Carl was never stingy with his family. With a casual gesture, he gave Makino her First Embrace as well, making her blush with joy. What woman wouldn't want eternal youth?
After the family banquet ended, Shanks eagerly pulled Makino away. Seeing her flushed cheeks, it was clear that tonight would not be peaceful between them.
Garling watched Shanks's retreating figure, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Carl didn't rush to leave. Instead, he turned to Garling with a teasing smile.
"Garling-san, you seem to be in a good mood today."
Garling gave a noncommittal smile and said,
"Carl, the future of the family rests on your shoulders now."
"Eh, Garling-san, we're already immortal. Continuing the family line isn't a problem."
"No, what I mean is that there are still too few members in the family. Shanks… that kid's hopeless. The burden still falls on you. You, well... you have more resources."
At those words, the women nearby all blushed. Carl coughed lightly and said,
"Garling-san, maybe we should keep this kind of talk between us?"
Garling shrugged dismissively.
"No need to be shy. They're all part of the Figarland family now."
Hearing that, Lily glanced up but said nothing in the end, only casting Carl a brief look.
Suddenly, Carl's lips curled up in a mischievous grin. He turned to Garling and said,
"Come on, Garling-san. If revitalizing the family is a shared responsibility, shouldn't you be doing your part too?"
Garling hadn't expected Carl to turn the tables on him. His eyes narrowed as he glared at Carl.
"Watch your mouth! And how exactly do you expect me to contribute, huh?"
Carl rolled his eyes.
"Set an example for me, maybe? Garling-san, are you really planning to live out the rest of your days alone?"
Garling snorted, patting the sword at his waist.
"I'm not interested in that kind of thing. Having a sword by my side is enough."
But even as he said that, he silently added in his heart:
"What matters most... is having all of you."
Carl sighed dramatically and turned to the women nearby.
"See that? Look at Garling-san's noble resolve. I'm ashamed in comparison!"
The women covered their mouths and giggled, except for Sugar, who dared to murmur,
"Young Master can't become like Garling-sama!"
Monet pinched her immediately and hissed,
"You little brat! You're getting bolder by the day!"
She then snuck a glance at Garling, who was crossing his arms with an indifferent expression, pretending not to hear.
Sugar stuck out her tongue.
"Stupid sister, I know you're thinking the same thing!"
Monet froze, clearly caught off guard.
Carl stretched and said,
"Well, Garling-san, we're heading back."
Garling waved a hand dismissively.
"Go on, get out of here. You staying here any longer just annoys me."
Carl chuckled and stood up, swaggering away with the women gathered around him.
...
The lively banquet hall instantly fell silent once they left. Garling couldn't help but feel a moment of emptiness.
But soon he was smiling again. After all, this wasn't the last family gathering—they'd have many more in the future.
Watching Carl and the others disappear down the corridor, the smile on Garling's face grew even brighter.
Just then, a few servants entered the hall. Their heads were lowered, and none of them noticed the grin on his face.
They knelt to escort Garling back to his quarters, but Garling casually waved them off, his tone light and cheerful. Picking up a still-unopened bottle of red wine, he strode briskly toward the exit.
The servants exchanged confused glances. By the time they came to their senses, Garling had already vanished from view.
...
Back in the palace chambers, Carl was once again being attended to by Lucia and the others as he bathed.
Afterwards, Carl had been planning to discuss the Figarland family's expansion with Lucia—only to find her gently pushing Kalifa toward him instead.
Seeing Carl's slightly confused expression, Lucia said softly,
"Young Master, Kalifa is new here. Please take care of her."
Carl nodded. Compared to the others, he didn't have a strong emotional bond with Kalifa. She'd joined more on a whim than anything else. But since she was now one of his women, neglect wasn't an option.
With that in mind, Carl wrapped his arm around the blushing, silent Kalifa and pulled her close.
He smiled at Lucia.
"Lucia, having you in my life is my greatest fortune."
Those words made Lucia's heart skip a beat, while Kalifa tactfully stepped aside.
Lucia leaned forward, hugging Carl's waist and pressing her cheek against his chest.
To the outside world, Lucia always projected a cool and distant image—but her tenderness was something she revealed only to Carl.
Watching the two embrace, Kalifa thought to herself that among all the women in the palace, Lucia truly was the undisputed official consort.
No wonder even Shalria-sama behaved like a docile kitten around her—Lucia's position in Carl's heart was unshakable.
Seeing the growing affection between Carl and Lucia, Kalifa quietly said,
"Carl-sama, perhaps you should spend the night with Lady Lucia."
Lucia gently pulled away from Carl and replied,
"No need. You're new here. You should take the time to get comfortable."
Then she rose on her toes, placed a light kiss on Carl's lips, and turned to leave.
Kalifa, still in a daze, was suddenly swept off her feet by Carl. In the next instant, the two of them were in the bedroom.
Carl gently laid the thoroughly flushed Kalifa on the soft bed and smiled,
"What are you spacing out for? Not getting changed?"
Kalifa hurriedly sat up and clumsily undressed before diving under the covers.
As soon as Carl joined her, she immediately snuggled up and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Carl slipped an arm under her neck and held her close.
When he asked why she hadn't put on pajamas, Kalifa answered with a crimson face,
"I-I thought it would be more convenient for Carl-sama this way..."
Carl couldn't help but laugh.
"As expected of a former agent—decisive and efficient."
"Carl-sama, I've never done those kinds of missions before..."
"Oh, I know. Didn't we confirm that last time? Even if there were such missions, someone like you—a top CP9 agent—would never be assigned to them."
As soon as he finished speaking, Kalifa let out a surprised yelp, and then the room was filled with the sounds of mingled, increasingly heavy breaths...
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+110 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg