Reborn As Noble

Javier shook his head with a soft chuckle as Mahira gracefully poured another cup of coffee for him.

He glanced up at Mahira with a warm smile. ”Congratulations on ranking up to 4th place in the single category. Moving from 8th to 4th is quite the leap.”

Mahira offered a polite, graceful bow, though a faint blush touched her cheeks. ”Thank you, Your Highness. Though I must admit, I still have a long way to go to match the popularity of Erisa, Liana, or Gloria. Their presence is... rather formidable.”

Javier smiled, appreciating her humility. ”The voting isn’t over yet, Mahira. The final results won’t be published until after Prince Aelius and Princess Athine’s wedding. There’s still time for things to shift.”

He then turned his gaze toward Varrick, his expression shifting to one of amused disbelief. ”Still, I can’t believe your mother is ranked number one in the partnered category. By a huge margin, no less. And here I thought her ’strict head maid’ persona would scare off the voters.”

Varrick maintained his composed smile, though a flicker of pride showed in his eyes. ”Those who have seen her true appearance understand, Your Highness. And as you know, my mother’s dedication and grace have earned her deep respect... even admiration... from the entire staff.”

Javier smirked. ”Yeah, I agree. I saw her once when she wasn’t in her full disguise... or was it only partial?” He glanced up and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ”I believe it was during my graduation from the Noble Academy when I was eleven. She attended as the Armand family’s official representative.”

Varrick smiled, a knowing look in his eyes. ”That was indeed her with a partial disguise, Your Highness. Enough to appear appropriately mature for the role, but not enough to completely hide her... natural features.”

Javier chuckled softly. ”Even with that, her presence was striking. A youthful elegance, wrapped in that strict head maid demeanor. No wonder your father, Alf, has remained so devoted to her all these years. It’s not just her beauty, it’s her strength, her grace.”

Varrick nodded, his expression softening with genuine pride. ”My mother is... extraordinary in every sense. Though, if I may share, she did mention recently that she wishes to withdraw from the ’contest.’ She feels it might be unfair to the others, given her... unique circumstances and position.”

”Anyway, thank you all again for the hard work,” Javier said, his tone warm and appreciative. ”You may all take a full rest from any further duties today. Consider yourselves officially off-duty until tomorrow morning. And if anyone asks, tell them I gave the order. Tomorrow will be a busy day with my brothers’ and half-brothers’ marriages, so rest well while you can.”

”As you command, Your Highness,” they all replied in unison, bowing respectfully before gathering their things.

Javier smiled, picking up the cup of coffee Mahira had poured for him. ”I’ll finish this coffee first, since Mahira was kind enough to prepare it. It would be a shame to let it go to waste.”

Mahira smiled softly and nodded, tidying the remaining items on the table. The others slowly stood, placed their palms over their left chests, and bowed once more before quietly filing out of the office, leaving only Javier, Mahira, and the invisible presence of the shadow leader’s assistant.

Javier glanced toward the empty space where the assistant stood. ”You may both leave as well. I’ll be fine here.”

From the side, the shadow leader’s assistant spoke with respectful firmness. ”With all due respect, Your Highness, I cannot leave you unattended until you have left the office. It is protocol.”

Javier chuckled softly, taking another sip of his coffee. ”You don’t need to worry about that. You all know I’m not exactly defenseless. And this is my direct order, consider it an override. My father won’t hold it against you. Go and rest. That’s an order.”

There was a brief pause before the assistant spoke again. ”As you wish, Your Highness. Please remain vigilant.”

Mahira offered a graceful smile. ”If you’ll excuse me, Your Highness. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve. I wish you a pleasant evening.”

Mahira and the shadow leader’s assistant gave a final respectful bow, placed their palms over their left chests, and stepped back, leaving the room as the door closed softly behind them.

Javier leaned back in his chair.

Direct order, huh? Override, huh?

Crap...

If Father hears I smugly pulled rank like that, he’ll happily ’invite’ me to another ’practice duel’ in the training yard. Probably with that ’I’m so proud of you, now let me teach you some humility’ look on his face.

He smiled softly, glancing around the now-empty office.

Well... two days of hard work. Even if I hate paperwork, it’s done.

Javier chuckled, sipped the last of his coffee, and stood up. He carried the cup over to the small, polished tray set aside for used dishes, where the household maids would collect them later.

He stretched his body, feeling the satisfying pull in his muscles after hours of sitting.

Hmm...

Now what should I do?

Since I’m free from this stressful paperwork now. Father will take over tomorrow, and I’m sure he’ll be his usual serious self again, with that intimidating aura of his.

A playful grin spread across his face.

I wonder how his future grandchildren will see him. Ehehehe~

He glanced around the empty office, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.

Satisfied he was truly alone, his expression shifted.

He straightened his posture, clasped his hands firmly behind his back, puffed out his chest slightly, and schooled his features into a perfect imitation of his father’s stern, unyielding gaze. He looked down at an imaginary group of children.

Marcellus’s, Cedric’s, Heres’s, and Aelius’s future little ones.

His voice dropped into a low, authoritative rumble, dripping with noble severity.

”Do you think this is a playground? This is the Armand estate. You will conduct yourselves with the dignity your blood demands.” He let his voice drop into a low regal authority. ”You there. Stand straight. An Armand does not slouch. Shoulders back. Chin up. Eyes forward. Are you a soldier or a sack of potatoes?”

He stopped, glaring at an invisible child. ”And you. I heard you neglected your history studies to play with the pekko for an extra thirty minutes. Unacceptable. The history of our nation is the foundation of your future. Without it, you are a ship without a rudder, drifting toward the rocks of ignorance.”

He resumed pacing, his tone becoming a lecture. ”Remember your conduct. In public, you are not just children. You are Armands. Every word, every gesture, every glance is observed and judged. Your posture must speak of confidence, not arrogance. Your speech must be clear, respectful, and measured. You do not run in the halls; you walk with purpose. You do not shout; you speak with conviction.”

He paused, turning sharply as if catching another child fidgeting. ”Royal etiquette is not a suggestion. It is the armor that protects our dignity and the glue that binds our society. Now, all of you! to the library. I expect a ten-page essay on the principles of Armand leadership by supper. Dismissed.”

He held the pose for a second longer before his shoulders shook. A snort escaped him, then a full, boyish laugh as he dropped the act, clutching his stomach.

”Pfft...ahaha! Oh man, their faces would be priceless!” He wiped a tear from his eye, his laughter echoing softly in the quiet room. ”Poor future nieces and nephews... you’re gonna have the strictest grandpa in the whole kingdom.”

( End Of Chapter )