Reborn As Noble

Meanwhile.

In the Armand estate courtyard.

”Giddie... Catch.”

”Cuquawked!” Giddie casually caught the fruit Garius threw at him.

Garius watched him, noting how Giddie had grown larger and more powerful with each passing year, his feathers gleaming like molten gold in the morning light.

”Hmm... looks like you’ve grown taller and stronger, huh, Giddie?” Garius glanced up at the massive bird.

”Cuquawked.”

”Good thing these fruits suit you so well.”

”Your Majesty?” Alf placed his palm over his left chest and bowed.

”Yes, Alf?”

”Please remember you have an audience with Lady Kayra soon.”

”Mm... I know. If Gilmon is escorting her by Pekko carriage, she should arrive within two or three hours. That leaves me time for my usual routine, feed my Pekko, ride him around the grounds, then return to work.”

”Yes, Your Majesty.” Erinnette smiled softly.

”So, Alf?”

”Yes, Your Majesty?”

”How is my son?”

”It is as you foresaw, Your Majesty. He has grown into a fine leader in the making. I believe he already possesses half your talent for governance, and will be more than ready to rule Armand one day.”

”So, Alf.” Garius said while feeding more fruit to Giddie.

”Yes, Your Majesty?”

”What do you think I should do?” Garius smirked faintly.

”Ah... is this about the Tybalt region, Your Majesty?” Alf smirked in return.

”Yes... since the one coming to request aid isn’t Lord Tybalt himself, but the true owner of the land.” Garius extended another fruit to Giddie after taking a bite from it himself.

”It is for you to decide, Your Majesty.” Alf adjusted his glove, glancing at Garius.

”Hmm...” Garius looked up at Giddie, rubbing his chin. ”If we help, it may create future problems for us. But if we leave them without aid, Tybalt will be wiped from the map.”

”Yes, Your Majesty. This morning, our command center reported that Garka and Turka have resumed their advance with greater speed. It appears they are racing to claim as much territory as possible.”

”This means they are trying to grab as much land as they can to annex it, to absorb it into their own domains. It is a war of conquest, not just a border skirmish.”

Garius rubbed his chin and exhaled softly.

”And that fool Kimar does nothing to rein in his own nobles. This is why I hated Kimar and supported Kliatana during the council before, but Kimar stripped her title because she refused to marry him. He bought all the votes just so he could become the next king of the human kingdom.”

Garius chuckled softly. ”And now the human kingdom is on the brink of ruin.”

”He was desperate for a crown but had no talent for ruling. Well... that’s the past. And now, Armand has become an independent nation.” Garius glanced at his two aides, a faint smirk on his lips. ”So... regarding Lady Kayra’s request... do you think I should handle it personally?”

”Your Majesty...” Alf began, but was cut off as Francesca came skipping gracefully across the courtyard, her face bright with excitement.

”Dear~!” She threw her arms around Garius’s neck.

Garius raised a brow, curious.

What’s made my wife this happy?

”Dear~ do you want to hear a wonderful news?”

”What is it, honey? Don’t tell me you’re pregnant?” Garius smiled, one arm slipping around her waist.

No~!” Francesca slapped his arm playfully and glanced up, eyes sparkling. ”Do you remember what tomorrow is?”

”Ah... our wedding anniversary, right?” Garius smiled, looking into Francesca’s eyes.

”Mm~ You remembered~” She trailed a finger along his jaw.

”So what is the good news you were talking about, honey?” Garius asked.

”Ah, listen to this~ It’s about our youngest son...”

”Oh? What about him?”

”He said he wants to help you with your work~ I was so happy he came to consult me about it~” Francesca leaned up and planted a quick kiss on Garius’s lips.

”Honey... I’m not sure our youngest is ready for that kind of responsibility yet.”

”No~ He’s not asking to take over. He just wants you, Alf, and Erinnette to have a day or two to rest. Since it’s our anniversary tomorrow, I was hoping we could have some time together.” She turned her gaze toward Alf and Erinnette.

”And since your King here isn’t going anywhere, I believe you two should take a day or two off and spend time together.”

”My lady... you know we both can’t...” Alf tried to politely decline, but Francesca cut them off.

”No~ If you’re worried about this king’s safety...” Francesca traced Garius’s face with her finger, ”...how about you assign Hesbeirn and Gilmon? And since we have the best special maid unit, if you’re worried about your ’little brother’ here,” she smiled knowingly at their protective relationship, ”you can deploy our best unit to protect him.”

”But my lady...” Erinette exhaled in protest.

”No, Erinette~ This is a command from me. Take a day or two off while this king here takes his day off. I won’t take ’no’ for an answer. Just deploy our best unit and you two spend time together.”

”Dear...” Garius exhaled but was silenced when Francesca’s finger touched his lips.

”I won’t take ’no’ from you either, dear~ Besides, it’s good timing for our youngest to learn more about duty.”

She glanced back at Alf and Erinette. ”And you two must take rest no matter what. Since my honey bun will handle the work.”

Alf and Erinette exhaled in resignation. ”If you insist, my lady. But are you certain Prince Javier can manage?”

”Ah, about that, Alf~ If you don’t fully trust him, perhaps it’s time we test the successors of all our special units.” Francesca’s eyes sparkled with planning. ”I believe we’ve already been preparing for this moment.”

Francesca smiled, glancing toward the fountain as she spoke softly. ”Right?”

Garius, Alf, and Erinnette’s eyes widened.

A figure in a dark robe and full mask materialized from the nearby shadow of an archway and bowed politely. ”My lady.”

Garius shook his head in disbelief.

How does she know the shadow leader unit was nearby?

”You too,” Francesca said, her tone gentle but leaving no room for debate. ”Take some time to rest. Deploy your successor to aid my honey bun tomorrow and the day after. Two days. This is the perfect chance to test all of your successors, isn’t it, Alf? Erinnette? And...” She smiled, her voice dropping to a whisper. ”...right, Karshen?”

The masked man stiffened slightly, then smirked faintly beneath his mask and nodded.

I can’t believe she know my name. Only Garius, Alf, and Erinnette were supposed to know that name.

Francesca’s smile didn’t waver. ”By the way, Alf?”

”Yes, my lady?”

”I believe your second son, the one you and Erinnette trained so diligently, might be well-suited to assist Prince Javier with his duties?”

Alf and Erinnette bowed respectfully, small smiles touching their lips. ”We hope so, my lady.”

”So no more excuses, right?” Francesca’s tone was light but final. ”Go take some time off. Besides, it’s not as though you’ll be leaving the estate. You’ll still be right here, won’t you?”

( End Of Chapter )