"My lord… may I ask something?" Erinnette's tone was gentle, but curious.
"Yes, Erinnette?" Garius glanced over, brows raised.
"My question might sound odd, but… why must the next heir be Javier? Not your eldest, or your second son?"
Garius's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Because he has something I never did. A knowledge that goes beyond me, beyond you, beyond anyone's understanding. Outwardly, he might seem like nothing special, lazy, mischievous, always dodging work when he can get away with it…"
He paused, the smile growing softer.
"But under all that, he sees things none of us can. He invents, creates, and adapts in ways I've never seen. Javier's mind isn't trapped by the limits of this world, he always finds another way. And most important, he has the heart to use that power for the people, not just for himself."
Garius folded his hands, gaze steady and proud.
