Reborn As Noble

Meanwhile.

Few minutes earlier.

Heres arrived at the Armand Forward Base, a temporary military encampment set up on a vast plain just inside Armand’s northern border. The towering Northern Armand Border Wall loomed in the distance, a massive, modern fortification stretching as far as the eye could see, a testament to Armand’s engineering and magical prowess.

Heres rode at the head of a column of Armand Special Operations Units and several high-ranking officers, all mounted on their pekko. The soldiers guarding the main entrance of the base snapped to attention the moment they recognized him, saluting with their fists pressed firmly against their left chests and bowing their heads in unison.

”Prince Heres! Welcome to the forward base!”

Heres climbed down from his pekko, patting its neck gently before turning to face the assembled soldiers. He raised his palm in a calm, reassuring gesture, a warm smile spreading across his face.

”At ease, everyone. Thank you for your hard work.”

One of the high-ranking female officers stepped forward to greet him. She was strikingly beautiful, with sharp, intelligent eyes framed by a pair of sleek glasses perched neatly on her nose. Her dark hair was tied in a sharp high ponytail that swayed with each precise step.

Her face was composed and serious, her posture rigid with discipline. She wore the official female officer uniform, a tailored black coat with silver trim that hugged her figure, and fitted black trousers that accentuated her long legs. Her breasts were full and firm, bouncing slightly with each deliberate stride.

She stopped before Heres, placing her palm flat against her left chest and bowing with one hand straight at her side, her voice crisp and formal.

”Your Highness. Welcome to the forward base. I trust your journey was uneventful?”

Heres smiled warmly, his tone light and familiar. ”Ah... Falme. Serious as always, I see. You could at least smile a little, you know? We’re not in a formal ceremony.”

Falme straightened, her expression unchanged. ”With all due respect, Your Highness, this is a time for duty. Formality and discipline are essential to maintaining order and efficiency.”

Heres let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. ”You really are one of Mrs. Erinette’s finest, aren’t you? All of you female officers and battle maids who trained under her, you’re all the same. Strict, disciplined, never a hair out of place. Sometimes I wonder if she carved you all from the same block of ice.”

Falme nodded, a faint hint of pride flickering in her eyes. She nudged her glasses up before speaking, her voice steady and reverent.

”Mrs. Erinette is a model of excellence. Her teachings emphasize not only etiquette and regulation but also the importance of serving the greatest family in this world. She taught us that to serve the Armand family is not merely a duty, but an honor that must be upheld with unwavering dedication. Every regulation, every protocol, every rule of etiquette exists to ensure that we reflect the greatness of the family we serve.”

She paused, her gaze steady and sincere.

”Mrs. Erinette always says that discipline is not about restriction. It is about respect. Respect for ourselves, respect for our duties, and above all, respect for the Armand family, who have never once treated us as mere servants. They see us as people. They care for our well-being, our families, our futures. That is why we hold ourselves to such rigorous standards. Because a family that gives so much to its people deserves nothing less than our absolute best in return.”

Her voice softened slightly, but her conviction remained firm.

”The Armand family cares not only for their people but for every soul under their protection. It is an honor to serve under such a household, and we carry that honor with discipline and pride.”

Heres’s smile softened, a genuine warmth flickering in his eyes. ”She really did teach you well.”

Falme bowed her head slightly. ”I am proud to be one of her students, Your Highness.”

Heres chuckled before handing Falme the thick document. ”Hold this for me, Falme.”

Falme accepted it, hugging the document securely against her chest before nodding crisply. ”As you command, Your Highness.”

She fell into step beside him as Heres began walking with both hands clasped behind his back, followed by several Armand officers.

”So, Falme?”

”Yes, Your Highness?”

”Where are the last heirs of the Lurghen Household now?”

Falme’s voice remained composed and professional. ”After our special units safely escorted them to this forward base, following their rescue by you, Your Highness, they are currently resting in the guest wing of the camp. My personnel are attending to their needs. We also managed to save several of their loyal officers and soldiers. They are currently being treated by the Armand healers in the medical units.”

Heres nodded, a faint flicker of confusion crossing his face at the mention of ”rescued by you,” but he kept walking, offering a warm smile and a raised palm to the soldiers who stopped to salute him along the way.

Several female units nearby smiled and waved at him, their cheeks slightly flushed. Falme’s eyes narrowed behind her glasses, and she shot them a sharp glare that made them quickly avert their gaze and return to their duties.

She nudged her glasses up before continuing. ”The Armand Estate has already informed us about the meeting. We have prepared a suitable location for the discussions, and I have already sent word to the heirs to inform them of the schedule.”

Heres smiled softly, a thoughtful expression on his face. ”The efficiency of Armand Special Operations and all Armand personnel is truly remarkable... not only rescuing the Lurghen heirs but also securing their loyal officers and soldiers...”

He turned to Falme, his tone curious. ”But, Falme?”

”Yes, Your Highness?”

Heres stopped walking, turning to face her with a puzzled expression. ”I’m a bit confused when you mentioned they were rescued by me. What did you mean by that?”

He rubbed his chin, glancing up toward the sky. ”And why wasn’t I informed about them by the Armand Estate or my father beforehand? What’s even stranger is little brother’s simulation...”

Just as Falme was about to explain, the sound of excited, graceful footsteps echoed through the camp. Everyone turned to see a beautiful young woman in a flowing noble dress running toward them, her hair bouncing with each step.

The moment she reached Heres, she threw her arms around him, burying her face against his chest. Heres froze, both arms raised awkwardly in the air, completely confused.

”Thank you for saving us yesterday!” Emeline’s voice was muffled against his chest before she suddenly realized what she was doing. She abruptly pulled back, her cheeks flushed crimson, fidgeting as she composed herself and clasped both hands in front of her dress.

She bowed deeply, her voice trembling with gratitude and shyness. ”You were so brave and decisive... I was surprised to learn that our savior was the charming and handsome Prince of Armand. I... I didn’t expect to see you again so soon...”

She twirled her body slightly left and right, raising one finger to her lower lip and biting it softly before averting her eyes. Her voice dropped into a shy, hopeful mumble.

”Um... did you... did you really mean what you said yesterday...?”

Heres blinked, completely lost. ”W... what?”

( End Of Chapter )