Reborn As Noble-Chapter 1181: Confrontation & Consequences ( )
Meanwhile. ๐๐ซ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฅ.๐๐๐
Inside the main hall of the Mathrias estate.
Garius sat in a chair with Francesca beside him.
Rolland and Sylvia knelt before them, along with their high-ranking officials and the butler.
Alf and Erinette stood nearby, flanked by several battle maids and Armand elite guards surrounding the area.
"So..." Garius narrowed his eyes at Rolland. "Tell me, Rolland..."
Rolland fell silent.
"Why did you only tell me about Gracelleโs condition at the last minute?" Garius asked, his voice stern and unwavering.
Rolland was about to speak when Gariusโs aura flared, making the air in the room feel heavy and oppressive.
"Donโt tell me youโre going to say you didnโt want to trouble me." Gariusโs tone sharpened. "Arenโt we friends? Friends shouldnโt keep secrets like this from each other, especially in matters like this.
Rolland fell silent again, unable to form any words.
Francescaโs eyes turned serious as she glared calmly at Sylvia.
"Now, Sylvia."
"Y... yes... Your... Majesty..." Sylvia answered in a stammer, her hands and body trembling.
"You are also my friend. Weโve known each other for so long, not just as acquaintances, but as friends. And yet you never informed me about her?"
"I... Iโm sorry... Your Majesty... I..." Sylviaโs voice trembled, her thoughts scattered between fear and grief. "I was too focused on Gracelleโs condition... I couldnโt think clearly..."
Francescaโs aura flared intensely, her anger evident as her eyes glowed. "And thatโs all the more reason to think properly and seek help from Armand!"
Sylviaโs face turned pale. "During that time... Armand was under attack by the noble coalition... We couldnโt send help or protest to the royal court about it... It would have been shameful to ask for help from Armand while you were fighting for your survival. And after the war ended, Gracelleโs condition improved slightly, so we didnโt think much of it... until she worsened again. We forgot to ask for help until Gracelle, in her weakened state weeks ago, mentioned... she wished to see Javier one last time. Thatโs what reminded us..."
Gariusโs aura flared as he glared at Rolland. "We met more than twice during royal councils before! And yet you still didnโt mention it? Even at the recent royal council, when Kliatana was stripped of her title and rank as princess of the Human Kingdom, you never once mentioned Gracelleโs condition. That is unacceptable."
Just as Garius was about to let his anger show, a soft knock echoed from the door.
Garius leaned back in his chair, elbow resting on the armrest, his cheek propped on his knuckle.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Myra stepped inside gracefully. She stopped at a respectful distance and bowed gracefully toward Garius and Francesca.
"Your Majesty."
Garius looked at her. "So, how is her condition?"
Myra bowed again and began explaining in a calm, professional tone. "Lady Gracelleโs condition has been stabilized. Prince Javier managed to restart her heart and has placed her on advanced life support systems. Her vitals are being monitored, and she is currently, according to Prince Javier, in a medically induced rest to allow her body to recover from the strain. The underlying affliction appears to be a slow-acting curse poison, but further analysis is required."
"Hmm..." Garius glanced at her. "So sheโs stable now?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Prince Javier has confirmed that her condition is stable for the time being, though further treatment will be required to address the underlying cause."
"So, what does Javier plan to do next?" Garius asked.
Myra bowed gracefully again. "According to Prince Javier, the next step is to perform an operation to address the underlying cause of Lady Gracelleโs condition. He has requested two battle maids and two Armand elite guards to be stationed in her room for security and assistance."
"Hmm..." Garius glanced at Myra before turning his gaze to Alf and Erinette.
Alf adjusted his glove and bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, if Prince Javier suspects a slow-acting curse poison, it would be unwise to use any of the rooms within the Mathrias manor for the operation. The risk of contamination or interference is too high."
Erinette bowed gracefully. "What Alf has said is true, Your Majesty. It would be safer to conduct the operation in a controlled environment."
Gariusโs right eye glowed faintly as he rubbed his chin. "Erinette."
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Assign two battle maids skilled in healing and select two elite guards to accompany Myra to Javier."
He then turned to Alf. "Alf?"
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Contact our command center and have them instruct the Armand Naval Base to dispatch a team of our elite special forces by air. With the current mana satellite network, communication via mana talkie should be seamless."
"As you command, Your Majesty." Alf smirked and bowed.
Garius glanced at Myra.
"Myra?"
"Yes, Your Majesty?" Myra adjusted her posture.
"The battle maids and guards Erinette has chosen will accompany you. Tell Javier to come here and meet me. Do not leave the room while Javier is away, and make sure all of you keep your mana talkies in your ears at all times."
"As you command, Your Majesty." Myra bowed before taking three steps back, turning, and walking gracefully toward the door, with two guards and a battle maid following closely behind.
Once the door closed, Garius turned his stern gaze to Rolland and Sylvia.
"You two better pray that my son is able to save your daughter."
His eyes turned serious. "If he fails and I see him crying again, I will ensure that no military aid from Armand will come to Mathrias, regardless of the threat from your neighboring regions."
He looked directly at Rolland, his right eye glowing faintly. "Iโm serious. You both know I never make empty threats."
Both Rolland and Sylvia fell silent, unable to speak or look directly into Gariusโs eyes.
Garius glanced at Francesca.
"Letโs hope our youngest son is able to save her."
Francesca smiled faintly. "Iโm sure he knows what heโs doing, since heโs my Honey Bun~"
Garius chuckled softly. "Youโre still going to call him that? Heโs nearly an adult, you know."
"Yes~ Iโll keep calling him by that name~ Even when he turns 100~"
Garius chuckled and let out a soft laugh. "Do you think I, and all our family, can live past 100? Donโt forget, Honey, weโre all just regular humans."
Francesca smiled. "Who knows~ There might be a surprise before he turns eighteen, you know~ And besides, donโt forget, Mylezra is an Elf. Iโm sure she wouldnโt want her beloved husband, whom she waited years to marry, to let her only love in life grow old and leave her alone~"
Garius leaned his cheek on his knuckle. "I doubt heโd be able to do something about that."
"A-ah." Francesca wiggled her delicate finger at him. "Once he gets his hands on the means, Iโll make sure you wonโt be able to reject it~ And you know Iโm serious~"
( End Of Chapter )
