Chapter 1377: Scary, Sweet, and Ageless ( 1377 )
Javier let out a long, weary exhale before shifting the view again.
I wonder what Liana and the others are doing right now?
He scanned the feed from the Sky Eyes, his gaze settling on a group of people working near his personal workshop.
Hmm? What are the Armand carpenters doing near my workshop?
He zoomed in, his brow furrowing as he saw the structure taking shape.
Ehh? What is that?
He tapped the side of his glasses, switching to a live street view. The image shifted, showing Mimi standing on a nearly finished treehouse platform, pointing excitedly at something while the carpenters worked around her.
Javier exhaled, a soft smile tugging at his lips as he pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head.
What is she doing? Asking the Armand carpenters to build a treehouse?
Right next to my personal workshop.
He watched as Mimi gestured animatedly, her tail swishing happily.
Why didn’t she ask me for it? I could have built something much better, and much faster...
Sigh... Mimi~ Mimi~
Well... as long as she’s happy.
But where are Liana and Gloria? I don’t see them, or even Felicia, Delya, and Gracelle.
Should I contact them?
He smiled softly, shaking his head.
No... I should focus on the mission for now.
He glanced down at his mana watch, checking the time.
Hmm... at this pace, I believe we’ll arrive at Armand by tomorrow afternoon. If only we could go faster, but I don’t want Lyzia and Celine to experience the full speed inside the carriage. They’d probably be shaken to pieces.
He tapped his mana talkie, channeling a pulse of mana through it.
"Command center, this is Prince Javier."
Silence.
He frowned slightly, tapping it again.
"Command center... this is Prince Javier. Do you copy?"
A soft crackle, then a voice, graceful and familiar, came through.
"Yes, honey bun~?"
Javier’s eyes widened slightly before he let out a nervous chuckle.
"Ah... Esteemed Mother..."
"Hmm? Is there any problem, honey bun~? Where are you right now? Are you nearly here?"
Javier scratched his cheek, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.
"Ermm... actually..."
Fransesca’s voice remained sweet, but a subtle, chilling undertone crept in.
"Hmm? Don’t tell me you’re still in the Elven Nation, honey bun~. Didn’t I give you three days to finish your mission? Hmm? I give you a very easy task, didn’t I?"
"Ah... err... there were circumstances..."
Fransesca cut him off, her voice still sweet but now carrying a terrifying edge.
"Arara~? You’re telling me that my sweet, capable honey bun couldn’t handle a simple escort mission in three days? What kind of ’circumstances’ could possibly delay you, I wonder~?"
"Ah... Esteemed Mother... I... I can explain..."
"I don’t want to hear any excuses, honey bun~" Her voice cut through the air, sharp and final. "You have until before midnight to come home and ensure she arrives here safely. Tell me, honey bun~ where are you now?" freёwebnoѵel.com
Javier swallowed. "Err... halfway toward the Beastkin western border..."
"Good~ So Buddy is running at a good pace, am I right?"
"Y... yeah..."
"That means you will be arriving in Armand Nation before midnight, if you don’t stop for too long~"
"E... eh? Bu... but Mother..."
"I don’t want to hear any excuses," her voice remained sweet, but the underlying pressure was unmistakable. "Besides, the Armand pekko-drawn carriage is the most comfortable one you designed. It’s wide, cozy, can be used as a place to sleep, has special magic spaces that fit a comfortable area despite being small, and has everything they need, including a magic toilet inside. So no excuses, honey bun~ Three days means three days~"
"Yes, Mother..."
"Mm.. good~ That’s my honey bun~" Her voice softened slightly. "I’ve already informed the Beastkin Queen about your arrival. I asked if they could assist in clearing the way and providing an escort. So expect the Beastkin Royal Special Forces to join your convoy soon, and they will accompany you all the way to the border before Armand."
"E... eh? But Mother, you know I can handle..."
"Shh, shh~" Fransesca hushed him gently. "Just listen to your mother."
"Yes, Mother."
"Good. Don’t worry. Once you get home, I will cook you a nice meal myself."
Javier blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Eh? You can cook?"
A dangerous, sweet tone crept into Fransesca’s voice. "Ara~? Just because the maids handle most of the meals doesn’t mean I can’t cook, honey bun. I’ve been cooking for your father every time he asks. Think of it as something special, only when I choose to make it."
"Okay..."
The call ended, leaving Javier rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
I wonder if Mother’s cooking is any good?
He tilted his head, staring at the road ahead.
Have I ever eaten her cooking before?
He frowned, searching his memories.
Damn... I don’t know. I can’t remember.
When I was small, everything was prepared by the Armand household maids, and sometimes I’d ask Liana. But rarely.
And now... it’s always Liana cooking for me.
Javier exhaled, shaking his head as Buddy continued running steadily ahead.
But damn... Mother is always scary. Despite being sweet, graceful, and elegant... there’s always that underlying intensity that makes even me nervous.
He glanced down at his hands for a moment.
And she never ages. She always stays the same youth, no matter how many years pass.
Just like that mysterious persons I met weeks ago... the day I found out the truth.
That Father was the first chosen hero of this world.
And that Mother’s true identity is one of the Goddesses.
Few weeks back...
Javier was riding Buddy through the dense forest near the Armand Estate, the wind rushing past him as the pekko weaved between trees with practiced ease.
"Oi, Buddy! Where are we going?"
"Cuquawked!"
"Ugh! Liana and the others will worry if they don’t see me soon. I told them I was just playing with you!"
"Cuquawked!!"
Javier narrowed his eyes, curiosity piqued. "Really? You’re telling me there’s a special fruit growing in the middle of the Armand forest? Nearby?"
"Cuquawked!!!"
"Hmm? Really? What kind of fruit?"
Buddy let out an excited squawk.
"Cuquawked!!" (A rainbow glowing fruit! It’s rare and delicious!)
Javier raised an eyebrow. "Rainbow glowing color fruit? Really? You’re not messing with me, are you?"
"Cuquawked!!" (I’m serious! It’s real!)
Javier narrowed his eyes, a teasing smirk forming on his lips. "But you’re not a fruit eater. A glutton like you rarely eats fruit unless we stop at a market, so you can drain my coin pouch dry."
"Cuquawked!!" (That’s different! Market fruit is for snacking! This one is special!)
"Yeah, yeah, whatever~"
Javier shrugged, settling back as Buddy continued running. But then, without warning, Buddy ducked under a low-hanging branch, and Javier’s head smacked straight into a thick tree trunk.
"Gah!"
He tumbled backward, flipping off Buddy’s back before landing flat on the ground with a heavy thud. He lay there for a moment, groaning, before pinching the bridge of his nose and shouting.
"Ouch! Oi, Buddy! Can’t you be more careful..."
He paused mid-sentence, his eyes widening as he took in his surroundings.
The dense forest was gone, replaced by a breathtaking beautiful landscape. Lush grass, vibrant flowers, and a soft, ethereal light bathed the area. Sky above shimmered with hues of gold and lavender, and in the distance, a crystal-clear lake reflected the light like a mirror.
Javier slowly sat up, his voice barely a whisper.
"W... what?"
( End Of Chapter )