Reborn As Noble

”Hmmph! I’m sure that’s just your excuse.” Gloria bit her lower lip and pinched Javier’s stomach.

”Ow ow ow! Gloria... that hurts.” Javier flinched.

”Hmmph! Don’t lie to me. This isn’t the first time you’ve pretended to be hurt just to get out of trouble.”

Javier chuckled softly and smiled, looking into her eyes, letting her pinch him.

”I’m sorry, okay?” He said while giving her his best charming smile.

Gloria pursed her lips, looking into his face. ”Hmmph! You’re lucky you’re handsome and I care for you.”

She buried her face in his chest and hugged him around his waist.

Just then, she heard Javier’s stomach grumble.

She smiled and was about to say something when a cheerful voice was heard from behind.

”Nya? Husband!!!”

Mimi rushed toward Javier and hugged him from the side, glancing up at him with a cheerful smile while her tail swayed happily.

Gloria glared hard at her and noticed Liana, Felicia, and Delya standing behind her at a distance.

Guh! I’m sure this is Liana’s doing!

She always has a way to cover Young Master’s fault.

And she always tries to ruin my moment!

Ugh! This cousin of mine!

Gloria bit her lower lip, glaring sharply at Mimi, and pinched her cat ear, pulling it sharply.

”Nyaaa!!! Gloriaaaa!! That hurts!!” Mimi flinched, her body following where Gloria pulled her ear while her tail stiffened in surprise.

Mimi rubbed her ear the moment Gloria let it go, glaring up at her while pursing her lips.

”Nya! Gloria! What was that for!?”

Gloria crossed her arms and glanced down at Mimi with a sharp look.

”That’s what you get for trying to ruin my moment.”

”I just hugged husband, nya!” Mimi stomped her feet in protest.

”Next time, learn to wait your turn. Better yet, learn to know when it’s not your time to interrupt.”

”Mou!” Mimi puffed her cheeks and glanced at Liana. ”Big sis! Look at how Gloria is bullying me!”

”Ara? The fifth wife is trying to complain about me to the first wife?” Gloria said with a slight mock, her tone teasing. ”How amusing~”

Just as Mimi was about to continue protesting, Gloria noticed Liana, Felicia, and Delya bowing gracefully.

She turned and saw Francesca walking toward them.

Gloria adjusted her maid dress and bowed gracefully.

Mimi followed suit and bowed.

”Lady Mother,” everyone said in unison.

Francesca smiled. ”Arara~? What’s happening here?” She smiled sweetly and noticed Javier was rubbing the back of his head.

”Honey Bun? How did the surgery go?”

Javier smiled and nodded slightly. ”The operation went well, Mother. The patient is stable, and according to Liana, she’s already awake. It’s a good sign that she’s recovering.”

”My~ That’s good to hear. I’m sure your father couldn’t wait to hear the news. Now, Honey Bun~ Go wash up, and we’ll all eat together in the dining room~ Right, Liana? Gloria? Felicia? Delya? Mimi?”

”Yes, Lady Mother.” Everyone said in unison and bowed gracefully.

Gloria gave Liana a side glare while walking behind Javier, who was talking with Francesca.

She moved close to Liana and whispered in a hiss.

”I know this is your doing~”

”My~” Liana smiled sweetly and gave her a sly look. ”I don’t know what you’re talking about, Miss Second Wife~”

Ugh! I know she always finds a way to cover for Young Master!

And I’m sure she met Young Master’s mother so this would end quickly.

No wonder she just left me and Young Master before. She already had this plan all along, to ensure Young Master wouldn’t face my scolding or sulking.

Just you wait, Liana. I’ll have my revenge~

After a while.

In the building dining room.

Garius sat at the head of the table while Francesca sat on his right side.

Alf stood behind him at a distance, and Erinette was preparing the table, arranging plates, knives, forks, and wine glasses with practiced grace.

She reached for one of the wine bottles and poured a glass for Garius before pouring one for Francesca.

Javier’s girls had already taken their seats around the table.

Javier, who had just finished showering and was wearing fresh, comfortable clothes, stepped into the dining room and paused, glancing around.

Ah, crap.

Why the only seat left was beside Father.

Damn...

Javier noticed Gloria smiling as she gracefully stood up and pulled out the chair next to Garius.

”Young Master~” Gloria bowed gracefully.

Francesca tilted her head, glancing at Gloria.

”Gloria?”

”Yes, Lady Mother?”

”You know you don’t need to do that anymore.” Francesca said gently. ”In a few days, you’ll no longer be his maid but his official fiancée.”

Gloria smiled and nodded gracefully toward Francesca. ”I know, Lady Mother. But serving him like this... it’s something I enjoy. It’s a part of how I show my love and care for him.”

While Liana shook her head and exhaled softly, she glanced at Javier and mouthed silently, ”Sorry, can’t help you~”

Javier let out a long exhale and straightened his posture the moment Garius called him.

”Javier?”

”Yes, Esteemed Father?” Javier averted his gaze.

”Take a seat. We’re going to eat dinner here, and we have a lot to discuss.”

”As you wish, Esteemed Father.” Javier nodded and walked toward the seat, noticing Gloria hiding a sly smile.

Gloria took her seat next to Liana, with Felicia beside her, Delya beside Felicia, and Mimi beside Delya.

Sylvia sat beside Francesca, and Rolland sat next to Sylvia.

Armand maids began serving the food to everyone, placing dishes gracefully on the table.

”Now...” Garius said. ”Before we start dinner, why don’t you tell us the good news, Javier?”

Javier nodded. ”The operation to remove the curse parasite from Gracelle went smoothly. She’s currently stable and resting. According to Myra, her condition is improving, and she’s showing positive signs of recovery.”

Rolland and Sylvia sighed in relief, but the moment they noticed Garius’s sharp glare, they both glanced down at their plates.

Garius leaned back in his chair and gave both Rolland and Sylvia a sharp glare.

”You both heard that? Hmm?” He leaned forward, resting his elbow on the table while clasping his fingers and placing his lips behind them.

”If you had told us sooner, Gracelle wouldn’t have suffered like this. She could have recovered much quicker.”

He paused and glanced at both of them. ”You doubted the Armand Healers’ capability, didn’t you? You thought we couldn’t help her.”

”If we had arrived even one minute late, Gracelle would have already been beyond saving.”

He narrowed his eyes toward Rolland and Sylvia.

”Don’t forget, she was already on the brink of death. Javier saved her in the last possible moments.”

Garius leaned back in his chair. ”You should be grateful that my son was able to save her. We don’t know what would have happened if he hadn’t been here.”

He let out a long exhale. ”There’s much more I want to say to you both, but if I keep talking, the food might lose its flavor.”

( End Of Chapter )