Reborn As Noble

After a while, Francesca was enjoying Javier resting peacefully on her lap.

”Now now, honey bun~ Today is your father’s big day. Go wash up and get ready.”

Javier smiled, gazing up at his beautiful mother. The one person in this world who had never changed since the day he was reborn here.

”Mother?”

”Yes, honey bun~”

”About what you said earlier...”

”Hmm? Which part? About you abandoning me in the forest? Are you actually thinking of doing that~?” Francesca touched the tip of his nose playfully with her delicate finger.

”No!!! I would never do that!” Javier turned his face back into her lap, his voice muffled but sincere.

”Tehe~” Francesca chuckled softly.

”It’s about what you said... about Father marrying another girl,” Javier said, nestling deeper into her lap.

”Oh? Why?” Francesca smiled, tilting her head curiously.

”If you didn’t want Father to marry her... you could’ve just told him directly.”

”No~ I was just teasing you, honey bun. Besides, Mylezra has waited for him for so long... even before I married your father.” Her voice softened, fond and knowing. ”And I was the one who helped her. Gave her advice, supported her... made sure she didn’t lose hope.”

”But still...”

”No ’buts,’” Francesca said gently but firmly. ”I wanted this for them. You better not mess with their big day. And don’t you dare talk badly about your father, not when you have five future wives of your own~”

”Hmm? Now that you mention my harem... where are Liana and the others?” Javier asked, still comfortably sprawled across Francesca’s lap.

”Oh, them?” She smiled, fingers gently stroking his hair. ”I told them this morning would be my time with my honey bun~ I asked them to give me a little while alone with my son.” Her eyes narrowed playfully. ”What? You don’t like that?”

Javier turned his face, cheeks warming. ”N...no...”

Francesca gently helped him sit up, then gave him a soft push toward the edge of the bed. ”Now now... go take a bath. You can’t attend a royal wedding smelling like a sleepy boy.”

”Mm... okay.” Javier stood, stretching slightly as Francesca began straightening the rumpled sheets on his bed.

”Mother... you don’t need to do that! Liana or the others, can handle it.”

”Hmm?” She glanced over her shoulder, a mischievous glint in her eyes. ”It’s just making the bed. Unless... you’re hiding something~?”

”Don’t tell me... you’ve been doing it with all your girls at once?” Francesca teased, a playful smirk on her lips.

”Wha!? No!!”

Francesca let out a soft, elegant laugh and shook her head. ”Now now, honey bun~ Go wash up. You can’t be late for your father’s wedding.”

”Mm... okay.”

”I’ll choose your attire for today.”

”But...”

”No buts~” she cut him off gently, already moving toward the wardrobe. ”You looked so cool and handsome in the last outfit the seamstresses designed for you during the coronation. I think there’s something here that will match...”

She began sorting through the garments, holding up pieces with a discerning eye. ”This... and this... yes, these will go well together.”

Javier just chuckled and smiled, shaking his head before slowly heading toward the shower.

After finishing his shower, Javier found Francesca waiting, already holding his chosen outfit.

”M...Mother, Liana or the others could help me with this,” Javier said softly.

”No~ I want to do it today.” Francesca’s hands were gentle but precise as she straightened his collar, smoothed his shoulders, and fussed over every detail of his noble attire.

She glanced up at him and smiled, giving his shoulder a soft tap.

”My youngest son... all grown up now.” Her smile was warm, but tears glistened at the corners of her eyes.

”M...Mother...” Javier murmured, glancing down.

”Time really does fly. I still remember you as a little boy, clinging to me, burying your face in my chest... so naughty, so cheeky, so mischievous.”

Her voice softened with memory.

”I remember when you got your first Pekko, Buddy... you climbed down, took my hand, kissed the back of it, and called me ’my queen’ like a tiny knight.”

Francesca pulled him down gently and kissed his left cheek, then his right, before planting one last quick, tender kiss on his lips.

”Now my youngest is grown up... and so handsome. Just like his father.”

”Mother...” Javier said, narrowing his eyes playfully.

”What? It’s true.” Francesca dabbed at her tears with her sleeve.

”Yes... maybe I am...” Javier said, glancing down with a soft, shy smile.

Francesca looked up, her expression softening.

”But Mother... it’s not me getting married today!” he grumbled, turning his face away in mock annoyance.

Francesca paused, then let out a graceful, melodic laugh.

Javier just grumbled. ”You’re saying all that like it’s my wedding today! You’re supposed to save those lines for Marcellus and Cedric, they’re the ones getting married next week. Or maybe for Father.”

Francesca smiled and glanced up, her eyes fond but firm. ”Don’t ruin your father’s big day, okay?”

Javier met her gaze steadily. ”Mm... I won’t.”

”Promise me you won’t.”

”I promise, Mother. I promise I won’t make any trouble or ruin Father’s wedding today.”

”That’s my honey bun~” Francesca leaned up and kissed his cheek once more, then gave his chest a gentle, proud tap. ”I’m going to get ready now. Don’t forget to have breakfast, okay? I’m sure your future wives are waiting for you outside~”

”Mm... okay, Mother. Thank you.”

Francesca waved gracefully to Javier before turning toward the door and opening it.

Only to reveal all five girls tumbling into the room, having clearly been pressed against it moments before.

Javier exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Liana and Gloria scrambled to stand straight, smoothing their dresses and bowing politely in unison.

”Your Majesty.”

”My~ Liana, Gloria, Felicia, Mimi, Delya~” Francesca raised a hand to her cheek, tilting her head with playful curiosity. ”What are you all doing?”

”Ah... um... err...” The girls exchanged flustered glances.

Francesca’s eyes softened as she glanced toward Liana and Gloria. ”Make sure to keep an eye on my honey bun~ And take good care of him, okay?”

Liana and Gloria bowed again. ”Yes, Your Majesty.”

”Good.” Francesca’s smile turned thoughtful. ”Oh, by the way, Liana?”

”Y...yes, Your Majesty?”

”Make sure to spare one of his days from your... schedule... for me every now and then. So I can steal him for breakfast, or a walk. Once a month, perhaps? She smiled warmly. ”Since you’re the first wife among them, and my future daughter-in-law~””

”I’ll do what I can, Your Majesty,” Liana replied with a gentle, knowing smile.

( End Of Chapter )