Reborn As Noble

Minutes before the official wedding ceremony started.

Javier was seated with Liana, Gloria, Felicia, Delya, and Mimi. Liana was feeding him a slice of roast meat with her delicate hand when two cheeky little figures came rushing toward him.

”Onii-chan~!!!!”

Javier turned just in time to see Eriditih’s daughter and Phenelope’s daughter sprinting his way.

Macia and Vivica.

Macia leaped first, tackling Javier in his seat with a happy squeal.

”Oof!” Javier grunted as the impact made him jolt, the piece of meat he’d just been about to chew flying from his mouth and landing messily on the tablecloth.

Macia giggled and hugged him tightly, rubbing her face against his chest. Vivica quickly joined from the other side, wrapping her small arms around his waist.

”Onii-tan~” Vivica chimed in, her voice sweet and playful.

Liana and Gloria glanced at each other before letting out soft, amused exhales, watching as both little girls giggled and clung to Javier, their small bodies practically vibrating with joy.

Javier just exhaled and shook his head, a fond smile touching his lips as he patted their heads gently, making them nuzzle closer and giggle contentedly.

”Onii-chan?”

”Yes, Macia?”

”Ehehehe~” Macia stood up on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, while Vivica climbed up his side and hugged his neck from the other side.

”Onii-tan~”

Javier patted their backs soothingly. ”Yosh, yosh... calm down, you two.”

”Onii-chan?”

”Yes? What now, Macia?”

”Ehehehe~ Nothing~” She finally settled on his lap, leaning comfortably against his chest, while Vivica snuggled into his other side, taking his free hand and wrapping it around her small frame.

”You two aren’t with your mothers?”

”We are! But Father is scaryyy~ so we asked Mama if we could play with Onii-chan~” Macia said, her voice bright and cheerful.

”You two already ate?” Javier asked, resting his chin gently on top of their heads as he hugged them both.

”Mm~ Mama already fed me~” Vivica said cheerfully.

Macia just giggled. ”I’m already full~”

”Aw~ So cute~ my little sisters~” Javier rubbed his chin gently against the tops of their heads, his expression warm and affectionate.

Mimi pouted her lips and mumbled softly, her tail swaying in a slow, sulky flick. ”Nya... I also want to be hugged like that...”

Delya, with her usual dreamy expression, just tilted her head and smiled softly. ”Mimi~ They are our sisters-in-law.”

”Nya! I know... but still...” Mimi pursed her lips and rested her chin on the table, her ears drooping slightly.

Felicia gave Mimi a sharp, disapproving glare and let out a soft hiss. ”Mimi. You are a princess. Act like one.” Her tone carried the weight of her proper, noble upbringing. ”Sitting like that, pouting in your official Beastkin Princess Dress, behaving like an overeager kitten.... it’s unbefitting.”

”Nya! Etiquette, etiquette~” Mimi mumbled under her breath, reluctantly straightening her posture and folding her hands in her lap.

Liana and Gloria exchanged a knowing glance, both smiling softly.

”My, my, second wife?” Liana said to Gloria, her voice light and amused.

”Yes, first wife~” Gloria adjusted her glasses with a knowing smile.

Liana raised a palm to her lips, her voice warm with amusement. ”It seems our husband is very fond of children, isn’t he? He’s always had a soft spot for them.”

”Indeed, First Wife~” Gloria’s smile softened. ”I wonder... when we have his children... is he going to spoil them just as much as he dotes on Macia and Vivica?”

”He’ll probably carry them everywhere, sneak them sweets, and tell them stories until they fall asleep~” Liana chuckled softly while watching Javier dote on his half-sisters.

Javier gave Liana and Gloria a playful glare while continuing to gently stroke Macia and Vivica’s hair.

”No... I won’t. I’ll probably be just like Father. Serious and calm. No nonsense.” He wiggled his eyebrows, showing them his cheeky grin. ”But these two are my sisters, and there are plenty of people who can teach them manners and etiquette, just like Father taught all of us. But there should be at least one or two of us who can let them be at ease, who can pamper them a little. And just so you know, my mother dotes on them just as much.”

”Ara~ Isn’t that kind of unfair? You dote on your sisters but say you won’t spoil your own children?” Liana asked while already understood his reasoning.

”Mm... I know it sounds that way. But it’s what’s best for them.” Javier chuckled softly and continued. ”These two have Father, Mother, Alf, Erinette, and even their own mothers to teach them discipline, etiquette, and responsibility. There’s a whole family to keep them balanced. I can be the fun older brother because I’m not their primary guardian.”

He shook his head, his expression turning more thoughtful. ”But with my own children... I’ll be the primary one responsible. I know my children will be doted on by my mother, and...” He gave Liana and the others a meaningful side glance, ”...their future grandpa. Believe me, Father could be strict with his own sons, but I’m sure he will be softens around his own grandchildren. Believe that.”

”That’s why,” Javier added, his voice softening but firm, ”I have to be the one who sets the foundation. If I’m not the one teaching them respect, responsibility, and strength, who will? Grandparents are meant to spoil. Parents are meant to guide. I want our children to have both, love without limits, but also roots without compromise.”

He looked down at Macia and Vivica, who were now dozing off against his chest, their earlier energy spent. ”These two will grow up surrounded by love and guidance from many directions. But our children... they’ll need us to be their anchor first, before they learn to fly.”

”You hear that, second wife?” Liana smiled and glanced over at Gloria beside her.

”Yes, first wife. Loud and clear~”

”Looks like one of us is going to be lucky tonight~” Liana said softly, her gaze shifting meaningfully toward Delya. ”Right, Delya?”

Delya, who had been completely absorbed in watching Javier, snapped out of her dreamy state only when Liana called her name a second time.

”Hmm? Yes, Big Sister?”

”Ah... you didn’t hear what I said?”

Delya shook her head, her expression soft and slightly confused. ”I’m sorry... I don’t.”

Liana just smiled knowingly. Gloria adjusted her glasses with a faint smirk, while Felicia shook her head with a quiet sigh.

Mimi, however, perked up immediately, her ears twitching with curiosity.

”Lucky? Tonight? What is it, nya?” she asked, her tail swaying with innocent curiosity. ”Is there a special dessert? Or are we going to play a game?”

( End Of Chapter )