Reborn As Noble

Francesca smiled sweetly, her steps graceful as she approached Javier.

”My, my~ honeybun~”

She stopped in front of him and looked down, the warmth in her voice vanishing as her aura and glare became almost suffocating.

Javier could only swallow hard, frozen on his knees, unable to look away or even move.

”Didn’t I and your father, already tell you not to worry about the Power of Destruction or Hand of Creation user, hmm?”

He gulped again, still speechless, his body refusing to respond.

Francesca’s tone sharpened with every word.

”THIS. IS. BECAUSE. ALL. THE. POWER. USERS. ARE. RIGHT. HERE. IN. THE. ARMAND. FAMILY!!!”

”Eeeekkkk!! I’m sorry!”

Javier instantly dove into a perfect dogeza, forehead pressed to the ground.

Her presence became so heavy, the air itself seemed to vibrate. One by one, everyone around dropped to their knees, Liana, Gloria, and the other girls who had just reached the training field found themselves pinned to the ground by the pressure. Even Alf, Erinnette, Hesbeirn, and all the elite units were kneeling, heads bowed.

Garius quietly slipped over and wrapped his arms around Francesca from behind, his own smile apologetic.

”My love... I’m sorry... please forgive me~?”

”Hmph! I already told you not to use illusion skills to trick our son! If I hadn’t been here, this whole place would be in chaos!”

While Javier remained pressed to the ground in perfect dogeza, his mind spun.

How the hell can Father walk so easily toward Mother!?

He glance up just a little and caught a glimpse of Garius’s leg.

It was shivering.

Gihh!! Even Father feels the pressure?

Javier’s eyes went wide.

Damn it! That means Mother is at the top of the food chain! No one can beat her!

He pressed his forehead even lower to the ground, feeling his entire body tremble.

What the hell just happened to me?

I’ve never shivered like this, not even in a real fight.

”Now, honey bun~” Francesca’s voice rang out, syrupy-sweet but carrying the weight of a threat.

”Y-yes! Esteemed Mother!!” Javier squeaked, still shuddering.

”I believe you still want to know about the ancient power users?”

Javier fell silent, too scared to move.

Francesca glanced back over her shoulder at Garius. ”Now, dear~ I believe this little test is finished?”

”Umm... err...”

”It’s done, right~?”

”Y-yes!...actually, I think I need to... check the office. About paperwork. Lots of paperwork!” Garius stammered, planting a trembling kiss on Francesca’s cheek before carefully retreating toward the manor.

Francesca finally let her heavy aura fade. Alf and Erinnette both stood at once, bowing respectfully before calmly following Garius inside.

Hesbeirn straightened and gave a stiff bow. ”My lady... I’ll be going.”

Francesca smiled and nodded, arms still folded across her chest. Her gaze returned to Javier, who was still frozen in dogeza.

”Now, now, honey bun~ You’ll come see me after breakfast. In my room.”

”Y-yes, esteemed Mother...” Javier replied, voice barely a whisper, still frozen in place.

After his mother finally walked away, Javier who still in dogeza, let out a shaky breath of relief.

Damn. I had no idea she was this scary... And I didn’t even know she was stronger than Father. I’ve never seen him tremble like that.

Even if he tries to hide it behind his usual calm and serious face... his legs were shaking so much.

He glanced up, cautiously scanning the training field.

All around him, people were slowly starting to get up, legs wobbling, faces pale.

No wonder Father never argues with her in public. Crap... that pressure was just on a whole different level.

Javier finally push himself upright, still feeling his knees tremble.

Ah... I think I need a break.

And Mother wants to see me in her room... after breakfast. Just great.

He looked up at the sky, letting out a tiny, dramatic sigh.

Let’s just hope... I survive this. Sob sob...

Glancing around, he spotted Liana, Gloria, and all his other future wives shakily getting to their feet. They looked just as rattled, brushing dust off their skirts, glancing his way.

Ah... I’m sorry, my beautiful wives. Because of me, you all got dragged into this mess...

He paused.

Wait... It’s not even my fault! Gih! It’s Father who started all this! Ugh...

...

Whatever.

He ran a hand through his hair and struck his best ikemen pose, masking the chaos inside.

”Well, time to go greet my beautiful harem~” Javier declared, striding off with all the confidence.

He walked straight toward Liana and Gloria, who were still dusting themselves off. Liana looked up at him, worry etched across her delicate features.

”Young master...”

”Hm?” Javier offered her a gentle smile, trying to put her at ease.

”What just happened?” she asked, voice soft but insistent.

”Ah, don’t worry too much about that, Liana.” Javier reached out, lifting her chin so their eyes met. ”It’s just the usual test from Father, and Mother. Nothing you need to stress about.”

”Really?” Liana pressed, uncertainty lingering in her eyes.

Before Javier could answer, Gloria wrapped her arms around him from the side, pulling him close.

Javier chuckled and hugged them both, doing his best to radiate calm. ”Hey~ you all know how Father is. Always popping up with some new surprise test. Don’t worry too much.”

Liana and Gloria nestled against his shoulders, drawing comfort from his presence. Felicia, Mimi, and Delya moved in as well, forming a tight, reassuring group hug.

”Hey, hey~ what’s this?” Javier teased, squeezing them gently. ”Come on, it’s just the usual Armand-style test. You girls don’t need to worry about anything, I’m right here.”

I love being surrounded by girls who love and cherish me like this, he thought, heart lightening. I love every one of them. Ah~ I can’t wait to turn adult and marry all of them...

Suddenly.

Growl~

Javier’s stomach made itself known. He rubbed the back of his head, grinning sheepishly as Liana and the others looked up in surprise.

”Err... I’m hungry,” he admitted.

Liana exhaled softly, her smile returning. ”Come, young master. It’s time for breakfast.”

”Mmm... okay~” Javier replied, letting Liana and Gloria guide him as the group headed back toward the manor.

But after a few steps, Javier stopped, rubbing the back of his neck. ”Um... can we eat at the balcony today? I... I don’t think I can handle the main dining room right now.”

”Why not?” Gloria asked, concern in her tone.

Javier laughed awkwardly. ”Ehehe... you know, with Mother’s mood, and, well, I should probably brace myself before I see her again after breakfast.”

Liana and Gloria exchanged knowing glances, stifling their own smiles.

”Alright, young master,” Liana said gently. ”The balcony it is.”

Felicia, Mimi, and Delya nodded in agreement, happy to follow him.

( End Of Chapter )