Reborn As Noble

”Well... me?” Marcellus grinned. ”I bet she’ll hug Father before he even gets the ring all the way on her finger.”

Cedric smirked. ”Yeah. She’s waited long enough.”

Javier was about to add his own guess when a soft vibration pulsed from the mana phone in his pocket. He pulled it out, his gaze locking on the screen.

”Oh? Little brother, is that your new invention?” Marcellus leaned in, rubbing his chin as he studied the device.

”Yeah, kind of.” Javier shrugged, his attention fixed on the display.

”It looks cool. And you didn’t make one for each of us?” Cedric said, peering over.

”Hey, it’s still a prototype. I haven’t finalized it yet.”

”Then why’d you pull it out? Just to show off?” Marcellus asked.

Javier stood up, his expression shifting. ”Can you promise me something?”

”Hmm?” Cedric glanced up. ”What?”

”Keep everyone safe. Stay alert. But whatever happens, make sure the wedding isn’t interrupted. Don’t let anyone panic.”

”Why? What’s wrong?”

Javier looked at the phone one last time before sliding it back into his pocket. He snapped his fingers, opened his dimensional storage, and pulled out his mana glasses.

He slid them on, his face calm and serious. ”I’m going to check on something.”

”Hey... Father told us not to leave the estate.”

”I know. That’s why I’m going to tell him first.” Javier met their worried looks. ”You two make sure the ceremony runs smoothly. If Father tries to postpone this wedding again, Mylezra will be furious... and Mother will be heartbroken.”

”Hmm... okay. But what are you going to do? Is this a threat?”Marcellus asked, already rising to his feet.

”No... I don’t know yet. That’s why I need to look.”

Javier walked away without looking back. Cedric and Marcellus exchanged a glance.

They both slid their mana talkies into their ears.

Marcellus tapped his device, his voice low and sharp. ”All mage units, check the perimeter. Go to standby and prepare countermeasures. Now.”

Cedric tapped his own device, connecting to his command channel. ”All units, synchronize with Prince Marcellus’s mages and the Armand Elite Guard. Coordinate with the battle maid corps. Maintain full readiness. Do not disrupt the ceremony.”

Meanwhile, Javier had already moved away from the wedding area.

”Buddy?” he called out.

”Cuquawkedddd!!!”

From across the courtyard, the large orange Pekko rushed toward him in a blur of feathers, skidding to a halt just in front of Javier.

Javier looked up and smiled. ”Buddy... we’ve got something urgent. Let’s go.”

”Cuquawked!”

Javier climbed onto Buddy’s back. ”Alright, Buddy. Full speed ahead.”

”Cuquawked!!!”

Buddy tensed to leap, but paused when a massive, golden Pekko stepped into view not far away. Giddie stood silently, his regal gaze fixed on them like a king observing subjects.

”Where are you going, Prince Javier?”

Javier glanced toward the voice. Alf was approaching with measured steps, one hand resting neatly behind his back, the other thoughtfully touching his chin as he stopped a few paces away.

”Ah, Alf. Sorry, but this matter is urgent.”

Alf’s hand fell from his chin as he looked up at Javier, his expression unreadable. ”Is it more important than your father’s wedding?”

”I can’t really explain it, Alf. But...”

Alf cleared his throat softly. ”If this is about the mysterious individuals appearing near the estate, you need not worry, Prince Javier. The leaders of the shadow unit are already in motion. General Hesbeirn and the veteran squad have also been deployed.”

”No, Alf. The monitoring system is showing them everywhere, ot just north and south, but east and west too.”

”Yes, Prince Javier. I am aware.” Alf’s voice remained calm, almost tranquil. ”That is why His Majesty has already deployed the... other unit to secure all four quadrants.”

”I’m sorry, Alf. But I sent my scout drone closer, and that’s no real person at all. It’s more like a phantom... or what I’d call a hologram.”

”Hmm. Intriguing. I observed the same, Prince Javier.” Alf’s tone was measured. ”That is precisely why the investigation units dispatched are our very best. I would personally oversee it, but His Majesty is here, and my foremost duty is his safety.”

Javier exhaled, his grip tightening on Buddy’s reins. ”I have to go, Alf. I noticed something... off. A pattern in the signal, like a glitch. I need to see it up close.”

”Prince Javier.” Alf’s voice was firm, his calm finally giving way to direct command. ”Do not be reckless. Even if you are the strongest among your siblings, that does not mean you should charge toward an unknown entity without proper intelligence. Let the units do their job.”

Javier exhaled, raising his hands in a gesture of defeat. ”Fine, fine... but at least let me send my special puppet knights to the location.”

”Hmm... very well.” Alf nodded, his posture unchanged, one hand behind his back, the other resting thoughtfully on his chin as he watched Javier still seated atop Buddy.

”Ugh! Alf... you don’t trust me?”

”It is not a matter of trust, Prince Javier. Your father’s order is absolute. My duty is to ensure none of his family is exposed to unnecessary risk.”

Javier sighed, then climbed down from Buddy’s back. With a snap of his fingers, he opened his dimensional storage and pulled out a massive slab of meat, tossing it into the air.

”Cuquawked!” Buddy’s eyes went wide. He snatched the meat mid-air and gulped it down in one swift motion.

”Sorry, Buddy. We can’t go after all. Go back to Pikko and the others.”

”Now, let us return to the wedding area, Prince Javier.” Alf said, and with a soft snap of his fingers, the air beside him shimmered.

Five maids materialized from the ripple in space, their faces covered by elegant, half-veiled masks that left only their eyes visible. They stood with perfect, silent poise.

”Sir Alf,” the one nearest him bowed slightly.

”His Majesty’s command. Escort the prince and ensure he does not slip away from the estate.”

”As you command, Sir Alf.”

”A...Alf!” Javier’s eyes went wide. ”Y...you know Liana and Gloria will be furious if my escorts are girls.”

Alf turned to face him fully, a faint, knowing tilt to his brow. ”Hmm? You need not worry. Liana and Gloria are fully aware of who they are.” His tone was dry, almost amused. ”And rest assured, Prince Javier. These maids are all already married.”

( End Of Chapter )