"JAAAVVVVIIIIEEERRRRRRR!!!"
Ah... crap... that voice.
Javier ran in the opposite direction as fast as he could.
Gihhhh! If Mother catches me, I'm going to be in huge trouble!
Just as he was about to turn into the left hall, a hand grabbed his collar from behind.
"Eeppp! M-Motherrr!"
"Where do you think you're going, young man? Hmm?"
Javier slowly turned and saw Francesca's sweet but terrifying smile.
"Errr..." He averted his eyes, staring at the floor, the ceiling, the wall—anywhere but her face. "Outside?" he said with a sheepish smile, trying to look innocent. "Ehehehe..."
Francesca dragged him by the collar, her grip firm as she marched him down the hallway. "You're not going anywhere!"
"Eeekkk! Mother! Have mercy!" Javier begged, waving his hands in a useless attempt to get free.
Liana, standing at a distance, let out a weary exhale before following them from behind.
Several household maids noticed and quickly moved to assist, opening the doors to Francesca's study room.
"Eekkk! Mother!! Don't be rough!"
The door clicked shut, leaving Javier kneeling on the floor in front of his elegant mother, who sat gracefully on the couch.
"What's with the birds outside?"
Javier let out a sheepish grin, averting her eyes again. "Err… my pet?"
"Pet? PET?!!!" Francesca's eyebrow twitched. She bit her lower lip, keeping her glare fixed on Javier before glancing at Liana. "Liana… I told you to keep an eye on him."
"I apologize, my lady," Liana said with a small bow, her tone respectful but firm. "However, the young master is rather… stubborn when he sets his mind to something."
"Ehehehehe…" Javier laughed nervously, scratching his head.
"Don't 'ehehehe' me!" Francesca snapped. "You are a noble! Why did you buy… birds? Of all things?" She rubbed her temple, looking frustrated. "What am I going to do with you? Didn't I say that if you wanted a ride, we have plenty of horses?"
"Err… but I wanted Pekkos. They're cool and faster… ehehehe."
Francesca let out a long, frustrated exhale and glanced at Javier, who now knelt on the floor, fidgeting with his fingers, his eyes darting away from hers.
This youngest son of mine is so different from his siblings. What am I going to do with this one? Always causing trouble. Always sneaking out and disappearing for hours. Never has any interest in studying.
"Liana?" Francesca glanced at her.
"Yes, madam?"
"Make sure those birds are moved to the edge of the estate. And teach him to control them properly. I don't want those creatures causing chaos."
"Understood, madam," Liana replied with a polite nod.
"And you, young man!" Francesca looked at Javier with a stern, serious face. "GROUNDED!"
"Ehhhh!?? But Mother…"
"No buts! If I catch you sneaking outside again, those two birds will go straight to the butcher!"
"Eeeekkk!! Please no, Mother!"
Francesca leaned forward, narrowing her eyes. "Then behave yourself, young man. Do you understand?"
Javier glanced down at the floor, mumbling in a low voice, "All I did was buy two Pekkos…"
Francesca gave him another sharp glare. "What did you say?"
"Nothing, Mother!" Javier quickly replied, straightening up with a nervous smile.
Francesca exhaled, crossing her arms and legs gracefully. She glanced at Liana, who stood behind Javier. "Keep an eye on him for me. If he sneaks out again, I expect to be informed immediately."
Liana gave a graceful bow. "As you wish, madam."
Francesca let out a tired sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "And those birds… make sure he keeps them far from the main house. They're his responsibility now. Speak with the carpenter and arrange for a proper pen or cage to be built for them. I don't want them wandering about and causing trouble."
"Yes, madam."
"Good. Now make sure he doesn't sneak out again. And you, young man!"
"Y-yes, Mother?"
"If I catch you sneaking out without informing us, I will make sure those two pets of yours become our dinner! And I'm not playing around here, young man!"
"Y-yes, esteemed Mother!" Javier stood straight, took three steps back, then turned and headed out of the room. Liana gave another graceful bow and followed Javier out, closing the door behind her.
Francesca leaned back into the cushions before letting out a long, weary exhale.
Looks like the trouble is starting now…
Meanwhile, outside.
"Hmmph!! Betrayer!! Traitor!! Turncoat!! Double-dealing stool pigeon!!" Javier huffed, crossing his arms as he stomped down the hallway, his footsteps echoing with exaggerated indignation.
Liana, who had just stepped out of the private study, overheard Javier's huffing and let out a soft, melodic chuckle. She gave him a teasing glance. "Ara ara~ Someone seems upset. Perhaps I should inform Madam Francesca that… we should send those birds straight to the butcher. Hmm?"
"Ekkk!! Please, anything but that!" Javier immediately dropped to his knees. "My honey, sweet bun, light of my life, angel in disguise, most beautiful goddess of all the realms!"
Liana raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into an amused smile. "That's quite the flattery for someone who just called me a stool pigeon."
"I-I didn't mean it!" He glanced up at Liana, giving her his best charming smile. "You're my savior, my one and only—"
"Your cook, your babysitter, your maid…" Liana interjected, tilting her head.
"Exactly!" Javier nodded enthusiastically. "Which is why you must protect my precious Pekkos! My entire future depends on them!"
"Your future?" Liana asked, crossing her arms.
"Yes!" Javier jumped up, puffing out his chest. "Today Pekkos, tomorrow the world!"
"Young master, if you don't put even half this energy into your studies, Madam Francesca will ground more than just your birds. She'll ground you to your chair."
Javier winced. "Ehh... Studies can wait. Pekkos are first!"
"They won't be if they end up in the stew pot," Liana teased with a sly smile.
"Ekkk!! My sweet bun, have mercy!!"
"Fine, fine… Now, young master," Liana said, placing her hands on her hips. "Shouldn't we go check on the Pekkos?"
"Yeah!!! Let's go!!" Javier shouted, his face lighting up as he turned and dashed toward the door.
Liana shook her head, following at a calmer pace.
This young master of mine. His priorities are entirely out of order. I wonder what will happen in the future. How much trouble will he cause?
Sigh…
Even if I know he's already surpassed the limits of what books could teach him. He's already mastered magic, swordsmanship, crafting and enchanting, advanced spells, instant casting, and more, but that doesn't mean he should neglect everything else entirely.
I do know that real growth comes from stepping into the world, facing its challenges, and finding one's place in it. But he needs to learn balance.
Liana glanced at Javier, who was now skipping joyfully down the cobblestone path, humming to himself.
"Young master, try not to trip over your own feet in your excitement."
"Don't worry about me, Liana! I've got this!" Javier grinned over his shoulder.
Liana exhaled and shook her head before letting out a soft laugh, one hand covering her lips, the other resting on her front as she watched Javier trip over a loose stone and face-plant onto the ground.
( End Of Chapter )