Reborn As Noble

Before Javier could even blink.

WHAM!

Her punch landed squarely in his stomach.

”BUHOKKK!!”

Javier’s eyes went wide as all the air left his lungs. He doubled over, clutching his gut, barely able to breathe.

”H-Hold on, l-let me explain!!”

But it was already too late.

Her leg swept behind him. Her arms locked down.

His legs were caught in a perfect ankle lock.

”GYAAAAARRRGHHHH!!!” Javier screamed, slapping the stone floor with both hands.

”I TAKE IT BACK!! YOU’RE DEFINITELY MY TYPE!! STOP!!!”

Kliatana didn’t even flinch.

Her voice was icy and sharp.

”Who said anything about wanting to be one of your girls?”

Javier clawed at the floor, trying to crawl away.

”HELPPP!! LIAAAANAAAA!! GLORIAAAA!! MONSTER PRINCESS ON THE LOOSE!!!”

After a while.

Javier winced as he pressed his glowing palm to his sore ankle, the soft hum of healing magic pulsing into the joint. He sat cross-legged on the courtyard ground, grumbling to himself.

”Damn... this feisty annoying girl. Hot-tempered, rough, totally unladylike...”

From the fountain behind him, a soft giggle echoed.

”Fufu~ what do you say?” Kliatana purred, sitting with one leg crossed over the other, palm resting lightly against her lips as she watched him with a smug tilt of her head.

Javier narrowed his eyes. ”This dual-nature girl,” he muttered under his breath. ”Looks like a noble lady outside, but acts like a street brat inside...”

Kliatana’s playful aura suddenly dropped, her gaze sharpening.

”Now,” she said firmly, ”if you’ll let me finish what I wanted to talk about.”

”Yeah, yeah, what is it this time?” Javier muttered, finally standing and brushing off his pants.

Kliatana turned her face away slightly, her voice dropping to a quiet tone. ”You know... I like someone... and I need your help.”

Javier stared at her. ”What now? I’m not some Cupid who fires love arrows into people’s hearts, you know. And there’s no such thing as a love potion to craft.”

Kliatana glared, puffing her cheeks. ”I wasn’t finished yet!” she snapped, sounding more like a brat than a princess.

”Alright, alright.” Javier rolled his eyes. ”So, who? One of our office staff?”

”No,” Kliatana replied, shyly avoiding his gaze.

”Then... Marcellus?”

She snorted. ”No! I already know that guy well. Definitely not him.”

Javier folded his arms. ”Cedric?”

”Nope. Not him either.”

Javier raised a brow. ”Hmm... don’t tell me... Aelius?”

Kliatana made a troubled face. ”That one’s handsome, yes... but his sister gave me the scariest glare when I tried talking to him. So... no.”

Javier blinked. ”...Yeah, that tracks.”

He stretched his arms behind his back and added, ”Besides, Athine loves Aelius, and Aelius loves her. You know... serious love.”

Kliatana’s eyes widened. ”R-Really?”

”Yeah,” Javier nodded casually.

”Your father... Lord Garius... he’s not mad?”

”Hm? No. Why would he be?” Javier tilted his head, then added with a shrug.

”It’s their choice. No one has the right to stop them. And honestly, I don’t think they can be stopped. Not unless someone wants to die trying. There’s no law in this world that says they can’t be together. And c’mon, that’s normal in royal palaces, right?”

”Y-Yeah... I guess... but still...”

”Enough of that.” Javier waved her off, narrowing his eyes. ”Now, tell me, bratty.”

”Bratty...?” Kliatana flinched slightly.

Javier grinned. ”What? I’ve been calling you that since school. You earned it.”

Kliatana pouted but looked away again, clearly trying to hide her flustered face. Her fingers fidgeted by her lap.

Javier exhaled sharply. ”It’s annoying to see you like that.”

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then smirked. ”Don’t tell me... it’s Alf?”

”NO!! Ugh!!” Kliatana jumped up, her face red. ”You definitely said that just to mock me!”

Javier burst into laughter, doubling over. ”Pffft, your reaction! Worth it! Totally worth it!”

”Ughh!!” Kliatana turned away, arms crossed tightly, cheeks puffed in frustration.

Javier grinned, clearly not done teasing her, until his expression suddenly shifted. His eyes widened in mock realization.

”D... don’t... tell me...”

Kliatana blinked, confused. ”What?”

Javier pointed at her dramatically, eyes narrowing.

”Don’t tell me you fell for my father! No way! You’re not gonna be my stepmother! We’re the same age!”

”Wha—?!” Kliatana’s face turned bright red, a mix of embarrassment and rage.

Before Javier could even take a breath.

WHAM!

Her fist buried itself right into his stomach again.

Javier coughed, doubling over with a groan. ”Ugh!! Damn bratty tomboy!! I was joking!”

Kliatana stomped her foot, glaring down at him. ”You’re annoying! Just let me finish talking before you start your nonsense!”

Javier, clutching his stomach, wheezed out between laughs. ”Y-yeah, sure. Just give me a second to breathe, you violent woman...”

”Good,” she huffed, turning her head with a proud flick of her hair. ”Now maybe you’ll finally listen.”

Javier looked up at her, grinning weakly. ”Fine, fine... go ahead, princess bratty.”

Meanwhile.

Liana stepped out from the corridor, her footsteps light yet measured as she headed toward the courtyard.

She expected to find Javier lazily waiting, likely tossing pebbles at the fountain or pretending to nap in the sun.

But what she saw made her pause.

There he was, standing by the fountain... grinning. And next to him, a girl.

Kliatana.

Sitting there with her hand over her lips, smiling shyly. Javier looked far too amused.

Liana’s steps slowed. Her eyes, usually calm and warm, dimmed.

A quiet wind stirred around her, brushing through her long hair as her mana flashed briefly, a small ripple of pressure. But she held it in.

With grace, she continued walking. Not rushing. Not stomping. Just approaching silently, her presence building like a storm hidden behind soft clouds.

Then she stopped, not too far, just at the edge of the courtyard. Javier hadn’t noticed her yet.

But she heard it.

Kliatana’s voice, small and hesitant.

”I like... you...”

Liana froze in place.

The words hit her like a blade to the chest.

For a moment, everything around her felt distant.

The sky above, the garden breeze, the soft chirping of birds... all faded into silence.

Her fingers clenched softly against her skirt.

She bit her lip, hard.

Another one?

Another girl... for the young master’s harem?

No... no...

He promised.

He said he’d stop at six.

Her chest tightened. Her heart dropped.

This couldn’t be happening. Not again.

Her world...

It was starting to fall apart. The illusion, the peace, the fragile joy she held onto so dearly.

Crumbling like a shattered mirror inside her heart.

Javier tilted his head, still clueless. ”Who? What’s with that fidgeting? Just say it already, bratty.”

Kliatana clutched the hem of her skirt, cheeks red. ”Mmm... mmm...”

Javier blinked. ”Who?”

But then.

She heard it.

”...Your brother...”

Kliatana’s voice rang out, soft and innocent.

Liana’s eyes widened.

The world around her... slowly began to rebuild.

The color returned to the sky. The garden breeze carried warmth again.

And her heart.

It fluttered with relief.

She smiled, faint at first. Then brighter.

Brother?

Which one?

Marcellus? Cedric? Aelius?

She tilted her head slightly, curiosity blooming in her eyes.

( End Of Chapter )