Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1040: People Over Privilege ( 1040 )

Javier leaned back in his chair while Kayra explained their region’s situation.

”Please help my region, my people. They are in danger. Turka and Garka are invading with new weapons we cannot counter. Our walls are crumbling, our soldiers are outnumbered, and our people are fleeing or dying. I beg you... help us drive them back.”

Javier exhaled and leaned forward, reading another report, one unrelated to the current topic.

”Lady Kayra... is it?”

”Yes... yes, Your Highness.” Kayra glanced down at the table.

Javier exhaled again. ”We are aware of what is happening in your region.” Javier glanced up at Alf before exhaling once more. ”This is their second day of invasion. I believe by now they have both managed to take your border and and nearby territories, given that they are using your own king’s new weapons to do so.”

Javier clicked the portable mana computer on the table, connecting it to the Sky Eyes live feed, and watched quietly.

”You understand the weight of your request, don’t you? You’re asking Armand to intervene in a war between Human Kingdom nobles. To send troops, weapons, or support into a conflict that is not ours. To risk our neutrality, our soldiers’ lives, and our standing with Kimar,all to save a region that, until now, has had no formal alliance with us.”

He met her gaze, his expression serious. ”It’s not like we in Armand care what your King Kimar might label us or think about us, nor do we care about what other nobles in the Human Kingdom think about Armand. Since they never liked us to begin with, that includes your husband too, Lady Kayra.”

Kayra fell silent.

What this young man said was true.

My husband never once tried to be neutral or open trade with Armand. He never once supported Garius in anything, not in the council, not in votes, not even in simple diplomatic gestures. He kept his distance, followed Kimar’s lead, and ignored every proposal Armand ever put forward. Economic plans, warnings, anything.

He stayed silent when others spoke against Armand, and never once defended them when they were labeled arrogant or rebellious.

And now, when we’re in trouble, we come looking for Armand’s help. We come begging for their aid.

Javier, seeing Kayra fall silent, exhaled heavily.

”Nevertheless, my father never abandons people in need. Or someone who comes asking for help, trade, or cooperation.”

Liana placed a coffee cup gracefully beside Kayra and filled it with a steady, quiet pour, the rich aroma rising gently between them.

”Now back to the matter at hand.” Javier laced his fingers, elbows on the table, chin resting atop them. ”Since you’ve come requesting our aid, do you understand what will happen to your region if you accept it?”

Kayra’s gaze dropped even lower.

Javier continued, his tone steady. ”The remaining Human Kingdom nobles will see Tybalt as a traitor who defected to Armand. And your king will not like it. They might plan something worse for you, your family, and your region. They could declare your lands forfeit, strip your husband’s title, and label your entire household as rebels. Kimar could use it as an excuse to seize what’s left of Tybalt himself, claiming he’s ’restoring order’ after your ’betrayal.’”

Javier kept his serious expression. ”The consequences will fall heavily on your side. You don’t need to worry about us in Armand, their actions won’t affect us at all. But your region will suffer heavy consequences from this aid.”

”First, they will stop trading with Tybalt. They’ll put sanctions on you, your merchants, and your people. No grain, no ore, no textiles will flow in or out through Human Kingdom routes.”

”Second, your region will be ostracized by other nobles in favor of Kimar and the main Human Kingdom trade networks. No alliances, no marriages, no mutual defense pacts. You’ll be isolated, cut off from every noble house that still bows to the crown.”

”Not only that, your family, your household will lose voting power in the royal council. Your family won’t have any voice anymore.”

”And the most important one: your noble privilege and your title. You won’t be High Baron rank anymore and might lose everything. Lands, status, even the right to call yourself nobility.”

Kayra looked up and exhaled slowly.

”Pardon me, Your Highness. That is exactly why I came to request your aid. I am aware of the consequences should we accept it. But our trade has already been strangled by Turka and Garka. They impose crippling tariffs on our merchants, deny them passage through their towns and borders, and have effectively cut us off from the main trade routes. Our economy is already in ruins.”

She met his gaze, her voice growing steadier.

”I understand the risk of further sanctions and isolation. But the truth is... we have already been abandoned. Other nobles stayed silent when our caravans were turned back, when our goods rotted at the border. They looked away as our people grew hungry and our coffers emptied.”

Kayra lowered her head briefly, then lifted it again, resolve hardening her expression.

”This is why I came personally to ask for aid, not just military, but trading with Armand. We want an option to be able to trade with Armand again, to bypass Turka and Garka entirely. If we can establish a direct trade route, by sea, perhaps, or through a secured land corridor, our people wouldn’t starve, our treasury wouldn’t bleed dry, and we could sustain ourselves even if the rest of the Human Kingdom turns its back on us.”

Javier studied her.

”So you don’t mind losing your title? Your noble privilege?”

Kayra glanced down, then shook her head softly.

”What does a title matter when the council that granted it look away while we suffer? I care more for my people than a rank that brings no protection, no loyalty, and no aid when it’s needed most.”

Javier rested his cheek on his palm, elbow propped on the armrest.

”Mm... very well. Since you understand the consequences of accepting our aid, and since you value your people over your title...” He glanced up toward Alf, who gave a slow, approving nod.

”I will send the help. Personally.”

( End Of Chapter )