Reborn As Noble

Chapter 42 Innocence and Ambition ( 42 )

Javierʼs amber eyes sparkled with a mix of playfulness and sincerity as he said, ”Liana, when I turn 18, letʼs get married.”

Liana blinked, keeping her calm even with his sudden declaration. She had heard this many times before, but it always surprised her. ”Not this again, young master,” she replied with a sigh, her voice steady but tired. ”You know Iʼm your maid, and youʼre a noble. Itʼs just not possible.”

”Haah... like I care,” Javier said with a mischievous grin, his laughter filling the air. ”Ehehehe.”

She shook her head, her tone gentle but firm. ”Weʼll talk about it when youʼre an adult, young master. For now, focus on growing up.”

Javier just laughed again, unfazed. ”Ehehehe… Donʼt worry, Liana. Iʼm serious this time.”

Liana sighed, brushing a hand through her long silver hair. She shook her head slowly, knowing there was no point in arguing tonight. But inside, her thoughts were in turmoil. If only you really meant it, young master, she thought, her heart caught between disbelief and a quiet hope she didnʼt want to admit.

She looked at him again, his boyish grin and carefree attitude brightening the room. Javier had always been like this—bold, relentless, and full of dreams that seemed impossible. Yet, a part of her wondered... what if?

”Young master, you have to go to the main dining room and eat with your family. Itʼs important.”

Javier groaned, burying his face in her shoulder. ”Ugh... I just want to stay like this, Liana. Itʼs so peaceful here.”

Liana sighed, her patience stretched but still strong. ”Young master, you have to go. Lord Garius will be upset if youʼre late again.”

Javier peeked up at her with a mischievous smirk. ”Donʼt wanna. How about you go and bring me my food instead? Ehehe… or better yet, cook something for me. Ehehehe.”

Lianaʼs lips twitched, but she held back a roll of her eyes. ”You know thatʼs not how it works, young master. The maids and the cooks are already preparing the meal.”

”But it would taste better if you made it,” Javier insisted, his amber eyes shining with playful stubbornness. ”You always add a special touch.”

”Flattery wonʼt get you anywhere,” Liana replied, her tone gentle but firm. She leaned back slightly and gave him a pointed look. ”Now come on. You need to set a good example, or Lady Francesca will come looking for you.”

Javier winced at the mention of his mother. ”Fine, fine,” he grumbled, finally letting go of her and sitting up. ”But only because youʼd get in trouble if I donʼt go. Not because Iʼm scared of Mother or anything.”

Liana smile faintly as she stood up and smoothed out her uniform. ”Of course, young master. Whatever you say.” She held out her hand to help him up.

Javier took her hand with a grin, his usual charm returning. ”Youʼre lucky youʼre so convincing, Liana.”

”Yes, yes,” Liana said with a small chuckle.

The long dining table stretched across the grand hall, with each seat filled by members of the Armand family.

The sounds of silverware clinking and soft murmurs created a quiet atmosphere of aristocratic routine.

Javier, the youngest son, sat at the far end of the table, where he liked to be. He slouched slightly, relaxed, as if he were just a guest in his own home. The pressure of noble expectations felt lighter at this end. He had no plans to change his seat.

His amber eyes sparkled with amusement as he thought to himself, Talent? Power? What is that? Ehehe... like I care.

It wasnʼt that Javier lacked talent or power—he had plenty of both. But showing off or drawing attention? That was a bother he didnʼt want to deal with.

As always, his personal maid, Liana, was by his side, calm and composed. She moved quietly, preparing his plate with care. She served a generous portion of roasted meat, added some vegetables, and filled his goblet with water, all while balancing attentiveness and discretion.

”Thank you, Liana,” Javier murmured, just loud enough for her to hear.

She nodded gracefully and stepped back to stand slightly behind him. Not too far to be inattentive, but not too close to be intrusive. Her posture was perfect, her eyes scanning the room quietly.

Javier picked at his food, letting his gaze drift lazily over the table. His older brothers, Marcellus and Cedric, were deep in conversation about their training, their voices filled with pride and rivalry. His step-siblings, Aelius, Athine, and Heres, sat further down, each focused on their own chatter. Lord Garius sat at the head of the table, his stern presence commanding respect even in silence.

Javier smirked faintly to himself, stabbing a piece of meat with his fork. Let them have their competitions and ambitions. Iʼll stick to my quiet corner, thank you very much.

