"Young Master!!"
Liana's voice echoed through the hall, her soft yet firm tone carrying just enough urgency to stir excitement in Javier's mischievous heart.
Heheh… catch me if you can, Liana!
"Found you!" Liana's face appeared suddenly, peeking behind the door with a triumphant smile.
"Ehhh?!" Javier feigned surprise, throwing his hands up in mock defeat.
"Now, now," Liana said, crossing her arms as she stood over him. "It's time for your studies, Young Master. No more running around."
Javier leaned closer, whispering in her pointed ear, "But Liana… I already learn and know everything, right?"
Liana whispering back with a teasing glint in her eye, "Yes, but what will the Lord and Madam say if they don't see you in the study room?"
"Tch…" Javier clicked his tongue, narrowing his eyes at her. "Fine, fine. But first…" He leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Kisssssssss."
Liana sighed, shaking her head, though a small smile played on her lips. "You haven't changed at all," she muttered, leaning closer.
Javier, now eleven years old, had grown taller and more handsome. To her suprise, he was already a little taller than her.
How did time fly so fast? she wondered. Just a few years ago, he was an insistent, stubborn infant tugging at her for milk. Now, here he was, still insistent, though with entirely different demands.
Her lips brushed against his forehead in a soft kiss. "There, satisfied?"
"Nope." Javier smirked, pointing to his cheek.
Liana rolled her eyes but complied, planting a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Now let's go," she said, pulling him toward the study room.
Javier followed, grinning ear to ear. It's a new routine, but it's mine, he thought. And Liana? She's mine too. Always.
Liana opened a thick tome and placed it on the study table, her movements calm and practiced. As always, the book was a mere prop—a guise to make it seem like she was diligently teaching her young master. However, today, her curiosity finally got the better of her.
Javier sat across from her, casually flipping the pages of a separate book, seemingly disinterested. But Liana knew better. Over the years, she'd discovered the depths of his intellect and capabilities. He'd mastered advanced magic, mathematics, intricate formulas, and multiple languages. What astonished her most was his fluency in the elven language—something even many elves struggled to achieve.
"(Young Master, may I ask something?)" Liana asked softly, switching to her native tongue. Her delicate voice carried a mix of awe and hesitation.
Javier didn't look up immediately, but a small smile tugged at his lips. He responded without hesitation in perfect elven, "(Go ahead, Liana. Ask anything.)"
"(Why do you hide your potential?)" she asked, her eyes fixed on him, searching for an answer.
Javier finally met her gaze, his eyes shimmering with amusement. "(Liana, you promised me you wouldn't tell anyone, right?)"
"I did," she replied, her voice laced with concern. "(But it still doesn't explain why.)"
He sighed, leaning back in his chair and resting his chin on his hand. "(Sigh… who wants to busy themselves just to please others?)"
Liana blinked, momentarily stunned by his words.
"(Think about it. If I show what I'm capable of, I'll be forced into endless duties, expectations, and possibly even sent away to some prestigious academy. Do I look like someone who wants to waste my time pleasing a bunch of nobles?)"
"(But your family—)"
"(They're already doing fine without me.)" He smirked, his tone confident. "(Let my brothers carry the family's ambitions. I'm happy staying right here….)"
Liana felt her cheeks warm at his declaration. She averted her gaze, focusing on the book in front of her. "(You're impossible.)"
"(No, Liana, I'm just smarter than most.)" His grin widened as he leaned closer. "(And I know how to keep my priorities straight. You're one of them, after all.)"
Liana didn't respond, though her soft smile betrayed her thoughts. She picked up the quill to jot something in the margins of the book, pretending to be occupied while her heart raced from Javier words.
"By the way, Liana, I'm bored," Javier said, stretching his arms above his head with a mischievous grin. "Maybe I should ask permission from my father or mother to visit the town or a nearby village. You know, experience is better. Eheheh."
Liana paused, her hand hovering over the quill she was using to jot down notes. Her expression shifted into one of mild exasperation, though there was a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
"Young Master, you know Lord Garius would never allow you to wander around unsupervised. And Madam Francesca would probably faint at the idea of you mingling with commoners."
Javier leaned closer, resting his chin on his hand, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "That's why I said I'd ask for permission. If they send a guard or two with me, it'll be fine, right? Maybe even you can come along."
Liana arched an eyebrow. "Do you really think they'll let me escort you? The last time you tried to sneak off to the library at night, they nearly doubled the number of maids watching you."
He laughed. "Well, I'll just argue that they can't keep me cooped up forever. I need to learn about the world, Liana. How else will I know if the village baker makes bread better than the one in the mansion?"
Liana sighed, setting the quill down and crossing her arms. "You're just looking for an excuse to wander around and cause trouble, aren't you?"
"Trouble?" Javier feigned innocence, placing a hand on his chest. "Me? Never! I'm simply a curious young master who wants to see what life is like beyond these walls. Who knows? I might even pick up a few things to impress you."
Liana's cheeks tinted a faint pink, but she quickly turned away to hide it. "You're impossible, Young Master."
"And yet, here you are, always by my side," he teased, standing up and walking toward the door. "Anyway, think about it, Liana. A little outing could do us both some good. Fresh air, new sights… maybe even new experiences. Doesn't that sound exciting?"
Liana glanced at him, her smile soft but cautious. "If Lord Garius or Madam Francesca approves, I'll go with you. But until then, sit down and focus on your studies."
Javier groaned dramatically before plopping back into his chair. "Fine, fine. But I'm holding you to that promise, Liana. Once I get the green light, we're going on an adventure."
Liana shook her head, her expression a mix of fondness and resignation. "You're lucky you're so charming, Young Master."
Later that night, the entire family gathered in the dining room. The atmosphere was lively, with conversations bouncing back and forth between Lord Garius's wives, children, and stepchildren. Marcellus and Cedric, Javier's older brothers, sat proudly, basking in their status as a wizard and a swordmaster respectively. The other step-siblings were there too—not as fortunate as the eldest brothers but still boasting respectable blessings and classes.
Javier noticed that his youngest stepmother was pregnant, and the first stepmother was openly discussing plans for a third child with Lord Garius.
My mama Francesca? She doesn't want to get pregnant anymore, Javier mused. He smiled inwardly. Not that I blame her. Managing all these kids and dealing with that old dried plum…
His smile grew wider as he recalled the latest gossip. Oh, by the way, my dried plum of a father is soon to marry another woman—with Mama's permission. Congratulations, dried plum! Hahaha!
But Javier wasn't just here to listen to family politics tonight. He had a mission. Standing up, he addressed his father.
"Esteemed Father, I kindly ask for your permission to venture outside to the town or a nearby village tomorrow so I can gain some real-world experience."
The room went silent. All eyes turned to Lord Garius, who raised an eyebrow at the unusual request.
"Hmmm?" His voice boomed. "All you ever do is play! Why can't you be like your brothers and your sister here?" He gestured toward Marcellus, Cedric, and the other step-siblings.
Javier resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Ugh, here we go again. Another round of the dried plum's infamous yelling.
"You know there will be a blessing ceremony three years from now! And all you do is play, play, play! What about your studies?"
Dried plum strikes again, Javier thought, keeping a neutral expression as his father launched into another lecture.
"Look at both of your brothers," Lord Garius continued, pointing to Marcellus and Cedric. "Top and second-best students in the Royal Academy! And yet you! You don't even go to school!"
( End of Chapter )