! Perhaps we should extend this budding connection into an engagement?"
Javier froze, his amber eyes wide with panic. "Eeeekkk!! No, Mother! Absolutely not! I'm still a child!"
Lady Francesca chuckled, clearly enjoying his reaction. "But it's normal among nobles, darling."
"Nope! Not happening! I don't care about what's normal," Javier declared, crossing his arms defensively. "I'm not getting engaged, married, or anything of the sort anytime soon. I've got my own plans!"
Francesca raised an elegant eyebrow, her smirk deepening. "Plans, you say? And do those plans involve a certain silver-haired elf who conveniently went missing all morning?"
Javier's face flushed red. "Mother!"
"Oh, honey bun," she cooed, patting his cheek with mock sympathy. "You can't fool your mother."
Javier groaned, covering his face with his hands. Why is my life like this?
As Francesca walked away, humming a cheerful tune.
"Now, where's that evil elf?" Javier muttered, stomping out of the dining hall.
"How dare she try to set me up with those brats. Oh well, I suppose it was my mistake for starting this mess... but it's not like I wanted to get serious! I just wanted to see Liana's reaction—not this!"
Determined to confront her, Javier marched to Liana's room, but it was empty. Frowning, he went to the maid's dining area. Still no sign of her. "The hell? Is she hiding from me now?"
Next, he checked the Pekko pen, his usual place to cool off when he was annoyed. She wasn't there either, though it was obvious her chores were left undone.
"Hah, she even skipped her duties? That sly elf. The trough's still empty,"
Rolling up his sleeves, he scooped a generous amount of Pekko food into the feeding trough. "Here you go, you messy eaters," he muttered as the birds squawked in delight. Then, he refilled their water, cleaning and changing it out with care.
Watching the two Pekkos happily peck and chirp around their pen, Javier felt a bit of his irritation melt away. "Heh, at least you guys don't talk back," he chuckled. "Unlike certain elves or clingy brats."
With a satisfied sigh, he leaned against the pen fence, arms crossed. "Finally, free from all that chaos. Hehehe…"
But his brief peace didn't last long.
"You seem awfully happy, young master. What's the occasion?"
Javier froze, turning his head sharply to see Liana standing a few feet away, her arms crossed and an amused smirk on her face.
"Liana!" he barked, nearly dropping the bucket he still held. "Where the hell have you been?!"
"Oh, just handling some tasks Lady Francesca asked of me. Why, did you miss me?" she teased, tilting her head.
Javier pointed an accusatory finger at her. "You! Do you realize what you've done? That brat Gracelle—she kissed me! Twice! And then called my mother her 'future in-law.' All because you set her up to stay!"
Liana raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Oh my, what a bold little lady. And here I thought you were enjoying yourself."
"Enjoying myself?! Do I look like I enjoyed being suffocated by that clingy brat all morning?"
Liana smirked wider. "You did look rather... cozy during breakfast."
Javier groaned, slapping a hand to his forehead. "Liana, I swear, if you ever pull something like this again—"
"You'll what, young master?" she interrupted, her calm, knowing tone stopping him mid-rant.
He glared at her but couldn't come up with an answer.
"That's what I thought," she said, turning to leave. "Now, if you're done yelling at me, I have work to finish. Enjoy your freedom, young master."
Javier watched her retreating figure, fists clenched. "Evil elf!" he hissed under his breath, though the corners of his lips twitched in reluctant amusement.
"Haaaaaaa..." Javier sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "Looks like she's still mad about it. Probably planning some other way to make my life a living hell."
He glanced at the Pekkos, now lazily lounging on the open ground after their meal. Their feathers gleamed under the sunlight, and their content squawking brought a small grin to his face.
Shaking off his lingering irritation, Javier turned his attention to his own Pekko, a vibrant bird with a proud posture and a mischievous glint in its wide eyes. "Hey, buddy," he said, approaching the creature. "Let's get out of here for a bit. I need some air. You up for a ride?"
The Pekko tilted its head, letting out an eager squawk as if in agreement.
"Hehehe," Javier chuckled, patting its sturdy neck. "That's what I like to hear. Let's go, mate."
With practiced ease, he climbed onto the Pekko's back, grabbing the reins. The bird straightened up, its compact wings flaring slightly in excitement.
"Alright, let's make this quick and fun. Maybe we'll explore that old trail by the woods," Javier muttered, a mischievous glint in his amber eyes. "No one to nag me, no clingy brats, no evil elves—just us and the open road."
The Pekko squawked again, as if sharing his enthusiasm, and took off in a brisk run, kicking up dirt as they headed for the estate gates.
( End of Chapter )