Reborn As Noble

After Lord Garius, Mr. Alf, and Mrs. Errinette left, Liana bowed once more before standing up. Inside her mind, she was angry:

Just you wait, Young Master! How dare you leave me to face your father alone! You were supposed to be the one asking for permission!

She sighed, trying to calm down, and started walking purposefully through the halls to look for Gloria. Her steps paused when she saw one of the household maids scrubbing the floor.

”Good morning, Miss Liana,” the maid greeted her with a polite bow.

”Good morning. Have you seen Miss Gloria?” Liana asked, her tone calm but firm.

”Ah, I think she’s in the main hall,” the maid replied.

”Thank you. Please continue your work.”

”As you wish, Miss Liana.” The maid bowed again and went back to her task.

Liana walked to the main hall, where she found Gloria checking the work of the household maids. Gloria’s calm presence made everyone respect her without needing words.

”Good morning, Miss Gloria,” Liana greeted politely.

”Ara… good morning, Liana. Is there something I can help you with?” Gloria replied, her tone warm and welcoming.

”Lord Garius asked me to meet you to arrange the Young Master’s official visit to the town,” Liana explained.

”Today?”

”Yes,” Liana confirmed.

”Hmm… very well. Please tell the guard leader about the visit and make sure everything is ready,” Gloria instructed, her expression calm and composed.

”Understood, Miss Gloria,” Liana said with a nod.

”Oh, Miss Liana?” Gloria called just as Liana turned to leave.

”Yes, Miss Gloria?”

”I saw the Young Master running outside earlier. He’s probably at the pekko pen.”

”Thank you, Miss Gloria.”

”You are welcome,” Gloria replied with a gentle smile, turning back to oversee the maids.

With her task clear, Liana sighed lightly, muttering under her breath as she headed toward the pekko pen. Young Master, if you think you can escape responsibility this time, you’re sorely mistaken.

Liana walked to the pekko pen, her steps steady and purposeful. As she got closer, she saw the cheeky Young Master who had left her to face Lord Garius alone. He was sitting on his pekko, Buddy, clearly having a great time.

”Young Master,” Liana called out softly, with a calm smile on her face.

Javier froze, his playful mood changing. ”Ah… Liana… umm…” he stammered, clearly surprised.

”The plans for your official visit are already being prepared,” Liana told him in her usual calm tone. ”Now, you should go back to your room and change into something suitable.”

”Really? You got permission from Father?” Javier asked, his amber eyes lighting up with surprise.

”Yes, Lord Garius has given his approval. Now, now, Young Master,” she said, holding out her hand. ”Let’s go to your room and get you ready.”

”Yay! Ehehehe! I knew I could count on you!” Javier exclaimed, jumping off Buddy and grabbing her hand eagerly.

Inside her mind, Liana smiled. Just you wait, Young Master. Payback is coming.

Once they were inside the room, Liana moved quickly, picking the best outfit for a noble and placing it neatly on the bed.

”Now, Young Master, let me help you change,” she said cheerfully.

”Umm… Liana, I can change myself,” Javier replied hesitantly, instinctively stepping back.

”Don’t worry about it, Young Master. It’s my duty,” Liana insisted, her voice polite but firm.

Without waiting for a response, Liana started pulling his shirt over his head roughly.

”Ow! Liana! That hurts!” Javier yelped, squirming as she tugged too hard.

Ignoring his complaints, Liana moved to his trousers. ”Now, hold still.”

”Eeeeepp! Not the pants!!” Javier shouted, his face flushing as he clutched his waistband in desperation.

”Hm? You’re wearing shorts underneath. It’s not like you’re completely naked,” Liana said matter-of-factly, raising an eyebrow.

”But—” Javier began, only to be cut off.

”Don’t talk too much,” she said playfully, yet her tone left no room for argument.

Javier’s amber eyes went wide with alarm. ”Liana? Why are you looking so scary?”

With a mischievous grin, Liana pulled the pants up with excessive force. Javier winced, feeling a sharp pain.

”Eeeeepp!!! Liana!!” he squeaked, his eyes going wide as he lay back on the bed, holding his crotch.

