Reborn As Noble

Garius stood tall in the courtyard, his piercing gaze locked onto the three kneeling figures before him:

Javier.

Marcellus.

Cedric.

All three were covered in mud, leaves, and remnants of broken vines.

Behind them, Liana, Lithia, and Meira stood with their heads bowed, silent witnesses to the disaster. Not too far away, Francesca sat elegantly, observing the scene with an unreadable expression, flanked by her composed personal maids.

Alf and Erinnete stood near Garius, watching with quiet amusement.

Garius exhaled deeply, his patience wearing thin. ”Hmm? Just when I was busy with paperwork, now here I am—lecturing all of you?”

His voice was calm. Too calm.

Marcellus and Cedric flinched. Javier lowered his head further.

Garius’s eyes narrowed. ”Marcellus. Cedric.”

His tone grew colder. ”You both just arrived yesterday.”

His gaze swept over them, disbelief etched on his face. ”And now, not even a full day later, you two—along with your little brother—” He gestured sharply at Javier. ”Have already caused a ruckus?”

Garius jabbed a finger toward the chaotic scene behind them: a battlefield of mud, torn vines, shattered crates, and the unmistakable scent of spilled alcohol.

”I can’t believe it.” He shook his head, rubbing his temples. ”You call this… training!?”

Marcellus opened his mouth to respond, but—

”Marcellus!”

He froze.

Garius’s glare hardened. ”You are the eldest!” His voice carried the authority of someone who would not tolerate excuses. ”The strongest magician in the kingdom!”

Marcellus gulped.

”And you, Cedric!” Cedric straightened instinctively. ”The strongest paladin in the kingdom!”

Garius’s voice grew sharper. ”Yet here you both are!” He gestured over the chaos. ”Scrambling. Fighting. COMPETING… over a bottle of wine!”

The weight of his words hung heavily in the air.

Cedric opened his mouth to explain—

But Javier, without thinking, muttered quietly, ”B-But… those wines… are rare…”

A mistake. A deadly mistake.

Garius’s eyes twitched. Slowly, he tilted his head, his gaze zeroing in on Javier. The atmosphere turned dangerously silent. Javier suddenly felt very, very small.

Then—

Garius took a deep breath… and exhaled.

His next words came out calmly, almost too calmly. ”These wines…”

He began to walk toward them. ”Are supposed to be in my private stash.”

Javier’s entire body stiffened. Marcellus and Cedric refused to meet Garius’s gaze. Francesca took another sip of tea, pretending she wasn’t amused.

Liana, Lithia, and Meira held their breath, awaiting the impending judgment.

Javier, still kneeling, muttered under his breath, ”…We’re so dead.”

Garius sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. ”Haaaa… Francesca, just look at your sons…”

Francesca, gracefully sipping her tea, raised an eyebrow. They’re your sons too, she thought but wisely chose not to say it.

Garius gestured toward the three kneeling figures before him. ”One is already twelve. The other two? Full-grown men, just waiting to get married.” His gaze sharpened. ”Yet here they are.” He indicated the ruined courtyard. ”Fighting like children over a bottle of wine.”

Marcellus and Cedric kept their heads down, shame radiating from them. Javier, hoping to remain unnoticed, tried to shrink behind his brothers.

But—

”And you, Javier!”

”Eeeeppp!!!”

Javier flinched violently, his shoulders stiffening under Garius’s piercing gaze. ”You just turned twelve!” His voice rose slightly. ”You can’t drink wine!”

Javier opened his mouth, hesitated, then tried again. ”But…”

Garius’s brows twitched. ”No BUT!”

Javier’s mouth snapped shut. The entire courtyard fell silent, even the birds in the distance seemingly sensing the tension.

Francesca hid her smile behind her teacup. Liana, Lithia, and Meira remained completely still. Alf and Erinnete? They were very obviously enjoying the spectacle.

Javier, sweating bullets, swallowed hard. Earlier that afternoon, he had been enjoying a peaceful day, comfortably lounging in his room with a book in hand. The window was wide open, allowing a warm breeze to drift in. Liana was in the kitchen, preparing a meal for him, completely unaware of what was about to unfold.

Then—

A suspicious movement caught Javier’s sharp eyes. Marcellus and Cedric were sneaking through the hallway, tiptoeing toward… somewhere.

His mischief radar instantly activated, and a wide grin spread across his face. ”Ehehe… I bet they’re up to something.”

Without hesitation, he leaned out of the window. ”Brother! Where are you going?”

”SHHHHHHH!!!!!”

Both Cedric and Marcellus spun around, pressing their fingers to their lips, eyes wide.

Javier blinked. ”Oppsss… sorry… ehehehe.”

A brief silence hung in the air, then—

Marcellus and Cedric exchanged glances. ”…Come with us.”

