Reborn As Noble

The next day.

The two wagons rolled into the Armand border town.

Javier led at the front, Liana beside him.

The morning sun lit dust kicked up by the convoy, gilding the fields and stone roads.

Armand border guards stood at attention by the gate, saluting with fists pressed to their chests.

”Welcome back, young master!”

Javier lifted a casual half-wave. ”At ease, everyone.”

”Yes, young master!” The guards relaxed, eyes bright with relief and pride as the wagons passed through the checkpoint.

Ahead, Javier spotted a group waiting in the open field beyond the outer wall.

At their head, General Hesbeirn sat on his own Pekko, surrounded by a squad of elite riders in Armand livery. Their mounts were alert and a touch restless as they sized up the approaching wagons.

The general called out before Javier reached them.

”Yo, brat! I’m taking over from here, my squad will escort the convoy the rest of the way.”

Javier sighed. ”Uncle... if Mrs. Erinnette hears you calling me that, you’re dead.”

Hesbeirn’s confident grin slipped for a moment. He scratched the back of his neck and forced a sheepish chuckle. ”Yeah, yeah... but she’s not here right now, is she? So I can say it.”

Javier glanced at him, smirking. ”Yeah, yeah... whatever you say. But still, Uncle—”

”O–oi! Stop calling me that!” Hesbeirn spluttered, waving his hands defensively. ”You know it makes me sound old!”

”Hm?” Javier tilted his head with innocent mischief. ”If I call you by your name, Father will glare at me. So no way.”

Behind him, Liana covered her mouth, but a soft, musical laugh slipped out before she could help it.

Hesbeirn slumped in his saddle, resigned. ”You little devil... fine, fine. Just get those wagons through. I’m sure Lord Garius wants to meet them soon.”

”Where’s Father?” Javier asked, scanning the road beyond.

”Hmm? He and the other already arrived last night. You’re the only one still dragging your tail, brat.”

”Heh... slow, huh?” Javier rolled his eyes. ”If only those wagons didn’t need a full escort, I’d have beaten everyone here.”

Hesbeirn grinned again, thumping Javier on the shoulder as he barked out orders to the elite riders.

The border town bustled behind them, relief, routine, and just a hint of curiosity as word spread that the young master had returned with two caravans.

After Hesbeirn and his elite Pekko rider unit continued escorting the caravan.

Javier stretched, arching his back and rolling his shoulders as he glanced around the bustling border town. Pekko birds lounged everywhere. Some flopped lazily by the roadside, others dozing in the shade by the gate like feathery sentries, and a handful of smaller, younger Pekkos darted about, weaving through children’s legs in playful chaos.

Some of the vendors were feeding the Pekko with fruit.

For a moment, everything seemed calm. The sight of a peaceful town, where everyone was living in peace and happiness.

Until Javier noticed all the Pekko in the area suddenly stiffen, lifting their heads and staring with sharp, attentive eyes.

A bead of sweat slid down Javier’s temple.

Wait... is Father’s Giddie somewhere around here?

He scanned the street warily.

If Giddie was around, Father would be as well.

Then Javier saw it.

It wasn’t Giddie who drew the town’s attention. Buddy sauntered forward, puffing his chest out with pride, every feather fluffed and glossy in the sunlight.

”Cuquawked!!” Buddy called out, his voice echoing like a challenge. The sound made a few of the lazier Pekko jump up at once, straightening as if an officer had arrived for inspection.

Javier watched, pinching his brow in embarrassment. ”Show-off.”

Buddy moved around the area, strutting with exaggerated confidence as if he owned the entire border crossing. Other Pekko shifted out of his way, some bowing their heads or moving aside to give him room. Even the boldest ones hesitated, recognizing the unspoken hierarchy.

The smaller Pekko, in the midst of their games, went silent for a moment, wide-eyed as they watched Buddy’s display.

Liana rode up quietly beside Javier, hiding a smile. ”It seems Buddy enjoys being the center of attention.”

”Yeah, yeah... whatever,” Javier muttered, still watching Buddy’s dramatic parade with a smirk before tilting his head back to look at the sky. The sun had barely risen, painting the border town in golden light, and the morning air was crisp.

He glanced sideways. ”Hmm... Since it’s still early, and I’m starving... want to grab something, Liana?”

Liana slid gracefully down from her Pikko, landing with effortless poise. She smoothed her skirt, then offered a slight, elegant bow, her face catching the first rays of sunlight, eyes gentle, lips curved in a serene smile.

For a heartbeat, Javier was completely caught off guard. The sunlight seemed to set Liana aglow, making her already striking beauty almost otherworldly.

He found himself frozen, words caught in his throat.

Liana tilted her head, concern flickering in her eyes. ”Young master?” she asked softly, puzzled by his sudden silence.

Javier took a step forward, then another. His hand reached out, drawing her close in a gentle hug. He wrapped one arm lightly around her waist, leaned down, and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, slow, soft, lingering with the sweetness of something both familiar and long-missed.

Her eyes widened for a moment in surprise, breath catching at the sudden intimacy. Then, with a shy smile, she melted into the kiss, returning it with slow, earnest affection.

For a moment, the noise of the town faded away, just the two of them, caught in the golden hush of the Armand morning.

The kiss lingered, far longer than usual. Liana’s heart raced, her hands resting lightly on Javier’s chest as she wondered what had come over him. It wasn’t like him to be this forward in public.

Still, for these few moments, none of that mattered. The rest of the world faded out. She could feel his breath on her lips, the warmth of his hands, and the steady beat of his heart so close.

When they finally parted, Liana looked up, breath mingling with his. She saw the faint shadows in Javier’s eyes, his focus softer, as if lost in thought.

She offered a gentle smile, reaching up to caress his cheek with her fingertips.

”Young master... is there something troubling you?”

He only murmured, lost for words.

”Mm...”

Liana held his gaze, her hand warm on his skin. ”Young master?”

He didn’t answer, only continued to look at her as if searching for something deeper.

A blush crept up her cheeks. She glanced past his shoulder and suddenly became aware of the world again, the border guards, merchants, even a few Pekko and townfolk, all staring in stunned silence.

”Young master... we shouldn’t do this in public,” Liana whispered, eyes darting nervously. ”Everyone is staring...”

Her voice was soft, but the affection and embarrassment were clear.

( End Of Chapter )