Reborn As Noble Chapter 1225: Comfort in His Arms ( 1225 )
Previously on Reborn As Noble...
"Everyone knows how Armand endured two great wars without a single loss to our civilians or soldiers. Everyone knows our folk live in ease, our markets boom, our cities shine clean, and our borders stand secure."
He stopped briefly, allowing the gravity of his statement to sink in.
"That success came from foresight, strategy, and grasping the real facts of every matter. I spot what others overlook. I understand what others ignore. And I act upon that insight."
He bent forward a bit, his aura overwhelming the chamber.
"Thus, when I declare I will fix your shortcomings... realize it stems not from hubris, but from what must be done. I won’t reveal the source of my knowledge. You just need to believe that my words carry vision, precision, and honesty. Your sole duty is to hear me out, respond truthfully, and scheme without ego or facade."
At the same time.
Javier bolted from the structure and hurried to the adjacent chamber, his pulse racing wildly.
Please... don’t let harm come to Liana.
Why did she suddenly collapse in tears like this?
She’s never wept this way before...
The sole occasion I witnessed her tears was ages ago, when I resisted Father and Mother’s push to join noble academy. It was when they threatened to let Liana go if I kept dodging it. I agreed and enrolled because losing her was unbearable.
He flung open the primary entrance and stepped in, activating his Purify and Cleanse abilities while hurrying to the basin to scrub his hands clean.
Ugh! I must hurry. Yet I can’t chance tainting the patient zone or carrying external contaminants.
Once properly garbed, he swung open the inner door and dashed within.
There it was.
Liana huddled on the ground in a childlike, broken stance, knees drawn up, back curved slightly, hands pressed over her eyes as quiet sobs escaped, her frame quivering with each hushed wail.
Javier scanned the space and saw the others all collapsed in seats or propped against tables, inhaling deeply.
Wh... what occurred? Was there an assault?
Could it be the curse parasite? Did it strike Liana somehow?
His pulse surged as he hastened toward her.
Liana, catching the sound of steps behind, twisted her head. Her mouth tightened, lower lip quivering while tears sparkled in her green gaze.
"Young master!!!" She leaped up abruptly and dashed to him, pressing her face into his shoulder amid sobs. "Uwaaa!!! Now I can’t... I can’t..."
"Shhh..." Javier murmured into her ear, softly rubbing her back. "It’s alright... I’m with you. Just breathe... relax..." He embraced her tightly, lingering until her cries eased, then inquired gently, "Liana... what went wrong? Why the tears?"
"I was... I was just..." Liana managed amid sobs, voice stifled against Javier’s clothing.
Javier continued soothing her, tenderly stroking her hair.
"There, there... I’m here. Cease the tears..." Javier’s tone stayed gentle and calming, barely above a breath. "Simply share what happened, alright?"
"Mm..." Liana dipped her head, easing back from Javier a touch before whispering.
"Kalea arrived in our quarters... right when we prepared to rest... and mentioned Myra summoning me here..." She halted, nibbling her lower lip. "So I hurried over, fearing something befell her."
"Did anything occur to Gracelle?"
Liana tightened her lips and shook her head. "No... Upon arrival, Myra clarified Gracelle wished to see me. So... I entered her chamber... and inquired if she required aid."
Liana peered up at Javier with watery eyes.
"She merely sought my company because she claimed sleep evaded her... unless she saw me. So I stayed with her. I questioned her... but still... she wouldn’t rest. Exhaustion gripped me, all I craved was bed. Yet when I urged her to sleep... she insisted she couldn’t."
"Umm..." Javier met her gaze before Liana went on.
"Thus I sang her a lullaby... to help her drift off. Once asleep, I... ached to return to our room for rest... only to discover..."
Javier cocked his head, puzzled. "Discover what?"
Liana pressed her face back in and wept against his torso. "The lullaby struck everyone... they all dozed off... Now... now... I’m trapped here. Sleep calls to me, but... but... with all asleep... how... how do I exit... this room?"
"Sheesh..." Javier laughed lightly, rubbing her back with a grin. "You frightened me, weeping over such a trifle. I feared disaster had struck."
"Everyone simply drifted off to sleep, huh? No dangers occurred?"
He continued stroking her hair and gave a swift peck atop her head.
"If that's all it was, there was no reason for those tears, you know." Javier grinned. "Once we're done here, we'll return to our room for some proper rest, alright?"
He pulled her into a firm embrace, yet realized Liana had stopped moving or weeping.
Hmm? What made her fall silent so abruptly?
He shook her lightly and saw her form had relaxed completely. Her breaths came slow and even, heavy from fatigue, as she had already slipped into slumber.
Ah... she must be utterly worn out.
Well... no wonder there.
I kept her and everyone else awake through the night, after all.
Still... it's a huge relief that no real threats emerged.
A gentle laugh escaped him, his features tenderizing while gazing at her peaceful sleeping visage. Carefully, he shifted his grip, sliding one arm under her knees and the other along her back, hoisting her up with ease. In her dreams, she mumbled softly, burrowing her cheek into his chest.
"Time to tuck you in, my lovely elf," he murmured, bearing her with utmost care. Just as he turned to leave the chamber, the scene struck him.
Ah... I can't abandon this spot without a guard over the patient, and...
He scanned the area.
Particularly since all have dozed off in such a manner.
He steadied Liana in his arms, ensuring her snug position against his torso, her head lolled on his shoulder. Using his spare hand, he summoned mana and activated his mana talkie.
"Juria... are you there?"
After a brief wait, a faint static buzz responded.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"What's keeping you busy at the moment?"
"Nothing right now, Your Highness. Do you require assistance?"
"Ah... apologies... I realize you and your group just ended your four-hour watch. But would you mind dividing your squad for one more additional turn?" Javier chuckled awkwardly and softly. "An issue cropped up and... there's a minor hiccup. Not grave at all... yet it calls for you and your healers to handle... err... another shift?"
"Hmm? Aren't Miss Myra, Kalea, and the rest of the healers currently on shift?"
Javier emitted yet another gentle laugh. "Well... that's precisely the snag... they're... uh... enjoying an unplanned snooze. I'll fill you in shortly, but right now, I require dependable eyes on the patient and the healing zone."
( End Of Chapter )