Reborn As Noble

Later that night, the small lawn of their rented house came alive with the crackling sound of a grill. Javier stood outside, flipping and seasoning chunks of meat over a grill, while Buddy and Pikko eagerly waited nearby, their eyes locked on the sizzling feast.

”Here’s some more!” Javier announced with a grin as he activated his magic storage. With a quick motion, he pulled out another large slab of meat.

Buddy squawked excitedly, hopping closer, while Pikko flapped her wings in approval. Javier laughed. ”Patience, you two! Good meat takes time!”

Liana sat on a nearby bench, her hands resting on her lap as she watched the scene unfold. A soft smile graced her lips as she observed her young master’s playful energy. Moments like this—simple, warm, and carefree—were rare treasures she deeply cherished.

”You really enjoy spoiling them, young master,” Liana teased gently, taking a sip of juice she’d prepared earlier.

”Of course! Buddy and Pikko deserve it,” He handed over a perfectly grilled piece to each bird, who devoured it with happy chirps. Turning toward Liana, he held out another piece of grilled meat. ”Here, Liana. Fresh off the grill!”

”Young master, may I ask something?” Liana turned toward Javier.

Javier, mid-bite , glanced at her curiously. ”Hmm? Sure, what’s on your mind, Liana?”

She reached into her satchel, pulling out a sealed letter adorned with Lady Francesca’s elegant crest. ”You can easily buy a house here under the Armand family name. You have the right to use the family fund, and Madam Francesca even gave me this letter granting approval for any significant expenses if needed.”

Javier leaned back, chewing thoughtfully before swallowing. ”And?”

”What do you mean, ’and’?” Liana tilted her head, slightly amused yet puzzled.

”What’s the point of buying a house here?”

”What do you mean, young master?” Liana’s curiosity deepened as she awaited his answer.

Javier gestured vaguely with his skewer. ”Sure, the capital is bigger than our town, has way more people, and businesses probably thrive here because there are more customers. Yeah, it’s easier to make a fortune in a place like this, but...” He trailed off, his gaze turning distant.

Liana leaned forward slightly. ”Then why don’t you want to invest here? Why not take advantage of the opportunities?”

Javier swallowed his bite of meat and wiped his mouth casually with the back of his hand before turning to Liana.

”Did you see those kids in tattered clothes before?” Javier asked, pointing his skewer lazily toward the city in the distance.

Liana nodded. ”Yes, young master. I saw them.”

”And did you see any like that in the Armand region?” he continued, tilting his head slightly.

Liana paused, considering his words. Finally, she shook her head. ”No, young master. I don’t recall ever seeing anything like that in our region.”

Javier leaned back, resting his weight on one arm as he looked up at the starry sky. ”That’s the point, Liana. Why would I want to buy something here when the system is broken? Sure, it’s the capital, it’s bustling, and there’s a lot of opportunity to make money. But what’s the point if the people are suffering? Even if I open a business and rake in a fortune, it won’t change how things are here.”

Liana studied her young master, her eyes softening. His words reflected a depth she didn’t always expect from his playful exterior.

”In the Armand region,” Javier continued, his tone steady, ”Father makes sure no one goes hungry. Everyone has a place to work, and the ones who can’t are taken care of. That’s why we don’t see kids like that. But here? I don’t know if it’s the rulers or just the size of the city, but they’re failing the people.”

Liana sighed softly. ”You have a kind heart, young master. But not everyone thinks the way your father does.”

Javier smirked, picking up another piece of meat. ”Exactly. That’s why I’d rather not throw Armand’s name around here unless I absolutely have to. I don’t want to be another noble taking advantage of this place. Renting for four months is enough. After that, I’m out of here.”

Liana smiled gently, her heart warm with pride. ”You’re not just kind, young master. You’re wise beyond your years.”

Javier waved a hand dismissively, already back to his mischievous grin. ”Don’t get all sentimental on me now, Liana. Just eat your meat before Buddy and Pikko try to steal it!”

