Reborn As Noble

Lord Garius adjusted his coat as he stepped out of his study, flanked by Alf and Errinette. Both wore expressions of quiet vigilance, every step showing their discipline and readiness. Behind them followed a group of elite battle maids, moving with the silent precision of experienced warriors. Each wore a simple maid uniform, but the sharpness in their eyes revealed their true nature.

Unseen by casual observers, Alf’s secret assassin group had blended in with the estate guards, hiding in the shadows, ready to act at a moment’s notice. Nearby, Hesbeirn, the steadfast general of the Armand household, marched with his special forces unit. Their armored presence added a layer of security, their formation tight and disciplined.

Errinette glanced at Alf, her sharp eyes scanning for any sign of danger. ”The perimeter is secure, but I don’t like surprises. Who knows what the demons might try during this visit?”

Alf nodded subtly, his voice calm but firm. ”They’ve honored the peace agreement for years, but caution is our strength. Our men are in position. If anything happens, it won’t catch us off guard.”

Garius sighed, rubbing his temples as he walked. ”Must we bring half the estate every time I meet with a representative? It’s not like they’re storming in with an army.”

Errinette smirked, her tone teasing. ”You underestimate your importance, my lord. If something were to happen to you, the entire region would descend into chaos.”

”Yes, yes, I know,” Garius muttered, waving her off. ”Let’s just get this over with. The faster we settle this, the faster I can get back to my study... and perhaps some peace.”

As they approached the grand meeting hall, the group maintained a tight formation, every member alert. The battle maids had already spread out, positioning themselves strategically around the estate, blending seamlessly with the surroundings.

Hesbeirn, walking alongside Garius, finally broke his silence. ”My forces are stationed at all potential entry points. If there’s even a hint of trouble, we’ll respond instantly.”

Garius glanced at him and nodded slightly. ”Good. Not that I’m expecting trouble, but better safe than sorry. The demon representatives tend to have... peculiar ways of negotiation.”

Alf’s lips twitched into a faint smile. ”I hope you’ve prepared yourself, my lord.”

Errinette chuckled softly, earning a glare from Garius. ”Let’s get through this meeting and pray that no trouble will come.”

With that, the group entered the hall, every step calculated and every movement guarded. The Armand estate had turned into a fortress, a testament to their vigilance and preparedness for any situation.

Lord Garius stood at the head of the table, arms crossed and expression calm but thoughtful. The grand table before him was set with beautiful tea sets and platters of treats—a typical display of noble hospitality.

He lightly tapped his fingers on the table, breaking the silence. ”Hmm… I wonder who will come today.”

Alf, his dependable butler and closest friend, adjusted his white gloves and stood at attention beside him. ”I believe it’s Marquis Jintox, my lord,” he replied, his tone steady and professional.

”The oni demon,” Garius said, a faint smirk appearing on his lips. ”Not bad. He’s manageable.”

”Yes, my lord,” Erinnete chimed in from her spot near the doorway, hands neatly clasped in front of her. As the head maid and Alf’s strong wife, she carried an air of authority that matched her poised demeanor.

Garius sighed, his smirk fading a little. ”At least it’s not Duke Nyxara. If it were her, I’d have to spend half the meeting avoiding her endless marriage proposals.”

Erinnete’s lips twitched with suppressed amusement, while Alf raised an eyebrow, his serious expression showing a hint of sympathy for Garius.

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Just then, Francesca entered the hall with her usual grace, walked to a smaller table set up in the corner. Her group of personal maids followed closely behind, efficiently preparing a lovely tea setup.

She settled into her seat and lifted a delicate teacup to her lips. ”Oh dear, you’re still worried about Nyxara?” she asked, her tone light and teasing. Her warm brown eyes sparkled with amusement.

Garius shot her a look. ”You don’t know what it’s like, Francesca. That woman’s persistence is unmatched.”

Francesca chuckled softly, shaking her head. ”Perhaps you should have been more careful with your promises, dear. It seems you’ve gotten yourself into quite the mess.”

Before Garius could respond, a servant entered the hall, bowing deeply. ”My lord, Marquis Jintox has arrived and is waiting to be received.”

”Good,” Garius said, straightening up. ”Let’s get this over with.”

He glanced at Alf and Erinnete. ”Be ready. While I don’t expect trouble from Jintox, it’s always wise to be cautious.”

”Understood,” they replied in unison, their professionalism unwavering.

