Reborn As Noble Chapter 1175: Public Composure and Private Grief ( 1175 )

~4 minute read · 987 words
Previously on Reborn As Noble...
Liana confides in Gloria about Javier's unanswered letters to a noble girl after her eleventh birthday, how he initially shrugged off the silence but eventually forgot her amid the escalating wars and focus on Armand. Regretting her past insensitivity, Liana is interrupted by Javier's cheerful call via mana talkie, urging the group to join him quickly in the courtyard with the prepared transport drone, as his parents and others will accompany them. Outside, Javier wrestles playfully with the excited Pekko Buddy, who insists on coming along despite his flock's duties, while Javier leans against him and reflects sadly on the joy those letters once brought—detailing the girl's humorous training efforts to become a devoted wife—until they ceased with the war's outbreak, leading him to assume she had moved on, only to learn later of her illness and impending death.

"If... if I had only learned of it sooner... Perhaps I could have taken some action to aid her. Or even cured her illness."

"But still... I..." Javier's tone softened further, his face twisting in agony. "I just discovered it today... through a letter that came a week back."

He rested against Buddy's form, his shoulders drooping as the heavy truth weighed upon him. "And she's endured this torment... illness plaguing her since age eleven, over four long years..."

"Why now, Buddy?" Javier murmured, his words laced with anger and grief. "After all those four years? Why not sooner?"

Buddy stayed quiet, pressing his large head softly atop Javier's before spreading his wing to envelop him, protecting as sobs started to escape.

From afar, Garius observed Javier's tears, Francesca at his side, already wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.

Alf and Erinette remained in quiet reverence, joined by the escorts and officers trailing them.

"Honey bun~" Francesca's lips quivered while she gazed at Javier, concealed beneath Buddy's wing in the distance.

Garius clenched his teeth, holding onto his composed and resolute facade.

This marks the second occasion I've witnessed his tears... since that near-loss of Liana and Gloria previously.

He has forever been the vibrant soul, full of joy, playful and impish... seldom showing wrath toward others, and even against foes, his fury stayed in check.

Francesca pivoted to Garius, embracing him tightly as he stroked her hair tenderly.

Simultaneously, Liana and her companions halted, beholding Javier's emotional collapse for the initial time, their faces etched with worry and sadness.

Tears gathered in Liana's eyes, sliding down her face without a sound as she viewed Javier remotely.

This... represents my initial encounter... seeing him... sob in such a manner.

Gloria looked aside, slipping off her glasses and blotting her eyes with her maid outfit's sleeve.

Felicia grew quiet, her demeanor grave.

Unshed tears glistened in Delya's eyes.

Mimi's tail hung low, her ears pressed flat, and she chewed her bottom lip, her typical liveliness vanished as she observed Javier from afar.

Garius motioned for the group to enter and directed a look at Liana, indicating she should accompany them.

Liana offered a quiet, elegant curtsy before proceeding indoors gradually, Gloria and the rest trailing in hush.

Upon entering, the group lingered briefly.

Garius shifted his attention to Liana.

"Liana."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Liana performed an elegant curtsy, tears continuing to flow down her face.

Garius responded with a quiet, empathetic nod, which Liana mirrored.

Drawing in a deep breath, she released it gradually, dried her tears using her handkerchief, and corrected her stance, aligning her spine and flattening her gown.

With light taps from her hands on her cheeks, she infused a touch of mana into her fingers and activated the mana talkie.

"Young Master, we've completed packing the essentials. Where might you be? The main courtyard?"

After a brief pause, Javier's voice emerged, even and composed.

"Ah... Liana. I'm located in the main courtyard, awaiting the group. Heh... I ponder the whereabouts of Father and Mother. Doubtless, they're indulging in their tender interlude."

Liana grinned, maintaining a breezy tone. "Sheesh, Young Master. Imagine if your father overheard that? Hmm? You'd find yourself in serious difficulty, you realize."

Javier chuckled, prompting Liana's smile. "Don't keep me hanging too long, Liana. Escort the others over. Thus, we can anticipate your father-in-law and mother-in-law, whom I suspect remain locked in chuu chuu bliss within their chamber."

"Okay, Young Master~"

Following the exchange, Liana directed an elegant curtsy toward Garius.

Garius inclined his head and addressed them serenely. "Proceed without us. Ensure no word of what transpired is spoken, and act as if all is ordinary."

"As you wish, Your Majesty." Liana and Gloria replied gently together, offering elegant curtseys.

Felicia and Delya inclined their heads, giving their cheeks soft pats, as Delya retrieved her chocolate container, nibbling one to preserve her customary dreamy grin.

Mimi pressed her lips together. "Nyaaa... I don’t think I..."

Prior to Mimi finishing, Liana seized her tail, eliciting a startled yelp from her.

"Nyaaaa!!! What was that for, Big Sis! Mou!"

Liana grinned and shook her head. "Now, now, Fifth Wife. I'll ensure punishment if you breathe a word of this." She flashed Mimi a chilling smile. "Or perhaps..." Liana shot her a menacing side-eye with a frightful grin. "No further mating sessions with Husband~"

Mimi's eyes bulged, and she gnawed her lower lip. "Nya! That's unfair!"

Dismissing Mimi's objection, Liana kept her features serene and lovely, devoid of prior tear tracks. She presented Garius with a deferential, elegant curtsy.

"We'll depart first, Your Majesty."

"Mm... We'll join soon."

Liana pivoted smoothly and strode with grace to the primary entrance, the others in tow.

Upon reaching the door, they swung it open, and Liana signaled Gloria with a glance to mirror her in maintaining normalcy.

As they exited, Liana commenced chiding Gloria en route.

"You persisted in packing those swimsuits. Do you believe we'll squeeze in beach time for swimming!?"

"Ara~? Experiencing envy over this~ hmm, First Wife?" Gloria bestowed a cunning smile on Liana, cupping her generous bosom and jiggling it teasingly.

"My my~ Second Wife. You speak like you're the sole possessor of such features~" Liana folded her arms beneath her chest, causing a subtle lift as she advanced. "Observe? Young Master adores them ideal and taut, not merely large, understand."

Felicia emitted a gentle chuckle, while Delya proceeded with her standard dreamy expression.

Mimi, on the other hand, hauled a massive backpack, cheeks inflated in irritation.

"NYAAA!!! It's so heavy!"

"Ara~ First Wife?" Gloria adjusted her glasses and eyed Liana. "It seems someone's attempting to retort~"

"Indeed, First Wife. The Fifth Wife, fresh from her peculiar debut experience, appears to be griping~"

"Guh! You're both teaming against me, nya!!!" Mimi pouted, her tail flicking irritably.

From his vantage, Javier observed their squabbling with a subtle, loving smile.

( End Of Chapter )