Reborn As Noble

And visiting every town, every estate... stacks of paperwork, ledgers, reports, council meetings, council meetings about council meetings...

Not that I hate seeing the people. It’s fun watching the Armand folk smile, kids laughing and running wild, everyone fed, nobody left hungry or begging. That’s what I want for Arjam too. A place where the children aren’t starving, where the people can live and laugh without fear.

But...

My freedom... sob sob...

Giiihhh! It’s a guarantee now! Damn it.

That dried plum managed to win again! Father, with his damn brilliant plans. No matter how much I scheme, I can’t outmaneuver him. Every time I think I’ve slipped away, he’s always three steps ahead.

He let out a long, theatrical sigh, gaze drifting upward, searching the sky for answers.

Javier’s restless thoughts were shattered by a loud squawk from below.

”Cuquawked!!” Buddy looked up, feathers fluffed, and let out another indignant cry. With a single powerful jump, the giant Pekko landed beside Javier on the battlements, staring up at him.

Javier pursed his lips, glaring at buddy.

”You damn Pekko. Must be nice, huh? Just eating, sleeping, doing whatever you want. Having it all easy.”

”Cuquawked!?” Buddy tilted his head, feigning innocence.

”Don’t you cuquawked me! You’ll be moving like Giddie soon enough, all proper and disciplined after Father’s next plan goes through. No more mischievous wandering, no more smug strutting. Mark my words, it’s happening, this month or next.”

Javier groaned, fingers digging into his hair.

”Gih!!!”

Finally, he gave up, flinging his arms around the big Pekko in a dramatic hug.

”Sob sob... Buddy... uwaaaa! My freedom! It’s gone! Gone forever! Sob sob!!”

Buddy just blinked, then gave a low, comforting churr, content to let Javier vent his misery into a sea of feathers.

Javier abruptly snapped out of his theatrics, pulling away from Buddy.

Wait a minute...

A sly grin spread across his face.

Being a prince isn’t the problem... it’s that Sovereign or King title I don’t want. That’s the real trap.

His eyes gleamed with mischief.

Heh... all I need is for Father to live forever. Alf, Erinnette, Hesbeirn, all the wives, they just have to stay healthy and young forever. And I already know exactly where to get what I need for that...

”Cuquawked?” Buddy tilted his head, feigning confusion.

”Ugh, you damn Pekko. Don’t pretend you don’t get it.”

Javier rubbed his palms together, grin growing cheekier by the second.

I already know what to do. Where to get it. And I’ll finally fulfill that ridiculous promise Father made to her...

If the plan works... eheh... ehehehe...

Then I won’t need to inherit a thing. Genius. Absolute genius. Kekeke...

Javier rubbed his chin, then reached into his magic storage, pulling out a cooked slab of meat. Without hesitation, he tossed it toward Buddy.

The Pekko jumped, snatched it out of the air, and swallowed it whole, barely bothering to chew.

The problem is... Father’s Eyes of Truth.

With one scan, he’d know exactly what’s in anything I offer him. If I tried to slip him that thing, he’d just look at me and say, ’Ah, sorry, my youngest son, I can’t eat this. Allergies...’

Yeah, right. Like he’s ever had allergies. If it’s not that excuse, he’d probably pretend to accept it and then toss it the moment I turn my back. Damn clever old man...

Javier shook his head.

Well, I’ve got months to plan this out. I just need to figure out how to trick Father into actually eating it. Once I pull that off... eheh... eheheheheheh...

He snapped back to business, patting Buddy on the beak.

Alright! First things first, get these damn walls built, hire anyone who wants honest work.

I’ll use my own wealth, what I’ve got stashed in storage, and pay every worker just like we do back in Armand. No more waiting around for Father’s budget to clear. If I move fast enough, this mess will be done before he even notices.

Javier’s eyes sparkled with determination.

Then... I can finally go meet her~

And I absolutely can’t tell anyone about this. If word leaks, it’s over. Father could just scan my mind with those Eyes of Truth and know everything I’m planning.

Guess I’ll need to start training myself to think of nothing at all while talking to him... or, if that’s too hard, just fill my head with thoughts of Liana, Gloria, and the rest of my harem whenever Father summons me. That way, when he tries peeking inside, all he’ll find is me getting flustered over women.

And if he calls Liana or Gloria in for questioning, he’ll get nothing. Since none of them know a damn thing anyway.

Hehehe... yeah. That should work. For now, let’s focus on rebuilding the wall.

”Buddy, let’s go! We’re meeting Kliatana and handing her a mountain of money for Arjam’s reconstruction. No more waiting for Father’s budget to trickle in... ehehe. Besides, I owe her my life. And Heres was a family too.”

Javier swung himself up onto Buddy’s back, pausing to survey the battlements. Puppet knights stood at attention, guarding every gap; others busied themselves patching the worst of the crumbling wall. High above, drones glided on silent patrol, watching every inch of Arjam’s border.

With a sharp nudge to Buddy’s side, Javier grinned.

”Alright, let’s go make Arjam whole again.”

Buddy shot forward in a blur, Javier clinging tight as the Pekko dashed across the open ground. The wind whipped at Javier’s hair, the world rushing past in streaks of color and sound.

Wooo! This is how freedom should be! With my girls waiting for me. No way I’m spending my days buried under paperwork! Ehehehe!

Meanwhile, in the Armand Region.

Inside the Armand Estate, Garius’s private room was silent, save for the soft click as he slid off his glasses.

A small, satisfied smirk played on his lips.

Good job, my youngest...

He turned to where Alf stood waiting.

”Alf?”

”Yes, my lord.” Alf smiled and bowed, posture perfectly respectful.

”Prepare the papers... Soon, our dream will come true.”

Alf’s eyes shone with pride. ”Ah, my lord... ah, pardon...Your Majesty~”

Garius chuckled, shaking his head.

”Not yet, Alf.”

”You know, my lord,” Erinnette said with a soft chuckle, ”you should’ve done this a long time ago. We both suggested it back when you were still a young man. But no~ you made that promise to Edmund to stay loyal.”

Garius just chuckled, a sly smirk touching his lips. Both hands clasped together, fingers interlaced, chin resting lightly as his elbows perched on the table.

”A promise is a promise, Erinnette. Alf, you both have been with me longer than anyone, back when I was just a boy, lost and alone. Weren’t you the ones who taught me to honor my word?”

Alf and Erinnette shared a quiet smile, the weight of decades flickering between them.

”Yes, my lord,” Alf replied, voice steady.

Garius’s gaze softened. ”And now that Edmund is gone, and his only heir has been stripped of her title, that means the promise has been fulfilled. Now, at last, we can move Armand forward without hesitation. No more holding back, no more pretending loyalty to a throne that lost its soul long ago.”

He paused, a trace of old sadness drifting through his eyes, then let it fade. ”It’s time for Armand to stand on its own. Time to keep the promises I made to my people, and to myself.”

”If you say so, my lord~” Erinnette replied with a gentle smile, her voice tinged with pride and relief.

( End Of Chapter )