Meanwhile.

Javier stood proudly in front of his nearly finished prototype knight, glancing up, admiring his work. He had just placed the helmet onto the frame, stepping back to admire the completed silhouette. He puffed his chest out, a smug grin on his face.

"Just need the last part... Felicia should be bringing the feather soon so I can place it on top of the helmet as the finishing touch."

He tilted his head, hearing a faint, whistling sound growing louder.

"Hmm?"

Before he could turn, the combined magic sphere slammed into his back, exploding in a brilliant flash of light and force. The shockwave sent the prototype knight’s unsecured parts flying in all directions, the frame collapsing into a heap of scattered pieces.

Javier stood frozen, his clothes singed, his hair smoking, his expression one of utter disbelief as he stared at the pile of rubble that was once his masterpiece.

"...What."

Javier stared at the scattered pieces of his masterpiece, his eyes widening in horror before he clutched his head with both hands.

"GYAAAAARRHHH!!! MY MASTERPIEEECCCEEE!!!"

He spun around, his eyes narrowing as he searched for the source of the disaster. Liana, Gloria, and Delya all pointed at Mimi, who was standing frozen a short distance away.

"Eeeeehhh!? It’s not me, nya!!!" Mimi waved her hands frantically in panic before pointing toward where Liana and Gloria stood. "It’s Big Sis!!"

"Ughhh!!!" Javier clutched his head again, looking at the scattered parts before turning back to glare at Mimi.

Mimi let out a sheepish grin, turning her head away and whistling innocently, her tail swaying behind her as she clasped both hands behind her back, pretending to be completely innocent.

Felicia, who had been watching from the side, raised her palm to cover her lips, letting out a soft, amused laugh. "I did warn him... but he wouldn’t listen."

Javier vanished and reappeared behind Mimi in an instant, his hands already shaping into a tight double-fist grip. A wide, mischievous grin spread across his face as he prepared his "Fist Drill" attack.

"This is what you get for destroying my masterpiece!"

"Eeeeppp!!! Husband!!!" Mimi shrieked, trying to run away, her hands hovering near his fists as she wiggled desperately to escape. "It’s not even my fault, nya! It was from Big Sister’s magic fight!"

Javier paused, narrowing his eyes down at her. Mimi was bent over in a doggy-style position, with Javier’s hips pressed against her butt, her head turned back to face him with a sheepish grin.

"I mean... their magic was chasing me, nya... and I couldn’t reflect it... ehehehe~"

"No... I’m sure you could have easily deflected those spells." Javier gave her a suspicious glare. "Liana and Gloria’s magic wasn’t even at full power, just a fraction. My clothes aren’t enchanted, and they aren’t even singed much."

"E... ehe... ehehe~" Mimi let out another nervous laugh, her tail twitching nervously.

Javier resumed his Fist Drill, his voice rising slightly in playful frustration.

"You weren’t even trying to deflect it, were you? You were just playing around and wanted to mess with my work. Or maybe you intentionally targeted me, knowing the magic wasn’t powerful enough to hurt anyone but would create a shockwave strong enough to scatter my unfinished invention!" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Eeeeppp!!! I’m sorry, nya!!!!"

While Liana and Gloria exhaled in unison, watching Javier’s relentless Fist Drill on Mimi’s head as she let out exaggerated screams of protest.

Gloria glanced at Liana, a soft smile on her lips. "Mimi’s antics remind me of someone we used to know a long time ago."

Liana chuckled softly, her eyes warm with nostalgia. "You mean the ’someone’ who was even cheekier and more mischievous than Mimi when he was eleven?"

Gloria raised her palm to her lips, letting out a soft laugh before shaking her head. She glanced at Javier, who was now chasing Mimi around the courtyard as she darted and dodged, trying her best to evade his relentless Fist Drill.

"Mm~"

Liana smiled and looked up at the sky before turning to Gloria.

"It’s almost time for lunch. We should start preparing."

Gloria nodded, falling into step beside Liana as they walked toward Javier’s personal workshop.

"What about Young Master’s scattered parts?"

Liana smiled, her gaze shifting to Felicia, who was carefully inspecting one of the pieces, her fingers tracing its edges as she tried to lift it, only to struggle with its weight. Liana shook her head before calling out.

"Felicia, just leave those parts. Let Young Master handle them later."

Felicia exhaled, dusting off her hands before smiling and nodding toward Liana. "Okay."

Meanwhile, Delya sat nearby, slowly eating her chocolate, savoring each bite with a dreamy, blissful expression. "Mm~ The taste is so rich and smooth... I could never grow tired of this."

Gracelle took a small bite, her eyes lighting up as the sweetness melted on her tongue. It was her first time tasting chocolate, and she couldn’t help but mumble softly, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"It’s so sweet... creamy... and delicious~"

Liana and Gloria reached the personal workshop, glancing at Delya and Gracelle, both lost in their chocolate-induced bliss. Liana shook her head, a faint smile on her lips.

"Delya, stop eating the chocolate now. It’s almost time for lunch."

"Okay~ Big Sis," Delya replied, slowly closing the crystal jar and tightening the lid before hugging it to her chest.

Gracelle watched the jar being sealed, her eyes lingering on it with a hint of disappointment.

I only got to taste one piece... I was hoping I could have more...

Her thoughts were interrupted when Liana’s voice cut through.

"You shouldn’t have too much sweets for now, Gracelle. It’s almost time for lunch. You can have more chocolate later, after you’ve eaten properly."

"Y... yes, Big Sis." Gracelle nodded, her voice soft but obedient.

After Liana and Gloria headed inside the personal workshop and made their way to the kitchen, followed closely by Felicia, Gracelle turned her gaze to the mug of hot chocolate in front of her. She lifted it slowly, bringing it to her nose, inhaling the rich, sweet aroma before taking a careful sip.

Her eyes widened slightly at the warmth and flavor spreading through her mouth.

Delya, in her usual dreamy, chocolate-loving state, smiled softly at Gracelle.

"You know, chocolate drink is just the beginning. Once you start exploring, there’s chocolate with nuts inside, chocolate with dried fruits, chocolate with caramel, chocolate with crunchy bits... oh, and chocolate with a hint of sea salt to balance the sweetness. Each one has its own unique taste and texture. It’s a whole world of flavor."

Gracelle nodded, listening intently before asking, "Will the maids bring the food for us?"

Delya tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "No. Big Sis Liana and Gloria often cook for us and Danna-sama. Sometimes, all of the future wives cook together. We rarely eat food prepared by the Armand chefs or the royal kitchen nowadays."

She hugged her chocolate jar closer, a blissful look on her face.

"Big Sis’s cooking is delicious. We only eat at the Armand kitchen when she isn’t around, like when they were away in the elven nation."

( End Of Chapter )