Blankets and Banquets ( 20 )

"Young master!! Wake up!" Liana's strong voice rang out as she shook Javier's shoulder. "You need to get ready for the party!"

"Haaa... I don't want to..." Javier groaned, burying his face deeper into the pillow. "Let Marcellus and Cedric handle it."

"Nope! No can do!" Liana crossed her arms, her tone leaving no room for argument. "This party is important. You're part of the Armand family, and you have to attend too!"

Javier peeked at her from under the blanket, a sly smile forming on his lips. "Don't wanna. I hate parties for nobles. They're stuffy and boring."

Liana sighed deeply, rubbing her temples. "This young master of mine…" she muttered, shaking her head. Then her patience snapped. "Just get up!"

"Ekkk!!" Javier yelped as Liana pulled the blanket off with surprising force. "Don't be so rough, Liana!" He sat up, rubbing his arms as if injured. "Ugh. Is this how you treat your… future husband?" He flashed her a mischievous grin. 

Liana glared at him, her cheeks a little flushed. "Young master, stop saying things like that and get ready already!"

"But Lianaaa," Javier whined, his smirk playful. "If you get mad at me now, what will you do when we're married? You'll have to wake me up every day like this!"

Liana pressed her fingers against her forehead, taking a slow breath to keep her calm. "Get. Dressed," she said, her tone sharp, but her lips twitched as if she was trying not to smile.

Javier chuckled, stretching lazily. "Fine, fine. But only because you asked." He stood up, ruffling his messy hair and grinning at her.

Liana sighed again, shaking her head. "What am I going to do with you, young master?" she murmured under her breath before turning to help him get ready.

The children of noble houses from across the kingdom were gathering at the Viscount Armand's Grand Hall. It was an event brimming with introductions, connections, displays of talent, and the occasional flaunting of wealth. Some were undoubtedly seeking potential partners, while others aimed to outshine their peers.

"Ugh… this isn't for me," Javier muttered, running his hand through his messy black hair as he lounged lazily in his chair. 

"It's boring and annoying..."

He sighed deeply, staring at the ceiling of his room. Why do I have to go? The thought of dressing up and mingling with a crowd of stiff, pretentious nobles made him groan.

The Grand Hall was buzzing with preparations—staff bustling to ensure everything was perfect, guest rooms being readied for the noble families, and a sense of excitement hanging in the air. But for Javier, it felt like a looming storm cloud.

"Why do I have to do this?" he grumbled, slumping further into his chair. "Isn't it enough that my brothers and my older step-siblings are going? They're all better at this noble nonsense than I am!"

He glanced out the window, catching a glimpse of the decorations being finalized in the courtyard. The sight only deepened his frown. "Haaah… maybe I should just fake being sick or something," he mused, though he knew Liana would never let him get away with it.

Still, the idea of sneaking off to the forest or doing anything other than enduring the party was tempting. "I could be out hunting monsters, training, or just napping instead of wasting my time on this."

But he knew, deep down, that no amount of complaining would change the fact that his presence was expected.

"Stupid noble traditions," Javier muttered, crossing his arms. "Why can't they just leave me out of it?"

"Young master!" Liana's voice rang sharply as she swung open the door to Javier's room without warning.

Javier flinched, caught lounging lazily in his chair. He quickly sat up and flashed his usual cheeky grin. "Umm... err... Liana... ehehe…"

Her emerald eyes narrowed. "Still not ready yet!?" she scolded, hands firmly on her hips.

Javier scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Do I really have to? Can't I just skip this one? I—"

"Get dressss!" she ordered, cutting him off.

"Ekkk! Liana, wait! Don't—"

Before he could protest further, Liana marched over, grabbed him by the arm, and yanked him upright. Her movements were swift and unyielding, and in moments, she started pulling at his tunic.

"Don't undress me! Ekkk! This is harassment!" Javier yelped, a mix of mock protest and genuine embarrassment in his voice.

"Harassment?" Liana scoffed, effortlessly slipping his tunic over his head. "You've brought this on yourself by refusing to cooperate. You have no one to blame but yourself!"

"Liana! Don't be so rough! You're ruining my image!" Javier squawked, trying to wiggle away, but Liana's grip was firm, and her composure remained steady despite his antics.

"Image?" she replied, rolling her eyes as she reached for the polished, elegant outfit laid out for him. "You're the young master of the Armand household. You'll thank me later when you're properly dressed and not embarrassing yourself in front of the kingdom's nobility."

As she fastened the last button on his finely tailored coat, Javier crossed his arms and pouted. "Hmph. You didn't have to manhandle me like that."

Liana stepped back, inspecting her work with a critical eye. "There. Now you look like a proper young master."

Javier sighed dramatically. "You could've at least been gentler, you know. What if I start thinking you're trying to dominate me or something?"

Liana smirked, leaning closer to adjust his collar. "You're lucky I don't drag you out of this room by your ear, young master."

Javier gulped, though the corners of his mouth twitched upward in amusement. "Alright, alright. I'll go…."

Liana rolled her eyes again, though a faint smile tugged at her lips as she turned toward the door. "Now hurry. We're already late."

As she walked ahead, Javier followed, muttering under his breath, "Haaa… this feels more like being marched to my execution than to a party."

As they walked down the hall toward the grand party, Javier's gaze shifted to Liana, who moved gracefully beside him. He couldn't resist giving her a sly smile. 

"Liana," he said, his tone playful, "you're my maid, right? So, make sure you wear your best outfit tonight." He chuckled, his amber eyes glinting mischievously. "Oh, and that necklace suits you perfectly… ehehehe." 

Liana glanced at him, the corners of her lips curling into a half-smile as she adjusted the necklace he'd given her. "Young master, let's just go. We're already late as it is." 

"This is bliss. Accompanied by a beautiful girl… ehehehe." 

Liana shook her head, her expression softening despite herself. "Don't worry, young master. You'll find a suitable partner at the party." 

"Yeah, yeah… like anyone's going to be interested in an 11-year-old boy like me. Duhhh." 

Liana chuckled softly, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. "Well, young master, you certainly don't look 11 with that height. You're taller than most boys your age—and some adults, too." 

"Whatever," 

As they approached the grand hall, the sounds of chatter and laughter grew louder. Javier sighed, squaring his shoulders. "Let's get this over with." 

Liana placed a comforting hand on his arm, her touch gentle yet firm. "Just be yourself, young master. You'll do fine." 

"Thanks, Liana. At least I know I've got one person on my side tonight." 

"Always," she replied quietly

Together, they stepped into the glittering hall, where the lights cast a golden glow over the elegantly dressed crowd. Despite his earlier protests, Javier couldn't help but feel a little more confident with Liana by his side.

( End of Chapter )