Reborn As Noble

”If... if only I had known about it earlier... Maybe then I could have done something to help her. Or maybe I could have healed her.”

”And yet... I...” Javier’s voice grew quieter, his expression pained. ”I only found out today... from a letter that arrived a week ago.”

He leaned back against Buddy’s body, his posture slumping slightly as the weight of the realization settled over him. ”And she’s been suffering... sick since she was eleven, for more than four years now...”

”Why, Buddy?” Javier whispered, his voice filled with frustration and sorrow. ”Why after more than four years? Why not before?”

Buddy fell silent, nuzzling his big head gently on top of Javier’s head before lifting his wing to cover him, shielding him as he began to weep.

Meanwhile, at a distance, Garius watched Javier weeping, with Francesca beside him, already dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief.

Alf and Erinette stood in respectful silence, along with all the escorts and officers behind them.

”Honey bun~” Francesca’s lips trembled as she watched Javier, now hidden under Buddy’s wing from afar.

Garius gritted his jaw, maintaining his calm and stern expression.

This... is the second time I’ve seen him cry... after he nearly lost Liana and Gloria back then.

He was always someone so excited, so cheerful, so cheeky and mischievous... someone who rarely got angry at people, and even when facing enemies, his anger was controlled.

Francesca turned to Garius and hugged him, while he patted and caressed her head gently.

At the same time, Liana and the others paused, watching for the first time as Javier broke down, their expressions filled with concern and sorrow.

Liana’s eyes welled up, tears silently tracing down her cheeks as she watched Javier from afar.

This... is my first time... I’ve seen him... crying like that.

Gloria glanced away, removing her glasses and dabbing her eyes with the sleeve of her maid dress.

Felicia fell silent, her expression somber.

Delya’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Mimi’s tail drooped, her ears flattened, and she bit her lower lip, her usual cheerfulness gone as she watched Javier from a distance.

Garius signaled everyone to head inside and looked at Liana, gesturing for her to join them.

Liana gave him a silent, graceful bow before slowly walking back inside, with Gloria and the others following quietly.

Once they were inside, they all waited for a moment.

Garius turned his gaze to Liana.

”Liana.”

”Yes, Your Majesty.” Liana gave him a graceful bow, tears still streaming down her cheeks.

Garius gave her a silent, understanding nod, and Liana nodded in return.

She inhaled deeply, exhaled slowly, wiped her tears with her handkerchief, and adjusted her posture, straightening her back and smoothing her dress.

She tapped both cheeks lightly with her palms, channeled a bit of mana into her fingertips, and tapped the mana talkie.

”Young Master, me and the others have finished packing what we need. Where are you? In the main courtyard?”

A moment of silence passed before Liana heard Javier’s voice, controlled and steady.

”Ah... Liana. I’m in the main courtyard, waiting for everyone. Heh... I wonder where Father and Mother are. I’m sure they’re still having their sweet moment.”

Liana smiled, keeping her voice light. ”Sheesh, Young Master. What if your father hears what you’re saying? Hmm? You’re going to be in huge trouble, you know.”

Javier laughed, and Liana smiled. ”Don’t make me wait too long, Liana. Bring everyone here. So we can wait for your father-in-law and mother-in-law, who I bet are still chuu chuu inside their room.”

”Okay, Young Master~”

Liana gave a graceful bow toward Garius after the conversation ended.

Garius nodded and spoke in a calm voice. ”You all go ahead. Make sure not to mention anything you saw, and pretend nothing ever happened.”

”As you wish, Your Majesty.” Liana and Gloria said softly in unison, giving a graceful bow.

Felicia and Delya nodded, tapping their cheeks lightly while Delya opened her chocolate jar and bit one of the chocolates, ensuring her usual dreamy smile remained.

Mimi pursed her lips. ”Nyaaa... I don’t think I...”

Before Mimi could say anything, Liana grabbed her tail, making Mimi yelp in surprise.

”Nyaaaa!!! What’s that for, Big Sis! Mou!”

Liana smiled and shook her head. ”Now, now, Fifth Wife. I’ll make sure to punish you if you ever mention what happened.” She gave Mimi a terrifying smile. ”Or better yet...” Liana gave her a sidelong glare with a scary smile. ”No more mating with Husband~”

Mimi’s eyes widened, and she bit her lower lip. ”Nya! That’s not fair!”

Liana ignored Mimi’s protest and ensured her face remained composed and beautiful, showing no trace of her earlier tears. She gave Garius a respectful, graceful bow.

”We’ll go first, Your Majesty.”

”Mm... We’ll follow shortly.”

Liana slowly turned and gracefully walked toward the main door, with the others following.

They opened the door, and Liana glanced at Gloria, signaling her to follow her lead to keep everything looking normal.

Once they stepped outside, Liana began scolding Gloria while walking.

”You kept insisting on bringing those swimsuits with you. Do you think we have time to go to the beach and swim!?”

”Ara~? Feeling jealous because I have this~ hmm, First Wife?” Gloria gave Liana a sly smile, placing both hands on her own ample chest and giving it a playful bounce.

”My my~ Second Wife. You talk as if you’re the only one with such assets~” Liana crossed her arms under her breasts, making them bounce slightly as she walked. ”You see this? Young Master loves them perfect and firm, not just big, you know.”

Felicia let out a soft laugh while Delya walked along with her usual dreamy smile.

Mimi, meanwhile, was dragging a huge backpack, puffing her cheeks in frustration.

”NYAAA!!! This is heavy!”

”Ara~ First Wife?” Gloria nudged her glasses and glanced at Liana. ”Someone is trying to talk back~”

”Indeed, First Wife. Looks like the Fifth Wife, who just had her first time in such a weird way, is trying to complain about something~”

”Guh! You two are ganging up on me, nya!!!” Mimi pursed her lips, her tail swaying in annoyance.

Javier, standing at a distance, watched them bickering with a faint, affectionate smile.

( End Of Chapter )