Reborn As Noble

Chapter 669: Return to Highleaf ( 669 )

Elven Kingdom.

Elven capital city—Highleaf.

At the majestic gates of the Elven capital, carved from shimmering ancient wood and adorned with elegant vines, stood two guards—both calm, composed, and keen-eyed, silently watching each traveler approaching the checkpoint.

One of them—a graceful female elf—carefully inspected the documents handed to her.

She glanced at Liana’s paperwork first, giving a small approving nod.

”Miss Liana, hmm? Everything appears in order.”

But then her eyes shifted to Gloria, who stood quietly beside her friend.

Her expression became noticeably colder as she eyed the clearly human woman before her.

”And this human... Gloria, is it?” Her voice was subtly dismissive. ”May I ask your purpose for entering our kingdom, human?”

Gloria maintained her gentle smile, undisturbed by the guard’s attitude.

”I’m visiting my parents here.”

The elf guard’s brows immediately knitted together, skeptical and unimpressed.

”Don’t joke around.” Her voice tightened slightly. ”Many humans have tried entering our city claiming relationships to our officials. Even if our ministers have married humans, their children have always been elves.”

Gloria calmly reached into her pouch, gently drawing out a beautifully carved magic wood identity card—engraved with Elven letters, shimmering faintly with subtle mana.

She politely handed it to the guard, her smile never faltering.

”Gloria Carqirelle.”

The guard hesitated slightly as she took the card, her eyes scanning the name carefully.

Then, slowly, her face paled.

”Carqirelle... You mean... Minister Sythaeryn is... your father?”

Gloria gave a graceful nod.

”Indeed. My father married a human woman, as you surely know. That human woman... is my mother.”

The guard fell momentarily silent, embarrassment creeping into her expression as she quickly handed back the card.

”My apologies, Miss Gloria. Please, enter freely.”

Gloria smiled warmly, taking the card back.

She gave a polite bow.

”Thank you. Sorry for the trouble.”

Liana nodded beside her with a courteous smile.

Both of them bowed respectfully, then turned and continued forward, leading their Pekko mounts—Pikko and Peanut—through the towering gates of the Elven capital.

The guards watched them go in silence, still slightly stunned.

Once outside the checkpoint area, Gloria exhaled quietly.

Liana glanced sideways and grinned.

”From here, we might take two or three hours before we reach my home,” she said, adjusting the strap on her shoulder bag.

”Mm...” Gloria nodded, patting Peanut’s side gently. ”Since my hometown’s next to yours, it won’t take long. Probably 30 minutes with Peanut here.”

”Yeah,” Liana agreed, gazing up at the faint glimmers of sunlight breaking through the scattered clouds.

She looked ahead toward the familiar forest path, her heart heavy but steady.

”Let’s continue our destination.”

The two Pekkos let out soft squawks, and began to trot steadily.

Liana and Gloria looked around the bustling streets of the elven capital, shaded by the towering trees that stretched skyward like natural cathedrals. Sunlight pierced through the canopy in gentle rays, casting warm dapples across the cobbled paths.

The city was alive with activity.

Elven merchants stood behind wooden stalls draped in colorful fabrics, offering fragrant food, glittering accessories, enchanted trinkets, and finely crafted weapons. The air carried a mix of herbs, baked bread, and subtle floral perfume from nearby gardens.

A few beastkin folk mingled among the crowd, but the majority were clearly elf—tall, graceful, and refined in their movement and appearance.

Liana’s gaze softened.

”...It’s been so long,” she murmured.

The last time she stood in this city, she had been a young teen—barely old enough to argue properly with her father. He had kept pushing noble suitors toward her, hoping to secure a good match within the elven circles. But she had refused them all.

Not because she hated him.

But because she couldn’t bear the thought of marrying someone she didn’t choose herself.

So she ran.

First, she worked in one of the smaller elf towns, doing whatever she could to save money. When she heard whispers about a remote, wealthy region called the Armand Territory, known for its rapid development and generous treatment of workers, she set her sights there.

She passed through the Beastkin Kingdom, taking on odd jobs—serving tables, carrying cargo, even helping with border camp logistics. It was exhausting... but she never gave up.

Eventually, she reached the Armand Region.

And when she saw a public notice that the Armand noble house was recruiting maids, she applied immediately—thinking it was just ordinary housework.

Only to find out the maid training program was a whole different battlefield.

It was strict, relentless, and far more intense than she expected.

But the pay was excellent.

And more importantly... the rumors were true.

The Armand family treated their staff with respect, fairness, and surprising warmth. No excessive punishments. No corruption. And everyone—from cooks to guards—was given real opportunities.

That’s where she met him.

The mischievous, impossible, brilliant little boy.

The youngest son of the house.

The boy who would turn her carefully guarded heart into something far softer than she ever imagined.

She was working for two years as a household maid, then promoted to head of all household maids for a year—before Lady Francesca personally assigned her to young master Javier, who had just been born at the time.

Liana smiled faintly at the memory.

He was such a tiny thing back then... yet so clingy.

Always trying to latch onto her chest for milk—even though she didn’t have any.

At first, she was shocked.

Confused.

But the way he cried when she refused... the way his tiny hands reached for her...

Eventually, she gave in.

Even though she had no milk, she let him do it anyway—holding him close, comforting him.

She was barely eighteen at the time.

Just a maid who ran from arranged marriage, now holding a noble infant who wouldn’t stop clinging to her like she was the only one he trusted in the world.

That was the beginning.

The start of everything.

She never thought she’d end up raising him.

Feeding him, cleaning him, protecting him... falling for him.

Liana tightened her grip on the reins.

”...And now look at you,” she muttered under her breath, face unreadable.

Gloria, riding quietly beside her, cast a glance her way.

”You okay?”

”...Yeah,” Liana replied. ”Just remembering stupid things.”

( End Of Chapter )