Reborn As Noble

They all arrived at Tybalt Estate.

Cliff and the other escorts were stunned, their minds struggling to process the impossible speed.

”I feel like I just sat down in that chair,” Cliff murmured to the man beside him.

”Y... yeah... I can’t believe how fast we got back to Tybalt,” the other replied, voice hushed with awe. ”The usual horse ride would take at least three days just to reach Arjam. And yet with this... iron flying thing... we arrived in less than an hour.”

The massive drone descended slowly into an open area of the courtyard. Once it touched the ground, the whirring of its engines gradually faded, and Javier pressed a rune to lower the boarding ramp.

As the door opened, they were met by a full contingent of Tybalt guards in heavy plate armor, swords drawn and shields raised in a defensive formation.

”Halt!! Identify yourselves!!” a captain at the front shouted, his voice sharp with alarm.

Kayra stepped slowly out of the drone, her posture regal and composed.

”Lady Kayra!”

”At ease, everyone,” she commanded, her voice clear and steady. ”These are honored guests from the Armand Nation. Lower your weapons and show them the respect.

The guards hesitated, their eyes darting between Kayra and the massive, angular craft behind her. Some lowered their swords slowly, others kept their grips tight, their expressions a mix of confusion, fear, and disbelief.

”Welcome to Tybalt, Your Highness,” Kayra said, turning to Javier with a graceful bow. ”Please, forgive their caution. They have never seen such... advanced means of travel.”

Javier stepped out, followed by Liana, Gloria, and the others. He offered a slight, polite nod to the guards, his expression calm and unreadable.

”No offense taken,” he said, his tone neutral.

Buddy peeked from behind Javier’s shoulder.

”Cuquawked!!!” Buddy squawked, and a sudden gust of wind magic erupted from him, a sharp, warning blast whipped through the courtyard, making banners snap and causing several guards to stagger back a step.

Buddy stepped forward, puffing out his chest, and fixed the Tybalt guards with a side-eyed glare.

Behind him, Pikko and the other Pekko slowly emerged from the drone, forming a loose, intimidating line. A chorus of low, rumbling squawks filled the air, accompanied by the unified, sharp-eyed glares of the massive birds.

Javier facepalmed. ”Ugh! Buddy. Don’t... they’re not enemies... they’re just being cautious.” He sighed, rubbing his temple. ”They’ve never seen anything like this before. Give them a moment to adjust.”

He reached out and patted Buddy’s neck gently. ”Easy now. We’re guests here.”

Buddy let out a softer, grumbling squawked, but didn’t back down, his gaze still fixed warily on the armed formation.

”Pardon me, Your Highness,” Kayra said, bowing slightly. ”I must excuse myself to inform my husband of your arrival. I apologize for making you wait.”

Javier nodded, his hands clasped behind his back as he surveyed the courtyard. ”Very well. We will wait here. Take your time, this matter requires proper introduction.”

”If you’ll excuse me, Your Highness.” Kayra bowed once more, her daughter waving shyly at Liana before following her mother. Cliff and the other escorts trailed behind them as they left Javier and the others standing near the massive drone.

Javier exhaled once they were out of sight. ”I think it’s time for us to eat first, Liana. I’m hungry.”

Liana chuckled softly and glanced at him. ”How are we going to cook something for you, young master? We can’t exactly set up your magic portable grill in their courtyard.”

”Hmm?” Javier looked at Liana, then gestured toward the drone. ”We can cook inside here, you know.” He moved to a section of the cargo bay and pressed a rune panel on the wall.

A compact kitchen area unfolded smoothly from the interior, a mana-powered stove, a prep counter, utensils, and even a small dining table with seating for six. Javier snapped his fingers, and piles of marinated meat appeared on the counter, seasoned and ready.

”Today I want steak,” he said, grinning. ”Thick cuts, seared on the outside, juicy inside. You know how I like it.”

Liana smiled. ”Oh~ You really think of everything, don’t you, young master?”

Gloria adjusted her glasses. ”Very well... we’ll cook something for you~ young master.”

”Ehehehe... thanks!” Javier grinned and happily walked back to the pilot seat. ”Call me when the meat is ready~”

After a while.

Inside Tybalt Manor.

”Honey... we can’t.” Tybalt said, both hands clasped behind his back, his expression strained but firm.

”But dear! We don’t have the troops to hold them back! We don’t have the weapons to counter their cannons! Our treasury is empty, our people are starving, and our trade routes are strangled! This isn’t about pride anymore, it’s about survival!”

”But we can’t betray the royal crown!”

”Dear!!” Kayra’s voice broke, sharp with frustration and remembered fear. ”Do you know what I risked just to meet him? I nearly died on that sea! Our daughter nearly drowned! Cliff and our men clung to wreckage in the dark, freezing, thinking we were all going to die! Armand pulled us from the water in the middle of the night because I insisted on going, because I knew we had no other choice!”

She stepped closer, her eyes glistening.

”Prince Javier didn’t have to save us. He didn’t have to offer help. He’s giving us a chance, his troops in the sky right now holding Garka and Turka back, a trade port to rebuild our economy, advisors to teach us how to stand on our own feet again. All he asks is that we formally request it and agree to fair terms.”

Tybalt turned away, his shoulders tense. ”And what happens when Kimar hears? What happens when every other noble turns on us? When they call us traitors and cut us off completely?”

”Look around us, Garzin! They’ve already cut us off! Turka and Garka are invading us right now, and the royal court is silent! Kimar is doing nothing while his favorites carve up our lands! What loyalty do we owe a king who abandons us to be devoured?”

Her voice dropped, weary but unwavering.

”This isn’t betrayal. It’s choosing to live. Choosing to protect our people, our daughter... our home. Armand is offering a lifeline. If we refuse it... we’re choosing to drown.”

Kayra began sobbing, tears streaming down her cheeks.

”Please... at least listen to what Armand is proposing. Hear the terms. See if there’s a way forward that doesn’t mean watching our people die and our land burn.”

Garzin fell silent, his jaw tight, his gaze fixed on the floor.

( End Of Chapter )