Reborn As Noble

I can feel his arm... his chest... his warmth...

Her fingers trembled faintly, but she forced them still, clutching the reins as though her life depended on it.

Is this a dream?

Her heart raced faster, her pulse echoing in her ears.

If this is a dream... please, don’t wake me up.

She leaned closer, unable to help herself, wanting to close that last inch of space between them, to feel his heartbeat against her back.

I... I wonder... if I confessed to him right now, if I said I like him, what would he do?

Her chest tightened.

Would he look surprised? Would he smile? Or... would he give me that awkward look?

The one that says, ”Let’s just be friends...”?

Her fingers clenched the reins tighter.

No... not now. I can’t ruin this moment. Just a little longer. Just... like this.

Heres’s arm had settled lightly around Kliatana’s waist, steadying her for the Pekko ride. His chin hovered near her shoulder, his voice calm as he explained how to guide the reins.

But Kliatana barely heard a word.

Her breath caught. The closeness, the warmth, the faint pressure of his hand, it made her chest ache in ways she couldn’t explain.

If only...

If only he would truly embrace me.

If only I had the courage to tell him what I’ve been hiding all this time.

She leaned in, letting her body brush gently against his. Just a little more. Just enough to feel his presence. Just enough to remember the shape of this moment, in case it never came again.

I don’t know why I’m doing this.

But please... just this once.

Let time move slower.

She closed her eyes briefly, feeling the rhythm of his breathing, the beat of her own racing heart.

I want to stay like this.

Even if it’s just for a while.

When she opened her eyes again, Heres was still talking, gently, like always, his profile sharp and beautiful in the afternoon light. His smile was reserved, his tone smooth, but Kliatana could see past it now.

There was something in his eyes. Something uncertain. Vulnerable.

She smiled softly, as if encouraging herself.

He’s too handsome.

Girls must follow him everywhere. Even Javier said Heres isn’t interested in women...

But if that’s true, if he’s never shown interest in anyone...

Will I ever have a chance?

She gripped the reins tighter, then loosened them, realizing her fingers had gone tense.

Will he ever see me as someone more than just a noble girl beside him?

Would he ever turn to me... and call my name like it mattered?

Meanwhile, Javier groaned, arms crossed as he leaned against the corridor wall. His gaze flicked toward the grand door where Liana and Gloria were still peeking through the small gap.

He sighed. ”Why are you two trying to spy from here? You do realize my room has a balcony with a better view of the courtyard, right?”

Both girls stiffened.

Their eyes lit up, sparkling with mischief and excitement.

In the next instant, they grabbed him by the arms and began dragging him away.

”Eh!? Wait, wait, wait!” Javier flailed, stumbling slightly as they pulled him. ”Wouldn’t it be better if we just went to the Pekko pen or fed them instead? What’s with the sudden obsession with her love life!?”

They stopped just outside his door.

Then, in perfect synch, they leaned in close.

Liana was the first to speak, her voice calm but deadly sincere. ”So she won’t become your number seven, young master~”

Gloria followed with a knowing smile. ”Exactly. If she secures Heres as her partner, that means she’s off your list.”

Javier’s expression twisted. He dramatically clutched his stomach and pretended to gag.

”Blergghhhh!!!!”

He look up.

”Her? That rowdy girl? No way! I’ve never even thought about her like that!”

Both girls narrowed their eyes at him.

Javier took a cautious step back.

”...You believe me, right?” he added, his voice suddenly less confident.

Liana arched an eyebrow, her smile calm but sharp. ”Believe who? You, young master?”

Gloria adjusted her glasses slowly, eyes glinting behind the lenses. ”Ara~ I can believe you in anything, young master... except when it involves women.”

”Errr...” Javier rubbed the back of his neck, giving a sheepish grin. ”I...I already promised, didn’t I? Right?”

Liana folded her arms, tilting her head slightly. ”Still... who knows when someone more beautiful than us might appear, hm~?”

Gloria nodded in mock seriousness. ”Yes. After all, history shows how our young master has a habit of... surprises.”

Javier blinked. ”Huh? What are you...”

Liana stepped forward, her smile growing dangerously sweet as she cracked her knuckles.

”You remember the girl you kissed when you were eleven... Lord Rolland’s daughter. She was ten, wasn’t she?”

Javier froze. His face turned pale. ”A-Ah... that was....uh... because I wanted to see your reaction, Liana...”

”And~?” Liana’s voice was soft but her smile sharper than a dagger. ”Her name was... ah, yes. Lady Gracelle~”

Javier panicked. ”E-Eh!? I-I don’t know what you’re talking about! She... she promised to write, but I only got one letter! Just one! So I don’t know what happened after that!”

Gloria leaned in slightly, smirking. ”You still remember her perfectly after three years, young master~?”

Javier’s grin twitched. ”O-Of course not! I just... uh... I mean, I’m fourteen now! That was three years ago! Maybe she forgot! Yeah, maybe she forgot!”

Liana crossed her arms, smiling triumphantly. ”Oh, she forgot? Or maybe... you still remember too well.”

Javier grinned nervously, trying to play it off.

”Umm... I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, raising his finger to his lips with an exaggeratedly innocent look. Then, in one smooth motion, he sucked his thumb like a child and, with a flicker of mana, made his nose run with fake snot.

”I’m just a poor, innocent little boy~” he said in a nasally tone.

Crack... crack...

The sound made him freeze instantly.

Both Liana and Gloria were smiling too sweet as they cracked their knuckles in perfect sync.

Javier’s eyes darted between them. ”Ah...umm...er...the way you two are smiling kinda weird today...”

Liana’s voice was soft, yet filled with quiet menace. ”Young master~ that trick no longer works on someone who already looks like a young adult~”

Gloria adjusted her glasses, her expression serene but her tone dripping with playful threat. ”Ara~ that’s true~ It’s not cute anymore... just annoying.”

Before they could take a single step forward.

Javier bolting toward the door like lightning.

”Get back here, young master!” Liana’s elegant voice echoed after him, though she now wielded a baseball bat conjured from thin air with her mana.

Gloria followed gracefully, holding her warhammer with one hand as if it weighed nothing. ”Now, now, Liana~ don’t break his bones too much~ we still need him for tomorrow~”

”Only a light beating!” Liana replied cheerfully, chasing full speed.

Javier’s panicked yell echoed down the hall.

( End Of Chapter )