Reborn As Noble

Chapter 131 The Reluctant Scholar ( 131 )

”Ehhhh!? School!?” Javier shouted as he dramatically threw himself onto the nearest couch. ”I donʼt want to go!”

Lady Francesca, always patient, knelt beside her youngest son and gently brushed his messy black hair. ”Honey bun, itʼs just for three months.”

Javier sat up suddenly, his amber eyes wide with exaggerated fear. ”Noooo!! I donʼt want to!”

Francesca sighed softly but kept her calm smile. ”Honey bun… just for three months, okay?”

Javier crossed his arms and flopped back down, groaning dramatically. ”But Mother! Iʼve learned everything I need! Why do I have to go to school? School is boring… Just ask me anything, and Iʼll prove it!”

Francesca tilted her head, amused. ”Alright, honey bun. Whatʼs one hundred plus one hundred?”

Javier raised an eyebrow and smirked. ”Seriously, Mother? Two hundred. Is this even a question for me?”

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Her smile didnʼt change. ”Okay then, how about twelve times eighty-eight?”

Without hesitation, Javier replied, ”One thousand fifty-six.” He rolled his eyes. ”Mother, come on. Is this what the academy teaches? These questions are too easy for me.”

Francesca chuckled softly and lightly tapped his nose. ”Still, honey bun, itʼs important to go to school, meet other kids, and—”

”Blergh!” Javier stuck his tongue out playfully and buried his face in her lap. ”I donʼt need to socialize. I have Liana and Buddy!”

Francescaʼs expression softened as she stroked his hair gently. ”Just for three months, honey bun. Youʼll be fine, wonʼt you?”

Javier groaned, turning his face away. ”Nope. I wonʼt survive. Iʼll die of boredom.”

Before she could respond, he grinned mischievously and jumped off the couch, running toward the door. ”Catch me if you can, Mother!” he yelled, laughing as he dashed out.

Francesca shook her head, watching him disappear around the corner. ”That boy…” She smiled fondly. ”Such a handful.”

From the shadows, Lord Gariusʼs voice rumbled with a quiet chuckle. ”You let him get away too easily, Francesca.”

She glanced back at him with a knowing smile. ”Oh, heʼll come around. Eventually.”

Garius smirked. ”Eventually, huh? If heʼs anything like me, that might take a while.”

Francesca smiled serenely, her confidence strong. ”Heʼs more like me, dear. Heʼll listen… eventually.”

Lord Garius let out a deep sigh as he lay down on Francescaʼs lap, his tough demeanor softening under her gentle touch. She stroked his hair, her expression calm yet thoughtful.

”Hmmm…” Garius muttered, closing his eyes. ”I wonder how weʼll get him to school. I know he knows almost everything already, but he still needs a proper education.”

Francesca chuckled softly, tracing soothing patterns on his forehead. ”Itʼs not about what he knows, dear. Itʼs about making sure he can stand with his peers when the time comes.”

Garius opened one eye and smirked. ”A fancy way of saying we need to drag him there, certificate or not.”

She laughed, her voice light and melodic. ”Something like that. How about we ask Liana? Sheʼs the only one who might convince him without making a scene.”

Garius raised an eyebrow. ”Oh, thatʼs a good idea.” His smirk turned into a genuine smile as he touched her cheek.

Francesca leaned down, their eyes locking. Without saying a word, she pressed her lips to his in a tender kiss, her love evident in how she lingered.

When she finally pulled away, Garius chuckled, his voice warm with amusement. ”You always know how to convince me, donʼt you?”

Francesca smiled, brushing a stray hair from his face. ”Itʼs a talent, my dear. Now, rest. Tomorrow, weʼll talk to Liana and see what she thinks.”

Garius nodded, looking content. ”Fine, but if she canʼt do it, weʼre tying him up and dragging him there ourselves.”

Francesca laughed softly, shaking her head. ”Letʼs hope it doesnʼt come to that.”

