Reborn As Noble

The three of them glanced around the grand hall.

”Heh... can’t believe this will soon be Garius’s throne room,” Lioness mused. ”Look at all this gold and those jewels. Even my throne room isn’t this massive or decked out like this.”

Veldrac smirked, nodding toward a towering gold knight statue. ”I heard from an Armand officer that Javier built all of this. Look at that full plate Gold Knight statue, his handiwork, no doubt.”

Mylezra raised her palm to her lips, eyes glinting. ”My~ Knowing Javier’s inventions, I doubt that’s just a statue.”

”Yeah, I’m sure every one of those golden knights is actually one of his puppet knights. If an enemy ever breaks in, I bet those things come alive and tear them apart,” Lioness grinned.

”That’s why I told my escort to relax and enjoy the feast. But look at them, still on guard,” Veldrac said, sipping his wine as his officers kept a watchful eye on the room. ”Even after my orders, they’re still tense.”

Lioness shrugged, ”Can’t blame them. It’s their job to be careful. But knowing Garius, he’d never let anything threaten his allies or friends.”

”Especially his soon-to-be wife,” Veldrac teased, shooting Mylezra a sideways look.

”Oh, hush,” Mylezra puffed out her cheeks, feigning a pout.

Lioness shifted his gaze to Veldrac. ”Speaking of wives, you didn’t bring yours?”

Veldrac laughed. ”Do you think we could come here without our wives? Oho, or are you telling me you came here alone, Lioness?”

Lioness swallowed hard and glanced away. ”She’s probably with Francesca in the manor.”

”Same here,” Veldrac chuckled. ”The first thing my wife did after stepping down from the carriage was head straight to the Armand manor.”

”Can’t blame them. Francesca’s been their best friend for years,” Lioness said, taking another drink. ”And you, Mylezra? Why not meet Garius straight away? I’m sure Francesca wouldn’t mind, you’ve already got her blessing.”

Mylezra sighed, a gentle smile on her lips. ”Do you think I don’t want to? I’d go in a heartbeat, but Garius is probably busy. He’s about to become the sovereign of Armand, after all.”

Meanwhile.

Inside Garius’s private chamber.

Garius let out a long sigh, eyeing the golden royal mantle made of shimmering gold linen. Not just that, even the coat, the ceremonial sash, and the boots were a dazzling blend of gold thread and mithril.

He glanced at Alf, who shook his head with a quiet chuckle. ”My lord, it seems your youngest son made sure you’d have the most extravagant outfit for the ceremony.”

”This isn’t an outfit, it’s a parade float,” Garius muttered. ”What’s with all the gold and mithril? And look at this ceremonial blade, adamantite, covered in the rarest gems. It’s so flashy I feel like a walking treasure vault. I wonder what he’s done to the crown.”

Alf shrugged, smiling. ”That part’s a mystery, my lord. Young master Javier sealed it in a special box and handed the key to King Veldrac. He said it should only be opened at the start of the ceremony.”

Garius smirked, shaking his head. ”I see. This must be my youngest’s way of getting back at me for all the pressure I put on him. But does he realize he’s just digging his own grave? He crafted every bit of this to get even, but the day he becomes ruler, he’ll be the one forced to wear every ridiculous thing he hates.”

Erinnette laughed softly. ”My lord, I don’t think young master Javier thought that far ahead.”

”By the way, Erinnette,” Garius asked, ”where’s Francesca?”

”I believe she’s busy with the Queen of the Beastkin and the Queen of the Demon Nation,” Erinnette replied.

Garius raised an eyebrow. ”Since when did they become such close friends?”

Erinnette smiled. ”Who knows, my lord~”

”So, Alf?”

”Yes, my lord?”

”You’ve already sent that royal messenger away?”

”Yes, my lord. We even gave him a little money for his trouble.”

”Good. Hard to believe Kimar only noticed after all this time, and now he has the audacity to offer me a duke’s title. Does he not realize the highest title a non-royal can hold is Count? That title and rank were granted by the late King Edmund. Now Kimar’s just tossing out titles like bait, thinking he can win me over?”

Alf and Erinnette both chuckled softly.

Garius adjusted the coat and pants with a wry sigh, continuing, ”I’ve made up my mind. I’m done serving the crown, especially under Kimar. I already declared Armand independent three days ago, and our staff have worked tirelessly, issuing new identity plates to our people, making the transition smooth. There’s no turning back now. Armand will stand as its own nation.”

”Yes, my lord. Ah, pardon... your majesty.” Alf bowed, smiling slightly.

”Alf... not yet. Soon, but not yet.” Garius smirked as he fastened the last button on his collar.

Alf lifted the royal golden mantle and settled it on Garius’s shoulders.

Garius just sighed. ”Why couldn’t my youngest just make this with normal cloth? Now I’m wrapped in gold from head to toe.”

Alf grinned. ”Well, my lord, your Pekko, Giddie, is golden too. Gold means king, and Giddie is king of all Pekko. So, gold is fitting for you.”

Garius smirked, then turned to Erinnette. ”So, Erinnette?”

”Yes, my lord?”

”The outfits for the princes and princesses, already handed over to all my children?”

”Yes, my lord. All have received their outfits through their partners.”

Garius nodded. ”And, Erinnette, have you found suitable replacement maids for Lithia, Harny, Meira, and Zania? They’ll soon be my daughters-in-law...”

”Already arranged, my lord. I’ve prepared new personal maids for both Marcellus and Cedric.”

Garius chuckled, running a hand through his hair. ”I still can’t believe Marcellus ended up with a mother-daughter pair, Harny and Lithia. And can you believe it, Alf? Both are pregnant by Marcellus now. I have no idea how they planned that.”

Alf grinned. ”Well, my lord, Master...ah, pardon...Prince Marcellus is a young and capable man. It shouldn’t be too surprising.”

Garius sighed, the weight of coming days settling on him.

”I’ll be busier than ever this week, becoming sovereign, then my wedding to Mylezra, then all the official duties. By the way, Alf, Erinnette...”

”Yes, my lord?”

Garius smiled at both of them. ”I don’t think I’ll need to appoint royal advisors. I have you two, my most trusted aides and friends. I hope you’ll both continue to serve at my side?”

”It’s our greatest honor to serve you, my lord.” Alf and Erinnette bowed, smiling with genuine warmth.

( End Of Chapter )