Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1391: The Dream of a Big Family ( 1391 )

Armand Nation.

The Second Grand Hall in Armand Estate.

Garius sat upon the grand throne, his posture regal yet relaxed, one elbow resting on the armrest as he leaned his cheek against his knuckle. Beside him, Fransesca sat gracefully, her hands folded in her lap, a serene smile on her lips. His other wives, Garcinia, Phenelopie, Eridith, and Mylezra, were seated in elegant chairs arranged to the sides, their presence adding to the solemnity of the gathering.

Before them, his sons, Marcellus, Cedric, Aelius, and Heres, sat in orderly seats, their postures respectful and attentive, embodying the discipline of the Armand royal family.

Alf and Erinette stood at a measured distance behind the throne, their expressions calm and composed. Hesbeirn stood slightly apart, arms crossed, his sharp eyes scanning the hall. The royal advisor and Keeper of Armand Law stood nearby, a heavy tome tucked under his arm. At the pillars lining the hall, Armand Royal Guards stood at attention, their presence silent but imposing.

Garius let out a long, weary exhale, turning his head slightly to give Fransesca a sidelong glance.

“Where is Javier?”

Fransesca let out a soft laugh, covering her lips with her palm. “Dear~ You know how our youngest son is.”

Garius shook his head slowly, resting his chin on his palm. “I wonder why Javier insists on doing this in the Grand Hall when he could have simply brought those girls to my private office.”

Fransesca smiled, her voice gentle. “Oh, hush, dear~ Javier rarely makes such a request. Let him have his moment.”

Garius let out another sigh, his voice carrying a hint of mild complaint.

“Sigh… Javier could have just let her meet me the moment they arrived. And yet he insists on making this a whole formal affair, dragging her here today instead of last night.”

Alf, standing nearby, let out a quiet chuckle as he adjusted his glove and cuff. “Your Majesty, perhaps Prince Javier is finally learning to follow proper protocol. It is, after all, the correct way to present a foreign dignitary to the Sovereign.”

Garius turned his head slightly, still resting his chin on his palm, and gave Alf a flat look. “Don’t start.”

Alf smiled knowingly but said nothing more.

Garius leaned back lazily in his throne, his voice dropping into a weary murmur. “There’s a mountain of paperwork waiting for me that needs to be reviewed and stamped. I don’t have time for formalities.”

Erinette adjusted her maid outfit, smoothing the pristine white apron before speaking, her voice respectful yet firm. “Your Majesty… your posture should be more befitting of a king, especially during an official audience.”

Garius rolled his eyes, letting out an exaggerated exhale before begrudgingly adjusting his posture, sitting up straighter. He shot a flat, tired look toward Erinette.

“Ugh… Not you too, Erinette.”

Erinette clasped her hands in front of her, her voice unwavering. “I apologize, Your Majesty, but proper etiquette and decorum must be observed, especially when receiving a foreign dignitary for the first time. A king’s bearing reflects the strength of his nation. A slouched posture may be interpreted as weakness or disinterest.”

“Yes, yes…”

Garius’s other wives smiled softly, shaking their heads in quiet amusement. While Eridith sat comfortably in her seat, casually munching on a large piece of roasted meat, completely unbothered by the formal setting.

Fransesca shot a pointed look at Eridith, who nearly choked mid-chew before quickly averting her eyes.

“Eridith…”

“Y… yes, Fransesca?”

Fransesca pinched the bridge of her nose, letting out a slow, controlled breath. “When will you stop eating? You’ve already devoured an entire roast during breakfast.”

Eridith simply grinned, continued chewing her meat with cheerful defiance.

Garius shot a glance at Marcellus, Cedric, Aelius, and Heres, his voice carrying a hint of expectation.

“Speaking of which, all of you make sure to look after your wives properly. They’re pregnant, and I want to see my grandchildren soon. I wonder which of you will bear the first child.”

All four sons flinched in unison, averting their father’s gaze before nodding stiffly.

“Yes, Esteemed Father.”

Garius’s smirk widened as he rested his cheek on his knuckle, his gaze settling on Marcellus.

“Especially you, Marcellus,” Garius continued, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips as he rested his cheek against his knuckle. “A mother-daughter pair of Dark Elves… Harny and Lithia. You should feel lucky to have such devoted and beautiful women by your side.”

Marcellus’s cheeks flushed, and he lowered his gaze, unable to meet his father’s eyes.

Garius then turned his attention to Cedric.

“And you, Cedric. Make sure you take good care of my daughter-in-law, Meira, and Zania. Both of them have endured much. They deserve nothing less than your full devotion and care.”

“Yes, Esteemed Father.”

“Mmm… good.”

Garius nodded, his gaze shifting to Heres, his expression softening slightly.

“And you, Heres. I’ve heard reports that you’ve been spending a great deal of time with Kliatana. That is good news. But do not forget your responsibilities to govern Arjam. A ruler must balance his personal life with his duties.”

“Yes, Father,” Heres replied, his voice steady.

Garius smiled softly before turning his gaze to Aelius.

“And you, Aelius. How is your sister doing?”

Aelius’s expression softened, a gentle warmth in his eyes. “Athine is healthy, Father. She’s been resting well and taking care of herself. We are both looking forward to the birth of our first child.”

“Mmm…” Garius nodded, a faint, approving smile on his lips. “That is good to hear. Make sure she rests well.”

Fransesca glanced at her co-wives before turning to Garius with a teasing smile. “My, my~ You seem quite eager to see your grandchildren, dear.”

Garius smiled softly, his voice carrying a hint of warmth. “You know I was an orphan, Fransesca. A big family was always something I dreamed of. Seeing my children have children of their own… it’s a blessing I never take for granted.”

Fransesca tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. “Well, Garcinia is pregnant now, and we still have little Macia and Vivica growing up. And I believe Mylezra hasn’t had her cycle in a while, hmm?”

Mylezra’s cheeks tinted slightly, and she averted her eyes with a graceful, knowing smile.

Garius puffed his chest slightly, a proud, smug grin spreading across his face. “The more, the merrier. If fate allows, I’d welcome another dozen. A big, bustling family is a sign of a kingdom’s prosperity and happiness.”

He leaned back, his expression turning wistful. “And I also want to see Javier have his own children. I can already picture the little troublemakers running around.”

Before he could finish, Fransesca’s hand shot out, pinching his side hard. He flinched, turning to look at her.

Fransesca glared at him, her eyes wide and dangerously sharp, her voice dropping into a dangerously sweet hiss.

“No~ Honey bun will not be having any children until he has officially married all his girls and completed his claim on each of them.” Her expression softened, a hint of maternal longing in her eyes. “Besides… I still want to spend more time with my youngest son.”

( End Of Chapter )

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