Reborn As Noble

As the doors to the dining hall opened, a heavy presence filled the room. Lord Garius entered, his expression composed, and strode confidently toward the head of the table.

The moment he sat down, everyone at the table straightened instinctively, the air thick with anticipation. His gaze swept across his family before he lifted his glass.

”Today, we celebrate Javier’s birthday… and his successful blessing ceremony.”

He raised his glass slightly. ”All toast.”

The entire family lifted their glasses, voices overlapping as they echoed their lord’s words. ”To Javier.”

Meanwhile, behind Garius, Alf and Erinnete stood casually, ever watchful and prepared for any situation.

After a moment of quiet sipping, Francesca turned toward Javier, her voice gentle. ”Honey bun?”

Javier blinked, momentarily caught off guard. ”Yes, Mother?”

Francesca smiled softly, her eyes warm. ”Why didn’t you want a grand celebration like the others? We could have arranged a noble party, just like how your siblings had theirs.”

The room fell into a hush, all eyes on Javier. He scratched his cheek awkwardly, feeling the weight of their gazes. ”Err… it’s just…”

His eyes darted around the table, searching for the right words. ”I don’t really like parties…”

Then, he hurriedly added, ”Besides! Holding a noble party costs a lot. It’s better if the money is used for something else… ehehe.”

Garius, who had been casually sipping his drink, lowered his glass. His sharp gaze locked onto Javier. ”Like what?”

Javier froze, the question hanging heavily in the air. After a moment of hesitation, he stammered, ”Umm… umm… maybe… bonus pay for our staff?”

The room went silent, tension thickening as Garius’s expression remained unreadable. Then, he asked again, ”All of them?”

Javier nodded quickly, his heart racing. ”Umm… yea… if you don’t mind… Esteemed Father.”

A brief pause followed, and then—

Garius smirked slightly, a glint of approval in his eyes. ”Hmm. Very well.”

He turned to Alf. ”Alf.”

Alf stepped forward, his demeanor respectful. ”Yes, my lord?”

”Calculate the cost of holding a noble party.” Garius’s voice remained calm yet firm. ”From that amount, arrange a bonus payment for every staff member—based on their length of service.”

His gaze swept the table, ensuring everyone understood the gravity of his words. ”Include everyone. Staff, maids, personal maids, guards, soldiers… every single member of the household.”

Alf bowed slightly, a look of determination on his face. ”As you wish, my lord.”

Javier blinked, surprise washing over him. He hadn’t expected that. But—

A grin slowly spread across his face. Heh. Not bad.

Garius set down his glass, his tone final. ”Now… everyone, eat.”

The atmosphere eased immediately, the tension dissipating. At once, every personal maid moved in sync, arranging plates, serving food, and pouring wine into glasses with trained precision.

Javier grinned as Liana carefully placed a generous portion of meat onto his plate. ”Ohhh! Yummy yum yum… ehehe!”

Without hesitation, he dove in—munching eagerly. The rich flavor of roasted meat melted in his mouth, a delightful burst of savory goodness.

Liana chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. ”Young Master, please chew properly.”

Javier waved his fork lazily, his mouth full. ”Mmmhmm~”

Francesca watched her son with quiet amusement, sipping her wine and enjoying the lively atmosphere. Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Eridith was tearing into her food like a beast, completely disregarding noble etiquette.

Marcellus and Cedric, already accustomed to her antics, pretended not to see, exchanging amused glances.

The sound of clinking plates and casual chatter filled the dining hall, marking the joyful start of Javier’s birthday feast.

As the lively feast continued, Eridith suddenly spoke up, her voice playfully teasing. ”So… Me and Garius’s marriage date?”

She grinned, her sharp eyes locking onto Francesca. ”As you promised, it’s after this boy’s blessing ceremony, right? Hehe~”

Javier paused mid-bite, his fork hovering in the air.

Garius gulped, visibly tensing.

Francesca, calm as ever, simply nodded. ”Yes, yes, Eridith.”

Garius, still holding his wine glass, stiffened even further.

Then Francesca continued, ”In two weeks.” She took a graceful sip of wine, a picture of poise.

”The invitations will be handed out to all noble households.”

A brief silence fell over the table, the weight of her words settling in.

Then Francesca added, ”But…” Her eyes twinkled slightly, hinting at mischief. ”We won’t tell them your true identity.”

Eridith snickered, leaning back in her chair with an amused glint in her eyes. ”Hehe~ I don’t mind that… just put ’Eridith & Garius’ on the invitations.”

