Reborn As Noble

”Liana?” Javier called lazily, lying on her lap as usual. The afternoon sun shone warmly through the study windows.

”Yes, young master?” Liana replied calmly, turning another page in her book.

”You talked about the knights and the cavalry near the manor earlier,” he said, curious.

”Yes, I did. What about them?” Liana asked, looking down at him.

”I was just wondering... Is there a barrack nearby?” he asked casually, but his mind was full of questions.

Liana blinked, surprised by his question. ”Hmm? You didn’t notice?”

”Notice what?” Javier frowned.

”Haaah...” Liana sighed, rubbing her temple. ”Young master, the barracks are just behind the estate.”

”Ehhhh? Really?” Javier sat up, shocked.

”Yes, really. You’ve never explored the back of the estate?” Liana raised an eyebrow.

”Well... not really. I didn’t think there was much there,” Javier admitted, scratching his head.

Liana shook her head. ”Inside the estate, there are places for maids, workers, and guards. At the back, you’ll find the barracks, workshops, storage, and other important areas.”

”Wait, what?” Javier exclaimed, his amber eyes wide. ”There’s a workshop too?”

”Yes,” Liana said, amused by his surprise. ”And remember how I said the maids are carefully chosen? There’s also a maid training field nearby. New recruits train there, along with other staff.”

”A maid training field?” Javier repeated, looking confused. ”You mean... maids train like knights?”

”Well, not exactly like knights, but they learn discipline, etiquette, self-defense, and how to do their jobs well. A good maid is more than just someone who cleans and serves tea,” Liana explained, teasing him a little.

Javier lay back down on her lap, feeling overwhelmed. ”How come nobody told me all this before?”

Liana chuckled softly. ”Maybe because you were too busy sneaking off and avoiding your lessons, young master.”

Javier groaned. ”I feel like I’ve been living in a different world while all this was happening right under my nose.”

Liana gently patted his head, running her fingers through his hair. ”Well, now you know. Maybe it’s time for you to explore your estate properly. There’s more to it than you think.”

Javier peeked at her through his fingers, a sly grin on his face. ”Maybe... But only if you come with me.”

Liana sighed, shaking her head. ”Haaa... Young master, I have duties to do. But I’ll think about it if you promise to behave.”

”But you don’t really have other duties besides me, right?” Javier asked with a mischievous grin, lying comfortably on Liana’s lap. ”You’re just making excuses, aren’t you? Ehehe.”

Liana sighed and shook her head, admitting defeat. ”You got me there, young master,” she said, brushing a stray hair from his face. ”Still, it wouldn’t hurt to make things official.”

”Do you think we could visit all those places you mentioned?” he asked, still curious.

”We’d need to tell Madam Francesca first,” Liana replied seriously. ”Any big movement around the estate, especially near the barracks or workshops, needs her approval. It’s the proper way to do things.”

”Haaaaa... too much work,” Javier groaned, flopping back dramatically.

Liana smiled faintly as she let him rest on her lap. ”Some things can’t be avoided, young master.”

After a moment of silence, Javier asked another curious question. ”So… where does the money for this household come from?”

”Hmm?” Liana tilted her head, surprised by the new topic. ”Mostly from taxes. There are also businesses, supplies, and farming.”

”Ohhh!” Javier’s eyes brightened. ”So my family is rich?”

Liana laughed softly. ”More than just rich, young master. You can see the wealth in many ways—like how your father, Lord Garius, has married several women.”

”Right,” Javier nodded. ”So far, there’s my mother, Lady Francesca, and two stepmothers. That makes three.”

”And you know there will be a fourth soon,” Liana said casually.

”Huh?” Javier sat up, confused. ”Why does he need another wife?”

”That’s normal for nobles,” Liana explained patiently. ”The more wives a noble has, the higher their status seems. It shows that the family is growing and gaining influence. More wives also mean more alliances, whether for business or politics.”

Javier frowned, not fully convinced. ”But isn’t that kind of unnecessary? One wife should be enough, right?”

Liana gave him a serious look. ”Young master, having more wives is a sign of power. It proves that the lord can support multiple families and manage alliances. Nobles don’t just marry for love; they marry for strategy.”

Javier crossed his arms, pouting. ”I still don’t see why I would need more than one wife.”

Liana chuckled softly and shook her head. ”Don’t even think about marrying just one, young master. You’ll understand when the time comes.”

”I won’t!” Javier protested. ”I’ll only marry the one I truly love.”

