Reborn As Noble

The nobles stammered, unable to form words under the weight of his accusation.

Garius turned his head slightly, his voice calm but commanding.

”Alf. Seize this gemstone.”

”Yes, my lord.” Alf bowed and carefully pocketed the gem.

Garius’s gaze didn’t move from the nobles; his voice was quiet, lethal.

”It is your fault bringing these gemstones and riling the Pekko into frenzy. Do not dare turn this chaos upon us.”

The nobles froze, paling further as his words pressed down like a blade at their throats.

Then, without raising his voice, Garius shifted his eyes toward the woman standing nearby.

”Erinnette.”

The head maid stepped forward with her usual grace, bowing smoothly.

”Yes, my lord?”

”Calm those two Pekko. Command them to follow us.”

Erinnette’s lips curved faintly, her composure unshaken even amid the wreckage.

”As you command, my lord.”

”Buddy. Pikko. Come.” Her words were simple, the kind that carried weight not by volume but by certainty.

Buddy’s squawk cut off mid-call. He blinked, cocked his head, then lowered himself slowly. Pikko finished one last precise kick, then folded her talons, eyes softening. Both birds turned as one and fell into line behind Giddie’s great frame, feathers still bristling but obedient.

Erinette gave a single curt nod to Garius. Alf slipped the gemstone safely away into his sleeve.

Garius looked once more at the ruined carriages and the pale nobles.

”And let me warn you all, if you try to do something dirty like this, your schemes will be weighed, your motives exposed, and your lies won’t shield you from consequence.”

Once the Armand procession had ridden far beyond the wreckage and the nobles’ furious shouts dwindled into nothing but echoes, Alf leaned slightly in his saddle. His voice, precise and low, reached only Garius.

”What a brilliant move, my lord.”

Garius’s lips curved faintly, his gaze steady on the distant spires of the capital.

”That is what they earn for stealing what I had already given to the people. And you, Alf, well done. Preparing such a ’gemstone’ in advance.”

Alf bowed his head lightly, reins steady in his hands. A small, knowing smile touched his lips.

”It is nothing, my lord. A worthless trinket to most... but in the right moment, it becomes a blade sharper than any sword.”

Garius’s smirk deepened, his voice even but laced with quiet satisfaction.

”Let them brandish their accusations in council. Every word they speak will only tighten the noose around their own throats. They sought to tarnish Armand’s name, yet they succeed only in dragging filth over their own.”

Alf’s eyes stayed forward, his tone even but edged with quiet satisfaction.

”The nobles will twist and claw, but today’s farce has already written itself, My lord. By the time it reaches the council chamber, they will be the ones scrambling for excuses.”

”Let them scramble. A pack of snakes can hiss as loud as it pleases, none of them dare bare fangs when a hawk circles above.”

Alf straightened in his saddle, tone once more polished and composed. ”Shall I draft the formal account for the records, my lord?”

”Later,” Garius answered, his voice steady, the smirk still ghosting across his lips. ”For now... let us savor the quiet triumph.”

Garius’s gaze shifted toward Buddy and Pikko, both still marching with smug pride in every step. His lips curved faintly as he spoke, voice calm yet edged with amusement.

”But I do wonder... where is Javier? He sent his Pekko to do the job I laid before him.”

Alf and Erinnette exchanged a knowing smirk, their silence saying more than words.

Marcellus, Cedric, Aelius, Athine, and Heres could only shake their heads with faint smiles, each well aware of their youngest brother’s nature.

The maids riding close by tried to hold their composure, soft chuckles escaping behind gloved hands.

Then Hesbeirn adjusted the reins of his mount and spoke with a calm certainty.

”I believe, my lord, he is rather occupied... enjoying his date with his personal maid, Liana.”

The air lightened, quiet laughter weaving through the disciplined formation.

Garius’s voice carried steady authority as he leaned slightly toward his golden Pekko.

”Giddie. Tell Buddy and Pikko to fetch their master.”

”Cuquawked!” Giddie’s cry rang out sharp and commanding, his gaze cutting toward the younger Pekko. Buddy and Pikko immediately straightened, wings tucked, heads lifted as if they had just been given orders in a battlefield.

Satisfied, Garius turned his eyes toward his general.

”Hesbeirn.”

”Yes, my lord?” Hesbeirn replied, posture firm in the saddle.

”Follow Javier and Liana’s Pekko. Deliver my word, he is to attend the council without delay.”

”As you command.” Hesbeirn gave a crisp nod, guiding his mount out of formation before spurring forward, vanishing into the bustle of the capital streets in pursuit of the young master.

Garius’s smirk returned faintly as he faced the road ahead, the council hall looming ever closer.

Meanwhile.

The streets of the capital bustled with life. Merchants called out their wares, children darted between stalls, and the air was heavy with the scent of spices and fresh bread.

Javier and Liana strolled hand in hand, their pace unhurried. The sight of the young Armand heir, dressed in finely cut noble attire, walking casually with his elf maid drew more than a few stares. Whispers followed them, some curious, some envious.

”...Young Master?” Liana tilted her head slightly.

”Hm? What is it, Liana?” Javier’s lips curved in a faint smile as he glanced down at her.

”Do you think... perhaps you’ve forgotten something important?” she asked, her expression calm.

Javier raised his chin, looking up at the sky.

”Hmm... yeah, maybe. But I wonder what it was.”

Liana’s smile deepened. ”You know... it feels like we both forgot something even more important.”

Javier lowered his gaze back to her, smirking with boyish mischief. ”Maybe... but I don’t know. Whatever it was, it can wait. Let’s just enjoy our time.”

Her heart warmed at his words. She squeezed his hand gently, shaking her head with the faintest smile. ”If you say so, Young Master.”

Javier chuckled, tugging her a little closer as they walked past the stalls.

Liana’s gaze drifted to the busy street around them, her tone calm but edged with suspicion.

”Young Master?”

Javier hummed, still half-distracted by the stalls. ”Hmm?”

”Where are Buddy and Pikko?” she asked, scanning the passing crowd.

Javier froze. His eyes darted left, right, then behind him. No orange feathers. No silver plume. No mischievous squawks echoing nearby.

His smile stiffened, then his eyes widened in sudden realization.

”Crap!!” he muttered, gripping his hair. ”I was supposed to show up after Buddy and Pikko caused their little... chaos!”

Liana pressed her palm to her brow, exhaling long and sharp. ”Young Master...”

Javier snapped back, tugging at her hand.

”No time to waste, Liana. Let’s go!”

”Yes, yes...” she exhaled softly, her lips curving into a weary smile as she let him pull her along. ”It’s always like this...”

( End Of Chapter )