Reborn As Noble

Armand Estate.

Garius’s Private Room.

Marcellus let out a long exhale while Cedric leaned back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose.

”Ugh! Just a few hours, and these documents seem to never end,” Marcellus muttered.

Cedric groaned. ”Yeah... I’d rather lead our army on the battlefield or go on a dangerous mission than deal with paperwork.”

Marcellus gave him a sidelong glance with a sly smirk. ”How about we take a break first?”

Cedric looked at him. ”Do you think we can? Hmm? What if Father suddenly appears or comes back and sees this much paperwork still left?”

”Ceh. This is the first time you’re not agreeing with me on this.”

”Yeah, yeah. I don’t want to get into trouble with Father. You know that.”

”Whatever.” Marcellus pinched the bridge of his nose before glancing at his butler and maids, then turned his gaze to Cedric’s butler and maids.

”Cedric?”

”What is it, Brother Marcellus?”

”You didn’t bring Meira and Zania?” Marcellus rubbed his chin.

”Ah... no. I told them to rest. I’m pretty sure they’re with Harny and Lithia. Since our sister Athine can’t meet with our brother until the wedding, I’m sure she called everyone to meet her.”

”Oh, right. So Athine is with them, huh? What about our little sisters?”

”I believe they’re with their mother.”

”And Heres?”

”Ah, him? I guess he’s enjoying his time with Kliatana.”

Marcellus smirked before giving Cedric a sly look.

Cedric looked at him. ”No... don’t cause any trouble now.”

”What?” Marcellus leaned back in his chair and glanced at Cedric. ”I’m not going to cause trouble. Just... you know.” He leaned forward and looked at Cedric. ”Aelius and Heres aren’t too busy right now... and Kliatana is supposed to be with our wives and sister.”

Cedric narrowed his eyes before giving him a sly smirk. ”You don’t mean...”

”You know, four is better than two, right, Cedric~?” Marcellus grinned.

”Ah~ now that you mention it~ I guess that’s true. Hehehe~”

Marcellus glanced at the maids. ”Layra? Renisa?”

”Yes, Your Highness?” Both of them bowed gracefully.

”Could you please call Prince Aelius and Prince Heres to come to Father’s room? Tell them it’s important.”

”As you command, Your Highness.” Both of them bowed gracefully, turned, and walked out of the room.

”Oho~ You’re going to use your authority as the eldest among Father’s sons, huh?” Cedric teased.

”No, I’m not that bad, you know~” Marcellus chuckled softly. ”It’s just that Aelius has huge experience handling paperwork like this since he and Athine handle Armand’s economy, banks, merchant guilds, and everything related to finance. And Heres will be handling Arjam affairs, so this will help him gain more... ’experience’... don’t you think?”

”Ah... right... That’s a good idea. I agree.” Cedric nodded while reaching for another document and starting to read it.

After a while, a soft knock sounded at the door, and the two maids opened it and stepped inside.

”Your Highness, Prince Aelius and Prince Heres are here.”

”Ah, thank you, Layra, Renisa. You both can take a seat and rest.”

”As you wish, Your Highness.” The two of them regrouped with the other maids and sat in the refreshment area.

Aelius and Heres stepped inside, their maids following closely behind them.

Aelius gestured for his maids to regroup with Marcellus, Cedric, and Heres’s maids in the refreshment area, while Heres took a seat at the long table.

”Do you need anything, Brother Marcellus? Why were we called here?” Aelius asked, raising an eyebrow.

”Ah, Aelius, take a seat.” Marcellus grinned.

Aelius shook his head and took his seat while one of his maids poured wine into his glass.

Cedric smirked. ”You know, as brothers, we should hang out more. Strengthen our bond, especially since Heres just got married and you’ll be soon too.”

Aelius chuckled before taking a sip of his wine and setting the glass down slowly. ”Right... Or is it because you need help with... paperwork~?”

Marcellus chuckled softly and smiled. ”Since you already know...” He looked at Aelius and Heres before giving them both an innocent smile. ”Would you two help this poor elder brother of yours?”

Aelius and Heres shook their heads in amusement. ”Fine. But just this once.”

”Ohhh~ Thank you! That’s my brother!” Marcellus grinned. ”After this is done, we should all have lunch and dinner together, maybe even have a blast with some drinks~”

Heres smiled and reached for the paperwork, starting to read.

”I don’t mind. Since Kliatana was called by Athine, she mentioned it was bonding time. So when your maid came to call me earlier, I thought it was a good time to hang out.”

Aelius smiled. ”Yeah. Since Athine... I don’t know what’s gotten into her, but she’s been calling everyone.”

Marcellus chuckled. ”Yeah. Harny and Lithia were also called by her.”

Cedric glanced at the paperwork before putting an approval stamp on it. ”Same here. Meira and Zania were also called by her. I guess it’s about their pregnancy or something like that.”

”Maybe.” Aelius said softly and smiled before reaching for another document and starting to evaluate it. ”Anyway...”

”Hmm?” Marcellus glanced up at Aelius. ”What is it?”

”Yeah. It’s rare for you to pause like that,” Cedric added.

Aelius smiled. ”I want to talk it out with you all, but I doubt you’ll be able to keep it a secret. Especially around our father. He has those all-knowing eyes, the Eyes of Truth. One slip, and he’ll know about it.”

Marcellus leaned forward, resting his elbow on the table and his cheek on his knuckle. ”Just tell us about it. You don’t have to hide it from us.”

Cedric smirked. ”Yeah. If you keep bottling it up, it’ll just weigh on you.”

Heres reached for his glass and drank the wine. ”Yeah, Brother Aelius. Just tell us already.”

Aelius smiled. ”I shouldn’t talk about this since our little brother Javier isn’t here. It’s best to wait until we’re all together.”

Marcellus laughed. ”If you want his place to be the next heir for the throne, I’m sure he’d agree right away.”

Aelius’s eyes widened. ”No! Not that. If all of you don’t want it, why should I? Just look at this pile of documents and paperwork. No way. Give it to Heres.”

”O...oi! I don’t want it. I’m already busy handling Arjam affairs, and it’s exhausting. I don’t even have enough time to spend with Kliatana.”

Cedric shook his head in frustration. ”Don’t ask me. I already agreed not to be appointed as the first in line. No thanks. I’m happy with what I have.”

Marcellus smiled. ”So, Aelius, if it’s not about the heir thing... what is it? Don’t tell me you’re jealous of our little brother.” Marcellus’s eyes turned serious.

Aelius let out a hearty laugh when he saw how Marcellus’s eyes turned serious. ”Heh. Do you think I’m like that? It’s not about our little brother Javier. He might be my half-brother, but I feel more comfortable with him, like he’s my own brother, than I do with you, Cedric, and Heres.”

Marcellus smiled. ”So? Just tell us already. Damn, I hate when you keep being subtle.”

”Do you all want your partners... to stay young as long as they live? To preserve their beauty?” He glanced at Marcellus. ”Even though I know Dark Elf appearance never changes...”

( End Of Chapter )