Reborn As Noble Chapter 1248: No Time for Hesitation ( 1248 )

Gracelle’s gaze flickered towards Javier, her eyes quickly darting away, a blush coloring her cheeks. The bewildering realization that the very person she had yearned to meet, the one she had pledged herself to years prior, was the same handsome doctor who had rescued her, and the very prince who now stood before her, left her utterly discombobulated and unable to meet his eyes directly.

She pressed her lips together and shot Liana a sidelong glance, her voice a soft, petulant murmur.

"Mou... you misled me."

Liana’s lips curved into a smirk, and she leaned down, her whisper tickling Gracelle’s ear.

"Hmm~? Since when did I mislead you~?"

Gracelle glanced at her once more, her face still aflame. "You didn’t inform me Javier was the one who saved me."

"Ara? Is that so?" Liana feigned surprise, placing a finger on her chin and tilting her head. "Hmm... No~ It's not my fault~" she declared, her gaze alight with mischief as she looked at Gracelle.

"B... but... if you had told me the doctor was Javier all along, I wouldn’t have... I wouldn’t have..." Gracelle stumbled over her words, struggling to articulate her thoughts.

"My, my~" Liana let out a soft laugh, bringing her palm to her mouth. "You never inquired about the doctor’s name, did you? Furthermore, the healers spoke of Armand facing two significant conflicts, and they also conveyed that Armand was never considered part of the Human Kingdom. All the clues were present, Gracelle. You simply failed to connect them."

"Mou!" Gracelle huffed indignantly, about to retort when Liana’s expression shifted to one of calm composure.

Liana paused, a smirk playing on her lips. "Now, Gracelle..."

"Hmmph! What is it?" Gracelle pouted, crossing her arms and looking away.

"You are a noble. Surely you are acquainted with the customs of nobility and the tenets of land ownership. Pray tell, Gracelle, when a territory achieves full sovereignty, and the noble proprietor holds the land by ancestral right rather than royal decree, what befalls their standing?"

"Ah..." Gracelle uttered a soft sound, her cheeks growing hot as she nervously twisted her fingers.

Liana folded her arms and cast a glance at Javier, who remained standing with an impeccably charming and serene demeanor.

Her attention then returned to Gracelle.

"I did mention he is a Prince of Armand. And I trust Myra, Kalea, and Juria have certainly conveyed that Armand has attained complete independence and proclaimed itself a sovereign entity. As a noble, you must concede that upon achieving full independence, a region possesses the prerogative to establish its own governance, particularly when the individual leading it is recognized by the sovereigns of the Beastkin Nation, the Demon Nation, and the Elven Nation as their most steadfast ally and confidant."

Gracelle’s lip jutted out, and she looked away. "T... that is indeed true..."

"Therefore, I have not uttered a single falsehood to you. It is merely your oversight in not contemplating thoroughly or assembling the disparate facts, even when the evident details lay directly before you." Liana paused, then her smirk returned. "And you failed to even recognize him?"

Gracelle gnawed on her lower lip, glancing up at Liana, but swiftly averted her gaze once more upon perceiving Liana’s composed yet imposing expression.

"B... but... you were all attired in garments that concealed your hair and lips... how was I expected to know..." she murmured softly.

Liana shook her head. "Did you not perceive that the manner in which he addressed you mirrored his speech from years past? Did you not notice that his eye color is identical to his father’s? And the casual way he addressed you as 'Gracelle,' quite like I do?"

Gracelle bit her lower lip yet again, her voice a low, sulky grumble. "Hmmph! Unfair..."

She was on the verge of scowling at Liana in protest when she felt the palpable, imposing aura emanating from her.

"Now," Liana stated calmly, her expression settling into a serious, stern visage as she looked at Gracelle.

"Tell me, Gracelle."

"Y... yes?" Gracelle fidgeted, her small hands trembling slightly under the intensity of Liana’s scrutiny.

"I am about to pose a critical question, and I require your unhesitating response. I do not engage in trivialities, nor do I possess the luxury of protracted indecision."

"M... Miss Liana? Umm... you are quite frightening..." Gracelle stammered, her voice thin and shaky.

Liana shot her a sharp, disapproving look.

"Now... enlighten me. Knowing that the Young Master already claims five fiancées, myself included, do you still intend to honor the promise you made to him? The vow you exchanged years ago, to become his wife?"

"Umm... ummm..."

"As his inaugural love and prospective spouse, it falls upon me, by right and responsibility, to determine who shall grace our circle. I have no desire for a mere acquaintance to intrude upon our union, only to subsequently lodge complaints or inflict hurt upon the Young Master's sensibilities, as certain individuals have regrettably done in the past. Such a recurrence shall not be permitted."

"Ah..." Gracelle’s face turned a shade of crimson. "That is... such a direct inquiry... it is far too abrupt..."

"No, that is not a difficult question. I require your response immediately. Following this, you will be transferred to the Armand Healing Facility. However, if your desire is truly to remain with Young Master, and if you remain steadfast to the vow you swore to him years ago, then I shall petition for you to be placed under my personal supervision and included in our inner circle. But your answer is needed now, Gracelle. Do you still wish to be his wife?"

Gracelle’s gaze flickered towards Javier, who offered a sheepish grin from a distance, ruffling the back of his head.

Her eyes then returned to Liana.

"Um... you... you do not object? Are you not... you know... feeling envious?"

Liana let out a sigh. "Every woman experiences jealousy; it is a natural sentiment within any healthy relationship. Nevertheless, even if I did harbor such feelings, your well-being and Young Master’s happiness take precedence. I can plainly see that you have clung to this promise for many years, patiently awaiting him, holding faith in him. Such unwavering devotion is not something I can simply disregard or dismiss."

Gracelle’s attention drifted once more to Javier, who was now engaged in conversation with the strikingly beautiful, large-breasted maidservant in glasses beside him. Her gaze then fell upon the two lovely cat-girl princesses and the demon princess, who was affectionately clutching an oversized jar while consuming something dark with a faraway expression.

Liana sighed again, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You may gaze upon him as much as your heart desires once you are officially his fiancée and have joined our circle. Now, your answer?"

Gracelle lowered her gaze, a shy smile gracing her lips. "It has perpetually been my deepest aspiration to be with him. Ever since I made that solemn promise years ago, I have clung to it. My wish was to become his wife, to stand unwavering at his side, regardless of the circumstances. Even aware that he has others... that sentiment remains unchanged."

Liana sighed, a hint of exasperation in her tone. "Simply provide your answer now."

Gracelle looked up at Liana, her eyes radiating clarity and unwavering resolve. "Yes."

Liana exhaled, bestowing upon her a subtle, approving smile.

"Welcome to the circle, Gracelle."

( End Of Chapter )