"Mama! Let me buy that Pekko!"
Javier pleaded with a cheeky grin, glancing up at her eyes.
Francesca, seated gracefully, pinched the bridge of her nose. "No. You snuck out of the manor without telling anyone, caused a fuss, and now you want something completely inappropriate for a noble." She let out a deep sigh. "What am I going to tell your father, hmm?"
Javier leaned forward with a charming smile. "Mama, just this once, okay? Please?"
"No. If you want to ride, we have perfectly good horses. Horses are dignified. Why on earth do you want one of those strange birds?"
"Horses are boring! The Pekko is way cooler!"
Francesca's patience was wearing thin. "Absolutely not. And stop arguing."
Knowing he wouldn't win, Javier huffed dramatically and stood. "Cih... fine!" He stomped off toward his room.
Once he was out of her room, his grin turned mischievous.
If Mother won't buy it, I'll just find the gold myself. Who needs permission when I can get it on my own?
I wonder how I should get the money myself?
Meanwhile, outside the manor in the courtyard.
"Do you think you can beat me?!" Marcellus taunted, striking with controlled power.
Cedric sidestepped with a smile. "Do you think that weak attack can defeat me? In your dreams, big brother!" He launched a counterattack with his practice sword.
Marcellus blocked the attack and retaliated with a side kick toward Cedric's ribs. "Try and see if you can evade this!"
Cedric evaded the attack with a smirk. "Hah! Too slow! Too easy!"
Meira and Lithia watched from a distance, offering light applause for their impressive moves.
Javier, who had just stepped out of the manor, leaned back against a tree, crossing his arms while watching them spar in the training area.
Uwa... is this how the talented fight in this world?
Their moves are so predictable and boring.
They're both practically fighting exactly how their trainer told them to.
If this is how the best and most talented fight, I wonder how the weakest in this world fight...
Marcellus and Cedric both paused their sparring and smirked when they saw Javier leaning against the tree, standing at a distance.
"Oho~ Look who's here! Our little brother."
"No wonder he only has one maid. Poor Liana must be tired dealing with someone like you~"
Javier shook his head, trying his best to hide his amusement.
"Uh… I'm… going… now..." he scratched the back of his head and shuffled away as his brothers kept laughing.
If I really went serious, there's no way these two would be able to defeat me.
But why should I show them anything?
Let them think I'm useless. It's better this way! Ehehehe…
This means more freedom for me, less stress and expectation. The less they expect, the more I can do as I please.
Now... He glanced around. I wonder where Liana is?
Can't wait to lie down on her lap, or perhaps… maybe cupping those breasts?
While walking back to the manor, he glanced up at the sky with both hands in his pockets.
I wonder how I can find 20 gold coins?
Hunting monsters?
Yeah, that'll probably do it.
It might take time and require a lot of hunting, but it's better than waiting for approval from Father.
Tomorrow… I'll sneak out early morning while everyone is still asleep.
He kept walking down the hallway, both hands in his pockets, glancing around.
Where's Liana? She's supposed to be taking care of me. After all, she's assigned only to me, as my personal maid.
What time is it now? Man... I wish they had real clocks in this world.
He passed by the maid's dining room and peeked inside, spotting Liana seated at the table, eating her meal alone.
Oho? There she is.. Lucky~
He slowly crept up behind her and covered her eyes from behind.
"Guess who~?"
Liana let out a long exhale. "Young master. I'm eating here."
"Woo~ so cold." Javier pursed his lips while narrowing his eyes at her from the side.
"I was looking for you," he said, pulling up a chair to sit beside her. "You were supposed to be looking after me, right?"
Liana gave him a sidelong glare. "Young master, I'm allowed a short break, you know. Even maids need to eat."
He glanced at her plate while leaning on her shoulder. "What are you eating?"
Liana kept eating her meal while giving him a cold answer. "A meal."
Javier narrowed his eyes while looking at the side of her face. "Woo~ so cold." He pretended to be hurt, clutching his chest while giving her his best pitiful look. "I'm hungry.. Liana~"
Liana exhaled and shook her head. "Let me finish my meal in peace, and after that, I'll get food from the kitchen for you. Better yet, you could just go to the main dining room and let the maid serve you, or ask the chef to prepare it for you."
Javier pursed his lips. "Aw~ come on. You're my maid and partner, right? Shouldn't you be the one who serves me instead?"
Liana put down her knife and fork and turned to glance at him. "Fine.. Let me finish my meal here first."
"Ehehe.. that's my girl~"
He leaned forward while puckering his lips.
Liana exhaled again, wiping her lips with the napkin and glancing around to make sure no one was watching. She leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on his lips.
"There.. happy?"
Javier grinned. "Yes~"
"Now go wait in the main dining room."
"Eh? I don't want others to serve me..." Javier glanced into her eyes while resting his cheek on her shoulder.
"I don't know what's gotten into you, young master." She shook her head and gave him a sidelong glare. "Go wait in your room then. I'll bring some food for you after this."
"Okay~" Javier planted a quick kiss on her cheek before walking out of the maid's dining room.
After a while, Javier held his knife and fork while waiting for Liana to serve the food from the small, wheeled serving cart she had brought.
"Here, young master. Eat."
"Okay~" Javier reached out and began cutting the meat, eating it with relish.
"Liana?"
"What now, young master? Just focus on your meal."
He glanced up while still munching his meal, looking into Liana's face.
"Once I turn eighteen, I will make you my wife."
Liana just chuckled softly and shook her head again.
"Stop playing around, young master. I'm your maid. You are a noble's son."
"So?" Javier glanced at her. "What if I'm a noble's son? I don't see a problem here."
Liana let out a long exhale. "You're still so young; maybe that's the reason you won't understand. Besides, I don't think that would ever be allowed. Nobles marry for alliances, for status. They don't marry their maids."
"I don't care what they think. When I turn 18, I'll decide my future. And I want you in it."
She glanced into his eyes. His gaze was steady, serious, and held a conviction far beyond his years, and smiled softly. "Let's discuss it when you grow a little bit older."
"Okay! But believe me, Liana. You will be my wife." Javier grinned and continued his meal.
While Liana just glanced at him.
What am I going to do with you, young master?
( End Of Chapter )