Reborn As Noble

Garius rubbed his temple, sighing deeply.

"We'll discuss it after my youngest son completes his mission, Mylezra."

"Eh~? But I already told you," Mylezra pouted, leaning slightly forward, arms folded beneath her chest. "I've waited long enough, Garius. I rejected every single handsome elven suitor who came for me… because of you. Do you know how many years I held back? I'm sad... really sad~"

Javier froze in place, completely unsure whether to run or laugh.

King Lioness just chuckled softly, choosing not to say a word.

But inside his mind?

Heh… That's what you get, Garius… for promising every girl who joined your party back when you were a hot-blooded teen. Hahaha!

Garius's eye twitched.

Mylezra continued without mercy, gently brushing her long hair behind her ear. "And don't think I forgot about the others, Garius. You made promises to me, to Eridith, and even to that demon general girl too~ You really thought I'd let you keep dodging this forever?"

Garius's expression turned serious, voice deep and calm.

"This is exactly why I warned you, Javier."

Javier stiffened.

"About what, father…?"

"The problem that comes when you keep collecting girls."

Javier's mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.

He looked away.

Shit… what kind of mess did I get myself into?

Not only were Liana and Gloria both nieces of Queen Mylezra…

But now Mylezra herself was talking about marriage…

And he already had six…

Garius folded his arms and leaned slightly toward him.

"The issue isn't just that they're royal," Garius said with a low sigh, "—I don't care if they're queens, generals, or daughters of dragon gods."

Javier winced.

"The real problem…" Garius paused, looking straight into his son's eyes, "…is that you made promises to each of them."

Javier flinched.

"And not empty promises," Garius continued. "Real ones. Words you said. Intentions you implied. That's not a game, Javier."

Javier bit his lip. "...I didn't mean to cause trouble…"

"You already have six."

"I know…"

Garius's tone softened just slightly. "I'm not angry. But you need to think. Each of those girls is serious about you. You take another one in, and the rest will expect—demand—the same level of commitment."

Javier muttered under his breath, "I was just enjoying the ride…"

Garius raised a brow.

"Son, this isn't a joyride. This is a caravan of women with blades hidden in their skirts."

"…I noticed."

"My my, Garius~" Mylezra gracefully rose from her seat and, with a smooth and elegant movement, settled herself comfortably onto Garius's lap.

"You're giving such wise, thoughtful advice to your son…" she teased gently, leaning closer, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "…and yet, what about your own promises?"

Garius sighed deeply, shoulders slumping slightly as he finally surrendered.

"Fine… I agree."

Mylezra beamed, genuinely delighted, clapping her hands softly together. "Yeay~ finally."

Then she turned her gaze playfully yet dangerously back toward Javier.

"Now, boy… you have two options." She paused dramatically. "Agree, and I become your lovely stepmother. Refuse… and you become my husband. You have no other choice. Decide now~"

Javier quickly placed a palm on his chest and bowed slightly, almost too politely.

"Welcome to our family… Mrs. Armand."

Mylezra laughed softly, thoroughly satisfied. Garius just silently rubbed his forehead, defeated.

"Now… all we need is to set the date," Mylezra said with a sparkle in her eyes, voice light but determined.

Garius tensed. "We still have war ongoing, Mylezra. This isn't the time."

"War?" Mylezra raised an eyebrow. "My kingdom, Lioness's kingdom, Veldrac's kingdom, and your Armand region—none of us are at war. So what exactly is your excuse?"

"Err…" Garius's voice caught, looking for an escape.

"Nope. I've waited long enough," Mylezra said firmly, rising to her feet with a graceful motion. "I'm going to find Francesca myself and ask her to set the date."

"Wait—Mylezra, can we not rush this?" Garius said, beads of sweat forming.

"Oh no no~ You already promised. I'm not going to be pushed to the back again." Her tone was calm, but the pressure behind it was suffocating.

Lioness was already covering his mouth, trying not to laugh. He leaned closer to whisper toward Javier, "Now you know why your old man always stayed in the field during our youth. Not the war, kid… the women."

Garius grumbled under his breath. "I heard that…"

Garius then turned serious. The playful air disappeared instantly.

Mylezra's smile faded. She, too, became quiet and serious.

Even King Lioness, who was smirking just moments ago, now leaned forward, eyes sharp.

Garius looked at Javier.

"Javier."

"Yes, esteemed father." Javier straightened.

"This mission… is for you alone. And let me warn you—" Garius's voice was calm but heavy. "The choice… the method… the consequences… all of it will be up to you. No orders. No backup plans. You decide what must be done."

"Yes, esteemed father." Javier nodded firmly, but his hand on his lap curled slightly.

Just then, the doors opened.

King Veldrac entered, tall and imposing, with a silent presence that immediately weighed down the room. His armor clinked slightly as he moved. He didn't speak. Just walked to his seat and sat down beside Mylezra.

Garius didn't pause.

"When you choose to begin this mission," he continued, "King Veldrac has agreed to deploy his forces."

Javier blinked. "To where?"

"To defend both the Beastkin Kingdom and Elven Kingdom," Garius said plainly.

"Because no matter what happens," Garius looked at him directly, "once you set this plan into motion—"

"All of us… will be dragged into war."

Garius nodded, his expression unreadable.

"For the Armand Region, you don't need to worry. Our defenses are layered, and our reserves are stable. But…"

He narrowed his eyes.

"…knowing King Edmund, he's already planning something more dangerous after this."

Javier's gaze sharpened.

"You mean… the movement of King Edmund's secret unit? And King Gurdan's forces too?" he asked calmly.

Garius turned to him.

"So you knew."

"Yes, esteemed father," Javier replied. "My drone network has been tracking their mobilization patterns. Based on flight trajectory, formation, and deployment behavior… King Edmund's wyvern force is likely reaching ten thousand."

A moment of silence passed.

Then Mylezra's lips curled into a confident smile.

"Well, if it's air dominance they want…" she leaned back gracefully, "…the Elven Kingdom has its own air division. Don't underestimate our glider mage corps and mana gliders."

Lioness gave a short chuckle, crossing his arms.

"Hah. I can deploy my griffin cavalry. Elite aerial riders bred for speed and altitude control. If Edmund moves his wyverns… they'll meet resistance."

Veldrac let out a low smirk.

"My demon warbirds can engage as well. With proper coordination, we'll trap them from three directions."

( End Of Chapter )