Reborn As Noble

Liana stepped outside and glanced around the huge courtyard, the cool night air brushing against her skin.

She saw Javier’s puppet knights standing guard, some patrolling the area in precise, silent formations.

Hmm... I wonder where Young Master is?

She turned and saw the huge Golden Pekko not too far away, noticing Garius feeding him something, accompanied as usual by Alf and Erinette nearby.

Ah...

Liana quickened her pace, trying her best to distance herself from that area.

Better not be noticed by Young Master’s father. Not to mention Mrs. Erinette and Sir Alf are also there.

After putting some distance between herself and them, she paused and glanced around again.

Looks like Young Master is nowhere to be seen in this courtyard.

Gloria said he wanted to check on Buddy...

But I don’t see him or...

Just as Liana was about to finish her thought, she heard a soft, rhythmic thumping sound and turned her head toward it.

She saw Javier already mounted on Buddy, walking with a smug, leisurely stride, Buddy puffing his chest and wearing a proud smirk on his beak.

Liana put both hands on her hips and glared up at them.

”Young Master!”

”Hmm? Liana? What are you doing outside alone in this courtyard? It’s dangerous for you to come out alone, especially at this hour.” Javier said, narrowing his eyes in a serious, protective manner.

Liana crossed her arms and glanced up at Javier before looking at Buddy.

”I’m not alone. Your knights are around, and I was coming to check on you.”

Javier shook his head and smiled. ”You don’t need to worry about me, you know. I’ve been with Buddy the whole time. Besides, this won’t take long.”

Liana exhaled and shook her head when she noticed Javier was holding a wooden sword.

”Young Master... don’t tell me you’re playing bandit again with Buddy here.”

Javier grinned sheepishly. ”Ah... no... I was just... errr...”

Liana turned her head when she heard a series of mechanical footsteps moving closer. A full squad of Javier’s puppet knights was running slowly in precise formation toward him, stopping behind Buddy and standing at attention.

She pinched her forehead.

”Young Master... you’re not a kid anymore, you know.”

”W... wha?” Javier gave her a mock hurt expression, clutching his chest dramatically. ”Oh, Liana, my first love... you wound me with such words! I’m not playing here... I’m... err... patrolling?”

”Oh? Really? Hmm?” Liana crossed her arms and tilted her head to the side. ”Then what’s with the wooden sword? Hmm?”

”Ah...” Javier quickly hid the wooden sword under Buddy’s wing. ”I... I’m not holding any sword. See?”

Liana exhaled. ”Who are you trying to fool, Young Master?”

Javier rubbed the back of his head and grinned sheepishly. ”Ehehehe.”

Liana crossed her arms and shook her head. ”Don’t stay out too long.” She then glared up at Buddy. ”You. Make sure you protect your master. If anything happens to him, I’ll boil the water myself and cook you into a stew for dinner.”

”Cuquawked!” Buddy narrowed his eyes down at her before turning his head and giving her a dismissive side-eye.

Liana let out a long exhale. ”Remember, Young Master. Don’t be too long. I’m going.”

Okay...” Javier grinned before tilting his head curiously. ”Where are you going, Liana?”

Liana paused and glared over her shoulder.

”Your next girl is requesting my presence!” she hissed.

”Who?” Javier tilted his head to the side, genuinely confused.

”Who else!?” Liana hissed again. ”The one you saved, the one you operated on, the one who, after regaining some of her health, has been requesting to see me every few hours! It’s like she’s already attached herself to you through me!”

Javier turned his head, averting his eyes. ”Ah... I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Liana puffed her cheeks and narrowed her eyes at him. ”Just go play bandit with Buddy. Ugh!” she said before stomping away with a huff, her footsteps echoing in the quiet courtyard.

After reaching the next building’s main door, Liana headed inside the first zone.

Sigh. Lucky I’ve already had enough rest.

She cleaned her hands, activated her Cleanse and Purify skills, and put on her scrub, cap, facemask, and gloves.

I wonder what she wants this time.

They said she needed to confirm something, but last time all she did was chat.

If she weren’t still recovering from her illness, I would have ignored her request already.

What a troublesome girl.

Even more clingy and troublesome than Mimi.

And I’m sure once she joins the circle... she’ll be even more attached.

After finishing her preparations, she pushed open the door to the second zone and stepped inside.

Myra, who had been relaxing in her chair, and Kalea and the others who were chatting in low voices, suddenly stiffened when they noticed the door open. The moment they saw Liana stepping through, they all stood at attention, averting their eyes instinctively at her presence.

Liana stopped in front of Myra’s desk. Myra stiffened, averting her eyes nervously.

”A... ah... M... Miss... L... Liana.”

Liana glanced at her.

”How is her condition?”

Myra stammered slightly, her voice careful. ”Uh... well... Miss Gracelle has been stable. She managed to eat a small portion of food and drink well. Her progress is positive, and her body is accepting the nutrition well.”

”Mm... good.” Liana said while glancing toward the ICU room. She noticed Gracelle’s eyes from a distance, brightening with excitement upon seeing her.

Sigh... I hope this won’t be too troublesome.

Liana turned her glance back to Myra.

”So, did you check on her recently?”

Myra nodded quickly. ”We just checked her condition a little while ago. Everything is stable.”

Liana shook her head and exhaled softly behind her mask.

”I’m going in.”

She pushed the door to the ICU room and heard Gracelle’s voice, soft and weak but filled with excitement.

”Miss Elf!!”

Liana moved gracefully and stood in front of her, crossing her arms.

”So? Why did you request my presence again, Gracelle?”

Gracelle pursed her lips and pulled the blanket up to cover her mouth while looking at her.

”Umm... you look scary.”

Liana widened her glare.

”I’m not scary!” she hissed in a low voice.

”Ah... I feel hurt somewhere.” Gracelle mumbled softly behind the blanket, her eyes peeking out with a hint of playful mischief.

Liana pinched the bridge of her nose before turning and dragging a nearby chair closer, taking a seat.

”Now...” Liana crossed her arms, leaned back in the chair, and fixed her gaze on Gracelle. ”What is it you want to ask? And this better be important.”

”Mm... could you... erm... calm down first? Tehe~” Gracelle smiled softly while still covering part of her face with the blanket, both hands clutching the fabric tightly.

”I... am... calm...” Liana glared at her. ”You know it’s night, and both of us need rest, especially you. Now tell me, what’s so important that you need to ask?”

”Umm...” Gracelle mumbled softly before turning her head and glancing up at the ceiling.

”I just want to know...”

She turned her head and glanced at Liana from the side.

”About someone...”

Liana rolled her eyes and exhaled. ”Just get to the point.”

Gracelle kept her eyes on Liana’s, fidgeting nervously.

”I want to know about... Javier De Armand.”

( End Of Chapter )