Reborn As Noble

Liana bowed her head politely, her voice calm and proper.

”Lady Mother, it would be improper of me to leave you here alone while the rest of us rest. If you wish, I can remain by your side until the afternoon passes. It would not feel right to abandon you when you came all this way to spend time with us.”

Fransesca smiled softly, her expression warm and gentle.

”Liana~ There’s no need for that, dear. Go rest. You don’t need to worry about me.” She tilted her head up and glanced at Javier, her smile turning playful. ”Are you going to join them, Honey Bun?”

Javier shook his head, letting out his usual cheeky grin. He leaned back against the tree, stretching his arms overhead before letting them drop lazily to his sides.

”No. I want to stay out here. Enjoy the ocean breeze. Watch the waves. Maybe take a short walk on the beach. Napping inside feels like a waste of this perfect afternoon. Besides, I’ve always preferred being outside.”

Fransesca placed one finger on her chin, her expression turning thoughtful.

”In that case...”

She glanced toward Liana, a soft, pure smile on her lips.

”I’ll be with my Honey Bun, if you don’t mind, Liana. He can keep me company this afternoon. We’ll sit together, talk, watch the ocean. That way, I won’t be alone, and you can rest easy.”

Liana smiled and bowed slightly again, her voice carrying quiet gratitude.

”I don’t mind at all, Lady Mother. In fact, I’m relieved. I was worried about leaving you alone. Knowing that you’ll be with Young Master puts my mind at ease. Please enjoy your time together.”

Fransesca’s smile widened.

”Thank you, Liana. You’re truly a wonderful daughter-in-law.”

Liana smiled, bowing her head gracefully.

”Then I shall go and prepare some drinks and snacks for Lady Mother before I rest. It would not feel right to leave you without refreshments.”

”Oh, hush, Liana~” Fransesca waved her hand lightly, her smile warm and playful. ”I know my Honey Bun has plenty of drinks, snacks, sweets, and even books stored away in that dimensional storage of his. He can prepare everything for me. You go rest now, dear.”

Liana smiled and bowed her head gracefully.

”Thank you, Lady Mother.”

She turned toward Javier and nudged him gently, glancing at him with a knowing look.

”Make sure Lady Mother is well taken care of, Young Master.”

”Sheesh, Liana. She’s my mother. Of course I will.”

Javier chuckled before planting a soft kiss on her cheek. Liana’s eyes widened, and she slapped his arm, hissing softly under her breath.

”Mother-in-law is right here, Young Master!”

She quickly turned back to Fransesca and bowed, her cheeks still faintly flushed.

”Lady Mother, I’ll take my leave now.”

”Okay, Liana. Rest well~”

They both watched Liana walk gracefully toward the portable building, her silver hair swaying with each step. She reached the entrance, glanced back once with a warm smile, and disappeared inside.

Fransesca turned her gaze toward Javier, tilting her head with a playful smile.

”So, Honey Bun~ What are you going to do now?”

”Hmm... if I walk on the beach during this hot afternoon, even if I can use magic to cool my surroundings, it won’t be fun. It won’t feel natural.” He glanced toward the long couch under the tree, nestled among beautiful bushes. ”Maybe I’ll go relax there. What about you, Mother? What do you want to do?”

Fransesca tapped her chin thoughtfully, her eyes glinting with playful mischief.

”I don’t know, Honey Bun~ Want me to pamper you like always~?”

Javier narrowed his eyes, a flicker of suspicion crossing his features.

”Mother...”

”What~? You like it, don’t you~”

Fransesca raised one finger and tapped the tip of his nose lightly, her smile teasing and warm.

”Ugh!”

Javier turned and walked toward the long couch under the tree, his shoulders slightly hunched in defeat. Fransesca followed behind him, her steps light and graceful, her smile never fading. The beach towel wrapped around her swayed gently with each step.

When they arrived, Javier snapped his fingers. A small table materialized beside the couch. He turned to Fransesca.

”Mother. Is there anything you’d like?”

”Mm~”

Fransesca tapped her chin, her eyes still fixed on his, while her other hand slowly reached for his hand.

”Maybe something good to drink. Especially since we’re at the beach. And perhaps one of your story books I could read.”

Javier smiled and shook his head. He snapped his fingers again. A selection of fruit wines appeared on the table, along with delicate glasses, cool and dewy, and a few illustrated story books he had written himself.

Fransesca gave him a playful, narrowed look.

”Fruit wine? And here I thought you were going to give me something refreshing. You’re not planning to make your own mother drunk, are you~? Hmm~?”

Javier gave her a flat, disbelieving face, staring at her for a long moment.

”No! Ugh! Stop joking like that!” He let out a weary exhale, rubbing the back of his neck. ”You asked me what you wanted but you didn’t actually tell me what you wanted. So I just summoned everything expensive I had stored away. Fruit wine, the best ones I have. You can pick whatever you like.”

He reached for a bottle, popped the cork open with his thumb with a loud, satisfying pop, and poured the fruit wine into a glass. He took a gulp, then jumped onto the long cushion with his usual cheeky energy, leaning back and glancing at the ocean.

”Mother.”

”Hmm~?”

”What did you really come here for?”

Fransesca raised her palm toward her lips, her voice light and playful.

”Ara~ Honey Bun~ I don’t know what you’re talking about~”

She let out a soft, melodic chuckle, the sound carried away by the ocean breeze. She turned her gaze toward the horizon, watching the waves roll gently onto the shore.

”I just wanted to spend time with my beautiful daughters-in-law. Nothing more~”

Javier leaned forward, his eyes still fixed on the ocean, his voice dropping even lower.

”If you really came here to hang out with Liana and the others, you would have already headed toward the building I summoned for them. But you didn’t. You waited. You stayed. And you’re being... subtle about something.”

Fransesca stood nearby, her smile softening. She turned her gaze toward the ocean, her golden-brown hair flowing gently in the wind, catching the afternoon light. She was silent for a long moment before she spoke, her voice quiet and thoughtful.

”There’s something I want you to do.”

( End Of Chapter )