Reborn As Noble

Lord Garius leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes scanning the report in his hands. ”Hmm... So, the assassin group sent by the Klimbert Household?” he mused aloud.

Alf, standing calmly beside him, gave a small smile. ”All done, my lord. They didn’t even have time to prepare before our team finished them all. As for the other road your son used... our team didn’t even need to intervene.”

Garius smirked, folding the report neatly and placing it on the table. ”I know...”

Errinette, who stood nearby, couldn’t help but smile as well. ”According to the report from our scout, your youngest son is just having a picnic with his favorite maid, Liana.”

Sitting elegantly across from him, Lady Francesca sipped her tea. She glanced at Errinette, her voice calm but laced with humor. ”Errinette, more biscuits, please.”

”Of course, madam.” Errinette inclined her head and gestured toward one of the household maids, who immediately set about refilling the tray with fresh biscuits and pouring more tea.

Francesca set her teacup down with a faint smile, looking toward her husband. ”You seem awfully relaxed for someone whose youngest son is being targeted by assassins.”

Garius chuckled, folding the report. ”Relaxed? Of course, Francesca. Why wouldn’t I be? Javier is more than capable of handling himself, especially with Liana by his side.”

”Still, he is only eleven. Don’t you think you’re putting too much faith in him?”

”Faith?” Garius smirked, his tone confident. ”It’s not faith—it’s certainty. That boy is a prodigy, and I’ve ensured he has everything he needs to survive and thrive. Klimbert’s little schemes are nothing more than a nuisance to him.”

Francesca glanced at Garius, ”Your son seems to take after you, dear,” she said casually.

Garius chuckled. ”Perhaps. Though I must admit, his way of dealing with things is... uniquely his own.”

Francesca sighed softly, ”Just don’t forget, he’s still a child in many ways, even if he insists otherwise.”

Errinette tilted her head slightly. ”A child who can incapacitate an entire group of bandits without breaking a sweat, madam.”

Francesca waved a hand dismissively while smiling. ”Details, Errinette. Details.”

The room was filled with a quiet sense of satisfaction, the kind that came from knowing that, no matter what schemes their enemies plotted, their family was always one step ahead.

”Lianaaaa!!” Javier called out, laughing as he splashed water at Buddy, who happily squawked and retaliated by flapping its wings and sending droplets flying everywhere.

Liana, standing on the riverbank with her arms crossed, shook her head with a patient smile. ”Young master, it’s time to move.”

”Ehh, but we didn’t even finish enjoying the water! Look at Buddy! He’s having fun too!”

Liana sighed, stepping closer. ”Young master, we need to find an inn and a place to rest for the night.”

”We can sleep here!” Javier declared, spreading his arms wide as if presenting the perfect campsite. ”Under the stars, with Buddy and Pikko keeping watch. It’ll be great! Ehehe.”

Liana pinched the bridge of her nose. ”No, you can’t.”

”Why not?” Javier pouted, his amber eyes gleaming with mischief.

”First, there are monsters.” Liana raised a finger. ”Second... mosquitoes.”

For a moment, Javier blinked in confusion. Then his face twisted as he burst out laughing. ”Pfftt... bwahahahahah! Mosquitoes?! Really, Liana? That’s your reason?”

Liana gave him a pointed look, one hand on her hip. ”Yes, mosquitoes. And trust me, young master, they are far worse than monsters when it comes to ruining a good night’s sleep.”

Still laughing, Javier climbed out of the water, shaking his head. ”Fine, fine, you win! You better promise we’ll have roasted meat for dinner again!”

Liana smiled softly, handing him a towel. ”As you wish, young master. Now, let’s go before the ’monsters and mosquitoes’ catch us.”

Javier snickered as they packed up, already thinking about their next stop.

”By the way, young master.”

”Hmm?” Javier turned to Liana, drying his hair with a towel as they walked toward Buddy and Pikko.

”I think it’s best we use casual clothes without the Armand emblem.”

Javier raised an eyebrow, then looked at himself. ”Huh? I am already in casual clothes. See? No emblem, just my comfy travel gear.” He gestured at his tunic and trousers. ”The only one still wearing it is you.”

Liana blinked, glancing at her maid uniform. ”...Ah.”

