Chapter 1643: Chocolate, Chests, and a Stolen Feather ( 1643 )

"Aaachoooo!!!"

Javier rubbed his nose, glancing around the area. The waves rolled gently onto the shore. The sand stretched out in every direction, warm and golden under the morning sun. The palm trees swayed in the breeze, their fronds rustling softly. He scratched his head, his brow furrowing.

Hmm?

Did I catch a cold?

He placed his hand on his chest, his palm glowing faintly as he channeled a quick diagnostic spell. A soft pulse of light spread through his body, checking for any irregularities. He waited a moment, then lowered his hand.

No...

Already checked. Nothing. No cold. No illness. No anything.

But I wonder why I suddenly sneezed?

It’s summer, and I don’t think I have an allergy to any of the plants on this island. I’ve been here for three days now. Nothing’s triggered anything before.

Weird...

He shrugged, letting the thought drift away. He turned toward the huge chest, where Felicia and Gracelle were chatting while rummaging inside. Felicia held up a small device, turning it in the light, while Gracelle leaned in close, her eyes wide with curiosity. Javier smiled at the sight.

Then someone tapped his back. He glanced over his shoulder.

"Hmm? Yes, Delya?"

Delya stood behind him, her usual dreamy smile on her face. She tilted her head, her eyes soft and warm, her arms wrapped around her new chocolate jar. It was a beautiful thing, the metal gleaming, the lid snug and secure.

"Danna-sama~" she said, her voice gentle and hopeful. "Can I see more of the jars? And the selection of chocolates you showed me before~?"

Javier smiled. He turned to face her fully, then snapped his fingers. Another huge chest materialized nearby, its dark surface gleaming under the sun. He stepped closer to Delya and gently lifted her chin with his finger, his eyes meeting hers. His voice dropped into that low, smooth, charming tone.

"Take your time, Delya. Look through everything. Choose whatever catches your eye. And if you want to taste a few, go ahead. Enjoy yourself."

"Thank you, Danna-sama~"

Delya leaned up and planted a quick, soft kiss on his lips. Then she turned toward the huge chest nearby, her dreamy smile widening. She lifted the lid with both hands, the wood creaking softly as it swung open.

Her eyes widened. Her lips parted. Her dreamy smile blossomed into something brighter, more radiant.

Inside were crates lined up in neat rows, each one filled to the brim with wrapped chocolates. Row after row of neatly arranged compartments. There were more than twenty kinds of chocolate in every color and shape. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate. Caramel-filled, fruit-filled, nut-filled. Some wrapped in gold foil, some in silver, some in pale green, some in soft crimson. Each crate held thousands of pieces, stacked in perfect layers.

And along the side of the chest, resting on a shelf of their own, were the jars. Gold, silver, mithril, each one polished and shining, each with its own design. Some had delicate patterns etched into the metal, some had jewels set into their lids, some were smooth and simple, and some were intricately carved with vines and flowers.

Delya stood there, her dreamy smile widening, her hands rising to her cheeks, her eyes shimmering with pure, blissful delight.

"Ah~ Danna-sama~ This is... this is wonderful~"

Delya glanced at the rune carved into the side of the chest. She reached out and touched it lightly with her fingertip. The rune glowed, and with a soft hum, a set of small wooden stairs slid out from the base of the chest, unfolding neatly to the sand.

She walked up the stairs, her dreamy smile never fading. Standing inside the chest, she looked around at the crates of chocolates before turning her attention to the jars on the side shelf.

She picked up one jar and compared it to the one she had chosen earlier. She turned it slowly in her hands, examining the polished gold, the delicate etched patterns, the way the light caught the lid. Then she smiled, lifted it, hugged it to her chest, and pressed her cheek against it.

"Mm~ So beautiful~"

Then her eyes drifted toward the crates, and her expression turned dreamy and distant. She set the jar down beside her and wandered slowly through the rows of chocolates, her fingers brushing against the gold and silver wrappers, her eyes wide and soft, completely lost in her own little world.

Javier smiled, watching her lose herself in her own world. His gaze lingered for a moment, soft and fond, before he turned.

Celine stood in front of him, both hands clasped in front of her, her fingers twisting together. Her cheeks were faintly pink, her eyes glancing up at him, then away.

Lyzia stood beside the new chest, watching from outside, peering down into it with curious eyes.

"Ah, Celine~"

Javier flashed her a charming pose, swiping his hair back with one hand, his eyes warm and playful. His voice dropped into a low, deep tone.

"Do you need anything?"

Celine fidgeted, her fingers twisting together.

"Umm... about the training Big Sister mentioned..."

"Hmm?"

Javier glanced down at her and tilted his head to the side.

"You want to start training right now? But you just finished eating."

He smiled softly, his voice gentle and reassuring.

"Training on a full stomach isn’t good. You’d be sluggish. You might get cramps. Your body needs time to digest and rest before you start pushing it." He paused, his expression turning thoughtful. "Why don’t you take some time to relax first? Join the others. Enjoy the morning. Let your food settle. Or, if you want, you can look through the chest with Felicia and Gracelle. Find something you like. There’s no rush."

He tilted his head, his smile warm and inviting.

"Or maybe there’s something you’d like? A gift? Something for yourself?"

Celine twirled in place, turning her body slowly from side to side, her cheeks pink, her fingers still clasped in front of her. Just as she was about to say something, a blur of gold came rushing toward them.

"Nyahahahaha! Mimi got orange tail!"

Mimi sprinted past, her feet kicking up sand, her tail streaming behind her like a golden banner. In her hand, she held a long, bright orange tail feather, waving it triumphantly above her head.

"Cuquawkedddd!!!" (Oi, cat witch! Give me back my tail!)

Buddy came charging after her, his legs carrying him in swift, bouncy strides, his beak wide open in protest.

Mimi skidded to a stop a few steps away, turned, and stuck her tongue out at him. Her tail swayed behind her in slow, mischievous arcs. She waved the feather tauntingly in the air, her grin widening.

"Give me back my thing and I’ll give this back to you~"

( End Of Chapter )