Reborn As Noble

Javier kept hold of Liana’s hand, half-dragging her along as she smiled faintly at his persistence. They wandered through the town, heading toward the place where Buddy and Pikko were supposed to be stirring up chaos.

Until the noise ahead made him slow. The crowd had clustered around a narrow lane, all eyes fixed on a single point.

A fat noble boy stood there, red-faced, barking at a woman in a refined noble dress.

”You wrench! I said buy that, buy! Don’t ask stupid questions!”

The woman’s answer was calm, almost weary. ”Lower your voice. We are in public.”

”Shut up! Do as I say!” He jabbed a finger at her, spittle bright on his lip.

”You should know I’ll be the next heir, you ugly hag! That gold pouch was supposed to be my money, not you, you ugly bitch!”

Behind the boy, several household guards watched with stiff backs, a butler standing just behind his right shoulder, face empty, eyes calculating. The woman faltered a step, clearly flustered, but she held her chin steady.

Javier stopped with Liana at his side. His smile faded. He studied the embroidery at the boy’s chest and the sigil stamped on every guard’s pauldron. His gaze cooled, his face stayed calm.

Liana leaned in, voice barely a whisper. ”Young Master?”

Javier’s fingers tightened around hers once. ”Mm.”

He listened. Watched. Noted who held the pouch, which shopkeeper hovered at the edge, which guard’s hand twitched toward a hilt. His eyes swept the crest again.

The boy took a step closer to the woman, crowding her. ”Buy it. Now. Don’t make me say it again.”

Javier’s step slowed to a measured, refined pace, his fingers adjusting the glove at his wrist. His eyes, sharp and steady, locked on the boy who had been shouting moments earlier.

”Well... well... well...” Javier’s voice carried low, calm, but edged with steel.

”What do we have here? A fat, spoiled brat screeching in public, disturbing everyone’s ears.”

He stopped just short of the boy, his posture straight, chin slightly raised, Liana standing poised at his right shoulder. His glare cut through like a blade.

”I don’t like that tone, fatty.”

The boy’s face turned crimson.

”Wha!? How dare you call me fatty!? Who do you think you are!?”

Javier’s lips curled faintly.

”Me? You’re asking who I am? Are you short-sighted... or just blind?”

The boy puffed his chest, smirking with mock bravado.

”Hah! Do you even know who I am? I am the first son of Viscount Klament! The rightful heir! The next ruler of the Klament region!”

He laughed harshly, waving a jeweled hand.

”And you? With only one maid at your side? Pfft... what a waste. Clearly from some pitiful small house.”

Then his greedy eyes turned on Liana. His smirk twisted into something uglier as he licked his lips.

”How about it? Leave that man and serve me. I’ll make sure you’re... properly treated.”

Liana’s eyes flashed cold, though she kept her silence.

Javier’s palms met in a slow, deliberate clap, refined, noble, but laced with mockery. His smile sharpened as his words flowed like a dagger wrapped in silk.

”Wow~ Not only are you fat, loud, and ugly... you’ve gone and added blind and stupid to the list? Impressive. Truly impressive.”

The boy puffed out his chest, sneering louder.

”Hah! Look at me! Surrounded by guards! And this.!! He gestured grandly to the man at his side.

”This is Rristheyan! A butler who rivals the strongest assassin in the Human Kingdom! ...What was his name again? Ristheyan?”

The butler stepped forward with a polished bow, hand to his chest, lips curved in a smirk.

”Alf, young lord. The one you mean is Alf.”

”Right! Alf!” The boy barked a laugh, pointing a finger at Javier.

”Look at this fool! Only one elf maid beside him, and he dares to mock me? Pathetic! You must be from some weak little house ruling over a forgotten scrap of land. An unknown name! A nobody!”

Javier shoulders trembling with a soft, refined laugh, the kind a noble might use at a banquet. But beneath it lingered a sharp, mocking edge.

”Heheh... ahaha...” He straightened, eyes glinting as he turned slightly toward Liana.

”Liana...” Javier’s voice dropped into a chuckle, smooth and playful. ”Tell me... is my hearing failing me? Did that fool just say...” He paused, covering his mouth again as though suppressing another laugh. ”...rival who? Alf?”

His lips curved wider, the composure cracking into open mirth.

”Pfft... bwahahaha!”

The crowd stirred at his laughter, heads turning. Liana pressed her hand delicately to her brow, sighing, though the corners of her lips betrayed the faintest twitch of amusement.

The fat boy’s face went redder than before, fists clenching as he stomped his foot.

”Y-You dare laugh!? You dare mock Rristheyan!? I’ll have your tongue cut out for this!”

Javier bent slightly forward, hand clutching his stomach, laughter spilling out loud enough to echo through the gathered crowd.

”Liana! Bwahaha! Liana!!” He gasped between fits of laughter, wiping at the corner of his eye.

”Oh!! This is entertaining... he... he actually said... rival Alf!!”

”The serious butler who never leaves Lord Garius’s side... that Alf? Or perhaps...”

He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing with amusement,

”...do they mean Alfen, the merchant back in the Armand region? Hahaha! Which one is it, I wonder!?”

The noble boy’s cheeks burned crimson, his breath coming hot through gritted teeth.

”Y-You... you dare!! You filthy, nameless brat! I’ll show you your place!!”

Javier threw his head back, laughter rolling out unrestrained, his hand slapping lightly against his knee.

”I don’t think that man could even rival Alfen the merchant!! Hahahahaha!!!”

His voice cut sharp through the street, every word dripping mockery, the kind that stripped pride bare. The crowd erupted into hushed whispers, some covering their mouths, others daring quick, nervous laughs.

The butler, Rristheyan, stiffened at the insult, his jaw tightening though he kept his bow polite. The fat noble boy’s face turned purple, veins bulging at his temple as he stamped his foot like a child denied candy.

”You insolent bastard!!!” he screamed, voice cracking with rage. ”I’ll gut you here and now! Guards!!!”

”Now, now... don’t be too serious, brat~”

Javier drawled with a sharp grin, wagging his brows as if teasing a child. He lifted one gloved palm lazily, as though calming a restless dog.

”Chill a bit, would you?” His tone was smooth, mocking, but carried that bite beneath the play. His eyes flicked briefly to the woman the boy had just insulted, then back at him.

”You know, I really can’t stand that arrogant and rude tone you used toward your own mother. Ugly to hear. And if you think your guards and that butler of yours..” Javier’s smirk widened, eyes sliding to Liana at his side. ”Rival....who was it again? Liana?”

Liana stepped forward slightly, bowing her head with polished grace, her lips curving into a calm smile.

”It is Mr. Alf, Young Master,” she answered smoothly, her voice carrying clearly enough for every bystander to hear.

( End Of Chapter )