Reborn As Noble

Chapter 352: Time for a Change ( 352 )

Once Garius stepped outside the hall, he did not look back.

His footsteps were steady, his expression unreadable.

Alf and Erinnette followed behind in silence.

Without turning his head, Garius spoke.

”Iʼm going to my private room.”

Alf and Erinnette exchanged glances. Alf asked cautiously.

”Shall we accompany you, my Lord?”

After a pause, Garius shook his head.

”I want to be alone.”

Erinnette frowned slightly.

”But my Lord—”

Garius cut her off.

”Just for a while.”

A tense silence followed. Alf and Erinnette bowed slightly.

”As you wish, my Lord.”

Fransesca, who had been nearby, stepped forward, her soft eyes showing quiet concern.

”Dear…”

Garius stopped at his door and turned slightly to look at his wife.

”Fransesca.”

His voice was firm but gentle.

”Not this time.”

Fransesca sighed softly, understanding she wouldnʼt push him.

”Alright.”

She stepped back as Garius turned back to the door and entered.

With a click, he locked it. The room fell into complete silence.

Outside, Alfʼs expression hardened as he commanded.

”Patrol the entire area.”

His assassin unit dispersed immediately.

Erinnetteʼs sharp eyes glinted.

”Ready the battle maids. Close but not too close.”

The maids nodded and moved into position.

Then, the two stood watch like shadows guarding their lord.

Meanwhile, Fransesca exhaled softly, slowly turning toward her own quarters, leaving Garius alone with his thoughts.

Once the door locked behind him, Garius stood still. The room was silent.

No guards. No Alf. No Erinnette. No Fransesca.

Then—slowly, Garius walked toward his desk. His movements were calm, controlled.

He sat down, rested his elbows on the desk, and placed both hands against his chin.

For a moment, his face was unreadable. Then, his lips curled into a smirk. No— a sly, dangerous grin.

His eyes glowed faintly in the dim room.

”Canʼt wait to see how that brat will choose.”

His voice was low, amused.

Garius leaned back slightly, exhaling. His act of disappointment? His cold glare? His irritation?

All of it—planned. Carefully. Perfectly.

Then he muttered under his breath.

”Javier.”

The son he chose. The son he would entrust everything to.

Gariusʼs fingers tapped against the desk, and his grin widened slightly.

”Letʼs see… what youʼll do next.”

Because this wasnʼt just punishment. It was a test.

A test to see if Javier could break through his own limits.

To see if he could stand above all. To see if he could become—not just a leader.

Not just a noble. But a ruler even greater than himself.

Gariusʼs eyes glowed. He had no doubts. Javier would surpass him.

But first—the boy had to learn. The hard way.

”Heh…” A low chuckle filled the empty room.

The game had begun, and Garius was eager to see how it played out.

Garius grinned—not out of cruelty. Not out of amusement. But out of certainty.

Javier would make the best choice. Of that—he had no doubt.

All Garius needed to do now was wait and watch his son struggle, learn, and rise.

”Canʼt wait to see what that brat chooses.” His eyes glowed slightly in the dim room.

Because this was all within his plan. No one knew. Not Alf. Not Erinnette. Not even Javier himself.

That from the moment his son was born—Garius had already decided his future.

He had crafted the path carefully. Precisely. With every piece falling into place.

Some of his plans, Fransesca knew. But—not all. Because even she wouldnʼt understand the full extent of what Garius had in store for his son.

A future that Javier himself couldnʼt even begin to imagine. The strongest ruler. The greatest Armand.

The heir who would change the very fate of the world.

All Garius needed to do now was watch it unfold. His smirk deepened.

This wasnʼt just about Javierʼs future. This wasnʼt just about preparing his son to rule.

No—this was about that thing. The thing he had sealed away. The thing that should have never existed. The thing he could not destroy.

Garius was strong. Stronger than most. Stronger than almost any ruler before him.

Yet—even he had failed to erase it completely. The only thing he could do was weaken it, seal it, and hope no fool ever broke that seal.

But—he knew better. One day—someone would. Some greedy, pathetic coward.

