"Lianaaaaa… I'm bored…"
Javier's voice echoed through the study as he lay sprawled across Liana's lap, his head resting comfortably against her thighs. His eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, the stack of books on the nearby table clearly forgotten.
Liana turned another page of her book, her expression calm and composed. Her free hand brushed through his slightly messy black hair with gentle, rhythmic strokes.
"Young Master, if you're bored, why not return to your studies?"
"Ugh, nooo. I want to go outside." Javier tilted his head to look up at her, his eyes wide with theatrical pleading.
"No, you can't. Do you want Madam Francesca to cook your Pekko?"
Javier shot upright, genuine panic flashing across his face. "Right… She might really do it…" He shivered, the image of his mother sharpening a kitchen knife while smiling sweetly still too fresh in his memory.
"Then behave." Liana's emerald eyes sparkled with quiet amusement as she turned another page.
"But what am I supposed to do? Reading is so boring!" Javier groaned, flopping back onto her lap.
Liana just smiled, slowly caressing his cheek before giving it a playful pinch.
"Liana?"
"Yes, Young Master?"
"Do you know where I can get ore?"
She paused her reading, glancing down at him, who locked his gaze on her.
"Young Master… You're not planning trouble, are you?"
Javier sat up, his grin stretching wide. "No, no. I just want some ore."
Liana pinched the bridge of her nose before letting out a weary exhale. "I don't know what's gotten into you, Young Master. Why not ask the merchant who supplies the estate? He might be able to procure some for you."
"Really?"
"But… that will cost money. The estate's budget doesn't cover personal projects. You'll have to pay for it yourself."
"No problem!"
Javier opened his magic storage and pulled out a heavy bag of gold coins. It landed on the table with a satisfying, weighty clatter. He counted out three coins and pressed them into Liana's hand with a proud grin.
"Help me buy enough with this, okay?"
Liana looked at the coins in her palm, then at Javier's beaming face. She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Very well, Young Master. I'll see what I can do."
"Yes!" Javier threw his arms up in triumph before collapsing back onto her lap, humming contentedly.
Liana shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Young Master Javier… if only you were this excited about your lessons…"
Javier popped back up, his grin widening. "How fast can we get the ore?"
Liana tapped one finger on her lips before glancing up. "The merchant should arrive tomorrow. So… the day after, at the earliest."
"Perfect!" Javier's mind was already racing, his eyes distant with anticipation.
"But, Young Master," Liana warned, "with three gold coins, you won't be getting a small amount. That's enough for a considerable quantity of iron ore."
"Really?" Javier's grin widened.
Liana tilted her head, her emerald eyes sharp with curiosity. "What do you need so much ore for, Young Master?"
Javier gave her an innocent look, but the smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth betrayed him. "Just want to try something… hehehe."
Liana closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. "I'll pretend I didn't see that smirk. It already spells trouble and chaos."
Javier's laughter filled the study as he settled back onto her lap, already dreaming of the possibilities.
A knock at the door broke the quiet.
The new head maid entered with measured steps and bowed. "Miss Liana, the Madam is calling for you."
Liana nodded politely and rose from her seat, smoothing her dress. She glanced down at Javier, still sprawled across the couch.
"Young Master, I have to go. Behave yourself."
"Okay, Liana." He waved her off with a casual grin.
The moment the door clicked shut, Javier swung his legs off the couch.
He walked briskly to his room, closed the door, and locked it. His playful smirk shifted into something sharper.
He activated his magic storage and pulled out a pile of mana stones, each one polished to a mirror shine and pulsing faintly with stored energy. They caught the light as he arranged them on his desk, row after row, each one identical in size and fully charged with his own mana.
"Soon… I'll be able to craft exactly what I want."
His laughter echoed softly through the room as his plans began to take shape.
Liana followed the head maid to Lady Francesca's chambers, her mind turning over possibilities. A summons from the Madam rarely meant idle conversation.
The head maid knocked gently on the door.
"Madam, we've arrived."
"Come in."
Liana entered and bowed respectfully, her hands folded in front of her apron. Francesca looked up from her desk, her expression warm but deliberate.
"Liana."
"Yes, Madam?"
"I will be heading out with Lord Garius to oversee our business affairs in town. The whole family will accompany us—except for Javier." Francesca's smile sharpened slightly, knowing. "Since he is still a child, he will remain here."
Liana nodded, keeping her expression neutral, though a quiet dread bloomed in her chest.
"I want you to keep a close eye on that young master of yours," Francesca continued. "He is clever. And clever boys find trouble when left unattended."
"Yes, Madam."
"Make sure he does not sneak out. Make sure he eats properly—no skipping meals. If he insists on going outside, accompany him. And if the situation calls for it, bring two or three maids trained in combat to ensure his safety."
"As you wish, Madam."
Francesca's smile turned sly. "Oh, and one more thing."
Liana stood gracefully with both hands clasped in front of her. "Yes, Madam?"
"Sleep in the same room as him. That way, you can be certain he does not slip out at night."
Liana nodded softly. "As you command, Madam."
"Excellent." Francesca seemed genuinely pleased. "I trust you will handle it well."
With a final bow, Liana exited the room and stepped into the corridor.
She let out a long, weary exhale.
Sleeping with Young Master together?
I still remember what happened the last time I slept together with Young Master before.
I woke up the next day only to find out Young Master was sleeping without his shirt on. And before I could even process the situation, another maid had entered the room and seen us. And worst? The scandalized gasp had drawn attention faster than a fire in the kitchens.
By midday, the entire manor was buzzing. Everyone teased me about it.
"Oh, Miss Liana~ What exactly happened last night? The young master looked very refreshed this morning~"
When I tried to explain, everyone thought I was just making some excuse.
Maybe because of how Young Master looks. Despite still being a child, he's already grown taller, handsome, and his body is built well. With perfect lean muscle and that body…
Ah… Stop it, Liana…
Stop thinking about Young Master's… body.
Liana shook her head and started walking down the hallway again.
When Liana reached Javier's room, she paused.
From behind the door came a soft, unmistakable sound of low, conspiratorial laughter.
Sigh… Young Master at it again. The sound of trouble and chaos.
When will he stop causing trouble?
She reached for the handle and noticed it was locked by magic.
Really? Oho~
Liana aimed her palm toward the handle, channeled her mana, and whispered, "Unlock~"
The lock clicked open. She pushed the door ajar.
Inside, Javier sat hunched over his desk, surrounded by a chaotic spread of gleaming mana stones. They pulsed with stored energy, their light dancing across his face as he muttered to himself, completely absorbed.
Liana stepped inside and closed the door behind her. The lock clicked into place.
"Young Master."
Javier's head shot up. His expression shifted from excitement to panic in the span of a heartbeat. He scrambled to shove the mana stones into his magic storage, but it was far too late.
He let out an awkward laugh and scratched the back of his head.
Liana crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Do you care to explain why you're hoarding enough mana stones to supply a royal mage's workshop?"
Javier's grin returned. "I have a plan, Liana. A brilliant plan."
Liana pinched the bridge of her nose. "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
( End Of Chapter )