Chapter 1636: Breakfast for Ten ( 1636 )

Delya’s eyes lit up. She released Buddy’s tail, rushed forward, and hugged Liana tightly, pressing her cheek against her chest.

"Thank you, Big Sister~" she murmured softly.

Buddy let out a long, relieved exhale from his beak. He craned his neck around and began preening his tail feathers with his beak, smoothing them back into place.

A moment later.

Javier sat at the head of the table, the morning light spilling across the wood before him. A huge premium wyvern meat burger sat on his plate, piled high with sauce and fresh greens on a soft golden bun, the meat still steaming faintly, the cheese melting over the edges.

Liana sat at his right, attending to him quietly, making sure his cup was filled, his plate was arranged, everything within reach.

Gloria sat next to Liana, her glasses catching the light, her plate already half-finished. Felicia sat beside her, her tail swaying gently behind her chair. Celine sat next to Felicia, her pink hair freshly tidied.

Across from Liana, at Javier’s left, Fransesca sat with her usual grace, her back straight, her movements unhurried. Delya sat beside her, her dreamy smile returning as she nibbled at a chocolate pastry. Mimi sat next to Delya, her golden tail swaying happily as she tore into her burger with both hands. Gracelle sat beside Mimi, a quiet, content expression on her face as she savored each bite, her eyes closing briefly with every mouthful, her shoulders relaxing with each swallow.

At the foot of the table, Lyzia was eating in silence. She held her fork and knife with practiced elegance, cutting into her huge premium wyvern meat burger with slow, deliberate precision. The meat was thick and juicy, the edges crisped and golden, still steaming faintly. The bun was glossy and soft, a rich sauce dripping from between the layers. She bit into it slowly, chewing with her eyes half-closed, savoring the rich, savory flavor as it spread across her tongue.

Down the center of the table, the serving platters were laid out in a careful line. Slices of roast meat, carved in neat rows, the fat glistening. Bowls of fruit slices, the melon and berries bright and fresh. A few pastries, golden and dusted with sugar. And a tray of chocolate desserts, dark and glossy, catching the morning light.

Fransesca ate her meal with her usual elegance, her knife and fork moving slowly, each bite small and composed. She lifted a slice of fruit to her lips, chewed, swallowed, and dabbed the corner of her mouth with her napkin.

Then she glanced up at Javier.

"Honey Bun~"

Javier glanced up from his burger, his mouth still half full.

"Mm?"

"I heard from Liana that you were working on something last night." She tilted her head, her smile soft and curious. "I didn’t see you at the gathering. Every delegation was there. The Beastkin King and Queen, the Demon King, the Elven delegates. All your girls were there too. But not you."

She set her fork down lightly.

"What were you working on, Honey Bun? Something important?"

She gave him a playful look, her eyes glinting with quiet amusement.

"At least, you could have spared a few moments to show yourself. A prince should make an appearance at gatherings like that. Even if only to greet the delegates and thank them for coming."

Javier paused, his fork hovering with a slice of meat halfway to his mouth. He chuckled softly and shook his head.

"I was working on something. Preparing for the mission you gave me, Mother."

He continued eating, chewing slowly before he spoke again.

"And you know how it is, Mother. I’m not comfortable with gatherings like that. Too many people. Too much noise. Too many conversations I don’t want to have." He gestured vaguely with his fork. "Besides, Father was there. You were there. All my brothers were there. The whole family was represented. There was no need for me to be present. Everything was in good hands."

Fransesca lifted her fork and continued her meal with elegance. She chewed slowly, swallowed, and smiled at him.

"So stubborn. So hard-headed~ Always using work as an excuse to hide away from everyone. Always a reason, always a project, always something more important than simply being present. I wonder where you learned that habit from~"

Liana picked up the coffee pot and leaned toward Javier’s cup, filling it with coffee. The dark liquid poured in a smooth, steady stream, steam curling upward, the aroma drifting across the table.

"You must be tired, Young Master. From working so much last night."

She set the pot down, her voice soft and low.

"Drink some coffee. It’ll help wake you up. Clear your head. Give you strength for the day."

Javier set his knife down and lifted the coffee cup, turning his head toward Liana. His smile was warm, his voice dropping into that low, charming tone, deep and warm.

"Thank you, Liana~"

He lifted the cup to his lips and took a sip. Then he noticed it. The silence. The pause in the clinking of silverware. He glanced up over the rim of his cup.

Every single one of his girls was staring at him. Felicia had paused mid-chew, her fork hovering in the air. Delya’s chocolate pastry was frozen halfway to her lips. Mimi’s tail had gone stiff, her eyes narrowed. Gracelle’s cheeks were puffed out in a pout. Celine had set her fork down entirely, her lips pursed.

Gloria put her fork down and picked up her knife, her fingers curling around the handle. She nudged her glasses up her nose, and the morning light caught the lenses in a sharp, dangerous glint as she stared hard at Javier.

Javier froze. His eyes darted around the table. Then he coughed hard, the coffee catching in his throat.

"Kh... kh...!"

Liana set her own cup down and reached for her napkin. She stood from her chair and leaned toward him, dabbing gently at the corner of his lips with the cloth. Her other hand pressed against his chest, rubbing slow, soothing circles.

"Drink it slowly, Young Master. It’s still hot. You’ll burn your tongue if you gulp it down like that."

Mimi stood up from her chair, her tail bristling, and puffed her cheek.

"Nya! How come Big Sister Liana gets to sit right next to Husband and serve him like that?! Mimi wants to serve Husband too! Mimi can pour coffee! Mimi can wipe his lips! Mimi wants to sit next to him, nya!"

Liana kept dabbing at his lips, her touch gentle and unhurried. She glanced around the table and tilted her head.

"Hmm? What’s wrong?"

( End Of Chapter )