"Young Master!!"
Liana's voice echoed through the hall, searching for Javier, who had slipped away from his studies and was now hiding behind a heavy velvet curtain.
Catch me if you can, Liana!
Javier smirked, pressing himself against the cool stone wall.
Hehehe… this game of hide and seek with Liana is fun~
"Found you!" Liana's face appeared suddenly, peeking behind the curtain 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 ear, "But Liana… I already know everything, right?"
Liana gave him a playful glare. "That doesn't mean you should skip your studies, young master." She exhaled and looked up at him. "What will the Lord and Madam say if they don't see you in the study room?"
Javier glanced down at her before looking away and clicking his tongue. "Tch. Fine…" Javier exhaled and smiled. "But first…" He leaned in with a mischievous grin, puckering his lips toward her. "My morning kiss~."
Liana sighed, shaking her head gently. "Really, young master? You know I'm just your personal maid. Not your lover." She glanced up at him, taking in his tall frame.
I still can't believe it. He's just eleven years old and already taller than me.
How did time fly so fast?
Just a few years ago, he was just a stubborn baby, tugging at me for milk, never stopping breastfeeding until I finally forced him to stop when he was six.
She leaned up and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"There… satisfied?"
"Nope." Javier kept his lips puckered toward her.
She exhaled and smiled, leaning up to plant a soft kiss on his lips.
"Now, let's go." Liana took Javier's hand and pulled him along, walking toward the study room.
Javier followed, grinning while eyeing the gentle sway of her hips.
Mm~ I love this new world. Being accompanied and taken care of by a beautiful elf like Liana~
I will make sure she becomes mine officially once I'm an adult in this world.
Once they arrived and were inside the study room, Liana reached for a large tome and placed it on the study table for him with a graceful, elegant motion before sitting down across from him.
She looked at Javier, who was casually flipping the pages of a separate book without any real interest at all.
Liana sighed and opened her own book, beginning to read.
At least he should show some interest in reading. I know he's already mastered advanced magic, mathematics, intricate formulas, and multiple languages—he's even fluent in several. But that doesn't mean he should be this lazy.
Liana glanced at Javier, who was now playing with a quill feather. "Young Master, may I ask thee something?"
Javier paused and looked at Liana. "Go ahead, Liana. Ask anything."
Liana put down her book and rested her cheek on her knuckle, her elbow propped on the table. "Why dost thou hide thy potential? Why dost thou not wish thy father and mother to know of it?"
Javier smiled at her, taking in her beautiful face, those full lips. He replied to her in flawless Elven. "Liana, thou didst promise me thou wouldst not tell anyone, didst thou not?"
Liana's eyes widened slightly, surprised at how fluent his Elven was despite being human. "Yes… I did promise. But I simply wish to understand."
He shook his head and began flipping the book again. "Who would wish to busy themselves merely to please others?" Javier put his elbow on the table and rested his cheek on it, looking straight into Liana's eyes. "Think on it. If I show what I am capable of, I would be forced into endless duties, bound by expectations, and perhaps even sent away to some prestigious academy. Do I look like one who wishes to waste his time pleasing a gathering of nobles? Not to mention it is a pain in the ass."
Liana exhaled, her eyes locked on his. "But thy family…"
Javier tilted his head and smiled again. "They fare well enough without me. They have my two brothers, Marcellus and Cedric, for that. Let them carry the family's ambitions. I am content with what I have now. I have no need for the attention of those tedious nobles."
Liana shook her head and smiled, leaning back and reaching for her book before continuing to look at his handsome face. "Truly, Young Master?"
Javier chuckled softly before continuing to play with the book. "Yes. I care not for such unimportant things. I know how to keep my priorities straight. Thou art one of them, that is certain."
Liana returned to her book and smiled. "If you say so, young master."
"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. I really want to see the world beyond these walls, to walk among the common folk and see how they live."
Liana paused her reading and glared at him.
"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 let out a soft chuckle, 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? Besides, you will accompany me there too, won't you?"
"Do you really think they'll let me escort you? The last time you tried to sneak off to the library at night, I was the one who took the blame and was scolded for it."
Javier let out a soft laugh. "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, putting the book down on the table and glaring at him. "You're just looking for an excuse to wander around and cause trouble, aren't you? And after that, I will be the one to take the blame and be scolded by Lady Francesca. No."
Javier clutched his heart with both hands. "Me? Trouble? Never~ I'm just a curious noble brat who wants to see what life is like beyond these walls."
Liana crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, glaring at him. "Still a no."
"Aw~ come on, Liana. Just think about it. A little outing could do us both some good. Fresh air, new sights… maybe even new experiences. Doesn't that sound exciting?"
Liana just kept her usual calm and serious face. "If Lord Garius or Lady Francesca approves, I'll go with you. But until then, sit down and focus on your studies."
That night.
The entire family gathered in the dining room. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the soft clinking of silverware and murmured conversations.
Javier was at his usual seat at the end of the table. Liana stood behind him, having arranged everything with her usual impeccable, silent grace.
"Esteemed Father," Javier said, standing slowly and looking at Garius. "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? Permission for what?" Garius put down his fork and knife. "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 half-siblings.
Ugh, here we go again. Another round of the dried plum's infamous lecture.
"You know there will be a blessing ceremony years from now! And all you do is play, play, play! What about your studies?"
Javier kept standing straight, holding back the urge to exhale in frustration.
Ugh. Here it goes... Dried plum strikes again. Another lecture about etiquette and responsibility.
"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 want to go to school."
( End Of Chapter )