Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1618: Family Time and Absent Hearts ( 1618 )

Felicia sat beside her mother at the long table, her tail swaying slowly behind her as they chatted. Lograc, Kevira, and Kezzoth sat around them, their own tails relaxed, their drinks half-finished on the table.

Marcellus and Cedric approached. They both placed their palms over their left chests and bowed politely toward Thalia.

”Your Majesty. We hope we’re not interrupting your evening.”

Cedric offered a respectful nod. ”Our brothers would like to share a few drinks with the Princes of the Beastkin Nation, if you would allow it.”

Thalia let out a soft laugh, her tail swaying behind her.

”No need to be so formal, boys. You’re the Armand princes. We’re family now, aren’t we?” She gestured toward her sons and smiled at Marcellus. ”Go, enjoy yourselves. It’s a celebration, after all.”

Lograc’s eyes widened. ”M... Mother?”

Marcellus clapped a hand on Lograc’s shoulder and pulled him up from his seat.

”Come on, Lograc! Your mother already gave permission!”

He grinned.

”No running from drinks. Not tonight. It’s a party!”

Cedric pulled both Kevira and Kezzoth up from their seats, then nodded politely toward Thalia. ”Thank you, Your Majesty. We’ll make sure they enjoy themselves.”

Felicia’s tail twitched as she watched them be dragged along.

”Mother, are you sure you want to let them drink? You know how my brothers-in-law are. Marcellus and Cedric can drink for hours and still stand. They don’t stop until they’re completely drunk. Especially at a celebration like this. They’ll keep pouring until everyone’s on the floor.”

Thalia smiled. She lifted her glass and took a slow sip.

”Your father is a drinker too, Felicia. Especially when he’s with his old party. With your father-in-law and Veldrac, I’m sure the three of them will drink until they can barely stand.”

She tilted her head, her gaze drifting across the hall to where Lioness stood, laughing loudly with Garius, Veldrac, and Sythaeryn, a crowd of high-ranking delegates around them.

”It’s a celebration. There’s no need to be strict tonight.”

She murmured softly, her voice gentle.

”Your father rarely gets to drink like this. Same goes for your brothers. They don’t get these moments very often. Let them enjoy it.”

Felicia smiled, watching her brothers in the distance. Marcellus was already pouring drinks into their glasses with a grin, Cedric was lifting a plate of meat with one hand and a bottle with the other, and Aelius just shook his head at them before a glass was shoved into his mouth.

Just as Thalia was about to say something to her daughter, she turned her head, feeling someone touch her hand. She looked up to find all of Garius’s Queens standing there.

Thalia rose from her seat and smiled warmly.

”Your Majesties. What an honor. I hope the evening finds you all well.”

Garcinia waved her hand lightly.

”No need for such formalities, Thalia. We’re all family now, aren’t we? There’s no need for titles between us.”

Phenelopie smiled, stepping forward.

”Since our husbands are going to be busy drinking with yours, we thought we might keep each other company. Would you like to join us for a while?”

Thalia smiled.

”I would be glad to.”

Mylezra glanced at Felicia and smiled.

”Would you like to join us too, Felicia?”

Felicia rose from her seat, clasped both hands in front of her dress, and bowed slightly.

”Thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty. But I believe you all should enjoy your moment together. I was planning to see Liana after this.”

Thalia glanced at her daughter, then tilted her head slightly, her voice gentle.

”You sure, Felicia? You’ve been beside me all evening. I don’t mind if you want to stay with your co-wives, but... you don’t have to leave just because I’m going with them. You’re always welcome to join us.”

Felicia smiled.

”Yes, Mother. I’m sure.” She placed a hand lightly on her mother’s arm. ”You should enjoy yourself tonight. You rarely get moments like this. And you’ll have far better conversation with the Queens than with me.”

Mylezra smiled warmly.

”Then we shall leave the young ones to their own company. It is rare for us to gather without the weight of duty upon our shoulders, and rarer still to speak freely, as old friends do.” She inclined her head toward Thalia. ”Shall we, Your Majesty?”

Thalia smiled softly and inclined her head in return.

”I would be honored. Let us enjoy this evening while the men drown themselves in wine and boast of old glories.”

She turned back toward Felicia.

”I’ll be with the Queens. Enjoy your evening, my dear. And give my regards to Liana and the others.”

Felicia gave them a graceful bow as they left.

She watched them walk away together, moving through the hall.

She turned, glancing around. Liana was still seated with her sisters, one leg swung over both Qamara and Enania, while Azariah sat stiffly beneath her. Gloria was comforting her mother, who was still clinging to her. And Mimi was still playing with Buddy, along with Macia, Vivica, and the two elven children.

Felicia let out a soft exhale.

I wonder what Husband is doing right now.

I really want to go to him.

But he already said to us before.

”Don’t worry about me. I will be working on something for my upcoming mission. So you all just spend your time with your family. This chance is rare, and I won’t have you wasting it on me.”

He was right. I can’t disobey that.

We rarely gather with our families like this. This chance may not come again for a long time.

Especially since we live with Husband in the Armand Nation. So we probably have rare chances to go home and be with our families like this. The distance is not the problem, because I know pekko can carry us fast. But our duties keep us close to him. And he keeps us close because he wants us near.

She smiled softly and nodded toward a delegation that came to greet her, exchanging a few polite words before they moved on.

I wonder if he’s already eaten.

He’s alone in the building on the far side of the island. Working on something, probably. A new invention, a new mechanism, some new idea that captured his attention.

She let out a quiet sigh.

I hope he’s at least taking care of himself.

( End Of Chapter )