Reborn As Noble

”Now all of you. Go eat. The food’s getting cold,” Javier said softly, brushing off the last hint of tension.

”Mmm...” Liana nodded, still clung gently to his arm.

Javier smiled and caressed her head, then leaned in to kiss her lips.

Liana quietly leaned up to meet him halfway, returning the kiss with a soft flutter of her eyes.

He pulled back with a small smile. ”Now, go eat. Heat up the food first if it’s gone cold. I’m heading out to meet Athine.”

Just as he turned, Gloria tugged at his sleeve.

He glanced at her. ”What?”

”...Only Liana gets her kiss?”

Javier let out a soft chuckle, then leaned in and kissed her lips gently.

Behind them, the other girls were already waiting.

I don’t mind that Ferine left me. But these girls... I can’t lose them. Especially Liana. She’s been with me the longest. And Gloria, the second longest.

If Liana ever left me... I’d be crushed. I’d really be sad.

After giving each of them a kiss, one by one, he took a step back and smiled.

”Now go eat. And don’t worry too much, alright?” he said, voice calm but reassuring. ”I won’t be long. Okay?”

Javier walked calmly down the hallway toward Athine’s room.

Since Liana and the others are eating now, I should head over and ask Athine how she wants her dress to be designed, something special for her. And maybe get a few ideas for Aelius’s tuxedo too.

Once he reached her door, he raised a hand and knocked three times.

”Athine. It’s me,” Javier called out casually.

He heard a muffled sound from inside.

Ah... they’re both probably busy kissing right now.

He smirked, straightened his posture, and channeled mana into his throat.

Adjusting his tone, lower, smoother, more refined, he shifted into a perfect imitation of Alf.

”Ahem. Testing... testing.”

He knocked twice again, this time with a firm, measured rhythm.

”Excuse me, Princess Athine,” he said in Alf’s calm, formal tone. ”His Majesty requests your presence immediately.”

From inside came a loud gasp and giggle, followed by the sound of hurried movement.

Javier chuckled. ”Ehehehehe...”

The door creaked open.

Aelius stepped out, adjusting his collar, his voice already calm and composed. ”Forgive me, Sir Alf. I was occupied and didn’t...”

He froze mid-sentence.

Standing before him was Javier, arms crossed, a smug grin plastered across his face.

”...You,” Aelius exhaled, his expression flat.

From behind him, Athine let out a soft, elegant laugh.

”I told you that voice belonged to our little brother,” she said, stepping forward with her usual grace. ”But you didn’t believe me.”

Javier tilted his head slightly, eyes gleaming.

”Oho~ My deepest apologies, Princess... and Prince,” he said with exaggerated politeness. ”I didn’t know the two of you were... busy.”

Aelius sighed, but Athine merely smiled.

She stood directly in front of Javier, placing a palm gently on her cheek and tilting her head, her poise effortless, every movement a reflection of her refined beauty.

”Don’t tease your brother like that,” she said sweetly. ”What if he has a heart attack?”

Her fingers slipped down to rest softly over her belly.

”And who would be the father of this child then, hmm?” she added, her voice silky, eyes twinkling. ”I have no desire to become a widow so soon.”

Javier raised a brow and shot Aelius a sly grin.

”Heh... please. Like I don’t know this guy is as healthy as his own pekko. Not a single weak bone in his body.”

”Anyway,” Javier began, brushing off the earlier teasing, ”I came to discuss the wedding dress. If you both have time...”

But before he could finish, a calm, familiar voice echoed from behind.

”Good day, Prince Javier. Princess Athine.”

Alf approached from the hallway, his steps even and composed. He gave a slight bow, his palm pressed against his left chest, before turning his gaze toward Aelius.

”Prince Aelius,” Alf said with his usual stern tone, ”His Majesty requests your presence in his chamber. Do not be late.”

Without waiting for a reply, Alf offered a curt nod and continued down the hall with precise, measured steps.

Javier exhaled and wiped a bead of sweat from his temple.

”Phew... for a second I thought Father was calling me.”

Then he turned to Aelius with a crooked grin.

”Go on, brother. We all know none of us can make him wait.”

Aelius let out a small sigh, but his gaze shifted to Athine with softened eyes. He stepped closer and leaned in.

Athine gracefully lift up her toe, met him halfway. Their lips touched in a quiet kiss, intimate, and filled with quiet understanding.

Javier watched in silence.

He didn’t know why, but for some reason, his heart felt lighter just seeing them like this.

Together.

Happy.

And real.

As their lips parted, Aelius turned to Javier, his expression calm.

”Don’t fall for Athine. She’s mine.”

Javier raised a brow, then chuckled, letting out a soft laugh.

”Even if she is the most beautiful flower in the kingdom, I can’t and I won’t,” he said with a grin. ”She was yours from the start.”

He leaned slightly, smirking. ”Besides, I already have five beautiful girls of my own.”

Athine gave a soft, graceful laugh and playfully slapped Aelius’s arm. ”You worry too much. I won’t fall for anyone else, you know.”

”Mm... I’ll go now,” Aelius said gently, glancing at her stomach. ”Don’t overdo it. Think about our child too.”

Athine nodded. ”I will.”

Aelius turned to leave, but paused at the doorway, squinting back over his shoulder.

”And don’t try anything funny while I’m gone.”

Javier’s grin only widened.

”Too late.”

He stepped forward dramatically, took Athine’s hand in his own, and lowered his lips to the back of it, giving it a slow, exaggerated kiss.

”Aah~ what a vision of beauty before me,” he said in a dramatically romantic voice, eyes gleaming with mischief, ”the moment I laid eyes upon you, I knew it was love at first sight. Please~ tell me you’re not taken, and allow me the honor of knowing your name...”

Athine blinked, then broke into a graceful laugh, playing along with a melodramatic sigh.

”My~ how romantic~”

Aelius’s jaw tightened. ”Little brother...!”

”Ahahahaha!” Javier burst out laughing.

Athine couldn’t hold back either, her laughter echoed gracefully through the hallway, her hand covering her mouth as she leaned into Aelius’s side to calm him down.

( End Of Chapter )