Javier nestled comfortably on his mother's lap, wrapping his arms around her in an affectionate hug. He buried his face against her breast, inhaling her comforting scent. "Mother…"
"Yes, my honey bun?" Lady Francesca replied, stroking his messy black hair with a tender smile.
"Can you give me some land? Or at least permission to buy or acquire some?"
Francesca tilted her head. "Why do you need land, anyway?"
"I want to start a farming business," Javier said, grinning cheekily. "Ehehe."
"Javier," Francesca laughed softly, "you know managing land requires more than just buying it. You'll need money to run it, hire workers and guards, and ensure someone oversees the business daily. Are you ready for all that?"
"Well…" Javier began, his grin widening. "Can I ask Liana to help? Ehehe."
"Are you sure, my honey bun? Liana is your personal maid. If you ask her to manage your business full-time, you won't see her every day."
"Ehhhh?! No! I don't want that!" Javier blurted, shaking his head furiously.
"Haaaa…" Francesca sighed, pressing her fingers to her temple. "What am I going to do with you, Javier?"
"Mother… please,"
Francesca raised an eyebrow, still skeptical. "How much gold do you even have for this… venture?"
"Err… around three gold coins?" Javier said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Ehehe."
"Liana," Francesca called, her voice laced with curiosity. "How does he have that much gold?"
"I don't know, Madam," Liana replied, standing nearby with her usual composed demeanor. "You'd best ask him yourself."
Francesca narrowed her eyes at her son. "Javier, where did you get three gold coins?"
"Ehehe… Father gave them to me because I found the mine," he admitted, flashing a cheeky grin.
Francesca leaned back, incredulous, her hands still resting on his shoulders. "Javier… do you realize what you found is worth more than a hundred thousand gold coins? That stingy husband of mine gave you three?" She shook her head, muttering under her breath, "That stinky man…"
Javier shrugged nonchalantly. "Hmm… I can start with this much, right? Ehehehe."
Francesca couldn't help but chuckle softly. She knew he was up to something, but his antics always warmed her heart.
As she held him close, she decided to indulge his request. "Fine, Javier. I'll talk to your father about granting you a small plot of land. But you must promise me you'll be responsible with it, and no risky ideas, understood?"
"Yay! Thanks, Mother!" Javier cheered, squeezing her in a tight hug.
Francesca sighed, brushing a stray lock of Javier hair away from his face. "But tell me, what exactly are you planning to farm?"
"Pekko farm, sugarcane, cocoa, and other foods... Ehehe!" he declared proudly.
Francesca gave Javier a skeptical look, her elegant brows furrowing in confusion. "Sugarcane? Cocoa? Those plants only grow deep in the forest. And besides, why would you want to farm such peculiar crops? No one even cultivates them,seriously."
Javier leaned back on her lap, a sly grin on his face. "Ehehe… They're special, Mother. Trust me. Farming them will bring a lot of value in the future. They're... versatile."
Francesca tilted her head, trying to understand. "Sugarcane... Isn't that the plant adventurers sometimes bring back from the southern forests? They say it's sweet when chewed, but we've never seen it used for anything practical."
Javier nodded, feigning curiosity. "Exactly! But I think it has more potential, Mother. I just need some land to try."
"And cocoa... That's the bitter fruit from the western jungles, isn't it?" she continued. "Merchants sometimes sell the dried seeds for outrageous prices, claiming they're a delicacy for certain tribes. But it's so bitter, I can't imagine anyone enjoying it."
"Hmm, maybe it has uses we haven't thought of yet," Javier replied with a knowing smirk, careful not to reveal too much.
Francesca tapped her chin, still skeptical. "I suppose. But growing such exotic crops will take time, resources, and people who know how to handle them."
Javier knew that in this world, sugar wasn't refined as it would be in modern times. Sweeteners were primarily honey, gathered from bees, or syrup extracted from fruits and tree sap. Some wealthy nobles might import rare, candied fruits preserved in honey from distant regions, but that was a luxury few could afford. As for cocoa, its potential as a base for chocolate was entirely unknown—people viewed it as an odd, bitter ingredient used in strange drinks by foreign tribes.
Javier's grin widened. "Ehehe... Don't worry about that, Mother. Just trust me! With the right care, these crops will bring us great profits!"
Francesca sighed. "You're always so full of schemes, Javier. I'll speak to your father about the land, but I expect you to explain your plans clearly. No vague promises, do you hear me?"
"Yes, Mother! You're the best!" Javier hugged her tightly, already envisioning a future where his knowledge from his past life would revolutionize agriculture in this medieval world.
As Francesca held him close, she couldn't shake the feeling that her youngest son had more up his sleeve than he let on.
Meanwhile, Javier envisioned a future where sugarcane plantations produced refined sugar and cocoa farms yielded the first batches of chocolate. He would bring luxuries and innovation to this medieval world, securing his family's wealth and influence for generations to come.
For now, though, he simply basked in his mother's warmth, content to let his grand plans unfold step by step.
Liana stood quietly nearby, poised yet relaxed, her eyes observing the mother-son interaction.
Inside, she sighed. Haaa... this young master of mine... always scheming for his so-called "future." I can only imagine the mischief this will lead to. Yet, despite her thoughts, a faint smile tugged at her lips. She couldn't help but find his determination endearing, even if it often meant more work for her.
"Mother?" Javier's voice softened, breaking her train of thought.
"Yes, my honey bun?" Francesca replied, stroking his hair affectionately.
Javier leaned closer, his mischievous grin replaced by something genuine. "Ehehe... I love you." He then burrowed his face into her breast, inhaling her comforting scent deeply, cherishing the warmth and safety of her embrace.
Lady Francesca's expression melted into one of pure adoration. "Oh, my sweet boy, I love you too." She wrapped him in a warm embrace, holding him close.
From her spot, Liana's smile. No matter how mischievous or ambitious he was, he was still just a boy who loved his family.
Liana watched with a mix of amusement and exasperation as she observed her young master, Javier, shaking his head against Lady Francesca's breast. The gentle movement made his mother's bosom jiggle slightly, but Lady Francesca merely smiled indulgently, letting her son do as he pleased.
"Ehehehe… soft breast"
Francesca chuckled, her eyes sparkling with affection. "You silly boy," she teased, her laughter light and airy. "Always so playful."
"Mother, they're just so soft!" Javier exclaimed, still buried in her breast, his voice muffled but filled with childlike joy.
Lady Francesca chuckled again, shaking her head in affectionate disbelief. "You're going to turn into quite the little rogue if you keep this up, my honey bun."
Liana couldn't help but chuckle softly at the sight. It was moments like these that reminded her of the innocence of childhood, even if Javier's antics occasionally drove her to the edge of her patience.
( End of Chapter )