Reborn As Noble

"Since the troublemakers...and the trouble...will be arriving soon, we should end this meeting here," Garius said at last, closing the parchment before him.

His sharp gaze flicked briefly to the side as the heavy doors opened again.

The fragrance of freshly prepared dishes wafted into the chamber as several maids entered in perfect formation, their steps measured, their trays balanced with practiced grace.

Garius's tone softened, as he addressed the head maid.

"Erinnette. Call all the personal maids to serve their masters."

"As you command, my lord."

Erinnette allowed herself a faint smile as she bowed with elegance before gliding toward the doors.

Moments later, the chamber filled with quiet movement as the personal maids entered one after another. The shift was subtle but warm, the stern council air blended into the familiar rhythm of household life.

Erinnette and Alf remained at Garius's side, serving him with their usual precision. Plates and wine were set before him exactly where he preferred them, without a single sound out of place.

Liana and Gloria entered together, their eyes naturally finding Javier. They moved without hesitation, one to his left and the other to his right, bowing slightly before setting down plates, cups, and cutlery.

Their calm smiles held a softness reserved for him alone.

Across the long table, each master was served in turn.

Lithia and Harny quietly attended Marcellus.

Meira and Zania settled beside Cedric.

Aelius and Athine's attendants moved in seamless synchrony, as if they were one mind.

Even Heres's silent composure was softened as his maid poured him tea with delicate care.

As the clatter of plates and the aroma of warm food filled the chamber, Garius let his gaze wander across the long table.

One by one, he studied each face. Francesca, poised and radiant as ever, guiding the mood with her calm presence.

Garcinia, sharp-eyed, ever ready to weigh the political weight of every word.

Phenelopie, quiet and soft, steady as a still pond.

Eridith, nibbling at her food with the same casual air of a dragon too mighty to be concerned, yet still here as part of his family.

Then his children.

Marcellus and Cedric, still groaning from their scolding yet strong in their own ways.

Aelius and Athine, whispering to each other as if the rest of the world hardly mattered. Heres, silent and watchful.

And finally...

Javier… feigning nonchalance as Liana and Gloria tended to him, though his eyes betrayed the mischievous thoughts always spinning behind them.

Inside, Garius allowed himself a small, invisible smile.

Everyone was here. Together. Alive.

Relief warmed his chest in a way no crown, no victory, and no wealth ever could. Because deep within, he knew the weight of loss more than any of them.

When he was still a child… his entire family had been slaughtered. Assassinated, and only he remained. That hollow loneliness had carved itself into his bones. The grief of being the last survivor was a wound that had never truly healed.

And it was that very wound that shaped his vow.

That none of his family, none of his wives, none of his children, none of his people, none of his staff, would ever suffer the same fate.

Not while he still breathed.

Never again.

That was also the reason he supported Kliatana's coronation.

Not merely because she was the last heir of the Human Kingdom. Not merely because Edmund had been corrupted by the filth and devoured his kin until only she remained.

No… for Garius, the true reason lay deeper.

He understood the pain of being the last one left. The loneliness of standing at the end of a broken bloodline, with no hand to guide you, no voice to call your name, no family to shield you.

He would not let Kliatana suffer that same fate.

If the Human Kingdom was to stand again, it needed more than just a ruler. It needed hope. A symbol. A survivor who could prove that loss did not have to end in ruin.

And if protecting her meant preserving the fragile balance of the continent, then so be it.

That was his resolve as both a father and a lord.

Gilmon… he had better make certain the last heir remains safe from all harm.

If he fails again… if he repeats the same mistake he made when he turned a blind eye to Edmund's corruption, when he allowed that filth to take root…

Garius's eyes narrowed faintly, his grip tightening around the goblet in his hand.

Then I will not forgive him. Not as an ally, not as a man I once respected. And this time, I will not hesitate to do what must be done.

After the meal ended and his entire family filed out of the chamber, Garius remained seated. The air grew still again, heavy with duty rather than warmth.

"Alf. Hesbeirn. Erinnette."

All three stepped forward at once. "Yes, my lord?"

"Our best shadow units, the battle maids, and the special units… they have already been dispatched to assist and guard Princess Kliatana?"

"Yes, my lord," Alf replied without hesitation.

"The report confirms they have already presented your letter to Princess Kliatana herself. From this moment, they will remain at her side."

Hesbeirn added, his tone steady.

"Thanks to young master Javier's magic device installed in the magic wagons, we can receive signals directly from the Human Kingdom. Even if there is a slight delay, messages will reach Armand clearly."

Erinnette inclined her head gracefully.

"It is functioning exactly as intended, my lord."

Garius's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Good. Then at least she will not be blind to danger."

Alf hesitated for the briefest moment before speaking again.

"My lord… are you certain you do not wish to construct a relay tower directly within the Human royal palace? With it, communication would be near-instant."

Garius leaned back in his chair, one hand resting against his chin in thought. His silence carried weight before he finally spoke.

"…We will discuss it after Kliatana's coronation. By that time, I will decide whether to share such technology....or keep it within Armand."

His eyes narrowed. "But if she herself asks for it… then I will leave the matter to Javier. After all, they were friends once, back in their noble school days."

Alf, Erinnette, and Hesbeirn each allowed the faintest smirk to cross their faces.

They all knew.

This was their lord.

Garius de Armand.

How he acted, how he prepared, how he thought, always ahead of every other ruler. Always placing the safety of his family and his people above everything else.

Even when he appeared calm, even when his words seemed simple, they understood the truth. Every command, every delay, every refusal was calculated.

Never reckless. Never without reason.

"Anyway…" Garius exhaled a long sigh, rubbing his temple briefly. "Tell the chefs and staff to be ready."

His gaze shifted toward Hesbeirn. "And you."

"Yes, my lord?" the general straightened immediately.

"Ensure our troops remain within range of the estate. Even if the barracks stand just behind these walls, I want the patrols doubled. Every road, every approach to this estate must be secured." His voice sharpened, each word carrying the weight of command.

Hesbeirn bowed his head. "As you command, my lord."

Garius's eyes narrowed faintly, though his tone remained calm.

"Even if enemies cannot sneak into Armand thanks to Javier's enemy detection magic radar… we will not grow careless. Armand's walls have never been breached, and I do not intend for that to change now."

Alf and Erinnette exchanged the smallest of glance.

Both acknowledging the truth in their master's words.

Preparation was not paranoia. It was survival. And under Garius's hand, survival always came first.

( End Of Chapter )