Reborn As Noble

Chapter 368: Charm and Chaos ( 368 )

Without another word, Garius raised his hand slightly, signaling two guards standing near the entrance.

As soon as his fingers moved, the two stepped forward and bowed politely. ”Yes, my lord?”

Gariusʼs voice remained calm but firm. ”Ensure this girl is escorted directly to the border town.”

The guards nodded without hesitation. ”As your command, my lord.”

Garius turned back to Rundea, his gaze sharpening. ”And, Rundea.”

The halfling tensed. ”Yes, my lord?”

Garius tapped lightly on the armrest of his chair. ”If you plan to rest at an inn before departing, make sure this letter is with you at all times. These two will safeguard you until you ride your wyvern back to the Halfling Kingdom.”

Rundea held the letter tighter, nodding. ”Understood, my lord. I will not fail.”

The two guards saluted, ready to carry out their duty.

Just as Rundea prepared to step back, Gariusʼs voice cut through the air. ”About this Amazarak woman.”

Rundea stopped, her heart pounding—was he talking about Zania?

But then she noticed Gariusʼs gaze had shifted slightly.

Not Zania. But Julana.

”You can leave her here.”

Mrs. Julana stiffened, looking up in surprise.

”If she wishes to return, my men will arrange it.”

The offer was clear—she wasnʼt a prisoner. She had a choice.

Rundea bowed deeply. ”Understood, my lord.”

Garius gave a small, approving nod before adding, ”You may prepare for your journey back.”

Rundea straightened and replied respectfully, ”Yes, my lord.”

With that, the meeting was over.

Just as Rundea was about to step out toward the gate, ready to depart—

She saw him.

A tall, handsome man walking casually toward the grand hall.

His movements were smooth and effortless, exuding a natural confidence that didnʼt need to be forced.

His hair was neatly kept yet slightly tousled, adding to his relaxed demeanor. His eyes, sharp but unfocused, suggested he was lost in thought.

He wasnʼt looking at her.

He wasnʼt paying attention to anything.

Yet—

Rundea froze in her tracks.

Her ears twitched slightly.

Her heart skipped a beat.

”Oh… handsome…” she muttered under her breath, barely realizing she had spoken aloud.

Without slowing down or breaking his stride, the manʼs gaze flicked briefly toward her.

”Hello, girl.”

A simple, casual greeting.

His voice was deep yet smooth.

Then—he walked past her.

Just like that.

Rundea blinked.

Who… was that?

Her mind raced for answers, but her heart was still racing.

Still recovering from that unexpected encounter, Rundea spotted another handsome figure.

This time, it was a young man with smooth, well-kept hair, a gentle yet refined expression, and strong, graceful posture.

What truly caught her attention, however, was that he was carrying a baby.

The way he held the small child so carefully and naturally made her heart flutter.

”Oh my god…” she whispered under her breath. ”Why is everyone here so handsome?!”

Just as she thought she could breathe—

Another one appeared.

A young man with sharp, princely features and effortless noble posture, walking toward a carriage.

Beside him was a beautiful girl with flowing hair and an air of elegance, her presence just as striking as his.

The two looked like something out of a fairy tale.

Rundeaʼs ears twitched violently.

Her eyes darted between them.

Her mind struggled to keep up.

”WHY?!”

”WHY IS EVERYONE HERE HANDSOME?!”

The two guards assigned to escort Rundea stood silently, their expressions unreadable.

Trained to remain calm and professional at all times, they now found themselves—

Just staring.

At the small halfling girl who was supposed to be on an important mission.

But instead of focusing on her task—

She looked way too excited.

Her eyes were shining.

And she was muttering to herself as if she had just discovered hidden treasure.

Her gaze darted between the guards like she was watching living legends walk past her.

The guards exchanged wary glances.

Then back at her.

Then back at each other.

One of them sighed quietly. ”This is going to be a long trip.”

Barely able to contain her excitement, Rundea pointed eagerly at the young man carrying a baby. ”Who is that?!”

One guard, maintaining his professional demeanor, answered smoothly. ”That is Master Heres, Lord Gariusʼs son.”

Rundea gasped dramatically.

Before she could recover, she pointed at another figure walking toward the carriage. ”And him?! Who is that?!”

The other guard replied, his tone equally composed. ”That is Master Aelius, also Lord Gariusʼs son.”

Rundeaʼs ears twitched violently as her eyes sparkled.

”OH MY GOD!!!”

She clutched her chest, struggling to handle the revelation. ”HOW?! THEY LOOK LIKE PRINCES!!”

