Reborn As Noble

Javier looked around with a determined expression, scanning the bustling market stalls. ”Now… where’s the risu?” he muttered, his eyes darting left and right.

Buddy and Pikko tilted their heads, squawking as if they were searching too.

”Ugh... I can’t find it,” Javier groaned, scratching his head in frustration.

Liana stepped closer, her tone patient as always. ”Young master?”

Before she could continue, Gloria interjected with her usual serene demeanor. ”If you’re looking for risu, young master, it’s served at the Armand family’s finest inn.”

Javier’s eyes lit up. ”Ehh? Really?”

Liana nodded. ”Yes, young master. The inn specializes in serving rare imports like risu.”

Javier shrugged, his playful grin returning. ”Whatever. We can just ask the merchant who supplies the estate to bring some later. Ehehehe.”

Liana crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. ”Young master, did you forget the main reason you came to town today?”

Javier paused, tapping his chin in mock thought. ”Hmm? Risu?”

He mulled it over for a moment, then waved dismissively. ”After thinking it through, it’s better to just order it from the merchant. Way easier. Ehehehe.”

Liana sighed deeply, but a small, resigned smile crept onto her face. Gloria chuckled softly, her serene expression unchanged.

Javier turned to his feathered companions, Buddy and Pikko, who were already squawking in excitement. ”Now, Buddy! Pikko! Let’s head to that stall next!”

The two Pekkos squawked loudly, flapping their wings as they followed their young master with enthusiasm, leaving Liana and Gloria trailing behind with amused looks.

Javier approached a stall brimming with fresh meat and slapped down five silver coins with a confident grin. ”Give me meat this worth!” he declared, excitement bubbling in his tone.

The merchant’s eyes widened in surprise. ”Five silver coins? Coming right up!” he said with a delighted smile, quickly preparing the best cuts of meat.

As soon as the merchant handed over the meat, Javier spun around. ”Buddy! Catch this!”

With a swift toss, the meat flew through the air, and Buddy, ever the hungry Pekko, caught it with precision, swallowing it whole in one gulp.

”Pikko! Here!” Javier called, tossing another chunk.

Pikko snapped it out of the air just as eagerly, squawking with delight as it devoured the treat.

Javier kept the game going, laughing as Buddy and Pikko enthusiastically gobbled up every piece. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and his grin turned sly. ”meheheheh”

He tossed another piece of meat to Buddy, who caught it effortlessly. Then, Javier casually grabbed a fresh vegetable from the neighboring stall, ignoring the merchant’s startled expression, and tossed it to Buddy. ”Buddy! Catch!”

Buddy obediently caught it, only to freeze mid-gulp. The realization hit him as the vegetable slid down, and Buddy stared at Javier with wide, betrayed eyes.

Javier doubled over with laughter, clutching his stomach. ”Bwahahaha! Did you see his face? Priceless!”

Buddy squawked loudly in protest, stomping his sturdy yellow legs in defiance and glaring at the vegetable stall as if accusing it of treachery.

Pikko squawked in amusement, seemingly enjoying the spectacle as much as Javier.

Wiping a tear from his eye, still laughing uncontrollably, Javier said, ”Oh, Buddy, you’re too easy!”

The entire scene drew smiles and chuckles from nearby merchants and passersby, charmed by the playful young noble and his lively Pekkos.

Javier, still grinning from Buddy’s dramatic reaction, turned to the vegetable stall owner, who looked half-amused, half-bemused by the situation. He casually tossed a silver coin onto the counter. ”Here, for the veggies,” he said with a wink.

The merchant chuckled, shaking his head. ”Thank you, young master.”

Javier spun back to the meat stall, grabbed a strip for himself, and bit into it with relish. The juicy flavor only fueled his enthusiasm. ”Buddy! Pikko! Here’s more!” he called, tossing more chunks to his Pekkos, who snapped them up eagerly, though Buddy kept a wary eye on the vegetable stall.

Suddenly, Javier had another idea. He tossed another silver coins onto the meat stall counter with dramatic flair. ”Liana, Gloria—all of you, come eat!” he exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement.

He turned back to the merchant. ”Here’s another ten silver coins. Give me all the meat you have!”

The merchant’s eyes widened, barely able to contain his shock. ”All the meat, young master?!”

”Every last piece!” Javier declared, chomping into another strip. ”My Pekkos need their feast, and so do my people. Come on, let’s make it a party!”

