Reborn As Noble

In a private meeting room, Lord Garius sat at the head of the table, focusing intently on Alf, his trusted butler. Beside him stood Errinette, calm and composed, while Hesbeirn leaned forward with his rough hands on the table.

”My lord,” Alf began in his usual steady voice, ”we’ve received a report.”

Garius nodded, his expression unreadable. ”Go on.”

”According to our informant, the Klimbert household seems to be making a move in our region.”

Garius’s mouth twitched slightly, showing a hint of irritation. ”Do they intend to start a war?”

”For now, we’re still gathering details,” Hesbeirn added, his voice deep and serious. ”But it appears the Armbost household and Klimbert household are collaborating, using the Jaist household to provoke us.”

Garius raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair. ”The Jaist household? How are they involved?”

Alf adjusted his gloves and replied, ”It seems one of Jaist’s sons is being influenced by them. He’s causing trouble in our towns—abusing his noble title to intimidate commoners, taking goods without paying, and not settling his bills at one of our finest inns. He’s creating quite a disturbance.”

”Hmph,” Garius scoffed. ”We’re an autonomous region. Why not just enforce our laws? What’s the problem?”

”The issue,” Alf explained carefully, ”is that the noble in question is still a child.”

”A child?” Garius leaned forward, intrigued. ”How old?”

”About the same age as your youngest son, Young Master Javier.”

”Oh?” Garius smirked, stroking his chin. ”So, around 11 years old?”

”It seems so,” Alf confirmed.

A sly grin spread across Garius’s face as he turned to Errinette. ”Errinette.”

”Yes, my lord?” she replied promptly.

”Find a way to encourage Javier to visit the town. Don’t tell him directly—make it seem like it’s his idea.”

Errinette smiled knowingly. ”As you wish, my lord.”

Garius leaned back, his grin widening. ”Let’s see how my son handles this. Some practical experience might do him good, and who knows? It could be... entertaining.”

The room fell silent as the weight of his words settled in. Garius’s mind raced, calculating how best to counter his rivals. Meanwhile, the others began preparing for the next steps to defend the Armand household. The stage was set, and the players were moving into action.

Errinette stood in the hallway outside the meeting room, her expression calm but her eyes sparkling with mischief. She folded her arms, her mind already on the next steps.

”Gloria,” she called softly.

Moments later, Gloria appeared around the corner, her serene demeanor and gentle smile intact. ”Yes, Mrs. Errinette?”

Errinette’s lips curved into a subtle smirk. ”I have a task for you.”

Gloria’s smile broadened as she nodded knowingly. ”Ah, I see. It involves… encouraging Young Master Javier, doesn’t it?”

Errinette’s smirk widened. ”Precisely. We need to steer him toward the town. But remember, no direct orders—make him think it’s his idea. Use your skill, Gloria.”

Gloria chuckled lightly and bowed her head in acknowledgment. ”Consider it done, Mrs. Errinette. I’ll find him and plant the suggestion.”

”Good,” Errinette replied, her tone confident.

As Gloria turned to walk down the corridor, her calm presence hid the subtle schemes at play. The two women, skilled at managing the household’s affairs discreetly, were setting the stage for Javier’s next adventure.

While walking to the dining room, Gloria saw Liana and the Young Master sitting at the table. She quietly signaled to another maid nearby, who smiled and nodded back.

The second maid, carrying a tray, started chatting with another staff member just a few steps from the dining room. They talked loud enough for others to hear.

”You know,” the maid said with a little excitement, ”there’s a really nice place to eat in town. I heard their new dishes are amazing.”

Javier, focused on his food, barely moved. Hah, food here is already good, he thought, ignoring the comment.

”Oh, and did you hear?” the other maid asked, pretending to be very interested. ”A famous minstrel arrived at one of the best inns in town. They say her voice is melodious.”

Hah, like I care about some singer, Javier thought, lazily chewing on a piece of roasted meat. Duh.

”I’m so excited to hear her perform tonight,” the first maid added, pretending to be enthusiastic. ”It’s all the talk of the town.”

Yeah, yeah, whatever. Javier didn’t even lift his head, his thoughts uninterested.

The second maid, seeing Gloria’s subtle nod, made her next move. ”And then there’s that new dish everyone’s talking about. What was it called? Hmm... Oh yes, risu, I think.”

