Chapter 684: Fears, Rumors, and Power Plays ( 684 )
Javier stared blankly at the two beautiful maids flanking him, his supposed guards, his lovers, and now apparently, his slanderers.
Gloria picked up a piece of tender meat, gently waved it before his lips, and cooed, "Now, young master~ ah no… womanizer~ open up~"
He let out a deep sigh, eyes hollow, spirit already halfway to the afterlife.
Then.
"Is that true, Sister Liana?"
Liana blinked.
She turned toward the familiar voice.
Lyzia stood nearby, holding a small plate of fruit, tilting her head in confusion.
Liana's eyes sparkled.
She gently cupped her cheek with one hand and said sweetly, "Yes~ Don't get too close to him, Lyzia. Just one touch from his hand, and you'll be struck with something strange…"
"Strange?" Lyzia blinked.
"Mmhm~ And one kiss from him—" Liana leaned closer, whispering with the most innocent smile, "—will make you pregnant~"
"E-EHH!?"
Lyzia froze, cheeks turning red in an instant. Her entire body stiffened.
"No! That's not true! What are you saying!?" Javier shot up from his seat, glaring at Liana and Gloria in disbelief.
Then, he turned to the flustered elf girl in front of him. His gaze softened.
She looked familiar.
"Liana…" Javier squinted, then blinked rapidly. "She looks like you. Who is she?"
Liana didn't answer. Just smiled.
Javier stepped forward, straightened his posture, and extended his hand politely. His voice lowered into that smooth, refined tone he used when charming girls.
"Hello, beautiful~" he said, flashing his most dazzling smile. "My name is Javier."
Lyzia's eyes locked onto his hand… then up at his face.
She was stunned.
Frozen again.
Her hand trembled slightly as she looked to Liana, unsure.
Liana, sitting like royalty, crossed one leg over the other with poise. Her smile elegant… yet dangerous.
"Be careful, my little sister~" she purred. "Just one touch… and you'll lose yourself completely. Your mind will be filled with thoughts of him. And before you know it…"
She leaned her cheek against her knuckles and finished with a terrifyingly sweet tone.
"You'll be pregnant with this womanizer's child~"
"EHHHH!?" Lyzia yelped, face now bright red as steam nearly burst from her ears.
"I'M NOT!!" Javier shouted in panic, hand still extended uselessly in the air.
"I—I'm going to help Mother!!" Lyzia turned on her heel like her life depended on it.
She bolted like a fleeing rabbit.
Javier turned slowly toward Liana, jaw dropped.
Gloria placed another piece of meat on his plate and calmly added, "Next time, don't flirt with your lover's sister in front of us, young master."
"I wasn't flirting!!" Javier cried.
Liana tilted her head and tapped her lips with a finger. "Really? Because from where I sit, it looked like you tried to add a new harem member~"
Im not... ugh! Now my image is ruined~" Javier groaned, slumping forward onto the table, face down like a man who had just lost everything. "This is defamation…"
Liana giggled, watching him with clear amusement.
Around them, more and more elf girls were whispering, glancing at Javier with curious eyes.
"I'm doomed..." Javier muttered, forehead still pressed to the table.
"Now now, young master~" Liana chimed sweetly, picking up a piece of grilled elven meat and holding it to his lips, "Open up~"
Javier slowly lifted his head and glared at her.
But then he noticed it.
That smile.
That dangerous smile on Liana's face.
He glanced sideways.
Gloria was smiling too.
Gracefully, patiently, and just as terrifying.
Like a wolf waiting for her turn.
"Say ahh~" Liana cooed again.
Javier gulped.
"…ahh…"
The bite of food slipped into his mouth.
And his pride slipped another inch into the grave.
Mylezra, who had been casually chatting with her brother and cousin, took a small sip of her drink before glancing across the courtyard. Her eyes landed on Javier.
From the distance, she could already hear the murmurs and giggles among the elf girls. The words "womanizer" and "pregnant" were being passed around like gossip candy.
She let out a quiet, amused giggle.
"My, my… it's spreading faster than wildfire,"
Viessa and Genevieve, both standing beside her, leaned in slightly.
"Your Highness…" Viessa spoke first, her tone curious but cautious, "What Liana and Gloria said… about him being a womanizer… is that true?"
Genevieve added softly, "And the… pregnancies?"
Mylezra gave them both a playful smile.
"Ah, no~ Not exactly. Your daughters are simply keeping other girls away. Clever girls." She chuckled. "But the part about him having… multiple women? That part is not a lie."
Viessa and Genevieve blinked, eyes wide.
Mylezra calmly continued, voice soft but casual, "Princess Felicia and Princess Mimi of the Beastkin Kingdom. Princess Ferine of the Dwarves. And Princess Delya… the little sister of King Veldrac of the Demon Kingdom."
Both women looked stunned. Meanwhile, Liana's father's expression darkened slightly as realization hit.
"That human boy… is dangerous. I should marry Liana to a proper elf suitor while there's still time."
The air instantly chilled.
Mylezra slowly turned her head toward him.
Her expression shifted.
"…Didn't I already warn you?"
Her voice was still soft. But the weight behind it was terrifying.
"If you try to marry her off again…"
He swallowed, clearly remembering something terrifying from before.
"…Understood," he muttered, sweating slightly.
Viessa and Genevieve silently nodded too, wisely choosing not to speak further.
Mylezra gently returned to sipping her drink.
Viessa hesitated, eyes narrowing slightly as she glanced again at the scene.
Her daughter, gently feeding Javier while smiling so sweetly it made nearby maidens retreat in fear. Gloria calmly waited her turn, arms crossed, lips curved in a patient smile, guarding Javier like a seasoned queen watching over her prize.
"…So this human boy…" Viessa asked softly, "…is he special to Liana?"
Mylezra still watching the trio with interest, gave a little nod, swirling her cup lazily.
"Hmm? Yes~ According to Garius, she's been with him since he was a baby."
Viessa folded her arms. "Then it's not love. It's familiarity. Attachment, perhaps."
"Oh?" Mylezra's eyes sparkled, her tone thick with sarcasm. "If it's not love… then what? Motherly love?"
Viessa's lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
Mylezra sipped her drink and continued coolly, "And if it's not love… why does she go out of her way to scare off every maiden within ten meters of him?"
Genevieve stifled a giggle. Viessa said nothing, but her brows furrowed as she looked back at Liana.
Mylezra's smile didn't fade, but her gaze sharpened like a blade veiled behind silk.
"It's best to let her go with her choice," she said coolly, eyes locking onto Viessa and then sliding to Liana's father. "Don't try to arrange another marriage for Liana again."
Her voice was soft—dangerously soft.
"I'm saying this nicely~"
The weight behind her words made Liana's father visibly tense. Viessa bit her lip, unsure how to respond.
Then Mylezra turned her head slightly, casting a glance toward Genevieve.
"And you too, Genevieve… Gloria is clearly in love with him as well."
Genevieve let out a gentle laugh, folding her hands gracefully.
"I don't mind," she said with a smile. "If she's found love… then that's something to be treasured."
Mylezra nodded, satisfied.
Her eyes returned to the trio at the corner of the courtyard.
"Good," she whispered. "Because that boy isn't just any human. He's special."
( End Of Chapter )