Reborn As Noble

”B-but... Fransesca...”

Garius flinched, his hand instinctively flying toward where her fingers were digging into his side.

”Our youngest son is no longer a child... he’s nearly an adult now...”

Fransesca’s smile remained sweet, but her eyes held a dangerous glint, and her pinch only grew harder.

”No~ My honey bun is still my honey bun. No matter how old he gets, he will always be my little boy.”

She tilted her head, her voice dropping into a silken threat.

”If you really want to see grandchildren from our honey bun, perhaps you should first fulfill your promise to those other two girls you promised to marry. That would align with your wish for a bigger family, wouldn’t it?”

Garius winced, his voice strained. ”H-Honey... we... we can talk about that... but first... can you please let go? My... my beautiful queen...”

Fransesca’s smile softened, but her grip remained. She turned her gaze toward her sons and stepsons, her voice carrying a calm, commanding tone.

”This audience is over. Everyone may return to their duties.”

”B-but... honey...” Garius tried to protest, but Fransesca’s glare sharpened, her aura flaring just enough to make the air heavy. She turned to Alf and the others, her voice still sweet but carrying an edge of finality.

”Everyone should leave the throne hall. Now~”

Alf smiled and nodded, bowing respectfully. Erinette shook her head slightly before bowing as well. Hesbeirn had already slipped out of the hall in a rush, waiting outside to stand guard, while the royal advisor and the Keeper of the Law followed closely behind.

Marcellus and Cedric flinched at the sight of their mother’s serious expression, exchanging a quick glance before bolting from the hall with awkward, sheepish smiles. Aelius and Heres followed close behind, not daring to look back.

Fransesca’s co-wives rose gracefully, offering respectful nods before slowly exiting. Mylezra paused, a flicker of worry crossing her face, but Fransesca smiled sweetly and reassured her.

”Don’t worry, Mylezra~ I will make sure he won’t be crippled~”

Meanwhile.

Outside the hall.

Javier walked ahead, both hands shoved casually into his pockets. Celine followed a few steps behind, close enough to be seen as part of his group, but maintaining a respectful distance. Ashara and Jiowara walked just behind her, escorted by a pair of Armand Royal Officers who kept a watchful, professional presence.

Javier noticed Marcellus and Cedric moving swiftly down the walkway, their expressions slightly harried. They were quickly followed by Aelius and Heres, who looked just as eager to put distance between themselves and the throne hall.

Hmm? What are they doing?

Javier paused, standing with his hands still in his pockets as he tilted his head, watching his brothers approach. Marcellus and Cedric spotted him and slowed, their expressions shifting from urgency to something more awkward.

”Brother Marcellus? Brother Cedric? Why are you both not...” Javier’s question trailed off as he glanced at Aelius and Heres, who offered nervous smiles in return. Aelius, usually calm and collected, seemed unusually flustered.

”What’s going on?”

Marcellus and Cedric exchanged a quick glance before both of them stepped forward, each slinging an arm around Javier’s shoulders. They pulled him a short distance away from the group, their voices dropping into low, amused whispers.

”Guess what just happened,” Marcellus said, a grin spreading across his face.

Cedric leaned in, his grin matching his brother’s. ”Father accidentally brought up the topic of you having children in front of Mother.”

Javier’s eyes widened. ”Really?”

Marcellus whispered something further, and Javier let out a long, weary exhale, shaking his head. ”Why did Father have to say that? He already knows Mother is sensitive about that topic.”

Marcellus crossed both hands behind his head, leaning casually against the wall, crossing one leg over the other. ”Who knows? You know how Father is.”

”Yeah,” Cedric added with a smirk, folding his arms.

Javier exhaled again, then turned when he noticed Celine glancing toward them, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

”Ah, right.” Javier gestured with his palm toward Celine. ”Everyone, this is Princess Celine of Divinity Nation.”

Celine stepped forward gracefully, offering a formal princess curtsy, her hands elegantly positioned at her sides, her head bowed respectfully.

Javier lazily gestured toward Marcellus, who was still leaning against the wall with both hands behind his head, grinning. ”This is the First Prince of Armand, Marcellus de Armand. The eldest among us.”

He then gestured toward Cedric, who stood calmly with one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, offering a polite nod. ”This is the Second Prince of Armand, Cedric de Armand. My second brother.”

He continued, gesturing toward Aelius. ”This is the Third Prince of Armand, Aelius de Armand.”

Finally, he gestured toward Heres. ”And this is the Fourth Prince of Armand, who also serves as the Interim Ruler of Arjam, Heres de Armand.”

Celine bowed with a graceful princess curtsy, her voice soft and polite.

”It is an honor to meet the esteemed princes of Armand. I am Princess Celine of Divinity Nation. I am grateful for the warm welcome your nation has extended to me.”

”Likewise, Princess Celine.”

Marcellus grinned, glancing between Celine and Javier before leaning in with a teasing tone. ”So~ This girl? Another addition to your harem, little brother?”

Javier rolled his eyes, shooting a flat sidelong glance at Marcellus. ”Don’t start, Marcellus.”

Marcellus chuckled, his grin widening. Cedric simply smiled and shook his head, while Aelius offered a polite, knowing smile. Heres gave a respectful nod, his expression calm and composed.

Javier exhaled, glancing toward the Second Grand Hall in the distance. ”So... the audience with the King is...?”

Aelius nodded, his voice calm and measured. ”Yes. It has been concluded for now. Father and Mother are still inside, but I believe they are... occupied.”

Marcellus and Cedric exchanged a knowing grin and began to turn, ready to leave, when Javier’s hands landed on both their shoulders, stopping them in place. He smiled innocently.

”Actually, brothers...”

Both of them turned, their expressions shifting into exaggerated, comical looks of displeasure.

”No.”

”Whatever it is, the answer is no.”

Javier’s eyes narrowed flatly. ”It’s not like I’m asking for help with something big. I just need you all to accompany Celine while I go talk to Father and Mother.”

Marcellus’s face contorted even further, as if he had just bitten into a sour lemon.

( End Of Chapter )