Reborn As Noble

Chapter 197 Duty and Distraction ( 197 )

Liana stirred awake when faint sounds from the next room caught her attention. Instincts on high alert, she turned to her young master, Javier, and froze. Another hand was draped over his body—Gloriaʼs.

Narrowing her eyes, Liana sat up quickly, her heart racing. She carefully peeled away Gloriaʼs hand and lightly slapped it. ”At least tell me when youʼre sleeping next to him! You gave me a heart attack!”

”Hmm? Oh, Liana... morning,” Gloria mumbled sleepily, blinking as she stretched lazily.

”Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Liana replied with an exasperated sigh, rubbing her temple. ”Just donʼt do it again without warning me.”

”Ara... but it was cold,” Gloria teased, a playful smirk on her lips. ”And young master is so warm and comfy to hug.”

”Haaa... Gloria...” Liana muttered, although she couldnʼt hide a faint smile. ”Just get up and prepare yourself. Morningʼs already here.”

”Okay, Liana,” Gloria said, sitting up with her usual calm demeanor, the playful glint in her eyes remaining.

Gloria let out a soft yawn and stretched lazily before glancing at Liana with a teasing smile. Without hesitation, she began to slowly remove her sleepwear, her movements deliberately unhurried.

”Gloria!” Liana hissed, her cheeks flushing. ”Donʼt do that in front of the Young Master!”

”Ara...” Gloria tilted her head innocently, her smirk still in place. ”Heʼs still a kid, you know. Itʼs not like heʼll notice.”

”Yeah, but what if he were an adult?” Liana shot back, glaring at her.

Gloria paused, pretending to think, then smiled mischievously. ”Hmm? Then heʼll marry us, of course. Tehe~”

”Haaa...” Liana sighed, covering her face with her hand. ”Youʼre impossible, Gloria.”

”Oh, come now,” Gloria winked. ”Youʼre already going to be his first wife, arenʼt you? Iʼm just getting ready to be the second. No need to be shy.”

”Just... get dressed already,” Liana muttered, exasperated as she turned back to the still-sleeping Javier.

”This girl is dangerous,” Liana thought, eyeing Gloria cautiously.

”Hmm?” Gloria feigned innocence, smirking. ”I am dangerous, but youʼre even more dangerous, Liana.”

”Huh?” Liana blinked in confusion.

”I mean,” Gloria crossed her arms with a teasing smile, ”you spoil him. You let him kiss you whenever he pleases, and now he canʼt even sleep alone anymore, all thanks to you.” Her sharp eyes glinted as she pointedly glanced at Liana.

Liana felt her face heat up. ”T-thatʼs different!” she protested. ”Iʼm his maid. Itʼs my duty to care for him.”

”Oh, of course,” Gloria replied, her tone mock serious. ”And I suppose itʼs also your ʼdutyʼ to cuddle with him and let him call you his future bride?”

”Gloria!” Liana snapped, though the redness in her cheeks betrayed her embarrassment. ”Donʼt twist it like that!”

Continue your saga on

”Ara, ara...” Gloria chuckled, clearly enjoying herself. ”Iʼm just saying, compared to me, youʼre the truly dangerous one here.”

Liana could only sigh in exasperation, knowing she couldnʼt win against Gloriaʼs teasing. ”Haaa... why do I even bother?”

”Now, now, Liana,” Gloria said playfully, leaning against the doorframe. ”Wake the Young Master up. Iʼm sure his mother is waiting to see him before they leave for the Armand region.”

”Haaa... thatʼs true,” Liana sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. ”We also need to get back to our rental house in the capital city.”

”Oh yes, I saw it,” Gloria remarked casually, adjusting her outfit. ”Itʼs a good place, with plenty of guards patrolling the area. Good choice, Liana. Youʼve done well.”

”Hmm?” Liana narrowed her eyes suspiciously. ”How do you know about it?”

Gloria turned to leave the room, moving gracefully. She paused at the door, glancing back at Liana with her usual mischievous smile. Covering her lips with her hand, she tilted her head slightly and said, ”Tehe~~”

”Gloria...” Liana muttered, watching her leave with a mix of exasperation and curiosity. ”That woman is impossible...”

With a small shake of her head, Liana turned her attention back to Javier, gently shaking him awake. ”Young Master, itʼs time to get up. Your mother is waiting.”

”Hmmm... Liana... let me sleep more,” Javier mumbled, pulling the blanket higher over his head.

”Young Master, wake up. Madam is waiting for you,” Liana said gently, giving his shoulder a light shake.

”Ugh... Liana... let me sleep more,” Javier groaned, refusing to budge.

Liana smirked slightly, deciding to test him. ”Ahhh... M-My Lord!” she stammered, pretending to be alarmed.

”Eeeekk! Iʼm sorry, Father!” Javier yelped, bolting upright, only to look around and realize no one was at the door.

”Ugh, Liana... why did you do that?” he grumbled, flopping back down onto the bed and pulling the blanket over himself again.

Liana tried to suppress a giggle as she leaned closer, but her expression changed when she noticed a familiar presence. Her tone became genuinely nervous as she quickly stood and bowed. ”M-My Lord!”

”Hah! Youʼre not going to fool me a second time, Liana,” Javier said smugly from under his blanket. ”Iʼm going to sleep more. Nice try though.”

”Javier!” Gariusʼs deep voice cut through the room.

”Eeeppp!!! Father!!” Javier shot up so fast he nearly tangled himself in his blanket. His wide eyes darted to the door where Garius stood, arms crossed and a sharp gaze fixed on him.

”Get ready. Now,” Garius commanded in his no-nonsense tone.

”Y-Yes, Esteemed Father!” Javier stammered, scrambling to his feet.

Behind him, Liana covered her mouth with her hand to suppress a laugh. ”Haaa...” she sighed quietly to herself, watching her young master fumble to get dressed under Lord Gariusʼs stern gaze.

”Faster!” Garius barked, his sharp tone cutting through the room.

”Y-yes, Esteemed Father!” Javier stammered, fumbling with his clothes as he tried to dress quickly.

Liana turned her head slightly, trying to hide her amused smile. However, when Lord Gariusʼs stern gaze shifted to her, she straightened up nervously. Without hesitation, she stepped forward to assist her young master, her hands moving swiftly to help him with his outfit.

Garius watched them for a moment longer before turning toward the door. ”Iʼll see you both in the dining room,” he said firmly. ”You better not sleep again, Javier.”

”Y-yes, Esteemed Father!” Javier replied, standing straighter than usual.

Once Garius left, Liana let out a quiet sigh of relief. ”Young Master, letʼs hurry before he comes back,” she urged, fastening the last of his buttons.

”Haaa... why is he so intense this morning?” Javier muttered, though he didnʼt dare slow down.

Once they were ready, Liana took a moment to adjust Javierʼs clothes, making sure he looked presentable. As she smoothed out the creases on his shirt, Javier mumbled, ”I didnʼt even have a shower yet.”

”We can do that at our house later, Young Master,” Liana replied calmly, brushing off a bit of lint from his sleeve.

”Fine...” Javier grumbled, glancing toward the window. ”But what about the battleground event at the school?”

”Donʼt worry, Young Master,” Liana reassured him with a small smile. ”Itʼs still too early. The sun hasnʼt even risen yet.”

”Haaa... Fine, letʼs go,” Javier said, adjusting his collar slightly while Liana gave him a satisfied nod.

”Thatʼs better, Young Master. You look perfect now,” Liana said with a gentle smile as they left the room to join Lord Garius and Lady Francesca.

( End of Chapter )