Reborn As Noble

Saten’s smile hardened into something colder, teeth just barely hidden behind polite words.

”And I also demand that boy apologize to me,” he said, voice honeyed but lethal. ”If he refuses... well. Let us say the whole council will hear of this disgrace. It will be a stain on your house before all the lords and ladies present.”

Garius’s smirk remained unreadable, calm, small, and utterly certain.

”Very well.” He inclined his head once, almost bored.

”Alf.”

”Yes, my lord?” Alf answered, stepping forward with the practiced deference of someone who moved mountains with a bow.

”Tell Javier to come here.”

”As you command, my lord.” Alf bowed more deeply, then melted through the press of people, moving with that silent, purposeful stride only a trusted servant possessed.

The nobles exchanged furtive glances; some masks slipped into thin smiles of anticipation, others into worry. Marcellus, Cedric, Aelius, Athine and Heres watched impassively, their posture unchanged, ready, composed.

Garius simply watched Alf go, eyes still soft with that faint smirk. He turned his head very slightly toward Marquis Saten and allowed a single, courteous nod.

”Very well, Marquis,” he said lightly. ”We shall settle this before the council begins.”

While Javier was still half-hidden in the bushes, Liana stand beside him, hands brushing dirt and leaves from his clothes with quiet patience.

”Hold still, Young Master,” she murmured, smoothing the dust from his shoulder.

Javier groaned, rubbing the back of his head.

”Ugh... Buddy really sent me flying this time...”

Before Liana could reply, a shadow fell over them.

”Young Master.”

Alf stood there, one hand neatly folded behind his back, the other adjusting the thin gleam of the special spectacle over his right eye.

Javier froze, his crooked smile twitching at the edges. He turned his head slowly toward Alf, a bead of sweat slipping down his temple.

”A... ah... Alf... father... called for me?” His words stumbled out with a flustered grin, his eyes darting aside like a child caught red-handed.

”Yes, Young Master,” Alf replied smoothly, bowing just enough, his tone polite but firm.

”Ah... okay...” Javier muttered, sighing as he pushed himself up from the dirt. He straightened his clothes with Liana’s help, his expression shifting between sheepish and resigned.

Javier walked toward his father, his steps slow and measured, his eyes flicked over the nobles gathered around. Silks, jewels, layers of embroidery, they gleamed like peacocks on parade.

He leaned sideways, whispering low to Liana, eyes flicking toward the nobles nearby.

”Liana... look at them. All bloat and pomp. Pity those outfits.” He chuckled under his breath, eyes twinkling.

”See that one? The button’s about to give up....pew!” He flicked his finger forward in a tiny gesture, as though imagining the button launching across the courtyard like a crossbow bolt.

Liana pressed her lips together, trying to keep her composure. She sighed softly, though her eyes betrayed the smallest flicker of amusement.

Javier tilted his head toward another group, their postures ramrod stiff, their expressions frozen with self-importance. His chuckle slipped out again, quiet but sharp.

”Look at them... all stiff and serious... kekeke...”

”Young Master...” Liana whispered with a shake of her head.

But Javier wasn’t done. He leaned closer, his voice full of playful venom.

”You know what’s worse, Liana?”

Her sigh deepened. ”What now, Young Master...”

He grinned, teeth flashing as he whispered,

”If they’re bald in the middle of their head. Imagine it...” He widened his eyes dramatically, gesturing with one hand.

”They take off their hat, and bam! A holy shine.”

Then, with a sudden flourish, he raised his hand to his face, shielding his eyes in mock agony.

”Ugh! My eyes!” he hissed in exaggerated pain, staggering half a step as though struck by the blinding light.

Liana covered her mouth, hiding a laugh that threatened to escape, her shoulders trembling slightly. Javier only smirked, satisfied, walking on with the ease.

Javier strolled through the line of nobles as if it were nothing more than a street market, one hand shoved lazily in his pocket, the other lifted in a half-hearted wave.

”Yo, what’s up!” he said with a bright grin, slipping past silken robes and jeweled cuffs without sparing them a second glance.

The gathered nobles stiffened, some gasping softly at his audacity, others grinding their teeth behind painted smiles. Whispers hissed like snakes among them, but Javier walked on unbothered, Liana a calm shadow at his side.

The moment he stopped before Garius, playful smirk faded. Javier straightened his posture, placed his hand across his chest, and bowed slightly, his tone steady and respectful.

”Esteem Father.”

Garius’s calm voice cut through the murmurs.

”Javier... you should not greet them like that.”

Javier straightened, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin.

”Ah, I’m sorry, Esteem Father.”

Then he turned to face the gathered figures in their ornate silks and jeweled cloaks. He dipped his chin politely, his expression shifting into one of feigned courtesy.

”My name is Javier De Armand,” he said smoothly, voice carrying the clear tone of a young heir.

”It pleases me to see you all gathered here. Merchants of such standing, draped in wealth, eager to seek fortune. I admire your effort. To travel here with such vigor, no doubt hoping to present yourselves before my father, Count Garius, in hopes of weaving bonds... truly admirable.”

He smiled faintly, as though paying them respect, yet every word rang with the subtle edge of someone mistaking nobles for traders desperate to curry favor.

”Please, continue your fine work. May your trades bring profit, and may fortune smile on your ventures.”

Behind him, Liana bowed politely, her lips pressed to a tight line to hide the flicker of amusement dancing in her eyes. The nobles, however, stiffened, their faces blanching at the slight. Some reddened, others gritted their teeth.

Saten’s eyes widened, his voice breaking through the tense air.

”Count Garius... how dare your boy mistake us for merchants!?”

Javier tilted his head slightly, blinking with a look of feigned innocence, his lips curling into the faintest polite smile.

”Ah... pardon my rudeness. It seems I have misunderstood.” His tone was calm, layered with that subtle mischief.

”You see, when I looked upon my Esteem Father seated with the grace of a true noble, sipping wine from his own glass, and then I looked upon the rest of you, all standing... well, perhaps I assumed you were wealthy merchants waiting to offer your services, to curry favor, to make connection.”

He placed a hand lightly on his chest and bowed just enough to be polite, his eyes glinting as he straightened.

”My mistake, of course. How careless of me.”

( End Of Chapter )