Reborn As Noble

They arrived outside the building.

Kay took a lockpick from his pocket and began working on the iron door, a faint glow of mana flickering around his fingers.

The leader watched, impressed. ”You know how to crack a magic lock now?”

”Hmm? Of course, Leader.” Kay didn’t look up, focused on the mechanism. ”I didn’t waste a year here. Learned from a master lockpicker in Armand. It’s basic tradecraft, a spy learns everything that could be useful.”

The leader nodded. The other spies exchanged silent glances. One near the back leaned close to another, voice barely a whisper.

”Once we’re inside and have what we need... wait for the leader’s signal. Then we finish Kay.”

”Yeah. Just be ready. I already want to kill him.”

The lock clicked open. Kay pushed the door slowly and motioned the leader inside first.

Then he paused, pretending to listen. A faint sound echoed from further down the courtyard, boots on stone.

Kay hissed, eyes widening with feigned panic. He glared at the spy team. ”Faster! Patrol’s coming!”

The spies hurried inside. Kay slipped in last and relocked the door behind them.

”What now? They must’ve heard us,” one spy whispered.

The leader turned to Kay. ”What do we do?”

Kay’s voice was calm, steady. ”We go in, get what we came for, and I’ll show you the way out. Follow me.”

Once they inside, Kay suddenly smirked.

Then a voice echoed from the shadows.

”Hmm? Who are you all? How did you get in here?”

A large man stepped into the dim light. Broad jaw, clean-shaven, with thick fake lashes and prominent lips. His muscular frame filled out a tight tank top; a hairy chest peeked above the low neckline. Short, fitted pants and an imposing stance completed the look.

He peered down at them, a slow smile spreading.

”Oh my~ How did little kittens wander in here~”

He stepped forward.

The leader’s eyes widened. ”Everyone! Weapons ready!”

But when they tried to move, nothing. Their bodies stayed frozen.

”Wha?!” Panic flashed across the spies’ faces. ”What’s happening?!”

”Now, now~ Don’t be scared. I’m not here to hurt you, my little kittens~ I just don’t know how you opened that special magic lock...” Bernardita traced a thick finger along the leader’s frozen chin.

Then his eyes landed on Kay.

”My my~ What a handsome one~ Just my type.”

Bernardita moved toward him, reaching to touch Kay’s chin, but Kay swatted his hand away.

”Oi! Keep your hands to yourself, Bernand.”

Kay exhaled sharply. ”You forget who let you live?”

”Ahn~ Don’t call me that name. You’re being naughty, addressing a madam so rudely.”

Kay exhaled again, then jumped up and smacked Bernardita’s head.

”It’s me, you idiot!”

”Ouch!!” Bernard’s soft, lilting tone vanished, replaced by a deeper, rougher voice.

”Who the hell are you?!”

Kay exhaled, then flicked a finger, the illusion melted away, revealing Javier.

”P...Prince Javier! Forgive me!”

Javier dug a pinky into his ear casually. ”Man, you really need to work on your self-control. Did you forget the rule? No touching Armand citizens, and especially not the royal family.”

”A-ah! Is... is Lord Garius here?!” Bernard’s eyes widened in panic as he dropped to one knee.

”It’s King Garius now. Seriously, haven’t you heard? The coronation was broadcast everywhere.”

”I... I’ve been down here in the chamber, Prince Javier. The celebration’s been... loud.” Bernard kept his head bowed. ”I didn’t mean any disrespect, I didn’t recognize you in disguise! Please, forgive this lowly one.”

”How come you didn’t recognize the outfit I always wear?” Javier sighed, annoyed.

”You’re lucky I asked Father to spare you. You’d be swinging from the gallows if it weren’t for me. And you only got this job as Head Torturer because I allowed it.”

Bernard’s voice softened again.

”Ahn~ I love it when you scold me~”

”Ugh! Enough of that.” Javier’s eyes narrowed.

The leader’s eyes widened in realization. ”You tricked us!!”

”Hmm?” Javier glanced over, cool and calm. ”Of course. That’s what counter-intelligence is for, right? According to our intel, Master Heiden’s unit is supposed to be the best in the Human Kingdom, Kimar’s personal spies from the Royal Palace. But seeing how dumb his ’best’ are... I’m starting to doubt that intel was even accurate.”

”Excuse me, Prince Javier~” Bernard smiled slyly.

”Hmm?” Javier replied, digging in his ear with his pinky.

”Can you tell me why you brought them... here?”

”Ah, them?” Javier blew dust off his pinky. ”Father wants information extracted.”

”And you bring them... to me?” Bernard tilted his head, faux innocence in his tone. ”You know you could’ve taken them to the main base. They’d call me there if they needed... assistance.”

”Actually, I don’t think that would work.” Javier walked slowly toward the wall, examining a grim decorative set of restraints hanging there. ”They’d just fake whatever they thought we wanted to hear. Prison won’t scare them. The gallows won’t either.”

”So you chose to bring them... here?” Bernard’s gaze slid toward the frozen spies, a slow, dark smile spreading across his face.

”Yeah.” Javier kept his back to Bernard, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

”But pardon me, Prince Javier.” Bernard’s tone shifted slightly, more serious now. ”After that incident, you gave a standing order that no enemy was to be brought to my chambers. Ever.”

”Ah, that rule still stands,” Javier smirked. ”But after seeing your performance, your work extracting intel, your discipline toward our citizens, let’s just say I’ll allow it. This once.”

”Are you sure, Prince Javier?”

”Hmm? Yes. As long as you keep your loyalty and your promises to Armand.” He met Bernard’s gaze steadily. ”Father wants information from them, but real torture won’t break them. So make them... want to talk.”

Bernard’s smile grew slow, possessive.

”You know, Prince Javier... you’re sure you’re not making a mistake here? Once something belongs to Bernardita... there’s no taking it back. What’s mine is mine. And I’ve been good, no asking for gold reward or land, just doing my part.”

”Then they’ll be your responsibility.” Javier’s voice was calm, final. ”Write the report once you get what we need.”

A loud bang echoed from outside, the sound of armored boots halting at the entrance.

”Prince Javier! Open this door!!”

”Ah... that’ll be Captain Bargus. Anyway, I’m going.”

He walked slowly toward the main door.

The spy leader spoke, voice dripping with arrogance.

”You won’t get anything from us. Not even if you kill us.”

Javier stopped, glanced over his shoulder.

”Yeah... I know. That’s why I brought you to Bernardita here.” He gave a faint smirk. ”Don’t worry. You’ll volunteer to talk soon enough. Willingly.”

He turned toward Bernard. ”Well... Bernardita?”

”Yes, Prince Javier?” Bernard’s gaze slid over the spies, eyes glinting with a hungry, possessive gleam, like a collector seeing a new set of rare toys.

Javier’s voice dropped, calm and final.

”They’re all officially... yours.”

( End Of Chapter )