Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1342: Whispers and Screams ( 1342 )

Vane smirked, resting his elbow on the armrest and his cheek on his knuckle as he studied her.

”Who do you think I am, Your Highness? You don’t need to worry about that. Everything is already in motion.”

He gestured with his other hand, a sly smirk playing on his lips. ”Your Highness? If you please?”

Celine raised an eyebrow before snapping her fingers gracefully, deactivating the silencing skill. As the shimmer faded, a low rumble echoed from outside, followed by the sound of crumbling stone.

”Hmm? What was that noise?” Celine asked, her eyes narrowing.

Vane stood up, adjusting his outfit before walking slowly toward the door. He paused, glancing over his shoulder with a confident smirk.

”Something interesting is happening, Your Highness. I’m sure it will make for an interesting entry in the official report.”

Just as Celine was about to say something, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside the door, followed by muffled voices.

Vane smirked, clasping both hands behind his back as he glanced at Celine.

”Your Highness, I would humbly suggest for you to remain here for a few more days before departing. This will allow me to arrange certain... accommodations for your journey. It will benefit us both, and more importantly, it will prevent any unwanted eyes from suspecting your true purpose, and ensure that no reports reach certain... ears.”

Celine raised her fan, covering her lips as she replied in a measured, royal tone.

”Very well, Sir Vane. I shall accept your hospitality for two or three days, but no longer. I trust that will be sufficient.”

”More than sufficient, Your Highness.” Vane’s smirk widened. ”I trust you will find the performance I have prepared to be quite... enlightening.”

After the brief exchange, the sound of hurried footsteps grew louder, and the door burst open.

”Sir Vane!!!”

Vane was standing calmly, pretending to review a document, while Celine sat gracefully, sipping her tea as if nothing had happened.

The soldier panted, quickly straightening and saluting Celine first. ”Pardon me, Your Highness!” He then turned to Vane, standing at attention. ”Sir Vane, we have a problem! A section of the east battlement is collapsing!”

”What!?” Vane’s eyes widened in feigned shock. He dropped the document and rushed toward the door, his expression turning serious. ”Show me where! Now!”

Celine stood gracefully, her fan still in hand, and followed them from behind, her steps measured and calm.

My my~ What a performance. No wonder none of the heroes suspect a thing. His act is so convincing that even I would have believed it without a closer investigation.

Meanwhile, in Armand Nation.

Armand Estate.

Javier walked along the hallway, his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes fixed on the floor as he muttered to himself.

”Who’s the target? Who are they supposed to kill? Every guess I make leads to another dead end... Damn it...”

He scratched his head in frustration, unable to find the answer.

Fransesca walked gracefully along the same hallway, escorted by a group of elite maids. She noticed her youngest son muttering to himself and scratching his head, clearly deep in thought.

A sly smile crossed her lips as she quietly snuck up behind him, her steps silent as a cat. But she paused when she heard him mumble softly.

”Who is it? Who’s the one those Abyss Spirits’ heroes are targeting? Who humiliated Zeyrinda, Maekaria, and Rafazelia?”

Her smile faded, replaced by a cold, sharp glare. Her aura flared, and in one swift motion, she locked his head and neck from behind, gripping him firmly. She leaned forward, her lips brushing against his ear as she spoke in a low, terrifying voice.

”Arara~ How dare my son mutter those names? Don’t tell me... my little honey bun is starting to take a liking to those bitches?”

Javier stiffened, his eyes widening in panic. ”Eeeeekkk!!! Mother!!! I didn’t!!!”

”Uuu~ Don’t tell me my honeybun is falling in love with those whores~” she cooed, turning her head to glance at his face while still gripping his head and neck in a dangerous lock. Her smile was sweet, but her eyes held a deadly edge.

”M-Mother! I didn’t! I swear!”

”I don’t mind if my son chases after more women and adds to his harem,” she continued, her voice still sweet, ”But if you start taking a liking to any of those names...” Her grip tightened, her eyes glinting dangerously. ”Then you should be prepared to die here. And I wouldn’t mind being the one to grant it.”

”Gyaaaaarrrhhh!!! Motherrrr!!!” Javier tapped frantically on her arm, his voice desperate. ”I’m not! I’m sorry! I surrender! I’ll explain! I’ll explain everything!”

The maids who had been escorting Fransesca quickly turned away, pretending to dust off a nearby painting and rearrange a vase, their faces carefully neutral as Javier’s screams echoed through the entire estate.

After a while.

Francesca dusted off both her hands, looking down at her youngest son, who lay flat on the floor, his finger twitching slightly.

”Sob sob... I didn’t do anything wrong...”

”Hmm? Did you say something, Honeybun~?”

”Eeeeekkk!!! I’ll explain, Mother! I’ll explain!”

”Good~” Fransesca grabbed his collar and effortlessly dragged him along the floor. ”You will explain everything to me, and tell me where you heard those names.” She paused, glancing over her shoulder at him, her eyes sharp. ”And if I find out you’ve been thinking about falling in love with those whores, I will really kill you.”

Javier swallowed hard before saluting, a sheepish grin on his face. ”I won’t, Mother! Don’t worry! My taste and standards are high! They have to be as beautiful as Liana, and most importantly, approved by you, Esteemed Mother! Ehehehe~”

”Good. That’s my honeybun~” she cooed, her tone sweet again. ”Now, now~ Let’s go to my study room, and you will explain everything to me~”

She dragged him by the collar, his body scraping along the polished floor as he let out a soft, resigned sigh.

”Yes, Mother...”

Meanwhile...

In the distance, Garius watched as Javier was dragged away by Fransesca, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. He swallowed hard before turning to Alf.

”Alf...”

”Yes, Your Majesty?”

”I... I forgot to tell Javier not to mention those names in front of Fransesca.”

Alf smiled softly, while Erinette, standing at Garius’s left side, let out a quiet sigh and shook her head. Alf cleared his throat before speaking.

”May I suggest visiting the Gaze City military headquarters? Or perhaps, Your Majesty, we could tour the nearby villages and towns to check on the people and ensure everything is in order? It might be wise to allow some... ’cooldown’ time before returning to the estate.”

Garius nodded, a relieved smile spreading across his face. ”That’s a good idea. Yes, let’s do that.”

”Very well, Your Majesty.” Alf smiled, bowing slightly. ”I will arrange everything within minutes and prepare the escort team.”

( End Of Chapter )