”That’s what every man says,” Liana teased, her eyes sparkling. ”But every man has desires, young master. That includes you. No excuses!”

Javier opened his mouth to argue, but Liana interrupted him with a playful smile. ”You’ll understand one day.”

”Remember Lady Gracelle, young master?” Liana asked, her voice teasing.

Javier’s face scrunched up in displeasure. ”Ugh, that brat…” he muttered, turning away.

Liana chuckled softly, clearly amused. ”You kissed her at the noble party after the dance.”

”That wasn’t serious!” Javier exclaimed, sitting up.

Liana’s emerald eyes sparkled with mischief as she shook her head. ”Young master, kissing a young maiden like that is like making a promise to marry her.”

”In noble society, there’s no such thing as a harmless kiss,” Liana added, her tone half-amused, half-serious. ”Especially at a party.”

”She’s ten!” he argued, his voice muffled by his arm.

”And you’re eleven,” Liana countered with a chuckle. ”In noble circles, it’s enough to start rumors. You’ll need to deal with it eventually, young master.”

Javier peeked out from under his arm, looking frustrated but resigned. ”I really didn’t think that through, huh?”

”No, young master,” Liana said firmly, her emerald eyes narrowing slightly. ”Whether you like it or not, you may have to marry Lady Gracelle. Either as your first wife or your second, you have to take responsibility. You are a man, after all.”

Javier’s jaw dropped. ”What?!” he exclaimed, staring at her in disbelief. ”Why would I have to marry her? It was just one kiss!”

”One kiss in front of an audience of nobles,” Liana reminded him, crossing her arms. ”Do you have any idea how that looks to everyone? To them, you might as well have declared her your future bride.”

Javier groaned and buried his face in his hands again. ”But it wasn’t serious! I only did it to see your reaction!”

Liana raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk on her lips. ”And now look where your impulsiveness has led you. A noble maiden’s reputation is important, young master. Whether you meant it or not, you’ve made an impression.”

”But I don’t want her!” Javier protested, frustration in his amber eyes. ”I’ve already told you, Liana—I only want to marry you!”

Liana sighed, her teasing expression softening into one of gentle patience. ”Young master, I understand your feelings,” she said kindly but firmly. ”But as a noble, you have responsibilities beyond your personal desires. Lady Gracelle’s family will expect you to honor her, and so will society.”

Javier frowned, clearly unhappy but unable to argue further. ”So I have no choice, huh?”

”None,” Liana confirmed, her gaze steady. ”But if it helps, you don’t have to marry her right away. These things can be arranged over time. When you’re older, you can decide how to manage your household.”

Javier leaned back against the cushions, his expression sullen. ”This is so unfair…”

Liana’s smile returned, and she gently patted his head. ”Life often is, young master. But you’re clever and resourceful. I’m sure you’ll find a way to handle it—just like you always do.”

Javier leaned back with a confident smirk, his amber eyes glinting. ”Okay, I’ve got it. I’ll marry you and her at the same time. Easy.”

”Young master…” Liana began, her voice carrying a warning tone, though her lips twitched with amusement.

”No, no!” Javier waved her off, sitting up straighter. ”I’m serious, Liana. I’ll marry both of you. Ehehe… Well, if she turns into a hottie when she’s 18.”

Liana blinked, caught off guard by his boldness. ”Young master, you can’t just—”

”But,” he interrupted, holding up a finger, ”if she grows fat or ugly? Nope! Cancel the whole thing. End of story!”

Liana pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing. ”Young master, you can’t make decisions based on—”

”Liana,” Javier cut her off, leaning forward with a grin. ”If she doesn’t grow up to be as hot and beautiful as you or my mother, it’s a no-go. I have standards!”

For a moment, Liana could only stare at him, caught between exasperation and disbelief. ”Young master,” she said slowly, ”that’s not how noble engagements work.”

”Maybe not for other nobles,” he replied, shrugging. ”But I’m not like other nobles, am I?”

”You certainly aren’t,” Liana muttered under her breath, shaking her head. ”You’re different.”

”And yet, you’re still here, taking care of me,” Javier said cheekily, flashing her a smug grin.

Liana sighed again, but this time there was a hint of a smile on her lips. ”Haaaa… Young master, you truly are a handful. One day, you’ll learn that there’s more to marriage than beauty.”

”Maybe,” Javier admitted with a shrug. ”But until then, I’m sticking to my standards.Hotties and Beauties only!”

”Very well,” Liana said with a soft chuckle. ”But just remember, young master, life has a way of surprising even the most stubborn of us.”

( End of Chapter )