Reborn As Noble

Chapter 671: Returning to Roots ( 671 )

They finally arrived at Liana’s hometown.

A quiet elven village nestled under the shade of a massive ancient tree, its towering roots weaving through the land like gentle veins. The sun filtered through the dense canopy, casting golden light across the mossy path that led to the town gate.

Liana and Gloria slowed their Pekkos.

They came to a stop a short distance from the entrance.

Liana remained still, staring ahead in silence.

Noticing her pause, Gloria turned with a soft voice.

”Why the stop?”

”...It’s been so long since I left this place,” Liana whispered. ”I wonder if they’ll even recognize me... or worse, be angry.”

Gloria looked at her gently. ”Why would they be angry?”

Liana lowered her gaze.

”...Because I ran from home.”

The breeze stirred her hair.

”But they sent you the letter, right?” Gloria asked softly.

Liana nodded. ”Yeah... only because Queen Mylezra informed them I was working in the Armand household.”

Gloria raised a brow. ”Then they knew where you were all along.”

Liana looked at her, eyes unreadable. ”And the same goes for you, Gloria.”

Gloria blinked, then tilted her head playfully.

”My~ I didn’t run, you know. I asked for permission from my father. I told him I wanted to work in the Armand region.”

She gave a little shrug and smirked. ”So technically, I’m the good daughter.”

Liana looked away, suppressing a smile. ”Show-off.”

”Alright, let’s go. You don’t need to worry,” Gloria encouraged gently. ”Just be yourself—strict and calm, like back in Armand.”

”Yes, yes...” Liana murmured, composing herself.

Together they guided their Pekkos toward the town’s entrance gate, where two elven guards stepped forward, observing them carefully.

”Identification,” one of the guards stated firmly.

Liana calmly presented her identification card, which the guard carefully reviewed and nodded in acceptance. Then his gaze shifted toward Gloria, narrowing slightly in suspicion.

”So, this human...” The guard eyed Gloria warily. ”What purpose do you have visiting this place?”

Gloria pointed calmly toward Liana, ”her sister will marry my brother the day after tomorrow.”

The guard immediately frowned, skeptical.

”Huh? Your brother? There’s no human marrying an elf around here. The only wedding we’re aware of involves—”

He stopped mid-sentence, suddenly pausing as realization struck him. His gaze moved slowly between Gloria and Liana, confusion spreading across his features.

Gloria smiled patiently, politely finishing his sentence.

”—involves the Carqirelle family, yes? Minister Sythaeryn’s son marrying her sister, right?”

The guard blinked, speechless for a moment, then quickly regained his composure. ”My apologies. You may proceed.”

Gloria and Liana shared a quick glance, amusement hidden behind their carefully composed expressions, before continuing smoothly through the gates.

...Wearing maid uniforms and forgetting to wear the Armand emblem,” Gloria added dryly, glancing at their plain attire.

Liana winced slightly. ”It’s your fault too. You agreed when I said we shouldn’t wear it while visiting the Elven Kingdom.”

Gloria smirked. ”Yes, but you were the one who insisted. Said something about not wanting to use the Armand family’s influence.”

”Exactly.” Liana nodded firmly. ”I didn’t want people here treating us differently just because we’re part of the Armand household. We’re just attending a wedding—not here as envoys or nobles.”

”Mm. But you do know Armand did help cleanse the miasma problem here, right?” Gloria raised a brow. ”Marcellus and his magic unit basically saved three villages. Not to mention Lithia being with him—that caused quite a stir.”

”And Cedric supported the Beastkin Kingdom during the same period,” Liana added, thoughtful. ”Yeah... Armand’s name holds weight now. Especially after those campaigns.”

”Exactly. If we wore the crest, we’d probably get red carpet treatment.” Gloria chuckled. ”Instead, we got mistaken for lost travelers.”

Liana sighed again. ”Still, I’d rather be seen as just ’Liana from the maid corps’ than some high-ranking noble’s personal attendant. It’s easier.”

Gloria gave her a side glance, smiling. ”Even though you’re technically one the highest-ranking maid in the entire armand region?”

Liana glared at Gloria.

”You forgot Mrs. Erinnette? Not to mention second-in-command, Miss Erisa?”

Gloria giggled behind her hand. ”My~ I know, I know... just teasing you~”

”And don’t forget, Gloria,” Liana huffed lightly, ”you also rank high among the maid corps.”

”My~ I was just the ex-head of the household maids~”

Liana narrowed her eyes. ”And also part of the elite battle maid unit.”

Gloria smiled. ”Isn’t that the same for you?”

”No,” Liana shook her head. ”I’m not in the elite battle maid unit. I was only the ex-head of the household maids, then reassigned directly to serve Young Master Javier as his personal maid. That’s all.”

Gloria crossed her arms and smirked. ”And yet, your power and strength now are far beyond an elite battle maid.”

”Isn’t it the same for you, Gloria?” Liana raised a brow. ”Since we both trained under Mrs. Erinnette in that special underground training facility?”

”Yes, yes...” Gloria waved it off playfully. ”Now, now shouldn’t we be arriving at your house soon?”

Liana looked ahead and nodded. ”Yes. Just a bit further past that slope.”

Gloria adjusted her posture on Peanut, smiling softly. ”Wonder how your father will react seeing you again after so long.”

”...Hopefully not with a marriage lecture right away.” Liana muttered with a sigh.

Gloria chuckled. ”Knowing elven parents? That’s exactly what’s waiting.”

Liana huffed. ”If he tries to matchmake me into another arranged marriage, I swear I’m going to leave this place again.”

Gloria smiled, saying nothing, just letting Liana vent.

”...Gloria?”

”Hmm?”

”Since your brother is the groom and my eldest sister is the bride,” Liana glanced at her, ”I think you should stay at my house.”

Gloria tilted her head. ”But I think I should visit my parents first. It’s not that far. Thirty minutes or less with Peanut here.”

Then we should visit my parents first,” Liana said, voice firm but calm.

”Well... I can stop by for a while,” Gloria replied. ”Maybe drink some coffee, let Peanut rest for a bit, and then continue on.”

”Mm... that should do.” Liana nodded.

They walked quietly with their Pekkos, the soft sound of talons tapping against the forested path beneath the tall, ancient trees. The town behind them faded into the background as Liana’s family estate slowly came into view between the trunks and vines ahead.

Her home.

Liana narrowed her eyes slightly, gaze fixed on the familiar silhouette of the tall elven manor tucked under the sprawling tree roots.

If father tries to arrange my marriage again... I swear I’ll leave that house all over again.

( End Of Chapter )