Reborn As Noble

”Oh?” Harny tilted her head, still smiling through a suspiciously quivering lower lip. ”So… you’re saying you’re not interested in me?”

Marcellus flinched. ”Wait—n-no, that’s not what I—”

But Harny had already turned away. Her voice softened. Quivered.

”I see… maybe it’s because I’m not pretty anymore... or because I’m just the mother who raised Lithia alone after her father passed… when she was still just a baby…”

”M-Mother—” Lithia whispered, her voice thin.

”Eh?? Wait, wait!!” Marcellus started panicking, looking at Lithia like do something!!

But Harny wasn’t done.

”I raised Lithia alone after her father passed away…” she continued, tone now heavy with forced melancholy. ”She was just a tiny little baby… I didn’t remarry, I didn’t even date… because Lithia said she didn’t want any strange man in our home.”

She pressed the back of her hand to her forehead. ”So I rejected every elf, every dark elf… even the village chief…”

”M-Mother…” Lithia’s voice was caught between guilt and a headache.

”And now…” Harny wiped a perfectly dry eye with exaggerated grace. ”Now she returns with a fine, noble man. A true gentleman. And even he… even he doesn’t want this old lady…”

Marcellus was turning blue. ”N-no, that’s not—!! I-I mean, I didn’t say anything like—!!”

Harny forced a brave, trembling smile. ”I’ll go… cook something.”

She stood and walked slowly toward the kitchen, like a tragic heroine from a tearful play.

”Please, just sleep here tonight… The house is small, not suited for someone of noble blood like you. I’m sorry it’s not more… comfortable.” She bowed her head with quiet dignity.

She walked to the small kitchen space, wiping her eyes as if trying not to cry.

Lithia was silent. Just one word escaped her lips again.

”…Mom…”

Marcellus sat awkwardly in the middle of the room, sandwiched between guilt, confusion, and the sudden urge to offer a group hug.

Lithia quietly stood up and followed her mother into the kitchen.

”I’ll help,” she said softly.

Harny just gave her a faint smile and nodded, handing over some ingredients without a word. The kitchen space was small—barely enough for two adults to stand side-by-side.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Marcellus sat with both hands on his knees. Silent. Still.

His eyes wandered aimlessly before landing on a carved wooden ornament on the shelf. It was shaped like a pair of doves.

Two doves…

His gaze trailed toward the kitchen entrance.

Two Lithias…

He gulped.

I already won the jackpot. Lithia’s gentle, shy, caring, loyal. We’ve… done everything lovers could do—and she still makes me feel butterflies every morning.

He leaned back slightly.

And now… there’s her mother, who looks exactly like her. Just more assertive. More confident. And, um, less shy about suggesting… joint marriage.

A drop of sweat rolled down his temple.

Both my brothers have harems. Cedric has Meira and Zania at each other’s throat, and Javier? Don’t get me started. That little demon collects beauties like mana stones.

Marcellus glanced toward the kitchen again.

And here I am. Faithful. Happy. Fully satisfied with just Lithia.

He paused.

But now…

Two Lithias…

”I’m a noble,” he muttered to himself. ”It’s not unusual… for nobles to marry more than one…”

He stood up halfway… then sat down again.

”No! No no. Bad Marcellus. Bad! Lithia would kill me. She’d summon a shadow vine and whip me right here on the spot.”

He sat in silence for a while, covering his face with both hands.

From the kitchen, he could hear soft chopping and murmurs between mother and daughter.

And despite the situation, he smiled.

Still… I never expected this visit would make my life this complicated.

Marcellus stared at their backs as they prepared food together in the small, cozy kitchen—one in a neatly pressed maid uniform, the other in a form-fitting dress that swayed with every graceful movement.

Same long black hair.

Same slender figure.

Same pointed ears twitching ever so slightly.

Even their voices, though one softer and shy, and the other teasing and sultry, held that same melodic undertone only dark elves carried.

”Damn…” Marcellus muttered under his breath. ”They’re like... twins.”

He leaned back on the wooden seat, arms crossed, trying very hard not to think indecent thoughts. But his noble blood did not prepare him for this. Not when both women in front of him looked like two halves of a delicious, tempting illusion.

Lithia, the gentle and reserved one, who always blushed whenever he got too close.

Harny, the bold and teasing one, who clearly enjoyed pushing every one of his buttons.

And now they were… together. Cooking. Under the same roof. For him.

His eyes trailed lower.

Chest… same.

Waist… same.

Height… same.

Skin tone… identical.

Even the way they moved, they had the same elegant stride. A little more sway in Harny’s hips, sure, but if she tied her hair the same way as Lithia…

Gulp.

Marcellus immediately shook his head. Focus, man. Focus! You’re not your younger brothers. You’re supposed to be the composed one!

Just then, Harny looked over her shoulder and caught him staring.

With a wink.

Marcellus flinched.

Then Lithia turned too, catching his flustered reaction.

She narrowed her eyes slightly. ”You’re staring again.”

”I—I wasn’t!”

”You were!”

”W-What can I do!? You two look like you were printed from the same magical mold!”

Harny giggled. ”Oh my~ such praise. Should I wear her uniform next time and sneak into your bed? Would you notice, darling?”

”Mother!!” Lithia’s face turned scarlet.

Marcellus nearly choked on his own air. This... this is going to be one long, dangerous night.

Marcellus leaned back slightly, the wooden chair creaking beneath him as he stared at the flickering light coming from the kitchen. The sound of soft voices—Lithia and Harny talking, blended with the faint aroma of seasoned vegetables and simmering stew.

Inside his mind, the chaos hadn’t stopped.

Father has four wives. Four. And that’s considered normal. Mother is the main one, of course. But then there’s Lady Garcinia… Lady Phenelopie… and even Lady Eridith… a literal ancient dragon in human form who looks like a teenage girl and still bullies by their mother.

Marcellus sighed and rubbed his temple.

And me? I’ve only been with Lithia. Only her. Because I thought she was enough.

He glanced toward the kitchen again.

But now… there’s Harny.

He gulped.

Same height. Same curves. Same soft voice when she said his name earlier. And when she smiled. My God...it was like seeing Lithia.

The only difference was the outfit. Lithia, prim and elegant in her modest maid uniform. Harny, graceful and seductive in that dangerously low-cut dark violet dress, exposing just enough to make his thoughts misbehave.

Nope. Not gonna think about it. I’m a noble. I’m a proper noble. I’m not Cedric or Javier...

And there Harny and Lithia..

Damn!

( End Of Chapter )