Reborn As Noble

Javier smiled and watched Liana walk back toward the grill. He turned his gaze toward Celine, his hand instinctively rubbing the spot where Liana had hit him with the spatula.

”Ouch...”

He paused, his brow furrowing slightly.

Weird...

He rubbed the spot again, his eyes narrowing in thought.

Before... every time Liana hit me, it didn’t feel like anything. Just a light tap, barely noticeable.

I know she’s strong, but her strength was never enough to actually hurt me.

He looked at the spot again, pressing his fingers into the faint red mark.

But now... I could feel the pain. Even if it’s not much. Even if it’s just a slight sting. But it still hurts.

That’s never happened before.

He looked up, his eyes tracking Liana as she continued cooking at the grill. Gloria was beside her, preparing the buns, arranging them neatly on a tray.

The only person in Armand I could ever feel hurt by was Mother. Of course, Father’s magic and power made me feel a slight sting before, since he wasn’t using his real full power yet. But now... there’s a third person who can actually make me feel something.

I wonder... did she level up? Is she stronger now? But since when?

He rubbed his arm again, his eyes narrowing slightly.

She’s been the same as always. I rarely see her train heavily anymore. Just light exercise, daily practice to keep her skills sharp, and assisting everyone else with their training. Nothing that would explain this.

But... something’s different. Something changed. I just don’t know what.

He tilted his head, watching her for a moment longer before shrugging and turning toward where Celine was sitting.

Well... whatever. I’m happy for her. Even if it means I’ll be feeling her hits a lot more from now on.

Javier arrived at where Celine was sitting, leaning against Lyzia, both of them fast asleep. He paused, his gaze softening as he took in the sight.

The morning light filtered through the palm leaves, casting a gentle glow over Celine’s face. Her long pink hair spilled over her shoulders like silk, catching the light in soft, shimmering waves. Beside her, Lyzia’s silver hair had slipped over her own shoulder, her head tilted slightly, her mouth faintly open as she dozed.

Javier smiled softly, his gaze lingering on Celine and Lyzia before he called out in a low, gentle voice.

”Celine?”

Her body shifted slightly, her cheek pressing a little deeper against Lyzia’s shoulder, and a faint mumble escaped her lips, barely audible.

Javier shook his head with a smile. He took a seat beside her, his gaze lingering on her face, tracing the gentle curve of her cheek, the soft line of her jaw, the way her pink hair fell across her forehead.

I wonder how I should wake her up.

Shake her shoulder? Call her name again?

No... calling her right now won’t work. She’s too deep in sleep. And she looks too peaceful to disturb.

He kept watching her sleeping face, a quiet guilt settling in his chest.

I guess this is my fault, huh?

Ever since she arrived in Armand, I never really had a proper conversation with her. The only time we really talked was when I asked her to demonstrate her healing skill so I could gather the data for the calibration. After that... nothing.

He reached out slowly, gently brushing a strand of pink hair away from her face. His fingers lingered near her cheek before he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a soft whisper.

”Celine...”

She stirred slowly, her lashes fluttering open. Her eyes were hazy, still clouded with sleep. She blinked up at him, her expression dreamy and confused, before a soft smile spread across her lips.

”...Husband...?”

Javier flashed her his charming, calm smile.

”If you’re tired, you should head back to the villa and sleep. You shouldn’t be sleeping here.”

Celine leaned forward. She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her cheek against his bare chest, letting out a soft, contented mumble.

”Husband... handsome... mm...”

She fell asleep again, her breathing slow and even, her arms still loosely wrapped around him.

Javier blinked, caught off guard.

Before he could react, Lyzia stirred on the other side. She mumbled something, blinked her hazy eyes open, and glanced around with a dazed expression. She noticed Celine sleeping against something soft and warm, shifted closer, and settled against Javier’s other side, her cheek pressed to his chest, her arm draping over him.

Ah...

Javier scratched his head, glancing between the two sleeping girls pressed against him.

Crap... Liana is going to be mad if she sees this...

He looked around quickly, but no one was paying attention. Liana was still at the grill, her back turned. Gloria was focused on arranging the buns. The other girls were occupied with their own tasks.

He let out a slow, quiet exhale. A grin tugged at his lips as he shifted, laying back properly on the long cushion, his head resting against the soft armrest. He adjusted his body so the two sleeping girls could remain comfortably pressed against him, then wrapped an arm around each of them, pulling them gently closer.

Well... there’s no harm in it. They’re sleeping. I’m just letting them rest.

Just think of them as... a package~ Ehehe~

Javier’s eyes drifted toward the two girls pressed against him, his hands resting on their waists. He glanced up at the sky, watching the clouds drift lazily overhead.

I should wake Lyzia up after this. Before Liana and the others notice.

Or I’ll be in huge trouble later.

He narrowed his eyes, a confident smirk spreading across his face.

Well... this is also proof that no beautiful girl could resist this charming prince~

The most handsome man in Armand.

Ehehehe~

He felt his eyelids grow heavy. A wave of drowsiness washed over him, slow and warm.

Hmm?

Why do I suddenly feel sleepy?

He tried to force his eyes wide open. He blinked once. Twice. Shook his head slightly. But the tiredness crept back in, heavier than before, sinking into his limbs like warm water. His body felt relaxed. The cushion beneath him felt too soft. The warmth of the two girls pressed against him was too comfortable. The morning sun was too gentle.

Crap...

I should wake Lyzia up. Or shake her. Or... or sit up. Just sit up.

He tried to push himself up. His arm moved, but the strength drained out of it halfway, and he slumped back down against the cushion.

He tried his best to fight it, but the drowsiness was relentless, pulling him down deeper and deeper, until his thoughts blurred together, his body slowly gave in and his eyes slowly fluttered closed.

I should...

( End Of Chapter )