Her entire body trembled with excitement.

Unexpectedly—

Before the guards could react—

Rundea rushed forward.

Straight toward Heres.

The young noble, still gently cradling his baby sister, blinked in mild surprise as a small figure appeared before him.

”Umm… hello?” Rundea greeted, her voice slightly shaky with excitement.

Heres tilted his head slightly and offered a polite smile. ”Hmm? Yes? Oh, hello.”

His voice was calm and kind, radiating warmth.

Rundea fidgeted, her eyes locked on the small bundle in his arms. ”You… child?” she asked curiously.

Heres blinked before letting out a soft chuckle. ”Ah, no… my little sister.”

Rundeaʼs ears twitched.

Her eyes softened as she looked at the tiny baby in his arms. ”Oh… so cute…” she whispered.

Then—her gaze trailed back up to Heresʼs face.

And her heart skipped a beat.

”And her brother… is handsome…”

She barely realized she had spoken aloud.

Heres, still holding his baby sister, smiled gently.

A genuine, warm smile.

”Thank you.”

Rundea froze.

Her heart melted on the spot.

This handsome man… wow.

Before she could stop herself, the words slipped out. ”You single?”

Heres blinked. ”Umm…?”

Rundea leaned in slightly, eyes sparkling. ”Single?”

Heres glanced away awkwardly. ”Err…”

Just as he struggled to find an answer—

A firm hand grabbed Rundeaʼs collar.

”Hey, halfling girl.”

One of the guards pulled her back.

Before she could react, the second guard joined in and dragged her away.

”You have a mission. An important one.”

”EEEEHHHH?!” Rundea flailed as they effortlessly hauled her backward.

Her hands reached out toward Heres, who stood there, utterly confused, still holding his baby sister. ”Let me talk to him more! He didnʼt answer my question yet!” she protested.

The guards were unyielding. ”No can do. Mission first. Flirt later,” one of them said firmly.

”EEEEHHHHHHHH!!”

Her legs kicked in the air as she was dragged further away. ”Let me go!! NOOOOO!! My handsome prince!!!”

Heres watched the entire scene unfold, blinking in mild shock.

Rundea flailed wildly, desperately reaching out as the guards dragged her away.

One of them groaned. ”Ugh, this halfling!”

”Let me go! I need to see my handsome prince!!”

SMACK!

”Ouch!!” Rundea yelped, rubbing the top of her head.

One of the guards, clearly fed up, crossed his arms. ”Go do your mission first. Then, after that, you can come back.”

Rundea froze. ”...Really? I can?”

The guards exchanged glances.

”Yes. But only after you finish your duty.”

Rundeaʼs eyes sparkled.

”Alright! Iʼll finish it fast and come back right away!”

She straightened her back, filled with newfound determination.

Her goal?

Deliver the letter. Return swiftly. And claim her prince!

”Alright, guys! Letʼs go!!”

Rundea pumped her fist in the air, eyes blazing with determination.

One of the guards raised an eyebrow. ”You seem... unusually excited.”

”Of course! I need faster transport!” She suddenly turned her head, spotting a familiar creature. ”Oh! That bird might do!”

The guards followed her gaze. A Pekko.

”Wait, are you serious?” One of them looked skeptical. ”Didnʼt you just scream like a dying squirrel the last time you rode a Pekko?”

Rundea shuddered at the memory—the wild, bumpy ride, the wind slapping her face, her dignity left behind in the dust.

But then she clenched her fists. ”I have no choice!”

Her eyes sparkled with conviction.

”The faster I complete my mission... the faster I meet my prince again!”

The guards facepalmed.

Rundea jumped onto the Pekko with unshakable determination.

”Alright, birdy! Letʼs head toward the border town! Fast!!”

The Pekko, who had never seen this tiny, overly enthusiastic halfling before, tilted its head.

”Cuquawked?”

Rundea blinked. ”Huh?” She turned toward the guards.

”This bird doesnʼt understand what Iʼm saying?”

One of the guards rubbed the back of his neck. ”No… itʼs just… are you sure?”

The other guard looked away, whistling suspiciously.

Rundea frowned. ”Huh? What do you mean?”

Then she grinned and pointed ahead. ”Well, whatever! Birdy! FULL SPEED! BORDER TOWN!!”

The Pekko suddenly flared its wings.

”CUQUAWKED!!”

And then—

BOOM!

”KYAAAAAAAAAA!!!!”

She vanished into the distance, screaming.

The two guards watched silently.

One of them sighed. ”…Welp. She asked for it.”

( End of Chapter )