Lord Garius let out a heavy sigh, his serious tone breaking the tender moment. ”I donʼt want to be seen as a father who sends some of his children to school while abandoning another. The other noble families will talk, and you know how rumors spread.”

Francescaʼs gaze softened as she cupped his cheek, her warm eyes meeting his. ”Youʼre not abandoning him, dear. Javier has always been… different. Youʼve given him the freedom to explore his talents in ways no school could provide.”

Garius frowned. ”I know, but people wonʼt see it that way. Even if I believe heʼs smarter and more capable than most scholars, appearances matter in our position.”

Francesca nodded slowly, understanding the weight of his responsibilities as both a father and a noble. ”Thatʼs why this isnʼt just about teaching him. Itʼs about showing the world that the Armand family values education and unity. If Javier attends, even for a short time, it will silence any whispers.”

Garius ran a hand through his hair, frustration and resignation on his face. ”Youʼre right, as always. Still, convincing that boy will be a challenge in itself.”

Francesca smiled gently. ”Leave that to Liana. She has a way with him that neither of us do. If anyone can get him to agree, itʼs her.”

Garius grinned faintly, shaking his head. ” Fine, letʼs see what she can do.”

Francesca leaned down again and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. ”Weʼll handle this together, my love. Just like we always do.”

”By the way, darling,” Francesca began, her fingers gently tracing patterns on Gariusʼs chest.

”Hmmm?” he replied lazily, enjoying the rare moment of peace.

”You should spend more time with Phenelopie this time. You know sheʼs pregnant now.”

Garius raised an eyebrow, his expression calm. ”Hmm? Itʼs still early. Iʼm not abandoning her. You all have your turns with me, and today is your turn, right? Out of the seven days, you get two, Garcinia gets two, and Phenelopie gets three since sheʼs expecting.”

Francesca gave him a pointed look. ”Still…”

Garius sighed, brushing a hand through his hair. ”I will, Francesca. When her belly grows bigger, Iʼll make sure to give her the extra attention she needs. For now, let me stick to the usual routine, alright?”

Francesca shook her head, a soft smile on her lips. ”Haa… Youʼre really stubborn sometimes.”

Garius smirked. ”Thatʼs why you fell for me, isnʼt it?”

Francesca chuckled lightly before leaning down to kiss him again, her lips lingering on his. ”Maybe. But that doesnʼt mean I wonʼt keep nagging you about it.”

”Francesca…”

”Yes, darling?” she replied softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead.

”Do you remember our loving days?” Garius asked, his voice tender.

Francesca smiled warmly. ”How could I ever forget?” Her eyes softened with memories.

Garius chuckled, a playful gleam in his gaze. ”Right? My lovely mage.”

She let out a soft laugh, leaning closer. ”And you, my ever-persistent knight. You always knew the right words to win me over.”

”It wasnʼt hard,” Garius teased. ”How could I not fall for the strongest and most beautiful mage in the kingdom?”

”Oh, stop,” Francesca said, lightly swatting his arm, her cheeks flushing pink.

Garius grinned, pulling her closer. ”I mean it, Francesca. Those days were the best of my life. And even now, they still are.”

Francesca nestled against him, her heart swelling. ”Mine too, Garius. Always.”

His hand brushed against her cheek, his playful grin shifting to something softer.

”Francesca…” he murmured, a hint of mischief in his tone.

She raised an eyebrow, recognizing that familiar glint in his eyes. ”Yes, darling?”

He leaned in closer, whispering teasingly, ”You know… itʼs been a while since we truly enjoyed our time together. What do you say?”

Francescaʼs face turned a shade pinker, but she smiled knowingly. ”Darling, you really are relentless.”

”Only because Iʼm hopelessly in love with you,” he quipped, his charm shining through.

Francesca laughed softly, shaking her head. ”Fine, but donʼt think youʼre getting out of your duties tomorrow.”

”Agreed,” Garius replied with a grin, pulling her into his arms.

They shared a quiet, loving moment, the room filled with warmth and affection—a bond that only grew stronger with time.

( End of Chapter )