She glanced at Garius, who seemed entirely focused on drinking his wine as if it were the most critical task at hand.

Javier, watching this unfold, couldn’t help but grin mischievously. Heh… Father looks like he’s facing his greatest battle yet.

Francesca set down her wine glass, her voice calm yet firm as she shifted the conversation. ”While we’re on the topic…” Her gaze swept across the table before landing on her three sons. ”Marcellus. Cedric. Javier.”

The three straightened instinctively. ”Yes, Mother?” they responded in unison.

Francesca smiled gracefully. ”Do you have any problem with my best friend marrying your father and becoming your stepmother?”

Marcellus, ever composed, shook his head. ”No, Mother.”

Cedric grinned slightly, clearly amused. ”I don’t mind at all, Mother.”

Francesca nodded in approval, her smile warm. Then her gaze turned to Javier.

Javier froze, feeling the weight of her attention. ”…Err… err…”

A heavy pressure radiated from his right. Slowly, he turned his head to find Lord Garius staring at him—silent and intense.

Javier gulped. ’Why does it feel like I’m holding this old man’s last hope?’

He shifted uncomfortably under Garius’s unwavering gaze. Then, mustering his courage, he managed to say, ”…I don’t… mind?”

A long, defeated sigh escaped Garius. He rubbed his temples, looking utterly exhausted. ’Damn it… I was hoping he’d say no to this wedding… yet… ugh.’

Javier tilted his head, a little surprised. ’Huh?… So Father really didn’t want this, huh?’

Meanwhile, Eridith’s grin widened. ”Hehe~ It’s settled then!”

Francesca tilted her head slightly, her elegant smile unwavering. ”As Lord Garius’s first wife, I don’t see any problem with him adding another wife.”

She took a slow sip of her wine before glancing toward the other two wives. ”Right, Garcinia? Phenelopie? Hmmm?”

Both women stiffened slightly at her inquiry. Garcinia, who had been quietly cutting her steak, froze mid-slice. Phenelopie, just having taken a sip of juice, nearly choked, her eyes widening in surprise.

They both darted their gazes toward Garius, as if silently pleading for him to object.

But—

Garius said nothing. He merely sat there, his expression unreadable.

Garcinia cleared her throat, her voice timid. ”Umm… yes…”

Phenelopie quickly nodded in agreement. ”Yes… of course.”

Eridith, leaning forward with a grin, chimed in, ”Hehe~ I’m glad we all agree!”

Garius closed his eyes for a moment, already sensing a headache coming on.

Francesca set down her wine glass elegantly. Then—her smile widened, taking on a more predatory edge. ”Now… if anyone has any questions about this arrangement…”

She slowly lifted her fork. ”Or any protests…”

CRACK.

The metal fork bent effortlessly under the delicate grip of her fingers, a startling contrast to her noble demeanor.

A gentle smile from a noblewoman. A terrifying amount of strength reflected in her grip.

The dining hall fell into complete silence.

Garcinia and Phenelopie quickly looked away, avoiding any further eye contact. Marcellus and Cedric pretended to focus intently on their food, their faces a mask of casual indifference.

Even Eridith, usually so fearless, blinked in mild surprise at the show of power.

As for Javier? He gulped, his eyes wide. ’Okaaaay… remind me never to make Mother mad.’

He slowly stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth, chewing silently, hoping to remain unnoticed.

Garius rubbed his temple again, an all-too-familiar expression of resignation on his face. ’Haaah… I knew it. No one would dare to protest now…’

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Francesca turned her gaze toward Phenelopie, her tone softer yet firm. ”And Phenelopie?”

Phenelopie straightened slightly, a hint of apprehension in her posture. ”Yes… Francesca?”

Francesca’s smile remained warm, but her eyes held the weight of authority. ”You need to eat healthy food and get proper rest.” Her tone left no room for argument. ”You’re expecting any time soon.”

Phenelopie instinctively pressed a hand to her stomach, surprise flickering across her face.

A brief silence followed, the implications of Francesca’s words settling in the air.

Then—Phenelopie nodded obediently. ”Yes… I understand.”

Francesca gave a satisfied nod, returning to her meal as if nothing had happened, her demeanor returning to that of a gracious host.

Meanwhile, Javier blinked, a thought crossing his mind. ’Huh… she handled that effortlessly.’

Even Garius remained silent, recognizing the authority Francesca wielded in the family. After all, she had already made the final decision.

( End of Chapter )