Javier smirked, folding his arms with a teasing glint in his eyes. ”Now, now, Liana. No need for the maid uniform on our journey. You can blend in better, and it’s more practical too!”

”But, young master, I must maintain my role as your maid—”

”Liana,” Javier interrupted, grinning, ”you’re not just my maid; you’re my travel partner, my protector, and my ’future wife,’ remember?” He chuckled at her flustered expression. ”No one will mind if you dress casually for once. Actually, I’d prefer it.”

She sighed, though a small smile tugged at her lips. ”Very well, young master. I’ll change into something more suitable.”

Javier gave her an approving nod. ”Great! You’ll see, it’s way better for adventures. And I bet you’ll look amazing in anything anyway.”

Experience tales at freewebnovel

Liana rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress her smile as she reached into her bag for a simpler outfit. ”Flattery will get you nowhere, young master.”

”Who said it was flattery?” Javier quipped, winking at her as he mounted Buddy.

”Now... let’s go, Liana!”

”Oops, wait a sec.” He quickly raised his hand, his palm glowing faintly as he activated a buff spell. A shimmering aura enveloped both Buddy and Pikko, enhancing their speed and endurance.

”Ehehehe... now no one will be able to catch up to this speed!” Javier grinned mischievously, giving Buddy an encouraging pat.

Liana, already seated gracefully on Pikko, gave a small smile. ”Young master, do try not to startle every passerby like last time.”

”I make no promises! Adventure waits for no one!” Javier laughed, gripping Buddy’s reins tightly. ”Now, Buddy! Dash toward the capital!”

With an enthusiastic squawk, Buddy launched forward, kicking up a trail of dust. Pikko followed close behind, matching Buddy’s speed effortlessly under Liana’s skilled guidance.

The two Pekko birds raced along the road, their vibrant feathers gleaming in the sunlight, as Javier’s laughter echoed through the open fields. ”Faster, Buddy! Faster!”

Liana, keeping Pikko at a steady pace beside Buddy, called out with a gentle tone, ”Young master, if we keep this up, we’ll arrive at the capital in no time... but do remember to give them a break. Even Pekkos need to rest.”

”Got it, got it,” Javier replied with a wave, though his excitement didn’t wane. ”But for now, let’s enjoy the ride!”

Liana smiled softly as she watched her young master laugh freely, his joy as infectious as ever. In moments like this, she couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of relief.

When Lady Francesca had initially assigned her to oversee Javier, Liana had assumed it was only a temporary measure to ensure he adapted to his early education and noble etiquette. At the time, she had thought her role would end once he began attending school, perhaps replaced by someone else deemed more fitting.

But as the years passed, it became clear that her assignment wasn’t a mere formality. She had become an irreplaceable part of Javier’s life—not just as his maid but as his confidant and guardian.

”I’m truly fortunate,” she thought, her emerald eyes softening as she kept pace on Pikko. ”To be by his side like this... to see him grow, to support his dreams... there’s nothing I’d trade for this.”

Suddenly, a group of people blocking the road. In an instant, the gathered crowd—a group of dark-clad figures—shouted as they drew their weapons, their intentions clear as they prepared to confront Javier and Liana.

Before they could react, Buddy and Pikko surged forward with surprising speed, crashing straight into the group of assassins. The force of the impact sent the attackers sprawling, their weapons clattering to the ground. A chorus of startled yelps filled the air as the would-be assailants were knocked off their feet.

Javier raised an eyebrow, looking at Liana while still riding their Pekko mounts. ”Huh? Did we just crash into someone?”

Liana shook her head, still processing what had happened. ”Hmm? I didn’t notice, Young Master.”

”Well… whatever,” Javier said with a shrug. He adjusted in his seat, trying to get a better view. ”Maybe they just got a little carried away.”

As the dust settled, they didn’t notice a group of shadowy figures creeping away from the scene. The assassins, having intended to ambush Javier, were forced to retreat. Their plan had failed—this time.

Liana, still unfazed by their earlier crash, gently patted Pikko. ”You two are such troublemakers,” she teased, her tone lightening the moment. Both birds looked up at her innocently, as if to say, ”We didn’t mean it!”

”Let’s keep going, then,” Javier said, dismissing the moment. ”We can’t let a little bump slow us down.”

( End of Chapter )