Javier’s grin widened. ”Okay!”

The three brothers crept into a large, dimly lit room, its shelves lined with countless bottles of fine wine. The scent of aged alcohol filled the air—a treasure trove of their father’s private collection.

Marcellus and Cedric immediately reached for bottles on the nearest rack, their movements quick and practiced. Meanwhile, Javier’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

”Oho~ I can drink the best wine today! Ehehehehe!”

”Shhh! Keep your voice down!” Cedric hissed, shooting a glare at his youngest brother.

Marcellus nodded. ”Just grab one and let’s get out of here.”

Javier grinned, rubbing his hands together. ”Okay~”

He scanned the shelves, carefully considering his choice. ”Hmm… this one? Nah, already tried it before.” He picked up a bottle, inspected the label, then put it back. ”It’s good, but I need something new… ehehehe.”

Then—

His eyes landed on something special. At the very center of the collection, sitting on its own pedestal, was a single golden bottle. One of a kind.

Javier’s grin stretched wider. ”Oho~ how about this?” He reached for it, fingers brushing against the cool glass.

Behind him, Marcellus’s voice whispered urgently. ”Oi, little brother… hurry up!”

Javier rolled his eyes. ”Okay, okay, chill…”

And with a final snatch, he pulled the golden bottle off the shelf. ”I got mine!”

As Marcellus and Cedric turned toward Javier, their eyes immediately locked onto the golden bottle in his hands. Javier hugged it protectively, a triumphant grin still plastered on his face.

Marcellus narrowed his eyes. ”Oi, little brother… let me see that.”

Javier tilted his head. ”Here—” But he didn’t let go.

Marcellus and Cedric leaned in, examining it closely.

Then—

Marcellus’s eyes widened. ”Ohhh!! This is one of the rarest wines! From the Dwarven country!”

Cedric’s head snapped toward him. ”Really!?”

Marcellus nodded, grinning. ”Yeah! This bottle is legendary! Aged over a hundred years! Even nobles rarely get their hands on one!”

Cedric whistled, impressed. Javier, still hugging the bottle, beamed with pride. ”Ehehehehe! Of course, I have good taste!”

Marcellus held out his hand. ”Let me read the label first. Just to confirm.”

Javier hesitated, then reluctantly loosened his grip. ”Oh… okay… here—”

But—

The moment Javier extended the bottle, Marcellus’s smirk twisted into pure mischief.

Then—

He bolted. ”Gyahahahaha!! This one is mine!!!”

”OI!!!” Cedric shouted, rushing after him. ”Let me taste it too, you bastard!!!”

Javier stood there, frozen, his brain processing the betrayal. Then—

His eyes flared with rage. ”GIVE ME BACK MY BOTTLE!!!”

He launched himself after them, his footsteps thundering down the halls.

Marcellus laughed maniacally. ”Ehehehe! No can do, kid!”

Cedric snickered, running beside him. ”You should just go and drink juice! Ahahahahaha!”

And that’s how they ended up kneeling in front of their father.

Javier, Marcellus, and Cedric kept their heads down, covered in mud, magic residue, and the strong scent of spilled wine.

Garius pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing deeply. ”Ugh… you three used magic… just because of a bottle of wine.” His eyes flicked toward the golden bottle in his hand. ”This one? I’m taking it back.”

Javier’s heart shattered. Marcellus gritted his teeth in frustration. Cedric groaned in defeat.

Then—

Garius’s voice turned sharp. ”And you three—”

The brothers braced themselves.

”GROUNDED!”

Javier flinched. Marcellus grumbled. Cedric looked like his soul had left his body.

But then—

Garius’s gaze shifted. He turned to Liana, Meira, and Lithia. His voice was calm yet heavy with authority. ”And you three.”

The maids immediately straightened, bowing deeply. Garius pointed directly at them. ”Ensure your masters don’t sneak out.” His eyes darkened slightly. ”If they do—YOU’RE going to!”

”Yes, my lord!” they responded in unison before Garius could finish the sentence.

Javier’s eyes widened in pure panic. He snapped his head toward Liana. ”I’m sorry, Liana!!”

Liana smiled softly, placing a gentle hand on his head. ”Don’t worry about it, Young Master.”

Javier felt a slight relief wash over him. Meanwhile, Lithia took Marcellus’s arm, dragging him away. ”Come, my lord. Let’s go to your room.”

Marcellus sighed but didn’t resist. Meira grabbed Cedric firmly by the wrist. ”You too, my lord. No more trouble today.”

Cedric grumbled, allowing himself to be led away. Enjoy exclusive chapters from freewebnovel

And just like that—

The Great Wine Incident came to a miserable, humiliating end.

( End of Chapter )