Looking around the table, Javier felt everyone's gaze turn deadly serious.
He gulped, managing a shaky smile as he wolfed down the rest of his meal, not daring to linger.
"Ah… Father's calling me on the mana talkie, right? Alright, I'm done eating."
He stood, straightened his clothes, and made a hasty but dignified retreat from the table, heading toward his room.
Damn… it's not like I'm trying to add another harem member on purpose. But Liana, Gloria, and the rest… way too serious about it.
He slipped into his bedroom and shut the door, breathing a quiet sigh of relief. Reaching for the mana talkie, he clipped it in place and sent a pulse of mana through the device.
"Calling Armand Estate. Javier here."
A moment later, his father's voice came through, steady and commanding.
"Javier."
"Y-yes, esteemed father?" Javier replied.
"How is Arjam?"
"Ah… it's good, Father," Javier answered, forcing a calmness into his voice.
