Reborn As Noble Chapter 1173: Past Affection and Present Duty ( 1173 )

As Javier made his way along the corridor heading for the central courtyard, he caught sight of Liana and the rest approaching his chambers.

"Liana?" He paused in his steps and called out to her.

"Yes, Young Master?" Liana offered a warm smile and lifted her gaze to him, her hands delicately folded in front of her.

Gloria remained at her side, with the others trailing behind.

"Ara, Young Master~"

"Husband~" Felicia gave a timid smile.

"Danna-sama~" Delya welcomed him with her typical distant smile.

Mimi darted forward and wrapped her arms around him. "Nyaaaa~ Husband~"

Javier gently stroked her head and turned his attention to Liana.

"I need to discuss something with you."

"What is it, Young Master?" Liana met his eyes steadily.

"Do you recall Gracelle?" Javier inquired softly.

"Mm... I do remember. It was when you were ten, at Lady Francesca’s birthday celebration. What about her, Young Master?" Liana grinned playfully. "Don’t tell me you’re missing her so soon~ After all this time?"

Javier fell quiet, his face taking on a grave look.

Liana saw the sudden shift in Javier’s expression to one of seriousness and regarded him with concern. "Young Master?"

He met her gaze. "Would you all come with me to the Mathrias Region?"

"May I ask... why?" Liana eyed him with a worried expression.

"Father informed me... she may not have long." Javier spoke in hushed tones, laced with sorrow.

"I’m... sorry..." Liana moved closer and embraced him, murmuring gently. "What happened, if I may ask?"

Javier hugged her back and murmured in response. "From the message Father got from High Baron Rolland, Gracelle has been sick for quite some time. The illness remains a mystery to everyone. It began near her eleventh birthday, as far as I recall."

He held her tighter and whispered once more. "Father advised preparing the GAASAD and heading to the Mathrias Region without delay. The letter arrived a week back, so Father thinks her health has declined further."

He pressed his face into the crook of her neck.

"Young Master..." Liana breathed quietly. "That could explain why she stopped answering your letters. I apologize if my words came across as thoughtless."

Javier shook his head and drew in a deep breath, releasing it gradually. "Mm... it’s fine, don’t fret."

Liana rubbed his back and eased away a bit, searching his eyes.

"Shall I gather our things?"

Javier shook his head and managed a weak smile. "I’ve already arranged outfits for everyone. I’m unsure about the duration of our stay. Father assigned me another task to support the Mathrias Region... I’ll fill you in later."

He looked down into her eyes. "So... will you all join me in Mathrias?"

"Mm... yes, Young Master. I’ll always accompany you, no matter where. I’ll support whatever choice you make." Liana bestowed a comforting smile upon him.

He turned to Gloria, Felicia, Delya, and Mimi.

Gloria offered a subtle smile, pushing up her glasses. "You know me, Young Master. I’ll go with you."

Felicia nodded bashfully. "I don’t wish to stay behind."

Delya nodded with her soft, ethereal smile. "I wish to remain by Danna-sama’s side, so I’ll come along."

Mimi’s tail flicked lightly as she murmured, sensing the melancholy on Javier’s face. "Nya... Another trip doesn’t bother me. Husband belongs to us nya~ and we belong to you~"

Javier bestowed upon them a modest, appreciative smile and regarded each one.

"With the mission’s length uncertain, grab anything you’d like to take."

"Mm... I’ll head to our quarters and pick up a few essentials," Liana said with a gentle smile.

Gloria adjusted her glasses. "Ara~ There’s something I’d like to pack as well."

Felicia nodded timidly, shifting a little. "I have an item I want to bring too."

Delya displayed her customary dreamy smile. "I’ll look through our room for what I might need."

Mimi tapped a finger to her lips, her tail waving softly. "Nya? I’m not sure..."

Yet before Mimi could complete her thought, Liana grasped her wrist and tugged her lightly. "We’re off to our room now, Young Master."

"Mm..." Javier gave a slight smile and nodded, hands tucked into his pockets. "Meet at the courtyard in 20 minutes."

"We’ll be there, Young Master," Liana answered, holding Mimi’s hand and guiding her toward Javier’s quarters, the others close on their heels.

Once they parted from Javier, Liana looked back with anxious eyes, observing him proceed to the main courtyard.

Young Master must be deeply upset.

I shouldn’t have joked about it.

I’m sorry, Young Master, for treating it so lightly.

Gloria, beside her as they walked, spoke in a quiet whisper.

"Liana?"

"Hmm? Yes, Gloria?"

"Who is Gracelle? And what made Young Master appear so down?"

Liana let out a soft sigh as the others turned their attention to her.

"You truly don’t remember, Gloria?"

"Hmm? I’ve caught her name in conversations before."

Liana shook her head lightly. "You served as the chief maid at the time. Surely you overheard the rumors when Young Master was ten, particularly at Lady Francesca’s birthday banquet, when the Armand family held viscount rank."

"Really?" Gloria touched a finger to her lips in contemplation. "I only recall hearing that Young Master kissed someone after the dance. I was occupied with banquet setup, so I didn’t focus on it."

"Yes... that girl was Gracelle. High Baron Rolland’s youngest from the Mathrias family."

"Ah..." Gloria regarded Liana while they continued. "You mean it? But I thought she was just nine."

"Yes... and don’t forget Young Master was ten then?" Liana shot a look at Gloria.

"Ah... true. But what prompted the kiss?"

Liana’s face reddened, and she muttered lowly. "Because... he sought... my response at the time."

"Eh?"

"Because of that, Lady Sylvia and Lord Rolland were... well... open to Young Master marrying her officially when older. She addressed him as Javier-sama... though Young Master showed little interest in her. She vowed to become an ideal wife, practicing cooking and all."

The group eyed Liana as she released a lengthy breath. "Afterward, she sent Young Master affectionate notes regularly. They exchanged messages for some time. When Young Master entered noble school at eleven, the letters persisted, but Lady Francesca responded to one, telling Gracelle that Young Master was studying and would write after year’s end."

Liana smiled softly. "And she never ceased writing to him."

Her face darkened with a blend of sorrow and contemplation. "Upon Young Master’s return from the blessing rite and noble school graduation that year, he penned a reply despite his hesitation. I urged him to own up to kissing a young lady like her."

"Then, when Young Master reached twelve, post the initial war, I think... you’d joined his harem as prospective second wife by then. You saw he stopped writing letters after that, didn’t you?" Liana questioned Gloria.

( End Of Chapter )