Reborn As Noble

”So you’re saying I could contact Aelius with this? I can see him?”

”Yes.” Javier smiled, sitting beside Athine and showing her how it worked. ”You can press here to call him for a video call, which lets you see him and hear his voice, or this voice call button for voice only. It’s like talking on a mana talkie, but better.”

”Really?” Athine gave him a sideways glance with a beautiful, knowing smile.

Javier narrowed his eyes. ”That smile won’t work on me, Athine, and you know that.”

”What?” Athine let out a soft, graceful laugh, shaking her head gently. ”I’m just smiling. Or do you want me to be serious like Father?”

”Ewww! No way.” Javier gave a dismissive wave and leaned in again. ”Now press here to set up your profile picture.”

”You mean this thing can take a picture?” Athine asked gently.

”Yeah~ What’s with the surprise? You know the mana cams are live-broadcasting the wedding right now, and they’ve done events before, right? This is just a simpler, personal version of that.”

”Oh~ So... how do I capture my picture again?” Athine asked, tilting the mana phone in her delicate, slender hands, her fingers tracing the smooth edges of the device.

”Press here, and you’ll see yourself on the screen,” Javier explained.

Athine looked at the screen and tilted her head slightly. ”But I don’t see anything.”

”Huh? Really?” Javier narrowed his eyes.

”All I can see is a beautiful young lady who is the most beautiful flower in Armand for her age~” she said, her tone light and teasing.

Javier rolled his eyes, feeling a little annoyed by her playful deflection. ”Athine... just take the picture.”

She smiled and raised the mana phone, adjusting her posture, yet still not actually capturing a picture.

Javier tapped his foot impatiently while crossing his arms. ”Athine. Just take the damn picture.”

”My~ Such language, little brother. You are a royal prince, the first in line for the throne.”

”Gih! That’s different. Just take the picture already.”

”Ara~ I am taking it. This is how it works, right?” Athine smiled while moving the phone to another angle.

”Guh! Tap that round button to capture the picture, not just tilt or move the phone around.” Javier exhaled, his foot tapping rhythmically against the floor.

”Ah~ You didn’t tell me before. How would I know~” Athine raised a palm to her lips, giving Javier a playful sideways glance.

Javier scratched his head in frustration while Athine let out a soft, amused laugh, clearly enjoying teasing him.

”So just like this, right?” Athine smiled sweetly toward the camera and tapped the capture button.

A beautiful image of her appeared on the screen, her expression serene, her eyes warm, her smile gentle and radiant.

Javier exhaled, his annoyance fading slightly. ”There are a lot of poses you could do, you know. Like a peace sign, like this...” He held up two fingers in a V-shape and grinned. ”Or something more graceful, like this...” He tilted his head slightly, one hand resting gently under his chin. ”Or something cute, like this...” He puffed out his cheeks playfully. ”You can change it later if you want.”

”Ara~ Really?”

”Yes... but you can change it later. And also, this function here is called the gallery. Any image or video you capture will be stored here.” Javier tapped the gallery icon and showed her the earlier picture she had taken.

”My~ This is good.” Athine said with a genuine, pleased smile.

”Yeah. Since you two are inseparable, I believe this will work well for both of you. Especially with your pregnancy, you won’t be able to follow him everywhere like before. I bet Mother won’t let you. So I thought it would be best to give you two this prototype early. I’ll finish the chat application for it later, since it might get boring with just video or voice calls.”

”Thank you, little brother,” Athine said with a soft smile, her fingers gently tracing the edge of the screen where her picture was displayed.

”Thank me later once you know how to video call your lovely future husband.” Javier smirked and pointed toward the screen. ”Now tap this button to go back. This one is for voice call, and this one is for video call. I already showed Aelius earlier. I’m sure he’s waiting for your call.” Javier said, glancing down at the courtyard from the first-floor balcony.

”Mm~ I also can’t wait to talk to him... to see him,” Athine mumbled softly with a smile, peering toward the courtyard where she could just make out Aelius’s distant figure among the crowd.

Javier shook his head and exhaled. ”I wonder what’s wrong with you two siblings. Anyway, not my problem. Father already gave his blessing, and who am I to question it? So tap this button here.”

”This one?” Athine pointed toward the video call icon.

”Yes, that one. But I warn you, don’t get too addicted to this just because you miss each other. Especially with your pregnancy.”

”Mm... I won’t~ So I just tap this one, right?” Athine said softly, tapping the video call button.

A soft, melodic ringtone chimed from the device, and a moment later, Aelius’s face appeared on her screen.

”A... Athine... how are you?” Aelius’s voice was tender, his expression softening the moment he saw her. ”Are you comfortable? Do you need anything?”

”Blergh”. Javier pretended to gag. ”Can you two wait until I leave first? Ugh.”

Aelius and Athine chuckled softly, their eyes still locked on each other through the screen.

”Anyway, focus on our brothers’ wedding first. You two can have your phone date later if you want.”

”Thank you, little brother,” they both said in unison.

”Yeah, yeah... I’m going back to my girls. Aelius, my girls are still there, right?”

”Yes, they are,” Aelius said with a smile.

”Show me.”

”How?”

”There’s a camera button on the screen to switch to the back camera.”

”Ah... this one?” Aelius tapped the button, and the screen switched to show Liana and the others, who were chatting softly and enjoying their meal together.

Javier smiled when he saw his girls on the screen.

”Anyway, I’m going.” He slowly stood up, but a voice from Athine’s phone called out to him.

”Little brother! How do I switch the camera back to the front so I can see Athine’s face again?”

”Huh? Just tap the same button again.”

”Oh... gee, thanks.”

”Alright. I’m going. Focus on Marcellus, Cedric, and Heres’s wedding first. Don’t get too lost in each other’s eyes on that screen.”

Athine let out a soft laugh. ”You know, little brother?”

”Hmm?” Javier glanced over his shoulder, already turning to leave the balcony.

”This thing could benefit Armand’s future.”

”Hah... No way. This is strictly for our family and trusted aides like Alf, Erinette, and a few others only. No way am I mass-producing it. You two are lucky you’re the first to get it.” Javier exhaled. ”I’m sure Liana and the others will question why they didn’t get it first. Not only that...” He glanced at Athine again before sighing. ”If Mother finds out I didn’t prioritize her... I’m going to get scolded hard.”

”We really appreciate it, little brother,” Athine said warmly.

”Thank you, Javier,” Aelius added, his voice sincere.

”Yeah, yeah.” Javier waved over his shoulder without looking back. ”I’m going to charge this to your account, Aelius.”

( End Of Chapter )