Reborn As Noble

Chapter 845: Peaceful Estate, Restless Hearts ( 845 )

He could practically hear the merchants of other nations whispering the name in envy.

White Gold... that’s what they call it now. Refined sugar, pure and perfect. Thanks to magic! There’s no need to put chemicals in it. Ah well... there’s no chemical thing here and I don’t think I want to create one. Pure sweetness. No side effects.

He tapped the table lightly, his grin never fading. Four factories already, each powered by the magic sugar-processing machines I designed myself. Sometimes I even amaze myself. Well... heh~

Liana glanced at him again, noticing the smug expression spreading on his face. She leaned slightly toward Gloria, whispering with a knowing smile. ”He’s grinning again. That look means trouble.”

Gloria adjusted her glasses, smiling softly. ”Ara~ perhaps he’s thinking of another invention. Or maybe...” She looked down at Javier with gentle amusement. ”...something far sweeter.”

Javier flinched slightly, feeling a subtle pinch at both sides of his waist.

His fork froze halfway to his mouth.

”...Ow...” he hissed quietly through a forced smile, trying not to make a scene under his father’s watchful presence at the head of the table.

Behind him, two calm, composed voices whispered in perfect synchronization—soft enough for only him to hear.

”Let’s hope it’s not about another woman again~”

Liana’s tone was sweet, graceful, too graceful. The kind of sweetness that made Javier break into a cold sweat.

”Truly, young master... your expressions give you away far too easily~”

Javier’s grin stiffened, his eyes darting toward his plate.

He could feel both of their fingers still pressing lightly into his sides.

He chuckled nervously, pretending to focus on his steak. ”It’s not about women... I swear...”

Meanwhile, in one of the quieter rooms of the estate, Heres stood by the open balcony.

The soft morning breeze drifted in, carrying the faint scent of dew and the fragrance of blooming flowers from the courtyard below. The first light of dawn brushed against his face, painting a pale warmth over his calm but distant expression.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the railing, his chin propped on one hand.

A long, quiet sigh escaped him.

The peaceful scene before him. Birds gliding low, servants beginning their morning routines, the faint hum of life returning to the estate should have been comforting. Yet, deep inside, something refused to settle.

Another sigh.

Then silence.

Heres frowned faintly, brows furrowed as if caught in thoughts he couldn’t voice. There was a weight pressing against his chest, something unfamiliar. Subtle, strange, and persistent.

”What’s wrong with me lately...?”

The question hung in the air, unanswered, carried away by the wind.

He rubbed the back of his neck, eyes drifting toward the distant horizon. The feeling wouldn’t fade.

It stayed there, quiet but insistent. Like a thought that refused to leave.

And no matter how much he tried to ignore it, her face kept appearing in his mind.

That gentle, polite smile.

The calm tone of her voice.

The way she lowered her gaze when she spoke, as if measuring every word carefully.

His heart began to beat faster without warning.

He quickly looked away from the horizon.

Just then, a knock sounded from the door.

”Master Heres.”

He turned slightly. ”Come in.”

The door opened, and one of the household maids stepped inside, pushing a small breakfast trolley.

”Lady Phenelopie asked us to deliver your breakfast, Master Heres.”

Heres gave a small smile. ”Thank you.”

The maid froze for a brief second.

Caught off guard by that rare, gentle smile. The calm, quiet son of Lord Garius, known for his composed and distant demeanor, was smiling at her.

A faint blush rose to her cheeks before she quickly bowed her head. ”I-It’s our pleasure, Master Heres...”

”Please enjoy your meal, Master Heres,” she said softly, bowing slightly and turning slowly to leave.

Once alone again, Heres let out a long breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he ran a hand through his hair.

He walked back to the table and sat down. The silver tray gleamed in the light, and the aroma of warm tea filled the air.

He lifted the cup slowly, eyes half-closed, watching the thin wisp of steam curl upward. It glowed faintly in the sunlight, beautiful, simple, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

His gaze drifted again toward the open balcony. That same uneasy weight returned, sitting heavily in his chest.

He set the cup down gently, but his fingers lingered on the handle, tightening slightly as though holding onto something fragile.

Why does my chest feel like this every time I think of her?

He leaned back slightly, letting out a faint laugh. ”Get a grip, Heres... it’s too early in the morning for this nonsense.”

But the moment he said it, her face appeared again, soft and kind, her smile framed by the gentle light of memory. Her voice echoed faintly in his mind, and his heart skipped before he could stop it.

He sighed, shaking his head. ”You’re hopeless...”

Heres looked down toward the courtyard, trying to calm his mind from the restless haze that clung to him.

The morning scene below was unexpectedly lively. Three Pekko birds were darting across the open yard, chasing after a slightly smaller one that looked like it had wandered in from the wild or perhaps from the barracks.

The smaller Pekko flapped its short wings in panic, darting left and right in sheer terror as the trio thundered after it, claws scraping the cobblestone and feathers flying everywhere.

”Cuquawked!! Cuquawked!!”

Its frantic cries echoed through the courtyard, and the sound was so desperate that even the servants watering the flowers had to stifle their laughter.

Heres chuckled softly, the corner of his lips turning up.

”Javier Pekko and his maid Pekko... really never change,” he murmured, shaking his head in quiet amusement.

Buddy, the bold orange one, was clearly leading the charge, puffing his chest like a war general. Pikko followed right behind, graceful yet relentless, while Peanut darted around trying to cut off the fleeing bird’s escape.

The wild Pekko sprinted toward the stable, flapping its stubby wings desperately before vanishing inside, tripping over a bucket on the way. Buddy stopped at the entrance, squawking triumphantly before turning to his companions with a victorious pose..

The sight alone was enough to make Heres smile.

He leaned against the railing again, a faint, warm smile still tugging at his lips. For the first time since dawn, the weight in his chest had lightened.

Watching the morning unfold, the familiar chaos, the warmth, the laughter it reminded him that life in Armand never failed to bring color, no matter what worries one carried.

He rested his cheek on his hand, thinking quietly.

”...Maybe I should ask Javier,”

He smiled faintly again, gaze drifting toward the horizon. ”Yeah... maybe I’ll visit him later.”

( End Of Chapter )