Reborn As Noble

”And, my lord?”

”Yes, Alf?”

”The rice that Young Master Javier has been so eager to eat—along with the planting plan he drafted—has its first batch ready. We’ve followed the blueprint he created in his workshop.”

”Ah, yes… I remember that day. It was when I caught him finishing the magic sugar machine process, wasn’t it?”

”Yes, my lord. He showed us every plan he drafted, and we’ve been gradually implementing them across the region. The crawfish harvest in the paddy fields has also been successful.”

Garius smirked, recalling the moment he caught his youngest son red-handed in his workshop, grinning over his latest invention.

”He was so excited about that rice,” Garius muttered, shaking his head. ”Who would’ve thought something so simple could make him so happy?”

Alf chuckled. ”Yes, my lord. He claimed the taste was beyond anything we had here and insisted on replicating it perfectly.”

Erinnete added, ”Thanks to his irrigation system and mixed farming method, we’re now producing not only high-quality rice but also a steady supply of crawfish in the flooded fields.”

Garius leaned forward, steepling his fingers. ”So, the paddy-crawfish farming method is a success?”

”Yes, my lord,” Alf confirmed. ”The first batch of rice is ready for harvest, and the crawfish population has grown significantly. It’s an efficient system—the rice stalks provide shade and natural filtration, while the crawfish enrich the soil and keep pests at bay. We’ve already started rotating the fields to ensure continuous production.”

Garius nodded in approval. ”Good. Make sure a portion of this first batch is prepared for Javier. Let’s see if it really lives up to his expectations.”

Erinnete smirked. ”Considering how dramatic he was about it, I doubt he’ll be satisfied with just a portion, my lord.”

Garius let out a low chuckle. ”Then let’s prepare enough for him to enjoy. And keep expanding this system to more farms. If it proves sustainable, we’ll integrate it fully into our agricultural strategy.”

Alf bowed. ”As you command, my lord. I’ll personally oversee the harvest and ensure quality control.”

Garius exhaled, satisfied. ”Good. Armand will continue to thrive—not just as a military power, but as a region that feeds itself without relying on outside sources. We’ll be ready for anything.”

Erinnete placed a hand on her hip, smiling. ”And your youngest son will finally get to eat his ’perfect rice.’”

The three of them shared a knowing look. Javier’s innovations were changing Armand’s future—and they had a feeling he was just getting started. Experience new stories on freewebnovel

Later that night…

Javier sat at the dining table, his whole family present as usual. He occupied the seat at the end of the table, while Liana diligently prepared his plate.

Marcellus and Cedric were already enjoying the crawfish, paired with wine.

”This is amazing!” Marcellus grinned, peeling another crawfish.

Cedric took a sip of wine and nodded. ”It really complements the drink.”

Garius casually observed his family from the head of the table while eating his rice and meat. Behind him stood Alf, Erinnete, and the head chef, all silently monitoring the meal.

Javier, however, was focused on one thing. He leaned toward Liana and whispered, ”Liana, where’s my meat?”

Liana blinked. ”Young master, you have rice, crawfish, and plenty of other dishes around you.”

Javier frowned. ”Ehhh? I want meat. Crawfish is nice, but it’s not the same. And rice… well…” He glanced at the perfectly steamed bowl of rice in front of him.

”You were the one who pushed for this rice project, young master,” Liana reminded him with a knowing smile.

Marcellus, overhearing, smirked. ”Oi, little brother. If you’re not gonna eat it, just hand it over. This stuff is rare, right?”

Cedric laughed. ”Yeah, I wouldn’t mind taking his share.”

Javier quickly grabbed his bowl, hugging it protectively. ”Oi, hands off! I’ll eat it when I feel like it!”

Garius raised an eyebrow. ”Hmph. Then stop complaining and eat properly.”

Javier pouted. ”Yes, esteemed father.”

He picked up a spoonful of rice, pretending to savor something new. He had to play his role—after all, no one in this world knew he had eaten rice every day in his previous life.

As soon as he took a bite, he gave a small nod. ”Not bad.”

Liana smiled. ”See? It’s good, right?”

Javier scooped another bite, this time with crawfish. He swallowed, then nodded again. ”Yeah. It’s decent.”

Marcellus and Cedric narrowed their eyes at him.

”Oi, oi… why do I feel like you’re holding back?” Cedric muttered.

”Right? He’s acting weird,” Marcellus added.

Javier waved them off casually. ”I mean, it’s just rice. Nothing special.”

Liana sighed, placing a piece of grilled steak onto his plate.

Javier smirked. ”Ehehehe~ Now we’re talking!”

Javier scooped a bite of rice, placed a juicy slice of grilled meat on top, and drizzled some sauce over it. With a satisfied grin, he took a bite.

”Mmm… this is it! Rice and meat—a perfect combination!”

He continued to eat, savoring each mouthful.

Marcellus and Cedric, curious about Javier’s enthusiasm, exchanged glances before mimicking his actions.

Marcellus placed a piece of grilled meat over his rice, added a splash of sauce, and took a bite. His eyes widened slightly.

”Huh… this is actually pretty good.”

Cedric followed suit, chewing thoughtfully before nodding in approval. ”Damn… why does this taste better than eating them separately?”

Francesca, watching her sons with amusement, chuckled softly. ”Oh my, was there a special way to eat rice all along?”

Even Garius, maintaining his usual composed demeanor, scooped a bite of rice with meat and sauce. He took a slow, deliberate bite before giving the slightest nod.

”...It enhances the flavor.”

Alf smirked. ”Looks like Young Master Javier discovered a new way to enjoy meals.”

Javier grinned proudly. ”Hehe, of course! You gotta mix it properly. Rice is amazing with anything!”

Liana and Gloria, already familiar with Javier’s food habits, simply smiled at each other.

One of the head chefs standing nearby rubbed his chin in thought. ”Interesting… should we start serving meals like this at the estate?”

Javier, still enjoying his food, gave a thumbs-up. ”Definitely! Trust me, this is how you do it.”

( End of Chapter )