Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1110: Golden Hair and Golden Eyes ( 1110 )

A soft voice emanated from the tome again.

”Forgive this humble servant for asking, Radiant One... but I have noticed something. There is one particular man... the one with immense talent, second only to the Eyes of Truth user himself. He saw me before, long ago... Yet he has not returned to seek my knowledge since his first encounter. May I inquire... why he does not come again?”

”How would I know?” Francesca tilted her head, smile widening. ”Perhaps it’s best if you ask him yourself later~”

She paused, tapping a finger thoughtfully against her lips. ”He’s a stubborn one, you know. Probably decided he doesn’t need ancient tomes when he has his own inventions to keep him busy. Or maybe...” her eyes glinted, ”he’s just waiting for the right moment.”

Francesca gave the tome a playful side-eye with a teasing smile. ”Ara~ Don’t tell me... you’re interested in him? Hmm?”

”Pardon me, my lady...” the voice replied, its tone flustered but still respectful. ”I am but a creation, a vessel of knowledge. I do not possess feelings or a body to harbor such... interests. My purpose is to serve, not to desire.”

Francesca chuckled softly. ”You can lie to others, but you can’t lie to me, you know~” Her eyes sparkled with gentle amusement. ”I know you better than you know yourself, Serena. Even a tome can hold a heart, especially one as old and wise as you.”

There was a moment of stunned silence from the book, before a softer voice replied, ”I... I do not know what you mean, Radiant One. I am merely a collection of pages and ink, bound by your grace.”

”Ara~ Really? Hmm?” Francesca smiled again, her eyes glinting with playful knowing. ”Correct me if I’m wrong, but ’someone’ did transform herself into a maid to look after ’someone’ back when he was just a boy~”

Serena flustered, the glow from the tome flickering slightly. ”I... I don’t know what you’re talking about, Radiant One.”

”My~ Serena~ Like I said before, one can lie to others, but one cannot lie to this one~” Francesca’s tone was gentle, but it carried the weight of absolute certainty.

”I saw you, you know. That quiet maid with flowing gold hair and soft golden eyes. Always nearby whenever a certain little boy wandered into the library. Always there, dusting a shelf, leaving a magical book open on the table for him to discover, or subtly guiding him toward a text that would spark his curiosity.”

Francesca paused and smiled, her expression softening with fond memory.

”You thought I didn’t notice?”

Serena flustered, falling silent for a moment.

Francesca leaned back against the cushions, a soft, understanding smile on her lips. ”I won’t tease you any further for now~” She tilted her head gently. ”Now, I want you to assess these five girls for their true talents. I don’t need you to give them a skill just for the sake of it. Show them only what resonates with their nature and potential. If nothing is suitable, then nothing at all. Their growth should be natural, not forced.”

”As you wish, oh Radiant One.”

”Good. I believe ’he’ will come here later once he notices his future wives are taking too long to meet me~”

”P... pardon?” Serena’s voice wavered, the light from the tome flickering again. ”You mean... the young master?”

Francesca’s smile widened. ”Yes, my Honey Bun. He’s quite protective, you know. And very observant when it comes to his girls. Once he realizes they’ve been summoned and haven’t returned, he’ll come looking. And when he does...” her eyes twinkled with gentle mischief, ”...perhaps you’ll have a chance to speak with him again. Properly this time.”

Meanwhile... In the office.

A knock was heard from outside.

Javier narrowed his eyes and raised his palm, stopping Varrick and the others from standing.

”Just come in, Mimi. I know it’s you.”

The door opened, and a head peeked in. She bit her lower lip, her little fang showing as she gave him a playful, sheepish grin. ”Nya~ How did you know it was me, Husband?”

Javier exhaled softly. ”Of course I know. The way you knock. Only you knock with that little rhythm, like you’re tapping out a happy tune.”

”Tehe~” Mimi jumped inside, her tail swaying in excitement as she ran toward Javier and leaped onto his lap, facing him. She planted a quick kiss on his lips, then glanced up with sparkling eyes.

Javier smiled and patted her head, looking into her eyes. ”You must have been scared about what happened earlier.”