Reborn As Noble

Inside the study room.

Fransesca sat gracefully, crossing her legs elegantly. One hand lifted her teacup, the other holding the saucer with practiced grace. She took a slow, deliberate sip before setting it down, her sweet but terrifying smile fixed on Javier, who knelt before her with a sheepish grin.

”Now, honey bun~ Explain to me, how do you know those names? Where did you learn them? Who told you? Or...” Her eyes sharpened. ”Have you already met one of them? Hmm?”

”N-No! I... I didn’t. I’ve never met any of them! I was called by Father earlier to review details about the summoned heroes from the other continent, about Julius. And... umm... Father explained to me that they’re not real goddesses, but Abyss Spirits. So... errr...”

Fransesca leaned back against the cushion, her gaze still fixed on him. ”Really? Your father said that?”

”Y-Yes, Esteemed Mother! I swear I’m telling the truth!”

Her eyes narrowed, her voice dropping to a silken, dangerous tone. ”Then why were you muttering those names in the hallway? Were you thinking about them? Wondering about them?”

”N-No... I... I was just... umm... wondering about...”

Fransesca narrowed her glare at him, making him panic and wave both hands frantically.

”No! I wasn’t thinking about them like that! I was thinking about something else entirely!”

”Oh?” She crossed her legs the other way, her tone light but probing. ”Then tell me, what were you thinking about?”

Javier took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

”Father told me about the Abyss Spirits, and I started wondering about their purpose. I was scribbling down possibilities, making a mind map. I thought maybe if the summoned heroes killed the Demon King, they’d be granted a wish. But Father said killing the Demon King won’t grant them anything. That’s why I was muttering those names, trying to figure out who the real target is. I swear, Mother, it’s not because I’ve fallen for them or anything!”

Fransesca’s expression softened, a warm, amused smile spreading across her lips.

”I see... So that’s what this is about.” She tilted her head, her voice gentle. ”Your father is right. Killing the Demon King, Veldrac, your fiancée’s brother, will not grant them anything. It would only bring loss and suffering, nothing more.”

Javier moved closer, still kneeling, and placed both hands gently on her thigh. He looked up at her with puppy eyes, his voice soft and pleading.

”Mother... Father wouldn’t tell me who the real target is. He left the question hanging, and now I’m stuck at a dead end. I’ve been thinking about it all day, and I still don’t have an answer.”

He gave her his most hopeful look, his voice dropping to a soft, whiny tone. ”I was hoping... maybe you could tell me? This question has been bothering me so much I can’t even eat properly.”

Fransesca smiled softly, shaking her head as she leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. She caressed his head, her voice warm and tender.

”This youngest son of mine... always so curious, so persistent.” She pulled back slightly, her eyes soft but knowing. ”Very well. I will tell you what you need to know. But only what you need to know.”

Fransesca looked into Javier’s eyes, her smile soft and knowing.

”Before I tell you, why don’t you try to guess? Who do you think they truly want to target?”

Javier glanced up, rubbing his chin as he sat on the floor, crossing his legs in thought.

”Hmm... I’m sure it’s not Alf, Erinette, or Uncle Hesbeirn. Definitely not my brothers or half-siblings. Aunty Eridith? No... even though she’s one of Father’s wives, I don’t think they’d target her...”

His eyes suddenly widened as he looked at his mother in shock. ”Is it... me?”

Francesca laughed softly, slapping the top of his head with her palm. ”Silly boy. Of course not.”

”Then who?”

She smiled again, her voice calm. ”Now think again. Who do you think the strongest person in Armand is, hmm?”

Javier’s eyes widened further. ”Ehhh!? Do you mean the target is Father all along?”

Francesca laughed in amusement, shaking her head. ”You’re not entirely wrong. Your father is indeed one of their targets. But there’s another one too.”

”Ehhh!? There’s no way killing Father would grant them a wish!” Javier protested, his expression skeptical. ”Father is just a human! Ceh. I don’t believe you, Mother.”

Francesca raised her palm, laughing softly as she shook her head. ”I’ve already told you the answer, honey bun. It’s up to you whether you believe it or not.”

Javier narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping into his expression. ”No way that’s true, Mother. If you said killing the Demon King would grant them a wish, I’d believe it. But killing Father? They’d have to be seriously dumb to think that would work.”

Francesca’s smile softened, her gaze meeting his with a gentle warmth. ”Honey bun?”

”Hmm? What is it, Mother?”

She tilted her head slightly, her voice dropping to a soft, sincere tone. ”What would you do if the target was actually me and your father?”

Javier’s eyes narrowed, his playful demeanor vanishing, replaced by a cold, serious resolve.

”I would crush them. Kill them. I wouldn’t let anyone lay a finger on my family, not even a scratch. Whether they’re spirits or summoned heroes, I’d make sure none of them could even think about harming anyone, especially you and Father.”

Francesca’s smile softened, her eyes glistening with warmth. She reached out, pulling his head gently into her embrace, and caressed his hair with tender affection.

”That’s my son... I knew you would say that. I’m so thankful to have all three of you, my sons, especially you, my curious, stubborn honey bun.”

Javier’s voice was muffled against her breast as he mumbled, ”Mother... were you really serious about your answer?”

She pulled back, looking into his eyes, her smile softening.

”There are many things you don’t know about your father besides his strength. But I believe you’re not ready yet for the answer yet. You don’t need to dwell on it. Live your life, enjoy your time, cherish your moments with your fiancées, and focus on your own happiness.”

Javier’s eyes turned serious, his voice firm. ”If you’re serious about this, I’ll use my inventions to attack them before they can even move. I’ll fire the Ion Cannon, crush them all, and if you ask, I’ll destroy the whole continent.”

Francesca raised a finger, her expression suddenly serious. ”Not everyone is involved, honey bun. I don’t want innocent lives dragged into this matter.” Her expression softened again as she leaned forward, planting a quick, glowing kiss on his lips before gently caressing his head.

”Let fate take its course, my son. Trust in the path that has been laid before you.”

( End Of Chapter )