Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1553: When I Am No Longer There ( 1553 )

Fransesca’s gaze swept over the gathered daughters-in-law, her warm smile never fading. Her eyes drifted from one face to the next until they landed on Liana, who was still bowing gracefully, both hands resting neatly in front of her maid apron, her silver hair catching the sunlight.

Fransesca’s smile softened.

"Liana~ Come here~"

She gestured with her fingers, a gentle, inviting motion.

Liana lifted her head, bowed once more, and stepped forward with calm, measured grace. Her footsteps were silent against the sand as she approached.

Fransesca moved with both hands clasped behind her back, taking a few slow, deliberate steps to the side, drawing them slightly away from the others.

She stopped and turned to face Liana. Her smile widened as she circled her slowly, her eyes sweeping over Liana’s form with quiet appraisal. Liana stood calmly, her head slightly bowed, her hands resting in front of her apron.

"Hmm... Liana?"

"Yes, Lady Mother?"

Fransesca leaned in, studying Liana’s skin, her face, her lips, her eyes tracing every detail as she circled her. She stopped in front of her, her gaze lingering on Liana’s figure before a teasing look crossed her face.

"You look different, dear. There’s a glow about you that wasn’t there before." She leaned down slightly, glancing at Liana’s chest. "Did your breasts get bigger?"

Liana’s composure flickered. A faint blush crept up her cheeks, and she averted her eyes to the side, her voice dropping into a soft mumble.

"I... I don’t know what Lady Mother is talking about."

Fransesca narrowed her eyes playfully. She reached out and took Liana’s hand, caressing it gently, her thumb brushing over her smooth skin.

"Hmm~ Your skin is even softer than before. Younger. Brighter." She released Liana’s hand and leaned in closer, studying her face intently. "Did you eat something special, dear? Something that made your skin even more beautiful?"

She crossed her arms under her breasts, her expression thoughtful.

"Back then, when you were thirteen and first came to work as a maid in Armand, you didn’t look like this at all. You were pretty, yes. Beautiful, even. But not like this. You’ve changed, Liana. There’s something different about you now."

Liana’s cheeks flushed deeper. She fidgeted slightly, her fingers twisting together in front of her apron as she stammered.

"I... I... Maybe it’s because... umm... I am... an elf... so... our skin naturally stays beautiful... and... umm..."

Fransesca tilted her head to the side, one hand resting on her chin while her eyes remained fixed on Liana.

"I know elves never age, dear. Just look at Mylezra. She still looks like she’s in her twenties, even now that she’s..." She let out a soft, musical laugh. "Tehe~"

She turned to the side, tapping her chin thoughtfully, her arms still crossed under her breasts. Her gaze drifted upward as she mumbled.

"Even so... your skin looks even younger than before. There’s a certain... glow about it. A softness that wasn’t there before."

Liana’s eyes drifted toward Fransesca’s stomach. It was flat and smooth, without a single blemish or wrinkle. Her skin was flawless, glowing faintly under the sunlight. Liana’s gaze lingered for a moment, admiring it, before she snapped out of her thoughts when Fransesca called her name.

"Now... tell me, Liana~"

"Y... yes, Lady Mother?"

"Why are you in your maid outfit when everyone is in their swimwear? You are my daughter-in-law now, not Honey Bun’s personal maid anymore."

"A... about that... umm..."

Liana twirled her finger nervously, her head turning to the side as she tried to find the right words.

Fransesca’s smile widened.

"Ara~" She leaned in, her voice dropping into a playful, teasing lilt. "Don’t tell me... you’re wearing it underneath your maid outfit~"

Fransesca covered her lips with her palm, letting out a soft, melodic laugh as she watched Liana squirm. Liana’s cheeks burned bright red, and she lowered her head, a small, embarrassed smile tugging at her lips.

"Liana..."

"Y... yes, Lady Mother?"

Fransesca’s smile softened. She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around Liana in a gentle, warm hug. She held her close, her cheek resting against Liana’s hair as she whispered in a low, tender voice.

"Promise me, dear. No matter what happens... no matter how much time passes, no matter what challenges come your way... you will always be by Javier’s side. You will always be his anchor. His home. The one he returns to when the world grows heavy. The one who holds him together when everything else falls apart. Promise me you’ll never leave him. Promise me you’ll always love him, protect him, and stand beside him."

Liana’s eyes softened. A gentle, warm light filled her gaze, pure and unwavering. She wrapped her arms around Fransesca in return, her voice steady and calm.

"I promise, Lady Mother. I will never leave him. I will always be by his side. He is my first love. My only love. The man I chose with all my heart. I will stand beside him, protect him, cherish him, and love him until the end of my days."

Fransesca’s smile widened, her eyes glistening with quiet emotion. She pulled Liana closer, her voice dropping into a soft whisper.

"Thank you, Liana. Thank you for choosing him. For loving him. For being the one he needed most. You don’t know how grateful I am. How grateful I have always been. From the moment you first stepped into this estate, I knew. I knew you were the one. The one who would stand beside him when I no longer can. The one who would hold his heart when I am no longer there to hold him."

Liana tilted her head in confusion, her brow furrowing slightly. She was about to ask what she meant, but Fransesca pulled back from the hug, her radiant smile returning. She raised her palm and gently placed it on the top of Liana’s head.

A beautiful, shimmering aura enveloped Liana’s body, glowing with soft, golden light. It was warm and gentle, like sunlight on a spring morning.

"L... Lady Mother?"

Fransesca pulled Liana into her breasts, cradling her head gently against her chest. She caressed her hair with slow, tender strokes.

"This is my special gift for you, my dear. A blessing. A piece of my heart. Something that will protect you, strengthen you, and remind you that you are loved. Not just by Javier. Not just by this family. But by me."

Around them, the beach remained unchanged. The waves rolled gently onto the shore. The others continued chatting near the grill, laughing, eating, completely unaware. No one noticed the moment, for the span of a breath, Liana and Fransesca had stood somewhere far beyond the reach of time itself.

Liana’s eyes fluttered closed, and her breathing slowed, calm and safe in the arms of her mother-in-law.

( End Of Chapter )