Reborn As Noble

Eastern Armand Border.

Between the Armand Region and the Beastkin Kingdom

High atop the watchtower, an Armand border guard squinted into the distance, scanning the plains beyond the wall. A faint dust trail caught his eye. Something fast, moving straight toward the gate.

He sighed. ”Here we go again...”

Touching the small crystal embedded in his ear, he activated his mana talkie.

”Calling Gate. Calling Gate.”

A crackle of static, then a reply. ”What is it, Jurman?”

Jurman squinted harder. ”You might want to clear the gate area... or at least move the merchants and travelers waiting in line out of the way.”

”Huh? What do you mean?”

Jurman rubbed his temple. ”If I’m not mistaken... that’s one of the Pekkos Our Lord Garius sent as a gift for Young Master Javier’s future wife. Judging by the riding style... probably the youngest princess.”

Silence on the other end, then a curse. ”Ah...crap!”

Jurman could already hear the other guard scrambling below. ”Better tell the captain and contact the estate,” he added calmly, still watching the rapidly approaching white-feathered Pekko kick up dust across the border road.

Southern Armand Border.

Between the Armand Region and the Demon Kingdom

The border captain straightened his posture as a lone rider approached from the southern road.

When the figure drew close enough for the crimson crest on her cloak to catch the light, the guards instantly stepped aside, standing tall with fists pressed over their chests.

”Welcome to Armand, Princess Delya,” the captain said respectfully, his voice steady.

”Thank you,” Delya replied with a gentle smile, still seated atop her sleek black Pekko. Her tone was polite, but her eyes shimmered faintly with anticipation.

The captain nodded once. ”Please wait a moment, Princess. I will contact the Armand estate to inform Lord Garius of your arrival.”

Delya tilted her head slightly, her voice soft and teasing. ”Ah, Captain... could you make sure my arrival isn’t known to Javier~?”

Her smile curved into something a touch more playful. ”I’d like to surprise my Danna-sama~.”

The captain hesitated for the briefest moment, then gave a crisp nod. ”Understood, Princess. I will send the message personally and make note of your request.”

”Good.” Delya patted her Pekko’s neck, her smile deepening as the creature ruffled its dark feathers in response. ”I’ll wait here a while... I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise too soon.”

The captain allowed himself a faint smile before turning to one of his aides. ”Relay post, contact the estate,” he ordered.

Delya leaned back on her saddle, humming softly to herself.

”Hehe... I can already imagine Danna-sama’s face when he sees me~,” she whispered, eyes half-lidded, her smile blooming with mischief and affection.

Beastkin Kingdom.

Royal Palace

King Lioness sat upon his throne, his queen beside him, fingers pressed against his forehead as he sighed heavily.

”I don’t know what we’re going to do with Mimi,” he muttered. ”She doesn’t act like a princess at all. Climbing walls, scaling statues, causing chaos in the kitchen... wherever she goes, complaints follow.”

He exhaled through his nose. ”She’s free-spirited, yes, but too wild for her own good. Still girlish, but never proper. Not like Felicia... she’s refined, disciplined, composed.”

Beside him, the queen chuckled softly. ”But she’s never caused any real harm to the people, has she? Besides, she’s on her way to Armand now. I’m sure your old friend will see to her safety.”

Lioness leaned back slightly, frowning. ”Even so... this is still a problem.”

The queen reached over, resting a gentle hand on his arm. Her voice was calm, reassuring.

”Let her be, dear. She’ll learn. Once she becomes someone’s wife, she’ll change in her own time.”

Lioness sighed again, rubbing his forehead once more. ”I certainly hope so...”

King Lioness looked toward his wife, exhaling a weary sigh.

”Not only did she run off to Armand without permission from either of us,” he said, pinching the bridge of his nose, ”she didn’t even bring her travel documents. There’s a lot I’ll have to say to Garius when we meet.”

The queen chuckled softly, her calm presence the perfect contrast to his frustration.

”And now that you mention it,” Lioness added, narrowing his eyes slightly, ”what about Felicia?”

”Ah,” the queen said with a knowing smile.

”Felicia is preparing her Pekko as well. She intends to visit her future husband too, just like Mimi. But unlike her sister, Felicia is well-prepared. Her escort will accompany her all the way to the Armand border, and her travel documents are in perfect order. I even made sure she brought Mimi’s papers along.”

Lioness let out another long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.

”Garius probably won’t mind the missing paperwork. He knows his future daughters-in-law well enough. But still...”

”Don’t overthink it, dear,” the queen said, amusement flickering in her eyes. ”Have you finished arranging the wedding gift for Garius and Mylezra’s ceremony next month?”

”Hah! Already taken care of.” Lioness grinned, his mood easing at last. ”I asked our craftsmen to make a golden Pekko, small, about the size of both palms together. You know how Garius is with those birds. He even has a whole area just for his Pekko farms.”

The queen smiled softly. ”Then I’m sure he’ll treasure it.”

Lioness smirked, leaning back slightly on his throne.

”Heh... that old queen,” he said with a low chuckle. ”Mylezra’s finally getting her wish after all these years. She turned down every elven noble’s proposal just to wait for Garius... a human, of all people.”

The queen smiled, eyes soft with understanding.

”Yes, dear. But Garius isn’t just anyone. Look at his first wife. Lady Francesca De Armand. Strongest wizard in the Human Kingdom, High Priest, and the one who single handedly sealed the Fourth Celestial.”

Lioness laughed quietly. ”Heh, not alone. Garius was there too. I remember. The reason I allowed both Felicia and Mimi to chase that boy, Javier, is because I know how Garius raises his children. Strict, disciplined, yet fair. He forges them himself.”

He rested an arm along the throne’s side, his tone thoughtful.

”That man isn’t ordinary either. Even when we fought side by side during the Celestial Sealing in our youth, none of us ever saw his full power. And look at the Armand Region now, thriving, stable, stronger than any human province.”

Lioness’s eyes softened, a trace of admiration in his voice.

”Their military, their mana technology, the way their people live... even if much of it comes from that prodigy son of his, Javier, it’s still Garius’s legacy. That family never ceases to impress.”