As the servant left to bring in the marquis, Francesca sipped her tea, her serene smile never fading.

The heavy double doors of the grand hall swung open, revealing Marquis Jintox, a towering figure with crimson skin, sharp horns curling from his head, and a confident smile that showed a hint of his fangs. His oni heritage was clear in his muscular build and commanding presence, but there was an unexpected warmth in his demeanor.

”Ah, good day, Lord Garius!” Jintox boomed, his voice echoing through the grand hall.

Garius stepped forward, offering a welcoming smile. ”Same to you, Marquis Jintox. It’s good to see you.”

The two men approached each other and shared a brief but polite hug, a gesture that blended formality with friendship. Despite their differences, there was mutual respect between them, built over years of careful diplomacy.

Trailing behind Jintox were seven escorts, each a formidable figure in their own right. Their eyes scanned the hall warily, hands resting near the hilts of their weapons. The tension was palpable, as if they were expecting trouble at any moment.

Jintox glanced over his shoulder, his expression shifting to mild irritation. ”Geh… You lot, wait there,” he said, waving a hand dismissively.

One of the escorts, a tall demon with sharp features and an air of authority, hesitated. ”Marquis, are you certain? It’s our duty to—”

”Haah…” Jintox let out an exaggerated sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. ”There’s no need to be so wary. I’m meeting Lord Garius, not some shady people. He’s not a bad human, you know.”

The escort exchanged uncertain glances with the others before nodding reluctantly. ”As you wish, Marquis Jintox.”

The group stepped back, positioning themselves along the walls of the grand hall. Although they kept their guard up, their stances relaxed slightly, showing the trust their leader had in Garius.

”Now that that’s settled,” Jintox said, turning back to Garius with a grin, ”shall we get down to business?”

Garius chuckled softly. ”Of course. Follow me, Marquis. We’ve prepared a comfortable space for our discussion.”

He gestured toward the main table, where Alf and Erinnete stood ready to assist. Francesca, still seated at her tea table, observed the scene with quiet amusement, occasionally glancing at the demon escorts with mild curiosity.

As Jintox and Garius moved to the table, the air in the hall seemed to lighten, the initial tension dissolving into a more cordial atmosphere.

As Garius and Jintox settled into their seats at the main table, the room remained lively yet orderly. One of Jintox’s escorts stepped forward, carrying a neatly bundled set of documents. Bowing respectfully, he handed them to the marquis.

Meanwhile, Garius raised his hand, signaling Alf. Without delay, Alf approached, holding an equally impressive stack of papers. He placed them on the table with precision, his expression calm and professional.

Both men began reading their respective documents, flipping through pages with practiced ease. They exchanged glances, nodding in understanding, before reaching for quills. Without hesitation, they signed the agreements in unison, sealing whatever deal had brought them together that day.

With the formalities completed, Jintox leaned back in his chair, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. ”You know, Garius,” he began, tapping a finger on the table, ”Duke Nyxara turned down another marriage proposal recently. And do you know why?”

Garius froze, a faint twitch visible in his brow. He let out a resigned sigh, already sensing where this was going. ”Jintox…”

”Because of ’certain someone,’” Jintox continued, his grin widening, his tone dripping with teasing amusement.

Garius groaned, slumping slightly in his seat. ”It’s… It’s because of a promise. A childish promise, one I made before I married Francesca,” he admitted reluctantly, his voice tinged with frustration.

Jintox let out a booming laugh, clapping Garius on the back hard enough to make him wince. ”Ah, you poor man!” he said, shaking his head. ”You know, our king himself had to step in when she was ready to storm over here. She’s nothing if not persistent. If the king hadn’t stopped her…” He trailed off, his eyes glinting with amusement. ”Well, let’s just say things could’ve gotten very interesting.”

Garius rubbed his temples, muttering under his breath. ”Nyxara’s always been stubborn. I was foolish back then—thought it was just a passing phase. How was I supposed to know she’d still be hung up on it now?”

Jintox grinned, clearly enjoying the lord’s discomfort. ”Well, at least Francesca doesn’t seem the jealous type. Otherwise, you’d really be in trouble.”

At the mention of her name, Francesca glanced over from her tea table, her gaze curious but composed. Sensing her husband’s plight, she offered a faint smile, as if silently reassuring him that she was above such petty concerns.

”You have no idea,” Garius muttered, trying to ignore the demon’s boisterous laughter echoing through the hall.

( End of Chapter )