Love, Loyalty, and Shadows ( 191 )

Javier fought the urge to ask Gloria for a kiss, which he would normally do when Liana wasn't around. Instead, he just smiled nervously, trying to hold back his usual antics.

Gloria noticed his expression, her serene smile unchanged. "Ara... something on your mind, Young Master?" she asked playfully yet calmly.

"Ehehe... nothing..." Javier replied, his grin widening a bit as he scratched the back of his head.

Gloria leaned forward from her horse with graceful ease, Before Javier could react, she gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "There," she said softly, amusement in her smile.

Liana, who had just returned to Javier's side on Pikko, caught the scene and frowned slightly. "Gloria... why do you always spoil him like that?"

"Ara..." Gloria turned her calm gaze to Liana, tilting her head. "But you're so lucky, Liana. You sleep with him, kiss him every day, he lies on your lap, and he's even promised to marry you when he grows up."