Javier and Liana arrived at the gate just before passing the Armand border. Beyond the tall, sturdy gatesy a bustling town, with a humble inn and quaint shops lining the dirt streets, all bathed in the warm hues of the evening sun.


    "Haaa…" Javier stretched his arms and sighed tiredly. "I didn''t think it would take this long to reach the border. It''s already evening."


    Liana, riding Pikko, smiled at hisint. "It wouldn''t have if we were in a rush, young master. You insisted on letting Buddy explore every other path."


    Buddy, his Pekko, squawked happily as if to defend Javier''s decision. The lively bird''s eyes scanned a nearby stall selling skewered meats while it shuffled excitedly.


    Javier scratched his head, a sheepish grin on his face. "Well, it''s not like we''re in a hurry, right?"


    Pikko, Liana''s moreposed Pekko, groomed her silver-and-orange feathers nearby with a touch of elegance. Liana dismounted gracefully and surveyed the modest town, her gaze settling on the inn.


    "We should rest for the night," she suggested practically. "There''s no point crossing the border thiste. It''s better to be well-rested for the journey ahead."


    Javier hopped off Buddy, who immediately trotted off toward the stall, much to the vendor''s dismay. "Hey! Buddy, don''t scare the merchants!" he called as he jogged to retrieve his mischievous mount.


    Liana stifled augh, covering her mouth with her hand. "I''ll secure a room at the inn. Try not to cause too much trouble, young master."


    "No promises!" Javier replied yfully, quickening his steps as Buddy nosed at the vendor''s cart.


    Liana entered the modest inn, her steps light yet purposeful. The warm interior, softly lit bynterns, carried the scent of wood and freshly baked bread. Behind the counter, the inn receptionist—a young man with nervous energy—stiffened upon noticing the Armand family emblem on her maid uniform.


    "Ah... ah... wee to the inn!" the receptionist stammered, his words tumbling out clumsily. "H-how may I help you?"


    Liana maintained her calm demeanor, her eyes steady as she addressed him. "Do you have any avable rooms?"


    "Yes! Yes, we do!" he replied, nodding vigorously. Then, as if realizing something, his eyes darted to her emblem. "Would you like me to call for the innkeeper?"@@novelbin@@


    Liana tilted her head slightly, a faint smile ying on her lips. "Hmm? Why would that be necessary?"


    The receptionist''s face flushed with panic. "Err... umm... j-just a moment!" Without waiting for her reply, he scurried into the back room, hurried whispers faintly escaping.


    Momentster, the innkeeper—a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor—stepped out. She adjusted her apron hastily and offered a deep bow, her toneposed. "Wee, madam. I apologize for any dy. How may we serve the esteemed guests of the Armand family?"


    Liana nodded, her expression unchanged. "We''ll need a room for the night, one with amodations for two Pekkos in your stables."


    "Of course! We will ensure the finest care for your mounts," the innkeeper said promptly. "And for your room, we''ll provide our best—"


    "A regr room will suffice," Liana interrupted gently but firmly. "There''s no need for special treatment."


    The innkeeper hesitated, doubt flickering in her eyes before she quickly nodded. "As you wish, Miss. I''ll have it prepared immediately."


    "Thank you," Liana said with a polite bow of her own. "Please ensure the Pekkos are fed andfortable."


    "Yes, of course! I''ll see to it personally," the innkeeper assured her, gesturing for the receptionist to hurry along.


    "Young master," Liana called, her calm tone cutting through the noise. "Let''s go to our room now."


    "Ehh?" Javier whined, pouting. "We haven''t eaten yet, and Buddy here is starving! Look at him—he''s practically begging." He gestured dramatically at Buddy, who tilted his head and squawked as if on cue.


    Pikko, not to be outdone, pped her wings and let out a louder squawk. Javier grinned. "Ah, see? Pikko too! They need food! Ehehehe."


    Liana sighed softly, shaking her head at their antics. "Fine, we''ll eat first and make sure Buddy and Pikko are taken care of. But after that, straight to bed."


    "Yay!" Javier cheered, already leading Buddy toward the stable boy waiting by the door. The boy stared at the majestic Pekkos with wide eyes, clearly intimidated.


    "Make sure they''re fed well," Liana instructed the stable boy, her tone kind but firm. "They''ve had a long journey."


    "Yes, ma''am!" the boy replied, hastily bowing and scurrying to his task.


    Liana turned back to Javier, who was scanning the inn''s dining area with gleaming eyes.


    Javier mmed his hands on the wooden table, grinning widely. "Meat! Give me more meat! Roasted, juicy, and sizzling! Ehehehe!" His enthusiasm echoed through the cozy dining area, drawing amused nces from other patrons.


    Liana stood nearby, arms crossed, shaking her head with a soft smile. "Young master," she began, her tone a mix of exasperation and affection.


    Javier frowned and waved his hand dramatically. "Liana! Why are you standing? Sit down!" His gaze was yful yetmanding.


    Liana raised an eyebrow. "Young master, I''m here to ensure everything is in order. It''s my duty."


    "No!" Javier dered, cutting her off with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "This is not the time for formalities. Sit! It''s an order... from your only young master!" He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms like a triumphant king.


    Liana sighed but couldn''t suppress her smile. "As you wish, young master," she replied, pulling out a chair and sitting gracefully beside him.


    "Ehehehe," Javier chuckled, his smirk widening. "See? That wasn''t so hard, was it?"


    As the server arrived with a tray of roasted meats, Javier eagerly grabbed a te and slid it in front of Liana. "Here! Eat, Liana. You''ve worked hard today."


    Liana blinked in mild surprise but took the te, touched by his gesture. "Thank you, young master," she said softly, her smile growing warmer.


    Javier grinned, already tearing into another piece of meat. "Now, this is what I call a proper meal—with my number one by my side!"


    He waved over the waiter with an eager grin. "Liana, you should order something for yourself too!" he said, leaning back in his chair.


    Liana tilted her head. "We can share our meal, young master. There''s no need for extra."


    Javier smirked, his yful tone returning. "Yes, we can share. But if you order yours, we can share that too. Ehehehe."


    Liana sighed, a subtle smile forming. "Fine. I''ll take a fruit sd... and this veggie sd," she said, pointing to the menu.


    Javier froze mid-bite, his expression twisting. "Blergh... all veggies and fruit? That''s it? No, no, no! Order some meat too!"


    Liana''s eyes sparkled with mischief. "Young master, aren''t you always saying you need to eat healthy? These will bnce out all the roasted meat you''re eating."


    Javier pouted dramatically, crossing his arms. "Healthy is fine... but it''s boring! Just add a little meat to your order, Liana. Otherwise, I''ll... I''ll—"


    "You''ll what?" she asked, her teasing smile growing. Stay updated through My Virtual Library Empire


    "I''ll eat all the meat myself and leave none for you!" he dered, puffing out his chest like he''d won the argument.


    Liana chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Very well. I''ll add a roasted chicken dish. Happy now, young master?"


    Javier gave a triumphant nod, grinning from ear to ear. "Now that''s more like it! Bnce, Liana. That''s the key!"


    "Yes, yes, now eat, young master. After this, we need to rest," Liana urged, ncing at Javier with a mix of fondness and authority.


    "Haaa... but it''s still early," Javier replied, his mouth full of meat as he reluctantly set down his fork.


    "Yes, but we need to wake up early tomorrow," Liana insisted, keeping her tone steady.


    "Fine," Javier surrendered with a dramatic sigh, though a small smile crept onto his face. "I guess I can manage a bit of rest."


    "Good," Liana said, a satisfied nod apanying her words.


    (End of Chapter)