Reborn As Noble

”Ah... umm... err... no.” Javier scratched his cheek and grinned sheepishly.

”Now, now~ Sit next to me~”

Francesca dragged Javier toward the main table.

I wonder what’s up with Mother?

I know she’s always like this when it comes to me, but today she’s being extra pushy.

”M...Mother?” Javier sat down, and Francesca immediately picked up a piece of roast meat with her fingers, holding it toward his mouth.

Javier exhaled softly and took the bite, chewing slowly.

”Yes, honey bun?” Francesca smiled, dabbing his lips with a napkin.

”You... umm... didn’t fight with Father, did you?”

”Hmm? No~” Her smile didn’t waver.

”Oh... I just thought...”

Francesca’s smile widened, but a subtle, terrifying aura shimmer around her as she leaned closer.

”Why would you think something like that, my honey bun~”

”Ah! N..no! I was just asking!” Javier grinned nervously, his shoulders tensing. ”I didn’t mean anything by it!”

”My~ You don’t have to worry about that~ Besides, I don’t think your father and I have ever truly fought. You know that, right, honey bun~”

”Ah... yeah... I’ve never seen you two fight...”

”Right?” Francesca rested her palm against her cheek, her gaze fixed on Javier, watching him with that sweet smile.

”Ye... yeah...” Javier grinned weakly and accepted another piece of meat from Francesca’s fingers.

”I’m so proud of my baby boy~” she said, her smile soft and unwavering.

”Err... what is this about, Mother?”

”You’re starting to become like a real leader~ And you saved people’s lives.”

”Err... that was our soldiers who carried out the rescue mission. I just gave the order.”

”Mm~ But you stayed up the whole night, didn’t you? Helping them track where that noble lady and her people were~”

”Ah... um... yeah.”

”Oh, my honey bun~” Francesca pulled his face against her chest again, hugging him tightly. ”I’m so proud of you.”

”M...Mother... this is embarrassing... please stop...”

”Ara? Does my honey bun think he’s an adult now, and gets to tell his mother what~? Hmm?”

”Wha? No! I... I... I don’t...” Javier stammered.

”Really~? Hmm?” Francesca eyed him with that same unnerving smile, still holding the fork.

”Ah... actually... umm... I wanted to discuss something important... M–Mother...” Javier forced a grin.

”Oh? What is it~? Is it important~?” Francesca rested her chin on her palm, the fork still poised in her hand.

”Don’t tell me you made one of your girls pregnant~ Is it Liana? Or Gloria~? Hmm?”

”Ah...no! Umm... please... calm down? Ehehe...” Javier grinned sheepishly. ”It’s not about that...”

”Good~ Since my other two sons are already getting married in a few days... I don’t need any more news about getting girls pregnant~” Francesca stabbed a piece of meat with the fork and held it out to him.

”Y... yeah... you can trust me, Mother... I... I won’t. Ehehe.” Javier took the meat and chewed slowly, trying to stay calm.

”So, what did you want to talk about~?” Francesca smiled, her tone light again.

”Ah... it’s about Father’s work. And... you know Alf and Erinnette never take leave.”

”Mm... It’s because they’re loyal to your father. And your father never rests, so they won’t either. That’s just how they are~”

Francesca looked at Javier, tilting her head. ”Why are you asking about that, honey bun?”

”Actually... I was thinking... you know... if maybe... I could cover Father’s work for a day? Or two? So he could rest properly.”

Francesca’s eyes widened. She reached out and pressed her palm to his forehead, worry softening her expression. ”Are you sick? Are you hurting somewhere?” Her hands fluttered, checking his neck, his cheeks, his forehead again.

”Huh? No... I’m not.” Javier gently caught her wrists. ”Mother... I’m not sick.”

”Really? For real? Seriously? You’re not joking?” She cupped his face in both hands, searching his eyes.

”No... really, Mother.”

”But... you hate paperwork.” She sat back, palm against her cheek, her gaze still tinged with concern.

”Ah... yeah... but I’ve never once seen Father rest properly. And besides, this would let me learn about the work before I... umm... have to take over... you know?”

”Ara~ My honey bun is turning into a responsible adult~”

”And also... if I make Father rest, maybe Alf and Erinnette could rest too? What do you say, Mother?”

”My~ my~ That’s a good idea, too. It’s as if you already know it’s my turn soon.” Francesca smiled, her earlier worry melting into genuine warmth.

”Huh? Turn?”

She waved a hand gracefully. ”Anyway~ Do you want me to tell your father? Or will you tell him yourself?”

”I’d like to tell him... but I don’t think he’d allow it. So maybe... you know...”

”Ara~ I can help you tell him. Don’t worry, honey bun~ Mama will gladly speak to your father. Don’t worry~ He will agree~”

”Are you sure, Mother?” Javier asked again, letting himself be fed another bite.

”Mm~ This is wonderful news~ Not only does it make me happy, but...” She trailed off, her eyes softening. ”Anyway, when do you want to help your father?”

”Ah... maybe start today and tomorrow?” Javier mumbled around the food.

”Ara~ No can do~ How about you start tomorrow instead?” Francesca cupped his cheek, dabbing his lips with a napkin.

”Why tomorrow?” Javier frowned, confused.

”Ah~ Let’s just say you might be busy today. And besides... tomorrow is... tehe~”

”Oh... okay, Mother. If you say so.”

”Don’t forget, honey bun~ Your brothers’ weddings are in a few days. No sneaking out of the estate.”

”Mm... I won’t. Don’t worry, Mother.”

”Hmm... To assist you with the work, I believe I should ask Alf...”

”Umm... If you can, please let Alf and Erinnette take the day off too?”

”You’re sure?”

”Yes, Mother.”

”Alright~ I’ll ask Alf to assign someone to assist you in your father’s office tomorrow. Now eat. I’m going to go meet your father~”

”Oh... okay, Mother. Thank you.”

”No~ Thank you, my honey bun~”

Javier scratched his head, watching as his mother skipped lightly from the dining room, humming to herself in a noticeably brighter mood.

Hmm... I wonder what made Mother that happy?

I’ve never seen her mood so light.

Well, whatever... Since she said I could start helping tomorrow, that means I can still rest today and enjoy my time with Liana and the others.

Just as Javier was about to take another bite of meat, Liana and Gloria peeked in from the doorway.

”Ah! There he is.”

Liana entered with Gloria close behind, both already in their crisp maid uniforms. They moved to his side, Liana adjusted his napkin and refilled his coffee, while Gloria headed straight to the main kitchen counter to request more meat.

”Young master!” Liana hissed softly, leaning in.

”Hmm? What?” Javier glanced up with an easy smile.

”Why didn’t you wake us?”

”Ah... I wanted you all to rest well. Where are the others?”

”They’re still getting ready. As usual, it’s a bit of a commotion.”

”Oh.” Javier’s smile softened. ”Have you two eaten breakfast yet?”

”Not yet, young master.”

”Then go eat.”

”But who will serve you?”

”Hmm? You don’t need to worry about that. Everything’s already ready, right?”

”We still can’t just leave. A maid should be present while her master is dining.”

”Yeah, yeah... Just have someone else attend me while you two go eat.”

( End Of Chapter )