A man who sought power not by earning it—but by stealing it. Borrowing strength they did not deserve.

And when that happened—the world would burn.

Unless—someone could destroy it. Not seal it. Not suppress it. Erase it completely.

And there was only one person in this world—who could do that. Javier.

Gariusʼs fingers tightened into a fist. His son—the heir he had carefully raised.

The only one capable of finishing what he could not. The only one capable of destroying that thing forever.

That was why Garius had prepared everything. That was why he needed Javier to surpass him.

Because one day—that thing would be released. And when it did—Javier had to be ready.

Garius closed his eyes briefly. Then—his smirk returned as he exhaled, leaning back in his chair.

”You better be ready, brat.”

Because the day would come—when Javier would face his true destiny. And on that day—he could not afford to hesitate.

Garius leaned back, exhaling softly. His thoughts drifted to his youngest son.

The one with the greatest talent. A prodigy in magic. A genius in crafting.

Yet—he did not desire power. He did not seek wealth or dominance.

Unlike other nobles, Javier did not hunger for control. He had no greed. He had no lust for conquest.

And yet—he cared. For his people. For his family. For those he loved.

That… that was the son Garius wanted.

Not a tyrant. Not a ruler who crushed others beneath his feet.

But a man who would fight for what he wanted—without greed.

Without corruption. Without arrogance. And above all—without losing himself.

A ruler who would never abuse his power. A leader who would never misuse his strength. A man who understood the weight of responsibility.

And yet—Javier still had a weakness. A flaw that had to be fixed. Hesitation.

Even with all his power—even with all his skill—Javier still hesitated when it mattered most.

And that—that was something Garius could not allow. Because one day—the world would not wait for him to decide.

One day, Javier would have to act. Without doubt. Without fear. Without hesitation.

And until that day came—Garius would continue to shape him. To push him. To forge him into the ruler he was meant to be. The heir who would not just inherit Armand—but reshape the world itself.

Garius smirked slightly.

”Youʼre almost there, brat.”

Almost. But not yet.

Meanwhile..

Javier sat alone in his bedroom, his back resting against the cold wall, arms wrapped around his knees.

For the first time in a long while, Liana and Gloria were not with him.

His thoughts drifted back to his fatherʼs words, to that moment, to the choice he failed to make.

His father had been right. Everything he said was true.

During his fight with Zania, Javier had already made a choice. He could have ended her life, but he didnʼt. Instead, he brought her back—to his father, to his home.

But when his father asked him to choose, when he was given options—he froze.

He had the power, the chance, yet he hesitated, thinking someone else would handle it. He believed his father or someone stronger would take care of it.

That was his mistake. He had power, he had the right, and he had the ability to decide, yet he waited for someone else to act. And that was weakness.

Javier clenched his sleeves, his jaw tightening as his fatherʼs words echoed in his mind.

”I hate cowards. I hate people who hesitate when they have the power to act.”

His chest tightened painfully. His father was right; he couldnʼt be like this. If he wanted to be strong, if he wanted to protect his people, if he wanted to stand beside Liana and Gloria—as a man, as their future husband—then he couldnʼt hesitate anymore.

With a deep breath, Javier sharpened his focus. No more. Next time—when it truly mattered—he would not hesitate. Not ever again.

Meanwhile, Liana and Gloria stood outside Javierʼs room, arms crossed and faces stern. They were frustrated—frustrated by their young masterʼs hesitance and by his decision to bring another woman to the estate. But despite their jealousy and irritation, they were also worried.

They knew Javier wasnʼt the type to sulk, but today, he was alone—no teasing, no smug remarks, just heavy silence.

Liana bit her lip, unable to bear it any longer. Even if she was still mad and wanted to punish him a little longer, she knew her young master couldnʼt live without her.

She stepped forward, raising her hand. Just as she was about to knock, the door opened.

Liana froze. Her eyes met. Javier stood there, serene and different. Then he smiled and embraced her—warm, tight, familiar.

A soft whisper escaped his lips, ”Liana…”

Her heart tightened, and she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer. She didnʼt need him to say anything; she already understood. This was his silent apology.

And Liana accepted it.

( End Of Chapter )