Reborn As Noble

Both Liana and Gloria wore smiles that were serene on the surface… but carried the sharp edge of danger beneath.

"Now… Second Wife~" Liana spoke softly, her voice smooth as silk, but her words barbed.

"What is it, First Wife~" Gloria replied, her tone calm, lilting, but edged with the same sharpness.

"As the First Wife, it is my privilege to accompany our Young Master to this important event," Liana said with grace, her smirk deepening.

Gloria's eyes glittered as she leaned slightly closer. "Ara ara~ my, my… it seems you've forgotten something, Miss First Wife. This is a matter of rule and duty. So it is equally my right, as Second Wife, to attend at his side."

The air between them all but crackled. Sparks flashed in the invisible space that separated their eyes.

Both continued to smile, both arms folded neatly, both refusing to look away.

"My~ my~ Second Wife. Surely you know. I've been with Young Master since he was a baby. This means I hold the privilege of going with him, of never leaving his side."

Gloria's lips curved into a serene smile, her glasses catching the corridor's light as she tilted her head slightly.

"Ara ara~ My, my, First Wife. Surely you, as the First Wife, must also be considerate toward the Second Wife. After all…" Her hand rested lightly on her chest, her voice soft, but carrying an unmistakable edge.

"…I have been with him for long as well. Perhaps not since his baby days, but long enough to share just as much of his life."

The invisible sparks between them grew sharper, a silent crackle in the air.

Liana's eyes narrowed, her smirk never fading. "So you would challenge me on this?"

Gloria adjusted her glasses with a soft click, her serene smile deepening.

"Not a challenge, my dear. A reminder. As much as you are his First Wife… I am his Second. And in this, our duty weighs the same."

Meanwhile…

Javier had just parted ways with his other brothers, his steps now falling in line with Heres since their rooms were in the same wing.

"You know, little brother," Heres said with a calm smile, "we should prepare now."

"Yeah. Agreed," Javier sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't think I can handle another lecture just because I was late."

"Heh, exactly." Heres chuckled. "Let's meet at the courtyard after this."

"Sure, sure." Javier waved his hand lazily.

But as the two turned down the last stretch of corridor, Javier froze.

There.

Standing outside his room.

Were Liana and Gloria. Arms folded, posture sharp, serene smiles on their lips.

Liana's serene smile deepened as she folded her arms tighter across her chest. "How about we make Young Master choose who he wants~" Her voice was soft, melodic.

Gloria's glasses caught the light as she tilted her head.

"No~ no~ no~ That won't do. I'm certain if we let him choose, he will surely pick you." She leaned in just a fraction, her eyes glittering.

"This time, it has to be fair, don't you think… First Wife~"

The sparks between them grew hotter, their voices polite, their faces calm, but the invisible battle was already raging.

Beside Javier, Heres blinked, then slowly raised a hand to rub his temple.

"...I'll leave this to you, little brother." And without waiting for a reply, he quietly slipped down the hall, wisely removing himself from the storm about to erupt.

Gloria's smile softened, her voice smooth as velvet.

"How about we settle this… with our usual, hmm… Liana-chan~?"

Liana's eyes narrowed, her smirk curving into something sharper.

"Oh~ of course, Gloria-chan~ No matter who wins or loses, you agree this will be fair… hmm?"

"Of course." Gloria adjusted her glasses with a faint click, the sly curve of her lips betraying her calm tone.

"I won't complain. After all, this way is fair to both of us."

Liana and Gloria squared off, standing opposite each other in the corridor. Their steps were graceful, deliberate.

Hands lifted slowly, fingers flexing as though preparing to weave forbidden spells.

"This time… no excuses, Gloria-chan." Liana's smirk sharpened, her eyes gleaming with challenge.

Gloria's glasses glinted, hiding the fire in her gaze as she pushed them up with one finger. "Ara~ don't cry when you lose, Liana-chan."

Both raised their hands higher, crossing them dramatically above their heads like warriors invoking divine judgment.

The air around them trembled.

Green fire coiled around Liana, flaring up like a living flame of the forest.

Blue fire shimmered around Gloria, cold and steady, burning with silent intensity.

"Rock… paper…"

Their voices overlapped, low and firm, like incantations echoing in a sacred duel.

"…scissor!"

Their hands snapped forward at lightning speed, cutting through the air with all the force of a decisive spell unleashed.

The clash ended in a heartbeat.

Liana's hand sliced down like a blade.

Gloria's palm spread wide.

Silence.

The air stilled, their auras flickering out like dying embers.

Then.

"Yes!!" Liana pumped her fist high with a triumphant grin, her eyes sparkling with victory.

Gloria dropped to her knees as though struck by a mortal blow, clutching her hand dramatically.

"Whyyyy… paper!! Why!!??"

Her voice cracked, echoing down the corridor. She swayed side to side, shoulders shaking as if the world itself had betrayed her. The usual calm elegance that defined her shattered completely, leaving only a pitiful, sobbing mess.

Javier just stood there, dumbstruck

All that aura, all that pressure...

For rock, paper, scissor? These two are insane.

"I win!!! Yesss!!!" Liana pumped her fist high, her triumphant shout echoing down the corridor.

Then, with perfect grace, she raised her palm lightly to her lips, tilting her head back as she let out a refined, mocking laugh.

"Fufufu~"

Her eyes glimmered as she looked down at Gloria, still collapsed in despair.

"My, my~ Second Wife," she said smoothly, her tone dripping with victory. "I won fair and square. Now, I shall go prepare. After all… it is my turn to accompany him~"

With a flourish of her skirt and the pride of a queen, Liana turned, every step radiating elegance and smug satisfaction.

Behind her, Gloria still knelt on the floor, clutching her hand like it had betrayed her very soul. "N-no… paper… why did you forsake me…"

Javier dragged a hand down his face, sighing.

Great… all that seriousness… only for this…

He let his shoulders slump, staring at the two with half-lidded eyes.

…Yeah, this was ridiculous.

( End Of Chapter )