Reborn As Noble

Javier stood with his brothers, greeting the diplomats and guests as the grand feast began. The hall was alive with chatter and music; Armand household maids and chefs moved briskly in their designated areas, making sure every guest was attended to.

As the line of dignitaries made their way forward, Javier did his part.

Smiling, shaking hands. But inside, he was restless.

Ugh, this is why I hate event like this. It’s just handshakes, small talk, and pretending I’m interested in everything.

”Ah, Prince Javier, it’s an honor,” a clear voice called. Javier turned to see a fox-eared girl with bright eyes going toward him and bowed gracefully. ”I’m Hazia, advisor from the Beastkin Nation’s Magic Mechanism Department. I oversee the new department for magical technology.”

Javier placed his palm over his chest in the proper Armand salute and smiled politely. ”The pleasure’s mine, Miss Hazia. Welcome to Armand.”

They exchanged a few quick words, drifting into conversation about magic tool, runes and other thing.

Hazia’s curiosity was genuine, her technical questions sharp.

At the buffet, Liana set a plate of roast meat aside for Javier, her eyes narrowing when she spotted him locked in discussion with Hazia. Gloria, balancing a plate with practiced grace, watched too.

”Ara, first wife... it looks like our prince forgot all about us already,” Gloria said, voice low and teasing.

”It does seem so, second wife,” Liana answered, the corner of her mouth twitching in a smirk.

Mimi’s ears perked up, tail swishing as she watched the foxgirl. ”Nya? Isn’t that Hazia? I think she’s one of the new advisors in our magic tech department, right?”

Felicia exhaled, shaking her head. ”She works for the Royal Magic Mechanism Department. It’s that new initiative Father mentioned, recruiting talented outsiders to help with magical inventions.”

Delya squinted at Hazia. ”Is she single?”

Felicia thought for a moment. ”I believe so, but—”

Before she could finish, Liana moved, gliding across the floor with silent purpose, Gloria right behind her.

While Marcellus, Cedric, Aelius, and Heres were deep in conversation with various dignitaries about politics, economic matters, magic theory, and the finer points of territory management, Javier stood apart, chatting with Hazia.

One hand in his pocket, the other swirling his crystal wine glass.

”No, the fundamental for a stable mana circuit is all wrong here. You should anchor the main flow to a stable core rune, then lay out the secondary runes in a star or triangle pattern, never a straight line. Straight-line circuits lose too much mana to dissipation, especially over distance.”

Hazia’s ears perked, eyes wide as she scribbled notes. ”A triangle pattern... I see. That would balance the current, right?”

”Yes.” Javier nodded, keeping it basic but clear. ”Balance, containment, and return flow. You want every spell tool to complete its circuit, so there’s no mana leaking. That’s how you get stability and longer life from any magic device.”

He watched Hazia jot down more notes.

Seems like pen and paper are everywhere now. Just a couple years ago, only the Armand household and the highest guilds used them. Now, even foreign officials are using them.

Good thing we managed forest control with magic, quick-regrowth keeps the environment safe, and the council’s quotas make sure no one overharvests for paper.

His thoughts were interrupted as Liana swept up beside him, her hand gliding onto his arm. ”My my~ Prince Javier. What do we have here?” Her tone was teasing, eyes glinting with playful warning.

Gloria slipped onto his other arm, voice soft but carrying. ”Yes, Prince Javier. Who is this beautiful girl you’re charming?”

Felicia and Mimi appeared next, graceful and poised. Hazia immediately bowed low, ears folding in submission. ”A-ah... Your Royal Highness, Princess Felicia!” Hazia stammered.

Mimi just grinned, tail flicking. ”Nya~ working hard, I see.”

Felicia’s expression was serene but cool as she regarded the fox-eared girl. ”Advisor Hazia, isn’t it? So you’re the one assigned to our new department. I trust you’re finding your work productive?”

Hazia nodded quickly.

Inside her mind: I have to find an excuse to get away from this, or I will have problems with Princess Felicia.

”Advisor Hazia, fix your posture and that dress. You are one of the representatives of our nation—make sure you are neat and presentable.”

”As you command, Your Royal Highness.” Hazia bowed, hiding her nervousness.

Crap. Now she’s lecturing me for the first time.

She bowed gracefully toward Javier. ”It is an honor to learn from a master craftsman. I find the knowledge Prince Javier shares to be most enlightening and exceedingly useful for my department.”

”Your Royal Highness, Princess Mimi, Prince Javier, if you will excuse me, I have some matters to attend to.” Hazia bowed gracefully again, stepped back, and rushed to leave Javier’s side.

Javier just chuckled, shaking his head. ”You know, you don’t need to be that strict, Felicia.”

”No, I have to. If not, all the royal staff and officers will end up like this bratty one here.” Felicia shot Mimi a glare.

”Nya!? I didn’t do anything wrong!” Mimi puffed out her cheeks, tail swaying in annoyance.

Felicia just kept glaring until Mimi’s ears drooped. ”Mou! I really didn’t do anything wrong at all.”

Liana and Gloria, one on each of Javier’s arms, exchanged glances before looking up at him.

”So, is that girl beautiful? Your type? Hmmm?” Liana asked with a glare.

”Huh? No,” Javier replied, waving it off. ”We were just discussing basic magic tech. Beastkin Nation has a new department, I assume? Since Father agreed to share at least the fundamentals about magic tech.”

Liana and Gloria both fixed Javier with a pointed glare.

”We both thought you were about to add another harem member,” Gloria murmured, voice low.

Javier exhaled, glancing at each of them. ”No... don’t worry. I won’t. I already promised you all. Besides, I’m going to be too busy after this, and you two already know that, Liana, Gloria.”

He turned to Felicia and Mimi as well. ”So don’t worry about it, okay?”

( End Of Chapter )