Reborn As Noble

Emeline’s cheeks flushed an even deeper crimson, her eyes darting away as she stammered in shy embarrassment.

”You said about... um...” She fidgeted with the hem of her dress, her voice barely above a whisper. ”You said about... making me your second wife...”

Her words came out in a rush, her gaze dropping to her feet. ”I... I know you already have a first wife... Princess Kliatana... she’s beautiful, strong, and kind... and I was so surprised when you said that to me...”

Heres pointed at himself, his expression a mix of shock and utter confusion. ”I... I said that?”

Emeline twirled even more, her voice growing softer and more flustered.

”You were so gentle yesterday... saving me and my brother from those enemy soldiers... and when we rode the pekko together, you held me close, making sure I wouldn’t fall... and on the way here, you kept asking if I was comfortable, if I was scared... you whispered that I was beautiful, telling me not to worry, that you would take care of everything... and then you said... you said that...”

Her voice trailed off into a shy mumble, her fingers nervously twisting together.

”...that you wanted me to be by your side... that you would protect me and make me your wife...”

Heres tilted his head in confusion before his eyes widened in realization.

Crap...

He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, a low groan escaping his lips.

Now I remember completely... I did say that... in that little brother’s simulation. Because I thought it was just a game!

Crap, crap, crap!

Heres rubbed the back of his head, letting out an awkward, strained smile. ”Erm... You see... That... that was...”

He paused the moment he saw Emeline’s hopeful, sparkling eyes looking up at him, filled with expectation and admiration. He swallowed hard, his mind racing for a way to explain without breaking her heart.

Ah shit...

This is all Javier’s fault!!

Ugh! Not only did he and the others leave me alone to face Father, but now this?

Heres pinched his forehead before his eyes glanced at Falme, who simply nudged her glasses and let out a rare, knowing smirk.

So this is the reason why Father said yesterday there was a slight change to little brother’s mission today.

So Father knew it wasn’t even a simulation?

But how?

Heres shook his head, exhaling deeply before composing himself. He turned to Emeline with a calm, warm smile, his voice carrying the measured, regal tone befitting a prince of Armand.

”Lady Emeline. I appreciate your kind words and your trust in me. However, I believe it would be best for us to discuss this matter properly after the meeting with your brother, Lord Friedrich. There are important matters that must be addressed first, and I would not want to rush into any decisions without giving them the full consideration they deserve. I hope you can understand and wait until then.”

Emeline’s face lit up with a radiant smile. She clasped both hands in front of her and bowed gracefully.

”Mm~ Thank you, Your Highness! I will wait patiently. I am certain that whatever decision you make will be for the best.”

Heres offered a gentle wave, one hand slipping into his pocket. ”Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some important matters to attend to. There is someone I need to contact urgently.”

Emeline bowed again, her voice carrying a proper, noble tone. ”Of course, Your Highness. I shall eagerly await the outcome of the meeting with my brother. I cannot wait to hear the good news and hope the meeting proceeds smoothly and yields a favorable outcome for both our families. May your endeavors be blessed with success.”

Heres smiled and turned his gaze toward Falme. ”Falme?”

”Yes, Your Highness?”

”Please escort Lady Emeline to the guest wing. Ensure she is comfortable and has everything she requires until the meeting begins.”

”As you command, Your Highness.” Falme nodded crisply before turning to Emeline with a respectful gesture. ”Lady Emeline, if you would kindly follow me this way, please. We shall ensure you are properly attended to.”

Heres kept both hands in his pockets, watching as Falme and her subordinates gracefully escorted Emeline away. Once they were out of sight, he took out his mana talkie, slipping it into his ear and channeling a small amount of mana into it.

Meanwhile, at the battlefield.

Javier smirked, watching the enemy already in position at their battlement with the Grand Mage standing with his arms crossed.

”Oho~ Look at how confident they are~ Mmmph! I like it.”

Just as he was about to signal his pekko rider units to raise their Glocks toward the enemy, his mana talkie crackled before a furious voice exploded through the speaker.

”JAVIER DE ARMANDDDDDD!”

Javier winced, pulling the mana talkie out of his ear and rubbing it with one finger while tilting his head to the side. ”Ow... my ear...”

”Cuquawked?”

Javier, still rubbing his ear with one finger, glanced at Buddy, who tilted his head and looked at him. ”Ah... nothing... I’m sure Heres already found out about it by now~”

”Cuquawked~” (Heh~ Your brother is furious~ I can tell by how your ear is still ringing~)

Javier winced again, shaking his head as a faint ringing lingered in his ear. ”He really put his whole chest into that one...”

”Cuquawked~” (You deserve it, Master~)

”Yeah, yeah~ whatever~” Javier smirked, twirling the mana talkie between his fingers before slipping it back into his ear and channeling a small pulse of mana into it. His smirk widened into a playful, teasing grin.

”What is it, Brother Heres? The war was about to start here~”

”How dare you trick me into that simulation, you prankster!”

”What?” Javier chuckled, glancing at Buddy, who smirked with his beak. ”I didn’t trick you~”

”You said before it was just a simulation!” Heres let out a weary exhale, his voice strained with frustration. ”Do you have any idea what just happened? That girl, Emeline, she threw herself into my arms, thanking me for saving her! She talked about how I wanted to make her my second wife! She was looking at me with those hopeful, sparkling eyes, Javier! And now she’s eagerly waiting for the meeting to end so I can give her an answer!”

His voice dropped into a panicked hiss. ”Kliatana will be furious if she finds out about this!”

( End Of Chapter )