Liana sighed softly but smiled as she approached, her usual composure tinged with warmth. ”Young master, you’re far too generous.”

”Generous? Nah, just hungry,” Javier replied, grinning mischievously.

Gloria nodded with her serene smile, gesturing for the maids and guards to join. ”Well, then, we shall graciously accept, young master.”

The merchant scrambled to prepare the remaining stock, handing out roasted and fresh cuts alike. Soon, the entire group was gathered around, eating together as the bustling marketplace filled with laughter and the delightful aroma of freshly cooked meat.

Javier, holding a skewer of meat aloft, declared with a smirk, ”A noble’s duty is to keep everyone happy and full. So, eat up!”

As the lively atmosphere around the meat feast continued, Liana leaned closer to Gloria, her curiosity finally getting the better of her. ”Miss Gloria,” she whispered, careful not to disturb the others, ”what exactly was in that letter you handed to the town guards earlier?”

Gloria turned her serene smile toward Liana, speaking softly to match her tone. ”Oh, that letter?” She chuckled lightly. ”It was an official decree from Lord Garius himself. It states that any orders given by young master Javier are to be treated as absolute. Furthermore, it clarifies that our young master Javier will take full responsibility for his commands and actions.”

Liana’s eyes widened in surprise. ”So, the decision to capture the Jaist household brat…”

”Yes,” Gloria continued with a knowing smile. ”It places all accountability solely on young master Javier. In other words, should the Jaist household attempt retaliation, they would have to direct it toward Javier personally, not the Armand household as a whole.”

Liana blinked in astonishment, her gaze drifting toward Javier, who was laughing loudly with Buddy and Pikko. ”But why would Lord Garius…”

Gloria gave a slight nod, understanding Liana’s confusion. ”It’s Lord Garius’s way of teaching young master Javier to handle responsibility while also protecting the family’s name. By making it clear that Javier acted independently, it ensures that the Jaist household cannot escalate the issue into a political feud.”

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Liana sighed softly, her expression a mixture of admiration and concern. ”Our young master truly isn’t like other nobles... but sometimes, I worry he’s too bold for his own good.”

Gloria chuckled, placing a reassuring hand on Liana’s shoulder. ”True, but isn’t that boldness part of what makes him so special? Besides,” she added with a glint of pride in her eyes, ”the Armand household isn’t so easily shaken, not even by the likes of the Jaist family.”

Liana nodded, her gaze softening as she watched Javier toss another piece of meat to Buddy, his mischievous grin lighting up the moment. Deep down, she felt a growing sense of pride and trust in her young master.

Liana furrowed her brows, worry evident despite Gloria’s calm demeanor. ”So this means, no matter how hard the Jaist household—or any other noble house—tries to blame the Armand household as a whole, they can’t because it was solely young master Javier’s command?”

Gloria nodded with a serene smile. ”Exactly. The decree makes it clear that young master Javier acted independently. It protects the household while giving our young master full authority over his decisions.”

Still, Liana’s concern lingered. ”But... what will happen to our young master? Won’t this put him in danger or make him a target for other nobles’ anger?”

Gloria chuckled softly, her voice reassuring. ”Hmm? Nothing will happen, dear. The nobles, including the Jaist household, understand the rules of engagement in noble politics. They cannot attack the Armand region directly over something like this. The decree ensures that this wasn’t a direct order from Lord Garius, which keeps the Armand household out of political crossfire.”

She paused, her eyes glinting with a mix of pride and mischief. ”As for young master Javier himself, he’s protected by the Armand name, his position as the son of a Count, and, of course, our forces. Besides,” Gloria added with a light laugh, ”even if they wanted to blame him, they would struggle to do so. Our young master is more cunning than they give him credit for.”

Liana exhaled slowly, her tension easing. ”I see... But it still amazes me how well-thought-out Lord Garius’s actions are. It’s like he foresaw every possible outcome.”

Gloria smiled warmly. ”That’s the brilliance of the Armand household’s leadership. They protect their people and their own with wisdom and foresight. You’ll see, Liana. Our young master will only grow stronger and more capable under such guidance.”

Liana glanced at Javier, who was now laughing boisterously with Buddy and Pikko, his carefree demeanor masking the sharp mind beneath. A small smile crept onto her face as she thought to herself: ”Perhaps I worry too much...”

( End of Chapter )