Reborn As Noble

An hour went by.

Javier was still sitting on the couch, flipping through his sketches and plans for potential new inventions.

I wonder what I should craft next?

I don’t want to craft something that would disrupt the balance of the world... like some of the inventions from my old world did. More technology doesn’t always mean more happiness. It just meant more complexity, more dependency, more... unintended consequences.

Three empty coffee cups sat on the table nearby.

He glanced at the door again, a faint frown touching his lips.

What’s taking them so long? It’s unusual for them to be away this late.

I wonder what Mother is talking to them about, and why it’s taking so long?

Sigh... I’m starting to feel restless here.

Especially without Liana around.

I guess my life feels incomplete without the girls, huh?

Javier tapped his foot lightly against the floor, the rhythmic sound echoing his growing impatience.

He exhaled softly, stood up, and turned toward the door.

I...I should just go to them.

He walked out, closed the door behind him, and channeled a pulse of mana into the rune lock, securing the workshop.

Seeing Buddy still relaxing peacefully under the tree brought a small smile to his face.

He walked slowly over to Buddy and stopped, giving his feathered side a gentle pat.

”Buddy.”

”Cuquawked?” Buddy turned his massive head and glanced down at Javier.

”I’m going now. See you tomorrow.” Javier smiled.

”Cuquawked!” Buddy squawked and slowly stood up, looking intently at Javier.

”I’ve already filled the food troughs for you and the others,” Javier said, gesturing toward the large, stone containers in the pen, ”and I changed the water in all the basins.”

”Cuquawked!” Buddy nodded in understanding.

”I’m going now.” Javier gave Buddy’s neck one last pat and offered a casual wave before turning and heading toward the main manor.

While walking with both hands in his pockets, Javier observed the familiar rhythm of the estate in the late afternoon.

Guards patrolled in pairs, their movements crisp and professional. Household maids were scattered across the grounds, some sweeping fallen leaves into neat piles, others carefully tending to the flowerbeds.

A group of maids walked by, carrying basket of delicate silk ribbons, fresh flowers, and polished silver decorations, chatting casually in low voices about the arrangements for tomorrow’s weddings. One of them chuckled softly at a shared joke, the sound light and carefree.

Tomorrow... Marcellus, Cedric, and Heres’s weddings.

He chuckled softly to himself.

Oh, Heres... you have no idea what you’ve signed up for. Marrying that bratty Kliatana, who only pretends to be gentle when she’s around you~

Ah well, I guess it’s his choice anyway.

Let’s see...

Javier rubbed his chin thoughtfully, one hand still in his pocket as he slowly climbed the wide stone steps leading to the main manor entrance.

Mimi mentioned earlier that Mother was calling for them.

But where?

Is she in her room? Her private sitting room? The study? Or is she just having an extended tea time with them somewhere in the gardens?

He glanced around and spotted one of the newer maids sweeping the entrance steps of the manor.

Javier smirked.

Oho~ It’s Pippa~ The new maid who just started working for our estate. This girl... if I remember correctly, she’s from Vaghyr Village, west Armand.

Well... time to test my charm.

He casually ran a hand through his hair and called out to her.

”Pippa, isn’t it?”

Pippa stopped sweeping and turned, but before she could fully respond, Javier leaned in smoothly, resting one hand lightly against the wall near her, creating a casual, charmingly close proximity.

Pippa’s cheeks flushed instantly. She stuttered, her eyes darting up to his face before quickly looking down, her fingers tightening nervously around her broom. ”Y... yes, Your Highness...”

Javier flashed a charming smile, his other hand casually brushing through his hair. ”I believe you’re the new maid, right~”

”Y... yes...” Pippa’s face reddened even more, her gaze fixed on the ground.

Javier leaned in slightly, his voice warm and playful. ”I was wondering if you’ve seen my mother, Lady Francesca, anywhere in the gardens or around the manor?”

Pippa fidgeted harder, her cheeks burning. ”Y... Your Highness... I... I haven’t seen Lady Francesca... umm... in the gardens today...”

Javier flashed a charming look straight into her eyes the moment she tried to glance up, his smile warm and disarming.

”How’s working with Armand treating you?”

Pippa stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. ”I... it’s... it’s good, Your Highness... The salary is fair... the working hours are reasonable... and the maid quarters are... very comfortable...”

”Really?” Javier wiggled his eyebrows playfully. ”Good to hear then~”

”Y... Your Highness... if... if... umm...”

Javier smiled and pulled his hand back from the wall, running his fingers through his hair again.

Just as he was about to continue his playful banter, a delicate but firm hand reached out and pinched his ear.

”Eeeppp!!!” Javier panicked and turned, only to see his mother standing right behind him, along with all his girls.

”Ah... esteemed Mother...”

”Ara ara~ My my~ Honey Bun?” Francesca gave him a sweet, terrifying smile.

”Y... yes, esteemed Mother?” Javier winced, still held firmly by the ear.

Francesca smiled and glanced at the maid. ”You go and help the others set up the wedding area.”

Pippa stood straight, placed her palm over her left chest, and bowed. She took three quick steps back, turned, and practically sprinted away from the scene.

Francesca then turned her sweet, terrifying smile toward Liana and the others. ”You all go and eat first. I have some... business to do with this naughty future husband of yours.”

”Yes, Mother-in-law,” everyone said in unison, each of them glancing at Javier, who was now kneeling on the floor, still wincing as Francesca kept a firm grip on his ear.

”M... Mother! It... it hurts!”

”Ara~ Does it? Hmm?” Francesca began to drag Javier by the ear toward the inside of the manor.

Liana just exhaled softly, shaking her head. Gloria nudged her glasses with a knowing look. Felicia sighed quietly. Delya maintained her dreamy smile, seemingly unfazed.

Mimi tilted her head, genuinely confused. ”Nya? Did Husband do something wrong?”

Everyone looked at Mimi and exhaled in unison.

”You really don’t know?”

( End Of Chapter )