Reborn As Noble

”Young master, are you ready?” Liana asked, her eyes glimmering with amusement.

Javier looked up from the map he’d been studying, stretching lazily. ”Hmm? Yeah, I’m ready.”

”Today, we’ll be visiting the land you wanted for your farming business,” Liana reminded him, skepticism lacing her tone.

His face lit up with a mischievous grin. ”Hehe… I’m excited! Can’t wait to check the land. My land! Kekeke!”

Liana sighed, shaking her head. ”Young master, you were given the land by order of your father, Lord Garius.”

”Order, schmorder…” Javier waved dismissively, his grin unwavering. ”He’s just giving me what’s rightfully mine. Besides, I’m the youngest son—someone has to make things interesting around here!”

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Liana gave him a long look, her expression unreadable. ”Interesting, indeed… Let’s hope your ’interesting ideas’ don’t turn this visit into a spectacle.”

Javier leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head. ”Spectacle? Me? Never. It’s just farming. How chaotic could it possibly get?”

Liana didn’t respond, but a faint twitch of her lips revealed a knowing smirk. ”We’ll see, young master. We’ll see.”

As they strolled down the polished stone hallway toward the Pekko pen, sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating the manor’s interior. The chirping of birds outside accompanied their leisurely pace.

”Good morning, Mrs. Errinette,” Liana greeted politely, bowing gracefully.

Mrs. Errinette, head of the household maids, turned toward them, her serene yet commanding presence filling the space. Though she maintained strict professionalism, her elegance and beauty were undeniable.

”Morning, Liana. Morning, young master,” Errinette replied, her tone smooth yet firm.

”Good morning, Mrs. Errinette,” Javier said, his voice casual but higher-pitched than usual. Inside, he felt a small panic. Ops… scary aunty... He avoided prolonged eye contact, sensing an odd chill in her presence.

To Javier, she was like a predator hiding in plain sight. Despite her disciplined demeanor, he could see that beneath her disguise, she was stunning—a perfect mix of beauty and authority. Unknown to both Javier and Liana, Errinette was more than just the head maid; she led the elite secret battle maid corps of the Armand household—dangerous, silent, and impossibly skilled, known only to Lord Garius and a select few.

Liana straightened from her bow, her expression composed. ”We’ll be heading to the Pekko pen, Mrs. Errinette. The young master has a busy day planned.”

Errinette’s lips curled into a faint smile, her sharp eyes flicking toward Javier. ”Very well. Do try to keep him out of trouble, Liana.”

”Of course,” Liana replied smoothly.

Javier forced a grin, nodding. ”No trouble here! Just a young noble excited to start his farming empire!”

Errinette didn’t respond further, her gaze lingering on Javier a moment longer before she turned back toward the kitchen. As they resumed walking, Javier let out a small sigh of relief, quickly shifting to playful bravado.

”See that? Even the scary aunty knows I’m the future of the Armand household!” he joked, confidence brimming.

Liana shot him a sideways glance, a hint of a smile on her lips. ”Yes, young master. The future of the Armand household… as long as you don’t trip on your own ego before we reach the Pekko pen.”

Javier laughed, undeterred by her sarcasm, and they continued on their way.

”Buddy!!” he called excitedly as they neared the Pekko pen.

From the other side of the enclosure, a bright orange figure lifted its head. Buddy, Javier’s loyal Pekko, squawked enthusiastically.

”Cuquawk!”

”Buddy!!” Javier’s grin stretched wide as he hurried to the pen. The large bird bounced in place, thudding its sturdy yellow legs against the ground as it approached.

”Ohh! Fluffy!!” Javier exclaimed, throwing his arms around Buddy’s soft feathers. The Pekko nuzzled him back, letting out cheerful clicks and chirps.

”Must you always roll around with him like a child?” Liana sighed, folding her arms.

Ignoring her, Javier buried his face in Buddy’s warm plumage.

Meanwhile, Liana’s Pekko, Pikko, approached her gracefully, its silver-and-orange feathers shimmering.

”Good morning, Pikko,” she greeted softly, stroking the bird’s smooth feathers. Pikko lowered its head, accepting her touch calmly.

”See that, young master?” Liana said, glancing at Javier as she continued to pet her Pekko, Pikko. ”Some of us know how to handle our Pekko with dignity.”

Javier, still hugging his Pekko, Buddy, turned his head and stuck out his tongue. ”Dignity is overrated, Liana! Buddy loves me because I’m fun!”

Buddy let out another excited squawk, bouncing slightly and nearly knocking Javier off balance.

Liana rolled her eyes, but a small smile appeared on her lips. ”If you say so, young master. Just don’t let him trample you before we even start your ’farming empire.’”

Javier laughed and gave Buddy one last affectionate pat before stepping back. ”Trample me? Nah, Buddy’s my partner! Right, Buddy?”

”Cuquawk!” Buddy replied, puffing out his chest proudly.

”Liana?”

”Yes, young master?”

”Buddy didn’t eat yet…” Javier said, his voice sounding worried as he patted the large bird’s side.

Liana raised an eyebrow and folded her arms. ”Yesterday evening, I refilled the Pekko trough and changed the water. Buddy isn’t starving, young master.”

Javier crouched dramatically next to Buddy, pretending to listen to its nonexistent complaints. ”Oh, poor Buddy… you must be hungry…”

”Don’t overreact, young master,” Liana replied, pinching the bridge of her nose. ”I saw Buddy’s stomach still bulging from last night’s meal.”

Javier straightened up with a mischievous grin. ”Well, we can roast some meat later on my land. Ehehehe.”

Liana sighed. ”Young master, we need to wait for the other maids and soldiers to come with us.”

”Huh? Why? The land isn’t that far from the estate!”

”Still,” Liana insisted, her eyes firm. ”It’s protocol. And besides, it’s safer that way.”

Javier groaned, scratching his head. ”But… how am I supposed to summon my puppet knight to clean the land if they’re all watching?!” he muttered, low enough for only Liana to hear.

”Young master,” Liana said in a low voice, her gaze sharp, ”you should hire workers for that kind of task. It would avoid… complications.”

”That’ll take too long! I want to start today!” Javier huffed, climbing onto Buddy’s back. ”Buddy! Let’s leave them behind!”

As Buddy squawked in agreement and prepared to run, the sound of hooves caught their attention. Gloria appeared, riding gracefully on her horse, her calm expression unshakeable.

”Oh! Gloria!” Javier exclaimed, his mischievous grin returning. ”Chuuuuuuuu!”

Still smiling serenely, Gloria guided her horse beside Buddy. Without hesitation, she leaned down and kissed Javier lightly on the lips. Her calm gaze flicked to Liana, who stood frozen, her lips pressed into a thin line.

”Miss Gloria!” Liana thought, feeling frustrated. Guh! Just you wait, young master! How dare you ask for kisses from other girls in front of me!

Javier chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. ”Oh, it’s decided then! Gloria and Liana will come with me! Two hot and beautiful girls by my side—this is bliss!”

”Young master…” Liana muttered through gritted teeth, her cheeks puffed in a rare pout.

Javier ignored her, gripping Buddy’s reins. ”Alright, Buddy! Forget the guards and the other maids! Let’s dash!”

Buddy squawked, ready to bolt, while Liana hurried to mount Pikko to follow.

”Young master, wait!” Liana called out, exasperation clear in her voice as Gloria followed behind, her serene smile never faltering.

(End of Chapter)