Reborn As Noble

”We’re sorry,” all three of them said in unison.

Francesca smiled, planting a soft kiss on Marcellus’s cheek, then Cedric’s, her palms gently cupping their faces, Marcellus on her right, Cedric on her left, a perfect, maternal picture of affection.

”I can’t believe my two sons are getting married today.” Francesca’s eyes shimmered with a faint, proud smile. ”I still can’t believe how fast you’ve both grown. Soon... you’ll both be fathers.”

”Mother...” Marcellus hugged her tightly, while Cedric already had his face buried in the crook of her neck, his shoulders relaxed.

She glanced down at Javier, who was resting his head contentedly on her thigh, and smiled, patting his head softly. ”You still have less than two years left. So until then, just let me pamper you like my little boy~”

”Ehehehe~ I don’t mind, Mother~” Javier rubbed his face affectionately against her thigh.

Francesca bit her trembling lower lip, still forcing herself to smile as she kept kissing each of their cheeks, her heart swelling with love and a touch of bittersweet pride.

”My sons...”

She dabbed her tears with her hand and smiled, planting another gentle kiss on Marcellus’s and Cedric’s cheeks.

”Now, now... both of you need to be ready at the designated area. There are instructions from the High Priest before the ceremony begins.”

Marcellus and Cedric stood up, while Javier, who still wasn’t feeling quite satisfied, reluctantly stood as well and let out a soft exhale.

Francesca stood and turned toward Marcellus, glancing up at him to adjust his collar and smooth out his formal tunic.

”Mm~ There... presentable.” She licked her thumb lightly and fixed a stray strand of his hair before turning to do the same for Cedric, straightening his attire with practiced care.

”Remember, you two... cherish your partners. Always. Treat them with kindness, listen to them, and build a home filled with warmth and laughter.”

Marcellus smiled warmly. ”Mother, you don’t need to worry about that. Besides, our new houses are still inside the Armand estate, not too far from the manor.”

”Mm... but both of your rooms in the manor will be empty.” she said softly, a hint of melancholy in her voice.

Cedric just smiled softly. ”But we’ll still come to eat in the main dining room whenever you call us.”

”I know,” Francesca said with a smile, adjusting a lock of Cedric’s hair. ”But even though your new homes are still within the estate grounds... it still feels like my little boys are truly stepping into their own lives now. A mother’s heart is a strange thing, it wants you to soar, yet aches a little when you do.”

Francesca smiled, glancing up at both Cedric and Marcellus.

”Now, you two go. You don’t want to be late on your own wedding day, right? I’m sure you’ve both been waiting for this for so long.”

”Mother...” Marcellus said softly.

”Go now. Or you’ll be late on your big day.” Francesca gently pushed them toward the door, her voice warm but firm. ”Don’t worry, me and your little brother will head to the wedding venue after this.”

”We’re going, Mother,” Cedric said softly, pausing at the door before heading out with Marcellus.

Francesca waved at them softly, her smile bright but fragile.

The door closed, and she turned toward Javier, her expression softening.

”Honey Bun?”

”Yes, esteemed Mother?” Javier glanced down at her.

”Let’s go to the wedding venue now. I’m sure your girls are already there.”

”Alright, Mother.” Javier smiled, but paused when he noticed her shoulders trembling. She turned, her lips pursed, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

”Mother?” Javier tilted his head, his voice softening.

Francesca rushed forward and hugged Javier tightly, burying her face in his chest, her body trembling with quiet sobs. She mumbled softly against his shirt, her voice thick with emotion.

”Your brothers... they’re marrying today... I... I just... I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed. It feels like just yesterday they were running through the halls, getting into mischief, clinging to my skirts... and now they’re men, starting families of their own...”

Javier returned her hug, gently patting her back and kissing the top of her head, resting his cheek against her soft hair.

Seeing her like this, so strong yet so tender, a queen and a mother, allowing herself this moment of vulnerable, heartfelt emotion, made his own chest ache with warmth and gratitude.

I’m glad I was born into this family. With a mother like her.

Back in my old world, I was an orphan to begin with. I never knew this kind of love, the kind that holds you, scolds you, teaches you, and then cries because you’ve grown up.

But today, I truly see her. Not just as Francesca, the graceful and formidable Queen of Armand, but as a mother who has poured her heart into raising her sons, who loves so deeply it brings her to tears on the happiest day of their lives. This is the family I was given, the family I will protect with everything I have.

He held her a little tighter, his voice soft and reassuring. ”They’ll always be your little boys, Mother. And they’ll always come back to you. We all will.”

He let her bury her face into his chest while resting his chin on her head, feeling the softness of her warmth and the faint scent of her perfume.

I wonder... if Mother is like this, what is Father’s reaction?

Even if he keeps his usual stern face, I’m sure there’s something deep inside him that he won’t show.

That’s just how a man is.

I may not have been a father yet, neither in my old world nor in this one.

But I think... when the time comes, and I see my own children grow, find love, and start their own families... I might understand this bittersweet ache. The pride of watching them become who they’re meant to be, mixed with the longing for the little ones they once were.

How am I going to handle that day? Will I be as composed as Father, or will I, like Mother, let my heart spill over just a little?

I guess the future isn’t something you can fully prepare for. You can only promise to be there, to love them fiercely, and to let them go when it’s time, just as she’s doing now.

”Let’s go, Mother... or you’re going to miss your own son’s wedding.” Javier smiled and looked into her eyes.

”Mm...” Francesca pursed her lips and glanced up at his face, leaning in to plant a quick, affectionate kiss on his lips. ”Don’t grow up too fast. Or I’ll be left with an empty nest and no one to spoil~”

Javier chuckled softly and smiled. ”I can’t promise you that, Mother. You know I can’t control time. Eheheeh~”

”Mou!” Francesca slapped Javier’s arm playfully, pouting her lips. ”Still, don’t grow up too fast! You’re my youngest son, after all.”

”I’m already nearly an adult, Mom~ Less than two years now~”

”You should, and must, be my youngest son... forever.”

”I’ll see to it, Mother.” Javier smiled and extended his arm. ”Let’s go. I can’t wait to eat the feast.”

Francesca smiled and wrapped her hand around his arm, leaning lightly on his shoulder. ”Mm... I’m sure your future wives are already there.”

( End Of Chapter )