Reborn As Noble

They all headed out from the manor, walking toward the Main Throne Hall.

”Alf?” Javier said while glancing at the main throne hall building not too far ahead.

”Yes, Prince Javier?” Alf said while continuing to walk.

”Why are we going from the front? You know we can just go from the back, it’s faster, and from there we can easily head straight to the main throne room.”

”Hmm... regarding that, Prince Javier. You will not be waiting or working in the throne room today. You will be attending as the official representative of the Armand crown.”

”Huh? What do you mean, Alf?” Javier’s confusion deepened.

”Lady Kayra... the one you ordered our naval base to rescue... is from the Tybalt region, and you are aware of the situation there.” Alf’s tone remained steady. ”Since she has requested an audience with His Majesty, and His Majesty has decided to let you handle this matter... you will be the one to receive her petition and hear her plea.”

”Ehhh!?” Javier’s eyes widened. ”No way, Alf! I’m not the ruler of Armand, and I’m not ready for that kind of responsibility yet!”

Alf just looked calmly at Javier.

”No. If your father has already said it, and your mother recommended it, this means you are ready for this.”

”Nooo!!!” Javier tried to bolt, but Alf’s hand closed on his collar effortlessly. ”Alf! Let go!”

”Prince Javier, please stop struggling. Besides, the tricks you use on Liana and the others don’t work on me, and you already know that.” Alf said calmly.

”Alf! This audience thing is huge for me! There’s no way I can do this. You know that responsibility belongs to Father. Father is the only one who can decide on matters like this! We should have a council meeting like we did during the Arjam intervention before!” Javier wriggled, but couldn’t break free.

”Prince Javier. Please conduct yourself as befits a prince of Armand.” Alf exhaled, adjusting his glasses.

”No! I don’t want to take responsibility for something this big! Deciding whether to intervene in another region’s war, whether to send troops, whether to risk Armand’s neutrality, that’s Father’s call! That’s why we have the council! That’s why we have protocols!” Javier tried again to run but still failed. ”That thing requires Father’s decision, not mine! I’m just the heir, not the king!”

”Prince Javier,” Alf said, his voice steady but firm. ”That is precisely why you must do this. Your father has borne every burden, made every hard choice, for decades. Now he is testing you, not to see if you will make the same choices he would, but to see if you can make a choice at all. To see if you understand what it means to lead, to weigh lives against strategy, mercy against security.”

His grip remained firm.

”And your mother... she would not have suggested this if she did not believe you were ready. She sees in you what your father sees. What I see. The boy who saved two sisters from the street is still there. The young man who stayed up all night to track a sinking ship is still there. That is the heart that must now learn to rule.”

Alf met Javier’s panicked gaze.

”Now. You may walk to the throne hall with dignity, or I will carry you. The choice is yours, Prince Javier.”

”Ugh!” Javier exhaled in defeat. ”Fine.” He grumbled.

”Good.” Alf slowly released his collar and regarded him calmly. ”Now, if you please. I believe Lady Kayra will be arriving at the estate shortly.” He gestured for Javier to lead.

”Man...” Javier grumbled again, glaring over his shoulder when he saw Liana giggling while covering her lips with her palm. ”Guh! You really love seeing me suffer, don’t you, Liana?”

”Young master~ I don’t know what you mean,” Liana replied, her sweetest smile in place. ”I would never want to see you suffer. I’m only... admiring how responsible you’ve become.”

”Ugh!” Javier trudged ahead, mumbling under his breath. ”All because Father wants to test me. Mother thinks it’s a good idea. Alf’s just following orders. And Liana’s enjoying the show...”

He kicked a small pebble, sending it skittering down the path. ”Why me? Why now? Couldn’t they wait until I was actually on the throne?”

He glanced back at Alf. ”You’re sure Father won’t step in if I mess this up?”

”His Majesty will be observing, Prince Javier. But the decision and its consequences, will be yours to bear.”

”Great. Just great... I’m cleaning my own mess before I even make it.” Javier sighed, running a hand through his hair. ”And what if I say no? What if I decide Armand shouldn’t get involved?”

”Then you will have made a decision, Prince Javier. One that will define how Tybalt sees Armand, how our allies see us, and how you see yourself as a future ruler.”

Javier fell quiet, his playful defiance fading into something more somber. ”Yeah... I guess that’s the point, isn’t it?”

He straightened his shoulders slightly. ”Alright. Let’s get this over with.”

Meanwhile.

Just beyond the Armand border wall.

Kayra held her daughter close with one arm while her other hand gripped the carriage’s interior handle. Cliff braced himself against the opposite side, knuckles white.

”I... I can’t believe how fast a Pekko-drawn carriage can move.”

She leaned forward slightly, peering through the small window toward the front where the driver sat. The man looked completely at ease, one hand resting lightly on the reins, the other propped casually against his thigh.

How can he be so calm at this speed?

And the massive bird pulling them didn’t seem burdened or tired in the slightest. Its head was held high, feathers rippling smoothly in the wind, its stride powerful and almost eager.

That monster bird looks... excited.

She glanced out the window again and saw Gilmon riding his own Pekko alongside the carriage. He was leaned back in the saddle, one arm draped loosely, chatting with another escorting soldier as if they were on a casual morning ride.

And she heard the rhythmic, spirited squawking of the Pekkos.

”Cuquawked~”

”Cuquawked!”

”Cuquaaaaaawked!”

Outside, the world blurred into streaks of green and brown. Trees, fields, distant hills all smearing past too fast to distinguish. The wind roared against the carriage frame, and the ground vibrated with the thrilling, raw speed of the creatures surging forward.

( End Of Chapter )