CHAPTER 881: THE FUTURE OF ARJAM ( 881 )

"B-but..." Mimi’s ears drooped immediately, her tail lowered as she clasped her hands together in front of her chest.

"Pleaseeee~! Just ask Papa for permission! I’m sure he’ll say yes! With Husband there, I’ll be safe! Besides, I can fight too! Pleaaase~?"

Her tone shifted into a soft, pleading purr, her tail flicking rapidly as if wagging for approval.

Garius rubbed the bridge of his nose, sighing quietly as he felt a familiar headache rising.

"Since it’s Javier’s mission, he will decide who to bring. But first, we will wait for your father’s permission."

Mimi’s eyes brightened instantly. "Really!? Yay!" she clapped her hands together, beaming from ear to ear before bowing deeply. "Thank you, Father-in-law!!!"

Liana’s hand slowly dragged down her face.

Gloria quietly adjusted her glasses, whispering under her breath, "And here we go again..."

Garius set his utensils down and leaned back slightly, his tone calm but authoritative.

"Liana. Gloria."

Both of them bowed gracefully.

"Yes, my lord?"

"I’m going to have a private discussion with Javier and my sons," Garius said, his eyes steady. "Please take Princess Mimi with you."

"As you command, my lord," they replied in unison.

Liana and Gloria each took hold of Mimi by the arms, gently but firmly guiding her toward the door.

"Eh!? But I’m also family, right!? I want to stay with Husband-sama!" Mimi protested, her tail swishing frantically as she dug her heels against the marble floor.

"Come now, Princess~" Gloria said with a calm, polite smile. "A lady should know when to give her husband space."

"Nyaaa~! But—!" Mimi pouted, her voice fading as the doors closed behind them.

Francesca rose from her seat, her expression serene. "Dear~ I’ll be going out as well."

"Mm," Garius replied with a small nod, watching as all four of his wives left the chamber gracefully.

"Erinnette?" he said once the room had quieted.

"Yes, my lord?" she responded, stepping closer.

Garius didn’t answer her immediately, his gaze drifted to Alf, who was quietly closing the doors behind the last departing figure.

Across the table, Hesbeirn leaned back in his chair, toothpick in mouth, looking far too relaxed for the tension in the air, until Erinnette shot him a glare sharp enough to pierce armor.

He straightened immediately, sitting up as if nothing had happened.

Garius’s calm gaze moved slowly across the table, pausing at each of his sons before finally resting on the pair seated beside one another.

"Aelius. Athine."

Both immediately straightened, their expressions composed, and bowed their heads in perfect unison.

"Yes, esteemed Father."

A rare, gentle smile touched Garius’s lips, warm, sincere, and carrying the full weight of paternal affection.

"After today, both of you will bear heavy responsibilities. The road ahead will demand much of your time, focus, and sacrifice. But no matter how great the burden becomes, do not forget to look after one another."

He leaned back slightly, his voice steady yet tender.

"I will never stand against what is born of mutual affection and loyalty. If your hearts are united in sincerity, then cherish that bond. Protect one another, and uphold the Armand name through the life you build together."

The words carried the quiet gravity of something official, a father’s acknowledgment, a noble’s declaration, and a man’s acceptance.

Aelius and Athine exchanged a soft, radiant smile and bowed once more.

"Yes, Father," they said quietly.

Beneath the table, their fingers intertwined. An unspoken promise, a silent vow.

Garius gave a single approving nod.

"As for your duties," he continued, his tone returning to command.

"You will both assist in the operation to secure the Arjam Region and restore its economy. The land will fall under Armand’s protection, but governance shall be entrusted to Princess Kliatana. After all that was stripped from her, her crown, her title, her home, this will give her a place to rise again."

Aelius bowed deeply. "We will ensure its stability, Father."

Athine followed softly. "And its people will remember who restored their peace."

"Since Heres will soon be governing that land with her... it seems he’s fallen quite deeply for her," Garius said, his tone soft, almost amused. "And she, in turn, appears utterly captivated by him. Well..." a small smile crossed his face, "I can only imagine what the future holds for those two."

Before he could continue, Javier’s eyes widened.

"What?"

He leaned forward. "F...Father? What do you mean Heres seems to have fallen for... that bratty?" Javier’s voice rose, genuine confusion all over his face.

"Hmm?" Garius raised an eyebrow, calm as ever. "What do you mean, Javier? Heres loves her. And you already knew Kliatana loves him too."

"Wait, wait, wait....Heres!?" Javier pointed toward the door "That silent guy!?"

Garius leaned back in his chair, entirely unbothered. "Yes. Your half-brother. Why?"

Javier gawked, gesturing wildly.

"I thought he wasn’t interested in women! And that bratty. She’s been pestering me for weeks! Always asking how to get close to him! Especially after the Pekko riding lesson! I can still hear her voice! ’Javier, what food does he like?’ ’Javier, will this work?’ ’Javier, does this hair clip look good?’ ’Javier, help me accidentally bump into him in the garden!’"

The table erupted into laughter.

Marcellus chuckled first, Cedric covered his grin, and even Aelius lowered his head, trying not to laugh too loudly. Athine pressed her fingers to her lips, giggling softly.

Garius simply smiled, shaking his head in quiet amusement as his son’s voice trailed off.

"If I’d known Heres loved her too, I wouldn’t have needed to plan anything!" Javier groaned, rubbing his temples.

"Ugh! That’s why when that bratty asked me for help, I told her to just confess already! But nooo...she kept pestering me! Asking me to plan things for her so she could ’accidentally’ bump into him! Ughhhh!"

Marcellus leaned back in his chair, lips curling into an amused smirk.

"Heh. Our genius little brother didn’t see it coming, huh?"

Cedric set his cup down, a teasing grin spreading across his face.

"Heeeh~ our little brother didn’t even notice how Heres looks at your best friend?"

"Wait...seriously?" Javier blinked, pointing between them. "You all knew!?"

A chorus of quiet laughter rippled around the table. Even Aelius and Athine, normally composed, covered their mouths, failing to hide their smiles.

Cedric leaned closer, nudging Javier with his elbow.

"He always lingers near the hallway where Kliatana’s room is. Watching from afar like some brooding poet, waiting for a chance to ’accidentally’ run into her."

Aelius nodded, eyes glinting with amusement.

"Tell me, little brother, have you ever seen Heres leave his room for anything other than the library... or his mother’s chambers?"

Javier blinked, then frowned slightly.

"Now that you mention it..."

Marcellus chuckled, folding his arms.

"And lately, he’s been taking long walks in the very wing where Kliatana stays."

Cedric tilted his head, smirking.

"Still think he’s not interested?"

( End Of Chapter )