Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1043: Whispers in the Hall, Whirring in the Sky ( 1043 )

In the hallway outside the throne hall.

Francesca chuckled softly when Javier’s voice echoed faintly from behind the closed doors.

”As usual~ My Honey Bun is teasing Liana. Ever since he was a boy, he’s never stopped messing with her~”

”Mm... He’s far stronger than her and yet always loses to her.” Marcellus joined in.

”No~ Your little brother loves her too much. All his future wives, really. He wouldn’t lift a finger to hurt them. Besides, have you ever actually seen him wounded by them?” Francesca laughed gently.

Garius exhaled and shook his head. ”Let’s just leave him like that. He always wants to attract Liana’s attention. I don’t think he could live without her or Gloria now.”

”Mm... yes~ That’s my Honey Bun~ And after that dance... I doubt they could ever truly part.”

Garius glanced toward his other sons.

”Marcellus, Cedric, Heres.”

”Yes, Esteemed Father?” Marcellus and Cedric avoided direct eye contact, while Heres kept his gaze respectfully lowered.

”You three will be married to your partners in three more days, I believe?”

”Yes, Esteemed Father.”

”Good. Care for them. Treat them with the same respect and devotion you have shown. A marriage in Armand is not just a union of two people, it’s a bond that strengthens our family and our nation. Remember that.”

Garius turned to Aelius.

”You’re going to marry Athine soon, so make sure you take care of her just as you always have.”

”I will, Esteemed Father. I promise to take care of her just like I’ve always cared for her from the beginning.”

”Mm... good.”

They paused as Gloria, Felicia, Mimi, and Delya approached down the hallway.

All four stiffened slightly and offered bows when they saw Garius.

”Your Majesty.” Gloria placed her palm over her chest in the formal maid’s salute. Felicia and Mimi gave the Beastkin bow, while Delya offered the Demon Nation’s elegant, deeper bow, one arm gracefully across her waist.

”Mm... Felicia? Mimi?”

”Yes, Your Majesty?” Felicia replied with a princess’s polite tone, Mimi nodding eagerly beside her.

”Do visit your father again when time allows. I know he only just left after the wedding. And Delya... inform your brother as well.”

”As you wish, Your Majesty.”

Garius offered a rare, soft smile. ”No need to worry. Once the mana relay towers are installed in the Elven, Beastkin, and Demon Nations, your families will each receive a private communication set. You’ll be able to speak with them without traveling. Though you all well aware that Pekko remain the fastest mounts of all.”

”Dear?” Francesca nudged him lightly, her laugh hidden behind a graceful hand.

”Mm? Yes, honey?”

”You’re going to be in trouble now~”

”Hmm? What do you mean?” Garius met her eyes, still puzzled.

”Did you forget who you married yesterday?” Francesca chuckled softly.

”Ah... Esteemed Father, we’ll take our leave.” Marcellus, Cedric, Heres, and Aelius bowed quickly, exchanging glances with Alf and Erinnette before retreating with notable haste.

Garius nodded, though their abrupt departure only deepened his confusion.

”Honey? Why are they all rushing off?” Garius asked, noticing Gloria and the other princesses had already slipped away as well.

”Your Majesty.” Alf leaned in, his voice low. ”I believe you may have forgotten that you married Queen Mylezra yesterday.”

”Ah...” Garius turned slowly toward a figure standing not far off, flanked by four elven handmaidens and several Armand maids.

Francesca simply laughed, rose onto her toes to kiss his cheek, and waved gracefully.

”Alright, dear~ I’ll leave you to it. It’s up to you how to handle this. Since someone forgot it was Mylezra’s turn today~”

”Ah... Honey, don’t just leave me like this.”

”Just don’t forget, my turn starts tomorrow and lasts two whole days~” Francesca blew a flying kiss as she was escorted away by Erisa and several members of the special maid unit.

Garius turned to face Mylezra, who stood with her lips pouted, cheeks puffed, tapping her heel lightly against the floor.

He exhaled softly and closed the distance between them.

”Forgive me, Mylezra. I was watching my youngest son handle his first formal audience.” Garius placed his hands gently on her waist, looking down at her.

”Hmmph! You forgot your new bride already?” Mylezra turned her face away, still sulking.

Garius wrapped his arms around her from behind, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek, while the elven handmaidens followed at a respectful distance, giving them their moment.

”I’m sorry... I should have informed you.” Garius whispered to her pointed ear.

”Hmmph!”

Garius rested his chin atop her head, holding her close. ”Now let’s return to our chambers and continue our honeymoon... all right?”

Mylezra turned in his arms, narrowing her eyes, her lips still adorably pursed as she looked up at him. ”Mm... m’kay~”

Meanwhile.

Tybalt region.

Eastern border.

”General!!” a soldier shouted, bursting into the command tent.

”What?” The broad-bellied general, who sat in the war camp eating a feast while accompanied by five captured women, grunted.

”There’s something in the air, flying. Huge and... and...” The soldier panicked.

”And what?”

”Wearing an Armand Emblem! Weird armor and weird helmet.”

”Whattt!?” Buskor shoved the women aside and heaved himself to his feet. ”Are they attacking?”

”No, General. They’re... hovering. Circling. Flying past our lines like they’re... watching. Or mocking.”

Buskor bit his thumbnail, eyes narrowing. ”Grrr... are you sure they’re wearing the Armand emblem!?”

”Yes, General. The golden Pekko Emblem. And only Armand has those flying things, that strange armor, those weapons.”

”How?!” Buskor snarled. ”How did Tybalt get a messenger through to Armand? It’s only our second day! We blocked every road, every forest path, every damn trail!”

He slammed a fist onto the table, sending plates clattering. ”Call every captain to me! Now! Tell them General Buskor demands their presence, immediately!”

”Yes, General!” The soldier saluted and rushed out.

Buskor paced, his face flushed with rage and confusion.

How come they can send a messenger toward Armand? We blocked all the ways. We made sure every route, including the forest path, is blocked by our troops!

Buskor heard a low, steady whirring sound directly above his command tent, followed by rising shouts outside.

He stepped out, flanked by his personal guard, and looked up.

A swarm of massive, sleek transport drones, cruised silently overhead, circling the camp. Glowing red eyes were watching them from above.

Shit. It’s like they’re waiting for us to take the first shot.

”General!!” a soldier shouted nearby. ”What are your orders? Should we fire the cannons? Use the enchanted bows?”

”No!” Buskor roared. ”Nobody fires! Hold your positions!”

He bit his thumbnail again, eyes locked on the hovering machines.

They want us to attack first. They’re daring us. But with that speed, with that armor... even our new cannons might not hit them.

He lowered his gaze, expression hardening. ”Looks like we need to inform Lord Garka. Immediately.”

( End Of Chapter )