Reborn As Noble

”Say... you want one for Athine too, right? To keep her beautiful... just like my mother?”

Aelius just glanced away, a soft smile playing on his lips.

”I know where to get it,” Javier added, his tone dropping slightly. ”But knowing Father and his Eyes of Truth, I don’t think you can hide this from him.”

Aelius simply smiled. ”Well... knowing Father, all I need to do is ensure I don’t show anything suspicious. Or perhaps... think about anything other than that.”

”Are you sure you can? It’s hard even for me.”

”Hmm... You, Marcellus, and Cedric might be the strongest in raw power. But in the mind...” Aelius’s smile turned knowing. ”You know why Athine and I are the ones who handle Armand’s entire economy... right~?”

”Wanna bet?” Javier smirked, finishing the two beautiful rings with a final surge of mana.

”Sure~ Why not?” Aelius’s gaze remained steady, analytical. ”But, little brother...”

”Hmm?”

”Those fruits... they aren’t easy to get, you know.” Aelius rubbed his chin, studying Javier’s expression.

”Hmm... judging by your reaction, I believe... you’ve already found them, haven’t you? But there must be a condition... something that makes harvesting them... complicated. Or perhaps... even after obtaining one, you wouldn’t really know unless...”

He paused, watching Javier closely.

”...Unless the one who gives it to you already knows the price.”

Javier glanced away, his smirk fading into something more guarded.

”Damn, Aelius! Don’t tell me you have the Eyes of Truth like Father.”

”Hmm? No way. Even if Father offered, I wouldn’t take it.”

”Heh... Like you’d refuse.”

”Nope. If I accepted, that would mean I’m next in line. No way!” Aelius’s expression softened into a warm, unwavering smile. ”I want my time with my Athine~”

Aelius smiled, clasping his hands thoughtfully as he watched Javier.

”Hmm... Looks like you were intentionally letting me see what you know.”

Javier kept his smirk and finished the rings, then crafted a pair of mithril-gold bracelets with the remaining crystal set as delicate inlays.

”I don’t think we should keep talking about this. I sense someone coming.”

”Hmm?” Aelius’s eyes widened. ”Is it Athine?”

”No... I don’t think it’s her. Anyway...” Javier gestured to the finished pieces. ”...do you want a special box for these? You’ll need them for the wedding day, right?”

”Yes.”

Javier smiled and snapped his fingers, retrieving an elegant accessories box for the rings and bracelets.

”Anyway... I don’t think we should discuss that matter any further.”

”Hmm?” Aelius smiled innocently, lifting his coffee cup. ”I don’t know what you’re talking about. All I know is I came here to watch you craft the rings... and taste this coffee.”

”So tell me, Aelius...”

”Hmm?” Aelius glanced at Javier.

”How did you end up falling in love with Athine?”

”Hmm... the same way you fell for Liana? Or the others?” Aelius smiled softly. ”Even if I explained, I don’t think you’d truly understand.”

”True... true.” Javier smirked and handed him the completed rings and bracelets inside the elegant box.

”Anyway, Aelius.”

”Hmm?” Aelius glanced at Javier as he slowly stood from the couch.

”Congratulations.” Javier’s smile was warm and genuine.

”Yeah, yeah... you should save that for after my wedding with Athine. Not now.”

”Heh... I’ll make sure no enemy slips in during this month’s celebration. I’ve already tightened surveillance and programmed a new detection spell to identify potential threats. Anyone suspicious is under heavy watch now.”

”Good, good.” Aelius smiled and turned toward the door. ”I’m heading out, little brother.”

”Yeah, yeah... better go get ready for Father’s wedding. I’m sure he’s nervous by now.”

”Father? Nervous?” Aelius chuckled.

Javier let out a soft laugh, one hand tucked in his pocket.

He watched Aelius walk casually back toward the manor, then stepped out of the workshop and locked it behind him.

Better get going. I’m sure Liana and the others are waiting.

Javier slipped on his mana glasses, powering them up. The Sky Eye live feed flickered to life across the lenses, displaying real-time views of the estate grounds and beyond.

With a snap of his fingers, hundreds of scout and battle drones materialized in the sky above. In silent unison, they activated their cloaking arrays and shimmered out of sight, spreading out across the sprawling expanse of the Armand estate and the lands surrounding it, patrolling, scanning, securing every approach.

Meanwhile, Aelius paused and opened the box, gazing at the finished crystal rings and bracelets Javier had crafted.

I hope Athine likes them... I should hide these until the wedding. Maybe ask Erinette or Alf to keep them safe.

He closed the box gently and continued walking toward the manor, a soft smile touching his lips.

Few years ago...

”Aelius! Aelius!!!”

Athine came running toward him, her face bright with excitement as he stepped out of the manor.

”Hmm? Yes, little sister?” Aelius stood still, watching her eager approach.

”Look what I found!! It’s so pretty!!”

”Hmm? Let me see.”

Aelius examined the crystal. It glowed softly, clearly valuable.

”Athine!! Don’t tell me you took this from the manor. If Father finds out, he’ll be mad.”

”But... I didn’t take it! I really found it!!” Athine pouted, looking up at him with wide, earnest eyes.

”Where did you find this?” Aelius asked, his tone softening slightly.

”There! Under the tree we always play at.” Athine pointed toward the large, familiar oak in the distance.

”We should hand it back to Father,” Aelius said, taking the crystal carefully from her hand.

”But I really found it there! I didn’t steal it!” Athine’s eyes began to well up, her voice trembling as she glanced down at the ground, soft sobs escaping her.

Aelius looked at Athine, her small shoulders trembling with quiet sobs. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly.

”I know you didn’t steal it, Athine. I trust you.” His voice was soft, reassuring. ”But something this valuable doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. Maybe one of the staff accidentally dropped it and is panicking, looking for it right now.”

”But... but...” Athine’s sobs softened, though tears still traced her cheeks.

Aelius smiled gently, wiping her tears away with his thumb before looking into her eyes.

”Athine is a good girl, right?”

”Mm~” Athine pouted, her lips trembling as she glanced up at him.

”And Athine doesn’t want any of our staff to get into trouble, right? You know everyone here is good.”

”Mm... I know...”

( End Of Chapter )