Lady Francesca gently stroked Javier's hair as he leaned against her, his face buried in her breast. The soft warmth of her embrace made him sigh contentedly, inhaling deeply and reveling in the familiar scent of her.
"Just stay like this for a while, Mother," Javier mumbled, his voice muffled.
Lady Francesca chuckled, her fingers pausing for a moment. "No can do, my sweet boy. Your father is expecting me, and you know how he gets if I'm late."
Javier groaned, his arms tightening slightly. "Ugh… fine. Why does Father have to ruin everything?"
Francesca smiled down at him with a mix of affection and amusement. "Because he's your father, honey bun. And he also my husband."
Standing gracefully, she adjusted her gown and turned toward the door. "Liana?"
"Yes, Madam?"
"Take over from here," Francesca instructed, pointing toward her son with her lips, who was still sprawled lazily on the couch.
"As you wish, Madam," Liana replied with a polite bow.
Lady Francesca paused at the doorway, turning back to Javier with a mischievous smile. "Oh, and honey bun?"
"Yes, Mother?" Javier replied, half-sulking.
"There's a letter for you. It's from your future wife, Lady Gracelle," she teased.
Javier's head shot up, his face a mix of surprise and irritation. "Mother!"
But Lady Francesca was already gone, her soft laughter trailing behind her.
Javier flopped back onto the couch, throwing an arm over his face. "Why is she like this?"
Liana stepped closer. "Shall I fetch the letter, young master?"
Javier peeked at her from under his arm, his amber eyes gleaming with mock desperation. "Do I have to read it?"
Liana tilted her head, her green eyes sparkling with amusement. "It would be impolite not to, young master. Lady Gracelle went to great lengths to write to you."
With a dramatic sigh, Javier sat up, running a hand through his messy black hair. "Fine, bring it here. But if it's another proposal to attend some boring event, I'm blaming you for convincing me to be nice to her in the first place."
Liana gave a small bow before retrieving the letter. As she handed it to him, she said in a gentle tone, "Perhaps Lady Gracelle's intentions will surprise you, young master."
Javier took the letter, his curiosity piqued despite his reluctance. "Surprises, huh? Let's see if this one's worth it."
As he opened the envelope, Liana stood quietly nearby, observing him with her usual composed demeanor. But deep down, she couldn't help wondering about the contents of the letter—and why the mention of Lady Gracelle made her chest feel oddly tight.
Javier lounged lazily on the couch in the study room, holding the latest letter from Lady Gracelle. The crisp parchment practically radiated with flowery words of affection, all neatly written in her delicate script.
He sighed deeply, running a hand through his messy black hair. "She's going to visit us sometime soon," he muttered to himself, feeling no shock at the news. This wasn't the first time Gracelle's letters expressed how much she missed him—or how hard she was trying to become the ideal "future wife."
Setting the letter aside, Javier leaned back, staring at the ceiling with a faint groan. "Why, oh why, did I kiss her at Mother's birthday party? Now she's seriously in love with me. What was I even thinking?"
Liana, who had been dusting a bookshelf nearby, paused and gave him a pointed look. "Young master," she said in her calm, measured tone, "you shouldn't play with a young maiden's heart. It's your fault for kissing her in the first place."
Javier waved her off with a sheepish grin. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But come on, it was just to see your reaction!"
"And look at what happen to her now?."
"Details, details," Javier replied, grinning mischievously. He sat up and propped his chin on his palm. "Honestly, why think too much about it? Ehehe… nobles can marry more than one wife anyway. Just look at my father, Lord Garius. He's practically the poster boy for 'collect 'em all.' Ehehehe."
Liana's eyebrow twitched, but she kept her composure. "I'm not sure your father would appreciate that comparison, young master."
Javier ignored her. "Okay, so here's the plan. I'll marry you first, Liana. Obviously. Then, if Gracelle turns into a hottie and grows beautiful like you or Mother, maybe she can join the lineup. But!" He raised a finger, "If she turns ugly or fat when we both reach adulthood, no deal! Cancel! I have standards, you know!"
Liana resumed her dusting, her expression composed once more. "yeah yeah young master. But I must remind you, it's not just about appearances. You shouldn't dismiss people based on looks alone."
Javier waved his hand dismissively. "I don't care what others think. If I say I want to marry a beautiful girl, I mean beautiful, hot, and sexy only. No ugly, no fatty." He leaned back, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "It's my choice, Liana!"
Liana raised an eyebrow, amusement barely contained. "Your choice, hmm? Very well, young master. But may I suggest that you focus on growing up yourself before worrying about other people's appearances?"
Javier laughed, his eyes sparkling. "That's why I need you, Liana. You're my future wife, after all."
"We'll see about that, young master," Liana turned on her heel, clearly deciding the conversation wasn't worth continuing. "I'll bring tea to calm your delusions, Young Master."
As she walked away, Javier leaned back with a satisfied smirk. "Ehehe… life's going to be fun with you by my side, Liana."
From the corner of the room, Meira, the catfolk maid, peeked in with a curious tilt of her ears. "Did I hear something about wives? Young Master, you're planning to marry more than one? Nya, ambitious as ever!"
Javier's attention shifted suddenly as he noticed a catfolk tail waving just outside the door. His eyes narrowed, realizing that someone must have overheard him. Looking carefully from his couch, he squinted and gasped. "Isn't that Meira?"
"Meira, wait!!!" Javier bolted upright, but the swift-footed catfolk was already halfway out the door.
"Nya! Gossip like this can't wait!" Meira's tail swished excitedly as she dashed down the hallway, her laughter echoing. "Young Master Javier planning to marry multiple wives! Everyone must know!"
Javier groaned, running a hand through his messy black hair. "That loudmouth cat is going to turn this place upside down!"
Liana stood calmly beside him, her expression composed, though her lips curved slightly in amusement. "Young Master, you reap what you sow. You shouldn't have been so careless with your words."
He glared at her, half-annoyed, half-pleading. "Ugh, this is all your fault, Liana! If you hadn't teased me with that 'future wife' vibe of yours, I wouldn't have—"
"My fault?" Liana raised an elegant eyebrow, folding her arms. "Correct me if I'm wrong, Young Master, but you're the one who started rambling about marrying me first—and apparently setting 'standards' for others."
Javier crossed his arms, pouting slightly. "Still… you didn't have to just stand there while Meira overheard everything! You could've stopped her!"
"Why would I do that?" Liana replied, her voice calm.
Before Javier could retort, Meira's excited voice echoed through the halls: "Guess what I just heard? The Young Master wants to marry more than one wife! And he already has his first pick!"
Javier buried his face in his arm. "It's official. My reputation is ruined."
Liana tilted her head thoughtfully. "I wouldn't say that. Considering how much the maids adore you, this might boost your popularity."
"I'm not trying to win a popularity contest, Liana! I just—"
"—want me to be your first wife?" Liana finished smoothly, her eyes glinting with playful mischief.
Javier froze, his brain stop thinking for a moment before he groaned loudly. "I can't win with you, can I?"
( End of Chapter )