Reborn As Noble

Celine’s cheeks flushed a soft pink as she bowed slightly from her seat, her voice carrying a mix of gratitude and shyness. ”Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generosity and protection. I am deeply honored by your trust and your willingness to welcome me into your family.”

She stole a quick glance at Javier, but he was still focused on the documents before him, exchanging quiet words with his brothers. She quickly looked away, her blush deepening.

Garius’s smirk faded, his expression hardening as he leaned forward. He rested his elbows on the table, clasping his fingers together, his lips pressing against his interlaced hands. His eyes shifted, sharp and cold, locking onto Ashara and Jiowana, who stood at a distance.

”Now.”

The single word carried a weight that made the air in the room grow heavy. Ashara and Jiowana’s legs trembled visibly, their faces paling as they struggled to maintain their composure under his piercing gaze.

Garius’s voice dropped, low and deliberate.

”Let us address the matter of your crime. You attacked my son, Javier de Armand, the Prince of Armand, within the borders of a sovereign allied nation, using lethal force in a public space filled with innocent civilians.”

Celine’s eyes widened in panic. She rose swiftly from her seat, kneeling beside it with her head bowed low.

”Please, Your Majesty! I beg you to spare them!” Her voice trembled. ”They acted only to protect me. In my country, they have always been by my side, guarding me against countless threats. Their duty is my safety, and they have never known a land where a stranger approaching a princess might not be an assassin. Please, I implore you, consider the loyalty that drove their actions, not just the outcome.”

Garius remained unmoved, his gaze steady and cold.

”According to the report from Armand Special units, my son warned them. He told them not to draw or fire their weapons in a public space filled with civilians. He gave them a chance to stand down.”

He paused, letting the words settle.

”And yet, they chose to ignore that warning.”

Ashara and Jiowana knelt beside Celine, their heads bowed low, their bodies trembling. Celine lifted her head slightly, her voice shaking.

”I know what they did was wrong, Your Majesty. I do not deny that. But I beg you to consider a more lenient punishment. They have served me faithfully my entire life. They are like sisters to me. Please, I am not asking for them to be freed without consequence, only that their lives be spared.”

Garius’s eyes remained fixed on them, cold and unyielding.

”If Javier were merely an ordinary son, without power or strength, he would be dead. According to Armand law, the crime they have committed carries a confirmed death sentence. If it were up to me alone, I would not hesitate to order a beheading or the gallows without a second thought.”

Garius leaned back slightly, his gaze shifting to Javier before returning to Celine.

”However... I have already entrusted the decision of their punishment to my son, Javier. He is the one who was wronged, and he has chosen to spare them. He informed me of your words that they are like sisters to you. That is the only reason they are still breathing.”

Garius’s voice remained cold, but carried a finality that left no room for doubt.

”I am not pleased with the thought of any harm coming to my family. I spared them because my son asked me to. Because he values your happiness, and because he believes in second chances for those who act out of loyalty rather than malice.”

He paused, his eyes narrowing.

”But do not misunderstand my leniency for weakness. This is their one and only chance. If they step out of line again, if they endanger any member of my family or any innocent life within Armand’s borders, I will not send officers to capture them. I will send executioners to end them. There will be no further warnings, no second chances. Their lives will be forfeit.”

Celine bowed her head low, her voice trembling with gratitude and resolve.

”Thank you, Your Majesty. I understand the weight of your mercy. I swear upon my honor as a princess of Divinity that I will personally ensure they understand the gravity of this second chance. If they ever falter again, I will not hold Armand accountable. I will accept full responsibility for their actions, even if it means my own punishment.”

Fransesca, who had been seated gracefully among her co-wives, smiled softly before speaking, her voice carrying a gentle melodic tone.

”However, that does not mean their punishment is over. They may have been spared from execution, but they must still face the consequences of their actions. They need to apologize properly and receive the punishment that is due, especially for attacking my honey bun~”

She paused, raising her palm to cover her lips with an elegant, amused smile.

”All they need to do is meet with the first wife of my son... Liana~”

Javier, who had been holding a thick document, suddenly froze, his eyes widening. The heavy parchment slipped from his fingers, landing on the table with a soft thud.

”What?”

Celine remained kneeling, bowing her head. ”Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty. I am truly grateful for your kindness and your consideration.”

But before she could finish, Javier shot up from his seat in a rush. ”Wait, Mother, that’s...!”

He froze mid-spoke, his lips moving, but no sound came out. He tried again, his jaw working, but his voice was completely gone. His eyes darted to Fransesca, who was staring at him with a bright, innocent smile.

”Arara~ Honey bun?” Fransesca tilted her head slightly, raising a hand to her ear. ”Did you say something? Please speak clearly, this ’old lady’ can’t hear you very well~”

Javier’s lips moved frantically, forming words and protests, but not a single sound escaped. He tried to speak, to object, but his voice had been completely sealed.

Javier channeled his mana, activating his dispel magic in a quick, practiced motion. For a brief moment, he felt the silencing effect lift, but before he could even utter a single word, another layer of silence magic clamped down, sealing his voice once more.

Javier gritted his teeth in sheer frustration. He reached for a sheet of paper, snatched a ballpoint pen from his pocket, and began scribbling furiously. When he finished, he held the paper up toward Fransesca, his expression pleading.

Fransesca tilted her head, her smile sweet and innocent. ”Ara? What are you showing me, honey bun?”

Javier pointed urgently at the paper, his lips moving soundlessly.

Fransesca leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ”You’re showing me your drawing? Arara~ That’s beautiful~”

Javier’s brow furrowed deeply. He glanced down at the paper in his hands.

Instead of the words he had written, there was a beautifully finished painting of him as a child, grinning mischievously while poking a pile of pekko feces with a stick, while Buddy stood beside him, glancing down at it with a mischievous smirk on his beak.

What the hell?

( End Of Chapter )