Reborn As Noble

Garius nodded slowly and reached for his fork and knife to continue his meal. ”If you find them suitable for your service, they shall remain as your permanent attendants for official duties. Since Liana and Gloria will soon be your wives, they will begin transitioning from their roles as maids to attending you as your consorts.”

”Yes, esteemed Father.” Javier said and nodded, then continued eating his meal.

Meanwhile, in the other dining room.

Athine sat at the head of the table, while Kliatana, Lithia, Harny, Felicia, Mimi, and Delya were already seated in their chairs.

Macia and Vivica were running around excitedly near the table, their laughter filling the room, while Athine watched them with a soft smile. She glanced up and noticed Liana and Gloria entering, carrying trays of food, both still dressed in their maid uniforms.

”Liana? Gloria?”

”Yes, Princess Athine?”

Athine tilted her head, her expression gentle but curious. ”Why are you two serving everyone? Shouldn’t you be seated with us?”

Liana and Gloria bowed politely and smiled. ”It is our duty to serve, Princess.”

Athine shook her head and smiled warmly. ”No... you two are my brother’s future wives. Please, take a seat and let the other household maids serve us. And please, Liana, Gloria...stop wearing the maid dresses already.”

”Pardon me, Princess, but I believe we still have to wear these. Gloria and I are still working as Prince Javier’s personal maids until we are officially married.”

”No... you are all their fiancées now. I believe Lady Francesca has already decided that you all will no longer work as maids, correct?”

Liana and Gloria glanced at each other before looking back at Athine, slightly taken aback.

But before they could respond, Athine chuckled softly. ”Don’t worry, you’re not being fired or anything. But just like Lithia and Harny, you two are no longer working as maids, you are my brother’s fiancées now.”

Athine then looked confused, seeing their exchanged glances.

”Eh? Lady Francesca hasn’t said anything yet? I thought she already had.”

Liana and Gloria shook their heads softly before placing a hand over their left chest. ”No, Princess. We haven’t been informed about this.”

Athine looked at all of Javier’s girls and noticed something. ”Hmm? My little brother still hasn’t given you all official engagement necklaces?”

Liana, Gloria, Felicia, Delya, and Mimi looked down at their necks, their expressions shifting from curiosity to mild surprise. None of them wore anything resembling a formal engagement necklace.

”Eh? Really? He didn’t give any? For real?” Athine’s eyes widened. She then gently lifted her own necklace, a delicate gold chain with a small, intricately carved sapphire pendant. ”It’s like this. I believe Kliatana, Harny, and Lithia also received theirs from their partners.”

”No, Princess. This is our first time hearing about this too,” Liana replied softly.

Athine exhaled in mild frustration. ”Someone needs to be scolded for this.” Then she noticed Liana’s necklace, a simple but elegant silver chain with a small, polished moonstone pendant.

”Oh? Javier gave you a necklace already?”

Liana smiled softly, her fingers touching the pendant. ”This one... the young master gave to me when he was still a child, right before he bought his first Pekko.”

Athine smiled warmly. ”Really? He must have had his eye on you from the very beginning, then~”

”I don’t know about that, Princess. But he gave it to me when he first earned his own money.”

Athine sighed again, shaking her head. ”’Someone’ needs to be reported to Lady Mother for forgetting to make it official.”

”Sister Athine?” Macia stopped running and looked at Athine. ”Is Onii-chan in trouble?” She tilted her head.

Vivica, who was playing with Macia, also stopped. ”Eh? Onii-chan is going to be in trouble? Why?” She put one finger on her lips, tilting her head as she looked up at Athine, who sat calmly in her chair.

”Mm~ Yes... your Onii-chan is going to be in hugeee trouble~”

Both girls giggled softly before continuing to run around again.

Liana and Gloria chuckled softly, while Felicia calmly reached for her knife and fork, her movements graceful but carrying a new, subtle confidence after becoming Javier’s woman the night before. Delya kept glancing down at her own neckline, as if imagining a necklace there, while Mimi pouted, her tail giving a sulky flick.

Athine smiled warmly. ”So, Liana, Gloria. Please, have a seat and let’s eat breakfast together. And no formality between us now.”

”If you say so, Princess Athine.”

Athine smiled and clapped her hands twice. Several household maids entered and began serving them all, placing plates of warm food on the table with practiced grace.

While they ate, just as Athine was about to say something, Erisa stepped inside, followed by Lady Francesca, who walked gracefully into the room, accompanied by several elite battle maids wearing masks.

Everyone stood gracefully and bowed politely toward Francesca, their movements synchronized and respectful.

Athine bowed and softly said, ”Lady Mother.”

”Athine~ Did you tell Liana and Gloria yet?” Francesca asked, her tone gentle but carrying a hint of playful authority.

Before Athine could say anything, Macia and Vivica stopped and held onto Francesca’s long skirt, looking up at her with soft giggles. ”Mother~”

”Ara~ How cute~” Francesca patted both their heads, smiling warmly at her stepdaughters.

”Mother~ Onii-chan is in big trouble~”

”Ara~ Really? How so?”

”He didn’t give Sister Liana and Sister Gloria and the other sisters the... umm... what is it again?” Macia put a finger on her lips, thinking hard.

Francesca knelt down gracefully, hugging both Macia and Vivica while caressing their heads, then looked up at Athine. ”What are they talking about, Athine?”

”Ah... Lady Mother.” Athine bowed slightly. ”Umm... little brother... err...”

”Oh? My Honey Bun? What about him?” Francesca kissed Macia and Vivica’s cheeks, making them giggle and hug her in excitement.

”He forgot to... give Liana and the others... official engagement necklaces,” Athine said in a soft voice, averting her eyes as Francesca’s aura suddenly flared.

”He forgot to give them... what?”

( End Of Chapter )