This is what you get for leaving me to face Lord Garius alone, she thought smugly.

”Consider this payback for all the trouble you cause!” she thought, trying not to laugh out loud.

Javier lay there, still in shock, and finally muttered, ”I guess I won’t tease you again… for a while.”

Liana smiled, triumph in her eyes as she helped him finish getting dressed, careful not to pull too hard this time.

”Next time, Young Master,” Liana said with a sweet but serious smile, ”if you ever leave me behind like that again, it will be worse.”

”Err… Liana… don’t be so mad,” Javier stammered, feeling nervous under her intense gaze. ”It’s just… Father is scary, okay?”

Liana sighed, her expression becoming a little softer. ”Young Master, you’re not wrong. But you left me alone to face him. You can’t do that.”

She reached out and fixed the emblem on his nicely embroidered vest, making sure it looked perfect on his chest. ”There. Now you look great.”

Javier gave a shy grin. ”Thanks, Liana. I’ll try not to leave you behind next time.”

”You’d better not,” she said, stepping back and pointing toward the door. ”Now, let’s go, Young Master. I’m sure Miss Gloria and the others are waiting for us.”

”Hehe… town, town, town!” Javier chanted, his earlier nervousness forgotten as he bounced out the door, excitement shining in every step.

Liana followed behind, shaking her head with a small smile. Even when he’s difficult, he’s impossible to stay mad at.

Once they arrived in the courtyard, Gloria and several other maids were already on their horses, along with guards who were also ready. The grand carriage, shiny and polished, stood waiting in the center.

Javier’s face turned sour when he saw it. ”Ugh… really, Liana? A carriage?”

”You have to, Young Master,” Liana replied firmly. ”You’re a noble, Count Garius’s youngest son. It’s proper etiquette.”

”Nope.” Javier crossed his arms stubbornly and turned toward the pekko pen. ”Buddy!” he shouted, whistling sharply.

From a distance, Buddy rushed over, squawking loudly in excitement. Pikko followed closely, flapping its short wings to catch up.

”Ehehehe!” Javier grinned as he climbed onto Buddy’s back. ”I’m going to ride my Buddy!”

”No, Young Master,” Liana said in her firmest voice. ”You can’t!”

”Blergh, Liana. I don’t care. Buddy and I are going!” Javier declared, holding on tightly to Buddy’s neck to stay on.

Gloria watched the amusing scene unfold and shook her head with a smile as Liana tried to pull Javier down. Buddy squawked loudly, standing strong with its rider.

With a resigned sigh, Gloria got off her horse and approached them. ”Now, now, Miss Liana,” she said gently, pulling out a scarf with the household emblem. She tied it around Buddy’s neck, giving the pekko a noble look.

”Here, done,” she said, stepping back with a satisfied nod.

After Gloria tied the Armand household emblem scarf around Buddy’s neck, Javier hopped off excitedly and began circling his beloved pekko, inspecting the new look with bright eyes.

”Ohhhh!!” he exclaimed, eyes shining with excitement. ”I’m going to make the best armor for Buddy later. Ehehehe!”

Gloria chuckled softly, her expression warm. ”Young Master, you never stop amazing me.”

Meanwhile, Liana shook her head, hands on her hips, and let out a long, exaggerated sigh. ”Young Master, can we focus on today’s visit first before starting another one of your wild projects?”

Javier grinned mischievously. ”Don’t worry, Liana. Buddy and I are ready for anything. Right, Buddy?”

Buddy squawked loudly, agreeing, while flapping its short wings proudly.

”See?” Javier said with a smirk.

Gloria laughed again, patting Buddy gently. ”Now, now, Miss Liana, let the Young Master dream a little. After all, adventures often start with imagination.”

Liana sighed again but couldn’t help the faint smile on her lips as she gestured toward the group. ”Young Master, if you’re done admiring Buddy, let’s get moving. Everyone’s waiting.”

”Alright, alright!” Javier said, hopping back onto Buddy’s back. ”Let’s go, Buddy! Town, here we come!”

Buddy squawked in excitement, and Pikko followed closely behind as the group finally set off, much to Liana’s relief.

( End of Chapter )