Reborn As Noble

Meanwhile.

Inside the main hall of the Mathrias estate.

Garius sat in a chair with Francesca beside him.

Rolland and Sylvia knelt before them, along with their high-ranking officials and the butler.

Alf and Erinette stood nearby, flanked by several battle maids and Armand elite guards surrounding the area.

”So...” Garius narrowed his eyes at Rolland. ”Tell me, Rolland...”

Rolland fell silent.

”Why did you only tell me about Gracelle’s condition at the last minute?” Garius asked, his voice stern and unwavering.

Rolland was about to speak when Garius’s aura flared, making the air in the room feel heavy and oppressive.

”Don’t tell me you’re going to say you didn’t want to trouble me.” Garius’s tone sharpened. ”Aren’t we friends? Friends shouldn’t keep secrets like this from each other, especially in matters like this.

Rolland fell silent again, unable to form any words.

Francesca’s eyes turned serious as she glared calmly at Sylvia.

”Now, Sylvia.”

”Y... yes... Your... Majesty...” Sylvia answered in a stammer, her hands and body trembling.

”You are also my friend. We’ve known each other for so long, not just as acquaintances, but as friends. And yet you never informed me about her?”

”I... I’m sorry... Your Majesty... I...” Sylvia’s voice trembled, her thoughts scattered between fear and grief. ”I was too focused on Gracelle’s condition... I couldn’t think clearly...”

Francesca’s aura flared intensely, her anger evident as her eyes glowed. ”And that’s all the more reason to think properly and seek help from Armand!”

Sylvia’s face turned pale. ”During that time... Armand was under attack by the noble coalition... We couldn’t send help or protest to the royal court about it... It would have been shameful to ask for help from Armand while you were fighting for your survival. And after the war ended, Gracelle’s condition improved slightly, so we didn’t think much of it... until she worsened again. We forgot to ask for help until Gracelle, in her weakened state weeks ago, mentioned... she wished to see Javier one last time. That’s what reminded us...”

Garius’s aura flared as he glared at Rolland. ”We met more than twice during royal councils before! And yet you still didn’t mention it? Even at the recent royal council, when Kliatana was stripped of her title and rank as princess of the Human Kingdom, you never once mentioned Gracelle’s condition. That is unacceptable.”

Just as Garius was about to let his anger show, a soft knock echoed from the door.

Garius leaned back in his chair, elbow resting on the armrest, his cheek propped on his knuckle.

”Come in.”

The door opened, and Myra stepped inside gracefully. She stopped at a respectful distance and bowed gracefully toward Garius and Francesca.

”Your Majesty.”

Garius looked at her. ”So, how is her condition?”

Myra bowed again and began explaining in a calm, professional tone. ”Lady Gracelle’s condition has been stabilized. Prince Javier managed to restart her heart and has placed her on advanced life support systems. Her vitals are being monitored, and she is currently, according to Prince Javier, in a medically induced rest to allow her body to recover from the strain. The underlying affliction appears to be a slow-acting curse poison, but further analysis is required.”

”Hmm...” Garius glanced at her. ”So she’s stable now?”

”Yes, Your Majesty. Prince Javier has confirmed that her condition is stable for the time being, though further treatment will be required to address the underlying cause.”

”So, what does Javier plan to do next?” Garius asked.

Myra bowed gracefully again. ”According to Prince Javier, the next step is to perform an operation to address the underlying cause of Lady Gracelle’s condition. He has requested two battle maids and two Armand elite guards to be stationed in her room for security and assistance.”

”Hmm...” Garius glanced at Myra before turning his gaze to Alf and Erinette.

Alf adjusted his glove and bowed slightly. ”Your Majesty, if Prince Javier suspects a slow-acting curse poison, it would be unwise to use any of the rooms within the Mathrias manor for the operation. The risk of contamination or interference is too high.”

Erinette bowed gracefully. ”What Alf has said is true, Your Majesty. It would be safer to conduct the operation in a controlled environment.”

Garius’s right eye glowed faintly as he rubbed his chin. ”Erinette.”

”Yes, Your Majesty?”

”Assign two battle maids skilled in healing and select two elite guards to accompany Myra to Javier.”

He then turned to Alf. ”Alf?”

”Yes, Your Majesty?”

”Contact our command center and have them instruct the Armand Naval Base to dispatch a team of our elite special forces by air. With the current mana satellite network, communication via mana talkie should be seamless.”

”As you command, Your Majesty.” Alf smirked and bowed.

Garius glanced at Myra.

”Myra?”

”Yes, Your Majesty?” Myra adjusted her posture.

”The battle maids and guards Erinette has chosen will accompany you. Tell Javier to come here and meet me. Do not leave the room while Javier is away, and make sure all of you keep your mana talkies in your ears at all times.”

”As you command, Your Majesty.” Myra bowed before taking three steps back, turning, and walking gracefully toward the door, with two guards and a battle maid following closely behind.

Once the door closed, Garius turned his stern gaze to Rolland and Sylvia.

”You two better pray that my son is able to save your daughter.”

His eyes turned serious. ”If he fails and I see him crying again, I will ensure that no military aid from Armand will come to Mathrias, regardless of the threat from your neighboring regions.”

He looked directly at Rolland, his right eye glowing faintly. ”I’m serious. You both know I never make empty threats.”

Both Rolland and Sylvia fell silent, unable to speak or look directly into Garius’s eyes.

Garius glanced at Francesca.

”Let’s hope our youngest son is able to save her.”

Francesca smiled faintly. ”I’m sure he knows what he’s doing, since he’s my Honey Bun~”

Garius chuckled softly. ”You’re still going to call him that? He’s nearly an adult, you know.”

”Yes~ I’ll keep calling him by that name~ Even when he turns 100~”

Garius chuckled and let out a soft laugh. ”Do you think I, and all our family, can live past 100? Don’t forget, Honey, we’re all just regular humans.”

Francesca smiled. ”Who knows~ There might be a surprise before he turns eighteen, you know~ And besides, don’t forget, Mylezra is an Elf. I’m sure she wouldn’t want her beloved husband, whom she waited years to marry, to let her only love in life grow old and leave her alone~”

Garius leaned his cheek on his knuckle. ”I doubt he’d be able to do something about that.”

”A-ah.” Francesca wiggled her delicate finger at him. ”Once he gets his hands on the means, I’ll make sure you won’t be able to reject it~ And you know I’m serious~”

( End Of Chapter )