Chapter 1637: Served with a Warm Smile ( 1637 )

Gloria stood, her chair sliding back. She set her knife down with a deliberate click and looked at Liana.

"Liana. Change seats with me. I want to sit next to Young Master too."

Before Liana could respond, Felicia stood up in a rush, her chair nearly tipping backward.

"I never get to sit beside Husband! Every time, it’s always the same arrangement! Liana on his right, someone else on his left. I want a turn too! We should have a proper arrangement for this!"

Fransesca raised her palm to cover her lips, stifling a laugh as she watched the commotion unfold. Her shoulders shook gently with suppressed amusement. Then she smiled softly, her voice sweet and calm.

"If you girls want, you can change seats with me~"

The effect was immediate. All the girls fell silent. They turned toward Fransesca, their expressions shifting from protest to polite composure. One by one, they bowed gracefully, their heads lowering with practiced elegance.

"Forgive us, Lady Mother. We spoke out of turn. Please disregard our foolish complaints."

Their voices were soft and measured, their postures perfect, their earlier protests melting away like mist before the sun.

They all returned to their seats and resumed eating, their protests silenced by the softness of her voice.

Meanwhile, Lyzia was reaching for another meat steak, her fingers closing around the serving tongs. She lifted a thick, juicy steak and placed it on her plate. She picked up her knife and fork, ready to cut into it.

Then she noticed the silence. She glanced up. Every single one of Javier’s girls was staring at her. Their eyes fixed on the steak on her plate, then on her face, their expressions ranging from disbelief to mild outrage.

Lyzia blinked, her knife hovering above the meat.

"W... what?"

Lyzia watched everyone continue their meal, her brow furrowing in confusion. She glanced at Celine, who was sitting beside her, and mouthed silently, her lips forming the words without sound.

What was that about?

Celine smiled softly, her expression calm and knowing. She mouthed back, her lips moving slowly and deliberately.

Just eat.

Lyzia shrugged and continued her meal.

Liana smiled at Javier.

"Young Master?"

"Mm? Yes, Liana?"

Javier glanced at her, his fork pausing mid-air.

Liana lifted her cup and took a slow sip, the steam curling around her lips. She set it down, her fingers still resting lightly around the rim, and turned her gaze toward him.

"If you’re not busy after this, I want you to start training Celine and Lyzia on mana control and instant casting. If you don’t mind." She paused, her voice calm and measured. "I need both of them to master the basics, at least before you depart for your mission."

Javier glanced toward Celine, who straightened slightly under his gaze. Then his eyes drifted toward Lyzia, who was still munching on her steak. Her eyes widened slightly as she noticed his gaze and she quickly raised her palm to cover her lips, coughing softly as she turned her head away.

Javier watched her for a moment before returning his attention to his meal.

"I don’t mind. It’s not like I’m busy right now." He chewed slowly, then swallowed before continuing. "I’ll try my best to teach them. But it won’t be easy, judging by what they both currently know. Especially Celine."

He glanced at Celine, his smile warm and reassuring.

"Father did ask me to teach her how to use the surrounding mana. To convert it into the type she needs. It’s not a simple technique. It requires focus, patience, and a deep understanding of how mana flows through the world and through the body."

Liana smiled, her expression soft and thoughtful. She murmured quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"If you can make it happen before you leave for your mission... I would be grateful."

Javier glanced at Lyzia, then at Celine, his brow furrowing slightly in thought. He set his fork down and rubbed his chin.

"I could try. Perhaps using the new method I’ve been working on. It’s faster than the traditional approach. Less theory, more practical application. It might work for them. But it depends on how quickly they can adapt." He paused, then glanced back at Liana. "Why the rush, though? Is there something you’re not telling me?"

"Nothing... I just want them to be ready for something."

Javier studied her for a moment, then shrugged.

"Okay... sure."

He returned to his meal, cutting another piece of his burger.

Delya narrowed her eyes at him across the table and puffed her cheek, her dreamy expression gone.

Javier noticed her staring and paused.

"Delya?"

She said nothing, only dropping her gaze to her plate and cutting into her pastry with stiff, deliberate movements. Her pout deepened.

Javier blinked, then glanced at Liana.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Liana smiled, her expression warm and knowing. She leaned closer, her voice soft and low.

"Not you, Young Master. Buddy made her drop her favorite chocolate jar earlier. He was running too fast, and it fell. She’s still upset. She’s been sulking ever since."

Javier’s expression softened. He set his fork down fully and turned toward Delya, his voice gentle. A warm, charming smile spread across his face as he leaned slightly toward her.

"Delya~"

Delya’s pout remained, but her eyes flickered toward him, curious despite herself.

"After breakfast," Javier said, his voice low and smooth, "I’ll show you my collection of chocolates. I’ve been making them for a while now. Bars, shapes, different flavors, some with caramel, some with fruit, some with nuts. And I have a selection of jars too. Gold. Silver. Mithril. Beautiful ones, each with its own design. You can choose any one you like. Whatever catches your eye."

Delya’s eyes lit up instantly. Her dreamy smile returned. She clasped her hands together in front of her chest, her earlier sulk melting away completely.

"Really? Thank you, Danna-sama~ Ah~ I can’t wait to see them! I can’t wait to choose one! I can’t wait to fill it with all my favorite chocolates!"

Javier chuckled softly, his smile warm.

"Now eat your breakfast properly~ No more sulking, alright?"

"Mm~"

Delya smiled happily and continued eating her meal.

Javier pointed at his own lips, tapping lightly at the corner of his mouth with his finger.

"Delya~ You have a little something... right here."

Delya blinked, then raised her fingers to her lips. She touched the corner of her mouth and found a small smear of chocolate from her pastry. Her cheeks flushed pink, and she quickly grabbed her napkin, dabbing at her lips.

"Okay, Danna-sama~"

( End Of Chapter )