Every so often, he glanced back at Liana, who remained watchful. Her calm presence was a comforting constant in the busy noble life.

”Liana,” he whispered, tilting his head back slightly to speak to her.

”Yes, young master?” she replied softly, leaning in just enough to hear him.

”Youʼre cute,” he teased, his voice barely above the tableʼs hum.

Liana sighed inwardly but kept her composure. ”Please focus on your meal, young master.”

Javier chuckled quietly, enjoying her subtle exasperation. Life was more fun with her around.

The meal continued, the noble family unaware of the quiet rebellion at the far end of the table. For Javier, it was just another evening of blending into the background, relishing his self-imposed invisibility with his trusted maid by his side.

Javierʼs thoughts wandered as he poked at his vegetables, his mind drifting far from the grand dining room to memories of a life long gone.

Back in Japan, When he was still Nakamura Junichi, a 24-year-old salaryman who always drowning in paperwork and deadlines. Life there was a boring cycle: wake up, work, go home, and repeat. That was his existence until nature intervened.

He vividly remembered that day. An earthquake hit his town, shaking buildings to their foundations. The chaos, the panic, the alarms—it felt like a scene from a disaster movie. But for him, there was no heroic escape. He died in the rubble, his life ending in an instant.

However, instead of nothing, he found himself in something else.

When he opened his eyes again, it wasnʼt to fluorescent lights or a hospital room but to the face of a beautiful mother in a medieval fantasy-like world. He was no longer Nakamura Junichi but Javier De Armand, the youngest son of a noble family. Unlike most reincarnation stories he read in his past life, he remembered everything.

Even as a baby, he noticed everything around him—the language, customs, and yes, magic. His sharp, mature mind absorbed the information quickly. While his family admired his quiet nature, they had no idea that behind those baby eyes was a 24-year-old man trying to understand this strange new world.

Now, he was eleven years old in this world. If he added the age from his past life, he was technically thirty-five.

Thirty-five, huh? Javier thought with a wry smile as he popped a carrot into his mouth. Yet here I am, being lectured about table manners while pretending to be a carefree kid.

He glanced at Liana, who stood silently beside him. Her calm expression never changed. She had been with him since he was young, a steady presence in this unfamiliar life.

Reborn into a world of nobles and magic, yet some things never change. Work is still work, whether itʼs paperwork or pretending to be a useless nobleʼs son. At least now, I have magic... and Liana.

Javier smirked slightly, scraping his fork against the plate. ”Thirty-five, and still stuck playing the part of the youngest son,” he muttered to himself.

”Did you say something, young master?” Lianaʼs calm voice broke through his thoughts.

”Nothing, nothing,” Javier replied quickly, waving it off. ”Just thinking about how life is full of surprises.”

Liana raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet, her expression unreadable. Javier chuckled inwardly. Somehow, this life feels a lot more exciting... and a lot more dangerous.

Javier glanced at Liana from the corner of his eye as she stood beside him, her calm demeanor making her seem untouchable. She was graceful, composed, and utterly dependable—qualities that had drawn him to her since she became his personal maid.

But to him, she was more than just a maid. She was his anchor, his confidante, and in his mind, his future.

Donʼt worry, Liana, Javier thought, a faint, mischievous smile tugging at his lips. Once I reach the marriageable age here, youʼll be married to me and to me only.

The thought warmed him, giving him a sense of purpose beyond the mundane aristocratic life he pretended to care. He understood the societal barriers, the expectations of his noble lineage, and the whispers that would follow if he pursued such a path. But Javier had decided long ago—none of that mattered.

Iʼve lived a life of regrets once before. But not this time.

He speared another piece of meat with his fork, glancing at Liana as she silently adjusted the napkin by his plate. She remained as composed as ever, unaware of the thoughts swirling in his mind.

”Something on your mind, young master?” Liana asked softly, noticing his lingering gaze.

Javier blinked and quickly put on his usual cheeky grin. ”Oh, nothing. Just thinking how lucky I am to have such an amazing maid.”

Liana sighed, shaking her head slightly. ”Flattery will not get you out of trouble, young master.”

Itʼs not flattery if itʼs true, he thought, his grin widening.

As the meal continued, Javierʼs resolve grew stronger. Liana might see his declarations as the whims of a childish noble, but he knew his feelings were anything but fleeting. When the time came, he would show her just how serious he was—and nothing in this world would stop him.

( End of Chapter )