Javier stopped eating, his eyes widening. Risu? Rice? For real?! His mind raced as the word echoed in his head. Memories of warm, fragrant rice from his past life came rushing back.

Noticing his sudden interest, Gloria held back a sly smile as she stood in the doorway, quietly watching.

Liana, however, furrowed her brow slightly, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. Why are the maids suddenly talking so loudly near the dining room? This is unusual… very unusual, she thought, glancing at Javier to see how he would react.

”Liana?” Javier called, pausing mid-bite and looking at her with determination in his eyes.

”Yes, Young Master?” Liana replied, her tone calm but knowing something was coming.

”We should check the town!” Javier declared enthusiastically.

”No, Young Master. You should ask permission first from your father or your mother,” Liana responded firmly, crossing her arms.

”But…” Javier hesitated, his excitement fading a little.

”It’s a formal visit, Young Master. You can’t just wander around without approval,” Liana added, her tone leaving no room for argument.

”Can’t we just sneak out? Ehehe,” Javier asked with a mischievous grin.

”No! You can’t!” Liana leaned in and whispered, her eyes sharp. ”As a noble son, the risk is high. What if something happens?”

”Huh? You do know We both can handle any trouble easily,” Javier countered confidently.

Liana sighed and whispered back, ”Yes,I know your real power. But aren’t you the one who said you didn’t want your abilities to be discovered? Or have you changed your mind?”

”Ugh… fine. I’ll ask,” Javier grumbled, reluctantly agreeing.

He turned back to his plate, taking another bite of the juicy meat. In his mind, however, he was already planning. This meat would go perfectly with rice—or risu, or whatever they call it here. If it’s real rice… and they have soy sauce… mmmph! This would taste amazing.

”Young Master? What are you thinking?” Liana asked, noticing the dreamy look on his face.

”Oh? Nothing, Liana,” Javier replied quickly, his grin returning. ”I just can’t wait to ask Father for permission to visit the town.”

Liana raised an eyebrow but said nothing, watching him with mild amusement as he started eating with new enthusiasm. It’s always about food with him… she thought.

After the meal, Javier rushed through the hallways, his voice echoing as he called out:

”Mother!! Mother!! Mother!? Hmm? Where is she? Ugh… when I need her, she’s always missing.”

He spun around, frustrated, and then saw Liana walking gracefully behind him.

”Liana? Where’s Mother?”

”I believe, according to her schedule, she is attending a meeting with the other noblewomen, along with Lady Phenelopie and Lady Garcinia,” Liana replied calmly.

”Ugh… now I have to find and ask permission from Father. He’s always so serious!” Javier groaned, running his fingers through his messy hair.

”Who is serious?”

”Eeeep!!” Javier yelped, jumping at the sudden voice.

Standing in front of him was Lord Garius, along with Mrs. Errinette and Mr. Alf, all wearing unreadable expressions.

Liana bowed politely, her tone smooth and composed. ”Good morning, my lord.”

Javier, on the other hand, froze in place, stammering awkwardly. ”Ahhh… umm…”

”What do you want?” Garius asked bluntly, his sharp gaze on his youngest son.

”Err… nothing!!” Javier blurted before running off, leaving Liana behind.

Liana’s thoughts raced as she bowed even lower, trying to stay calm. How dare you leave me alone with your father here!

”Liana?” Garius called, his authoritative voice snapping her out of her thoughts.

”Yes, my lord?”

”Why was your young master looking for his mother?”

”The Young Master wished to ask permission to visit the town,” Liana answered honestly, her tone steady.

”Hmmph! That young master of yours is always playing around,” Garius said, glancing briefly at Errinette and Alf, signaling them with a subtle look. ”He doesn’t even want to attend school properly.”

”My lord,” Alf interjected, his tone measured, ”perhaps this is a good opportunity for our young master to make an ’official visit’ to the town.”

Garius pretended to think about this, stroking his chin, though a faint smirk almost appeared. ”Hmm…”

Errinette chimed in, her voice calm but purposeful. ”Yes, my lord. It could be a chance for him to learn about his responsibilities.”

Garius nodded, as if reluctantly agreeing. ”Very well. Liana, go meet Gloria and arrange an official visit to the town.”

”Yes, my lord,” Liana replied, bowing deeply before leaving to carry out the order. Inside, she sighed, thinking, At least this time, the young master’s antics are leading to something productive.

( End of Chapter )