Reborn As Noble

Garius then looked at all his family, his gaze sweeping slowly across the long table. His voice carried the weight of iron, calm but absolute.

"The reason I called this meeting… is so that all of you understand clearly where Armand stands. If any of you hold a different suggestion, if you believe we should remain detached from the chaos of the Human Kingdom's throne, speak now."

Silence followed.

Everyone glanced at one another.

On one side, Eridith stabbed her fork into a slab of roasted meat and began chewing leisurely, as if the matter of kingdoms and crowns were nothing more than a backdrop for her appetite.

"So no one will disagree?" Garius's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone sharp enough to pierce the air.

Still, no one spoke.

At the far end, Javier quickly shifted his gaze aside, pretending to study the carved patterns along the polished wood of the table.

Inside his mind, however, his thoughts were anything but still.

Armand already reached its peak. Wealth, strength, peace… all thanks to Father's way of ruling. Who could complain? As for Kliatana...

She's my friend, and she's the one who saved me from Kenjirou back when I was too weak to resist. If she becomes Queen, that's fine. Not my problem.

"Javier."

The sudden call of his name made him flinch. His head snapped up to meet his father's piercing eyes.

"Ah… y-yes, Esteem Father?" he stammered.

"Do you have anything you wish to say?"

Dozens of eyes turned toward him. Even Liana and Gloria leaned in slightly, watching him with faintly amused smiles.

Javier raised his hands faintly.

"A-ah… nothing, Esteem Father."

Garius's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer.

"Good."

"If we stand with the last ruler of the Human Kingdom, with Armand swearing loyalty and allegiance, then I am certain Duke Kimar will not dare step forward to seize the throne,"

Garius continued, his voice low but firm. "Even the remaining nobles would not risk moving against us."

"Since Edmund slaughtered most of his family, only Kliatana remains. She will be crowned soon as the last Queen of the Human Kingdom. I will attend the coronation… and since most of the Human nobles will be present...."

Before Garius could continue, Alf quietly set down a fresh parchment on the table.

Garius took it, scanning the contents with a narrowed gaze.

"…Hmm. It seems King Veldrac of the Demon Kingdom will also be attending." His brow furrowed.

"Are you certain they have already reached the border between Armand and the Demon Kingdom?"

"Yes, my lord," Alf answered steadily. "The report just arrived"

"They are requesting permission to pass through our border."

A heavy sigh escaped Garius as he set the parchment aside, pressing his palm lightly against his face.

Across the table, Francesca, Eridith, and the other wives exchanged knowing looks, soft chuckles slipping from their lips. Even Erinnette allowed herself a faint smile.

"I am certain Veldrac is eager to stop here before the coronation," Garius muttered.

His tone was resigned, yet beneath it was the faintest flicker of amusement.

After all, King Veldrac was no enemy.

Just loud, overbearing, and far too cheerful for a Demon King… but a friend nonetheless. One who always treated Garius as if they were drinking companions rather than rulers of nations.

Garius's eyes narrowed as he unfolded the next parchment Alf had placed before him.

"…King Lioness from the Beastkin Kingdom as well? Hmph… of course." His voice trailed slightly, but then stiffened as his eyes caught the next line. "And… M–Mylezra?"

A ripple of chuckles stirred the chamber.

Francesca's soft laughter broke the tension first. She raised her hand lightly to cover her lips, her gaze sparkling with that serene authority only she possessed.

"Dear… she could not wait any longer." Her tone was gentle but teasing, like a knife wrapped in silk. Then her eyes shifted deliberately, settling on her sons.

Marcellus, Cedric, and finally Javier.

"This is why you three should not go around making promises to every girl you meet, just like your father."

All three sons stiffened. Marcellus cleared his throat awkwardly. Cedric rubbed the back of his neck with a groan.

Javier whipped his gaze away, forcing a stiff smile as if the polished wood of the council table had suddenly become fascinating.

Inside.

Don't look at me, Esteem Mother! Why bring me into this?

Not like I'm at Father's level of promising left and right… Well… except… maybe a little.

Francesca's voice carried on smoothly, calm but merciless.

"Not to mention… Nyxara, dear." She turned her eyes back toward Garius, her smile deepening. "Ah, Duke Nyxara, your last promise."

The wives exchanged amused glances, while Eridith smirked behind her wine glass, clearly enjoying Garius's discomfort. Garcinia shook her head slowly with a sigh, while Phenelopie lowered her gaze as though pretending not to hear.

Across the table, Rasdingen coughed into his beard to stifle a laugh, while Hesbeirn's stone-cold expression twitched faintly.

The silence thickened again, and Javier sank a little lower into his chair.

Well, I can't really laugh. Liana and Gloria...plus Felicia, Mimi, Delya, Ferine… yeah. That makes six. Damn it, I really am becoming like Father.

A sudden knock echoed against the doors.

Alf bowed slightly to Garius before striding across the chamber. He opened the door with his usual calm precision.

An officer stood waiting in the corridor, head bowed respectfully. Without a word, he extended a sealed parchment into Alf's hand.

Alf accepted it with his customary composure, closing the door behind him before turning back toward the table. His eyes skimmed the contents quickly, then lifted toward Garius. He stepped forward and placed the report neatly before his lord.

"My lord," Alf said evenly. "It seems… everyone is at the border now. They are requesting permission to enter."

Garius pressed two fingers against his temple and exhaled long."Another troublemaker. For sure… tonight will be loud."

A ripple of knowing smiles passed among Francesca, Garcinia, and even Eridith, who looked positively eager to see the chaos unfold.

"Fine," Garius muttered at last, his voice carrying the weight of a resigned man preparing for noise. "Let them pass."

His gaze shifted toward the head maid. "Erinnette. Prepare the guest house."

"Yes, my lord." She bowed with her usual poise, already considering every detail down to the smallest spoon and towel.

Garius then turned his eyes toward Alf and Hesbeirn as well. "Alf. Hesbeirn. Erinnette."

The three straightened in unison. "Yes, my lord?"

"Deploy our best units to safeguard them," Garius ordered firmly. "I want the perimeter secured, and especially the estate. No accidents. No oversights."

"As you command, my lord."

Alf's voice was steady, Hesbeirn's deep, and Erinnette's calm. All three acknowledging with absolute certainty.

( End Of Chapter )