Chapter 1609: Saved Fruit and a Single Favor ( 1609 )

Javier shrugged, tilting the phone slightly so she could see Gracelle and Celine on either side of him.

"Not really. Just enjoying the beach with Gracelle and Celine."

Liana’s expression softened slightly, but her eyes narrowed with quiet expectation.

"When will you come to the hall? Everyone is waiting. The feast has already started, and the delegations are all here. It would be good for you to make an appearance."

Javier’s face shifted. His smile thinned, his eyes flickered with something between dread and reluctance, and his shoulders slumped just slightly.

"Eh? Do I really need to go? I mean, it’s just a feast. Father has everything handled. And my brothers are there. I don’t think I’m needed there."

Liana let out a weary exhale, her gaze fixed on him with a knowing look.

"Father-in-law asked for you to come. And he specifically said to bring Gracelle and Celine with you."

Javier’s face turned sour. His brows furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line, and he looked like he’d just bitten into something bitter.

"Eh...?"

He scratched his cheek, his eyes darting away from the screen.

"I’ll be busy! I have something to prepare after this! Something important! Very important! So I can’t really go."

Liana gave him a pointed look, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. She let out a soft exhale, and her expression softened into a small, knowing smile.

"Fine. I’ll inform Father-in-law after this." She paused, her tone shifting. "Is Buddy there?"

Javier turned the phone and pointed the front camera toward Buddy, who tilted his head in confusion.

"Cuquawked?" (What?)

Javier smirked.

"Liana’s looking for you."

Buddy squinted toward the screen, then pulled his head back and glanced down at Javier.

"Cuquawked..." (It’s too small. I can’t see...)

"Ah... right..."

Javier rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish grin. He tapped the screen, and the phone projected a clear holographic display in front of Buddy.

Buddy smirked the moment he saw Liana’s face on the holographic screen. His eyes flicked to the side and noticed Lyzia standing beside her.

"Cuquawkedd~" (Yo, elf witches. What’s upppp~)

Liana raised one brow, a faint, knowing smirk playing on her lips. She crossed her arms beneath her breasts and tilted her head slightly, her expression sharp and expectant.

"Buddy. Can you bring Gracelle and Celine to the hall? I don’t want to trouble the maids or the Armand guards. It would be better if you brought them."

Buddy’s feathers ruffled. He pulled his head back and tilted it to the side, giving her an annoyed, sideways glare before he let out a low, grumbling squawk.

"Cuquawked... Cuquawked?" (Ugh... Why me?)

Liana smiled and shook her head.

"Because you’re faster than any carriage and stronger than any guard. If you bring them, they’ll arrive in minutes. And their safety would be completely secure."

Buddy let out a deep, huffing breath through his beak, his feathers puffing out slightly with irritation.

"Cuquawked! Cuquawked?" (Eh! Why do I have to be an escort for them?)

Liana’s smirk widened. She pointed a finger at the screen, her voice light but firm.

"Because those girls are my co-wives. And they are your master’s girls. That makes them family. And family deserves a proper escort." She paused. "Stop making excuses. Bring them here once they’re done changing."

Buddy turned his head away, giving her the side of his beak, refusing to look at the screen.

"Cuquawked." (Don’t want to.)

Liana let out a soft exhale, her expression shifting from playful to serious. Her eyes narrowed, her voice dropping into a calm, measured tone.

"Buddy. I already saved your magical fruit. I made something delicious with it, just because you wanted it. I spent hours preparing it, making sure it was perfect. And now I’m only asking you for a simple, easy task. Bring two girls to the hall. That’s all. And yet you’re refusing me?"

Buddy turned his body and showed her his rear, letting out a loud, dismissive squawk.

"Cuquawked. Cuquawked~" (Can’t hear you. The wind is strong. And the waves are so loud.)

Liana pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a slow breath.

"Young Master..."

Javier scratched his cheek with a sheepish smile.

"Even if I command him, I don’t think Buddy will listen to me. Sorry, Liana. You’ll have to find a way to convince him on your own."

Liana let out a resigned exhale, her shoulders dropping slightly. Then she raised the phone and pointed the camera toward a specific area inside the grand hall.

The screen showed the feast in full swing. Long tables were laden with food, and delegations from every allied nation were seated together. Near Garius, at the head of the hall, sat a massive golden pekko. Giddie. His feathers gleamed under the chandeliers, and he sat with his head held high, looking regal and composed.

Liana tilted her head, her voice calm and sweet.

"Should I ask your father~?"

Buddy spun around, facing the screen. His eyes narrowed. Then he puffed his chest out and smirked.

"Cuquawked~" (That won’t work~ It’s not like you can talk to my father directly~)

Just as Liana was about to say something, a cheerful voice echoed from the background.

"Nya~ Big sister Liana!"

Liana turned toward the sound. Mimi came skipping into view, her tail swaying happily behind her. She carried a plate piled high with roast meat, the juices glistening under the hall’s warm lights. She stopped beside Liana, turned her head toward the screen, and tilted her face close to the camera.

"Nya? Who are you talking to?"

Mimi leaned closer to the screen, squinting. Her eyes landed on the huge orange bird in the frame. She blinked once, then her head tilted to the side.

"Buddy has a phone?"

Liana chuckled softly and raised one knuckle to her lips.

"No. I was calling Young Master. I wanted to ask Buddy if he could bring Gracelle and Celine here."

Javier turned his camera toward Gracelle and Celine, who waved at it.

"Nya! Why are you two still in your bikinis! Go change! Right now!" She pointed at the camera, her voice rising with playful scolding. "Put on proper clothes! Something nice! And hurry up! You should be here with everyone else! Not out there on the beach by yourselves! The feast is already started! There’s so much food! And it’s all delicious! You’re missing everything!"

Gracelle chuckled softly, and Celine smiled, nodding along.

Mimi pointed toward the camera and shouted, "Go change now!"

"Okay, Mimi. We’ll go change."

( End Of Chapter )