Liana chuckled softly and took a bite, letting the conversation settle in the quiet glow of the grill fire.

Liana looked at her young master, enjoying his grilled meat with a glass of wine in hand. The firelight danced across his face, making his relaxed expression seem even more confident. She tilted her head slightly, her thoughts wandering. ”He’s really weird,” she thought. Most children his age wouldn’t even touch wine, let alone drink the kind that could get someone drunk. Yet here he was, swirling it casually in his glass like an adult savoring fine spirits.

”What are you thinking, Liana?”

Her thoughts snapped back to the present as Javier turned to her, a teasing grin on his face.

”Hmm? Nothing, young master,” she replied, her lips curving into a gentle smile.

Javier leaned back, balancing his skewer in one hand and swirling the wine in the other. ”If you’re thinking about our region again, you might’ve noticed how many people have been moving there recently. They come for a better life and end up staying for good. Take the old man’s brother, for example—the one from the meat shop earlier. After living in the Armand region, he even refuses to move back to the capital city, no matter what.”

Liana nodded, her smile growing as she thought about the old man’s cheerful stories. ”That’s true. He said it himself—there’s no place as welcoming and fair as Armand.” Explore hidden tales at freewebnovel

Javier chuckled and took another sip of wine before pointing his skewer at her. ”And remember the innkeeper? The one we stayed with just before crossing the border to the capital?”

”Yes, I remember her,” Liana said with a soft laugh.

”What did she say about the lower taxes and everything else?” Javier prompted, raising a brow.

Liana’s expression turned thoughtful for a moment. ”She said she couldn’t believe how fair the tax rates were compared to other regions. She even mentioned how the Armand household supports small businesses and makes sure no one struggles too much.”

Javier smirked, waving his skewer like a pointer. ”Exactly. That’s why our region thrives. It’s not just about making money. It’s about making sure everyone can live with dignity. That’s what Father ensures, and that’s why people love living there. Even the capital can’t compete with that.”

Liana gazed at her young master, admiration glimmering in her eyes. He was so young, yet he spoke with a clarity and understanding that surpassed most adults.

”You think about these things so deeply, young master,” she said softly. ”It’s… inspiring.”

Javier shrugged, popping a piece of meat into his mouth and chewing with a carefree smile. ”It’s not that deep, Liana. I just know what works. Besides,” he added, raising his glass of wine with a playful wink, ”we’ve got the best meat, the best wine, and the best company. What more could anyone ask for?”

”So, young master,” Liana teased, her eyes gleaming with amusement, ”are you saying all this because you’re ready to take over from Lord Garius?”

Javier froze mid-bite, his eyes widening in mock horror. ”No way! Who wants to be stuck dealing with noble life and all those endless expectations?” He shuddered dramatically. ”Just thinking about it makes me want to run for the hills.”

Liana let out a soft, melodic laugh, covering her mouth politely. ”But the way you talk, young master, it almost seems like you’re interested in it.”

Javier quickly pointed his skewer at her, his cheeks puffing slightly in indignation. ”Hey! I was just saying! Don’t go twisting my words, Liana.”

She raised her hands in mock surrender, her laughter bubbling up again. ”Of course, young master. Whatever you say.”

Javier huffed, turning back to his food with a pout. ”Seriously. You try to make one thoughtful observation, and suddenly everyone thinks you’re ready to be the next big noble.”

Liana smiled warmly, watching her young master sulk like a child, despite his earlier profound insights. It was moments like this that reminded her just how unique he truly was. ”Don’t worry, young master. Even if you never take over, you’ll still make a difference in your own way.”

Javier glanced at her, his lips curling into a sly grin. ”Well, obviously. But let’s keep that difference-making stuff to a minimum. I’m here for the grilled meat and good vibes, not paperwork.”

Liana chuckled again, shaking her head. ”As you wish, young master.”

( End of Chapter )