Reborn As Noble

Garius let out a rare, warm smile. He crossed his arms and glanced across the field at his sons.

”For now, that’s enough. Today is the second day of our vacation. You’ve all done well, better than I expected. So rest. Eat. Swim. Spend time with your wives. Enjoy the peace while it lasts, because days like this won’t come often once the storm arrives.”

He glanced at Javier, who was still sprawled flat on his stomach in the sand. Mimi was squatting beside him, poking his side with a stick, her tail swaying in pure delight as she watched for any reaction.

Garius shook his head with an amused smirk.

”You can stop pretending now, Javier. I know you’re not hurt.”

He turned and walked toward his wives, his steps calm and unhurried, his golden trunks catching the morning light.

Javier turned his head slowly, cracking one eye open. His gaze landed on Mimi, who was still poking him with the stick, her tongue caught between her tongue caught between her lips, one small fang peeking out. She was wearing one of his oversized shirts, the fabric hanging loose and long over her small frame, with a pair of short shorts beneath it.

He pushed himself up slowly, sand falling from his shoulders and hair. Mimi puffed her cheek in disappointment, her tail drooping slightly.

”Nyaaa~”

Javier patted his chest, brushing off the sand, then glanced down at her sulking face. He reached out and gently patted her head, his fingers threading through her soft hair.

Her expression shifted in an instant. Her pout vanished, replaced by a wide, gleeful grin. She leaped toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck and locking her legs around his waist. She nuzzled against him, her tail swaying happily behind her.

”Eheheheh~”

Javier smiled, holding Mimi securely with one arm as she nuzzled against him, her head resting on his shoulder. His voice came out soft and warm.

”Let’s go join the others.”

He walked across the sand, Mimi clinging to him like a contented cat, her tail swaying lazily behind her.

His eyes swept over the scene the moment he arrived.

Felicia stood beside Gloria, who was holding a bowl of fresh cut vegetables, about to hand it toward Liana. Delya sat cross-legged on a cushion, both hands wrapped around her chocolate drink, her usual dreamy smile never fading. Gracelle sat beside her, tilting her head with sleepy eyes, her cheek resting against Delya’s shoulder.

His eyes drifted to Celine and Lyzia, who had fallen asleep, leaning against each other, their heads touching as they dozed peacefully.

Then his gaze settled on Liana, who gave him a warm smile while flipping the meat in the pan.

”Liana... Gloria.”

”Yes, Young Master?” Liana glanced at him calmly, spatula held up mid-flip.

Gloria, who had been tasting the sauce with her finger still resting against her lips, glanced over at him and tilted her head.

”Do you need something, Young Master?”

Javier glanced at both of them.

”You two should relax. Let the maids handle the cooking. You’re on vacation too.”

Liana let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as she returned her attention to the pan, flipping another slab of meat with practiced ease.

”Cooking is my joy, Young Master. It’s my hobby. I’ve been doing it for so long that it’s become a part of who I am. And besides...” She glanced at him, her silver hair catching the light as she smiled. ”There’s no greater happiness for me than preparing a meal for the people I love. Especially for my special Young Master.”

Gloria licked the sauce from her finger before replying, nudging her glasses up with her free hand.

”She’s right. We’ve been doing this since you were a child. We know your tastes better than anyone. We know what you like, what you don’t like, and how to make every dish just the way you want it.” She paused, a soft, fond smile touching her lips. ”If we stopped now, it would feel... strange. Like something is missing.”

Javier let out a weary exhale, shaking his head slowly. He glanced at Celine and Lyzia, who were still fast asleep, leaning against each other.

”Liana, if they’re both sleepy, why not just let them stay at the villa? They don’t have to force themselves to stay awake just to be here.”

Liana smiled, flipping another piece of meat in the pan. She glanced toward Celine and Lyzia before her gaze softened.

”Celine wanted to join. She said she didn’t want to be left behind. She’s still getting used to everything, and she doesn’t want to feel like an outsider. As for Lyzia...”

She paused, her smile turning knowing.

”You know how she is. She didn’t want to leave Celine alone. Those two are inseparable. Best friends since they met. Wherever one goes, the other follows.”

Javier glanced at the two sleeping girls, shaking his head with a small smile.

”I see.”

Felicia leaned over and whispered something into Gloria’s ear. Gloria listened, her expression shifting from curiosity to amusement. She nudged her glasses up and glanced toward Javier.

”You could just ask him, you know.”

Felicia fidgeted, her tail twitching behind her, her ears flattening slightly. She looked away, her fingers twisting together, her cheeks turning pink.

Gloria nudged her with her elbow, her smirk widening.

”Just ask him. He won’t bite.” She paused, her smirk turning teasing. ”But he can eat you, if you know what I mean~”

Felicia’s cheeks flushed pink. She shot Gloria a sharp glare before turning her attention back to Javier.

Javier tilted his head in confusion, looking between the two of them.

”What is it? What do you want to ask?”

Felicia walked over to Liana and leaned in, whispering something into her ear. Liana paused mid-flip, glancing at her with a raised brow.

”Eh? You want me to ask him that? You know you could just ask him directly.”

Felicia puffed her cheek, then wrapped her arms around Liana from the side, hugging her tightly and refusing to let go. She stayed there in stubborn silence, her tail flicking behind her.

Liana let out a weary exhale, shaking her head slowly. She lowered her voice.

”Even if I ask him, you know how he always answers.”

Javier looked between the two of them, his confusion growing. He scratched his cheek, tilting his head.

”What is it?”

Liana let out another exhale, returning her attention to the pan as she flipped the meat.

”Felicia wants me to ask you why you didn’t show any of your skills during the practice duel with Father-in-law. She noticed you didn’t fight seriously, Young Master.”

”Ah...”

Javier’s grin turned sheepish. He rubbed the back of his head, and Mimi pulled back slightly, still clinging to him with her arms and legs wrapped around him as she glanced up at his face.

”About that... I believe you and Gloria already know the answer.”

He turned his gaze away, his voice dropping slightly.

”I don’t want to show my skills for a certain reason.”

Felicia pursed her lips, her tail flicking behind her. She mumbled softly, her voice carrying a note of quiet protest.

”But I want to see your skills...”

She paused, her cheeks flushing pink.

”Even if I experienced your fighting skills during our first meeting at the dwarven border town... even then, you weren’t really showing your real skill. I could tell. You were holding back.”

She fidgeted in place, her fingers twisting together, her ears flattening slightly.

”I want to see my husband’s skills with my own eyes.”

She looked up at him, making a small, cute face, her eyes wide and hopeful. Her voice dropped into a shy mumble.

”Can I?”

( End Of Chapter )