Reborn As Noble

Meanwhile.

On the Armand Private Island.

Alf stood near the window of the villa, one hand resting behind his back, the other holding a cup of tea. His mana talkie hummed softly in his ear, the voice on the other end crisp and formal. He listened in silence, his expression calm and unreadable, and nodded once.

”You’re sure she’s coming?”

He set the teacup down on the windowsill, then adjusted the cuff of his glove, smoothing the fabric back into place. Behind him, Erinette was adjusting the straps of her maid dress, smoothing the folds of the skirt and fixing the collar.

Alf tapped his mana talkie again, his voice calm and measured.

”Mm. I’ll inform His Majesty personally.”

He tapped the talkie, ending the call. Erinette stepped closer and helped adjust his collar, her fingers brushing the fabric into place.

”Dear?”

”Hmm? Yes, honey?”

”Another trouble?”

”Yeah...” Alf let out a quiet exhale. ”Nyxara is already boarding the Armand warship. The vessel is about to set sail for the island. She’s with the escort, disguised. Lioness and Veldrac are both with her. There’s no way to turn her back now.”

”Ah~...” Erinette smiled softly, her voice carrying a knowing tone. ”That means... trouble for our Sovereign.”

”Mm.” Alf nodded once. ”I’m going to inform His Majesty right now, before she arrives.”

He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Erinette’s lips. When he pulled back, his voice dropped into something quieter, more sincere.

”Both of us have duties. You know what needs to be done. Ensure the maids are ready. The feast is prepared. The guest villas are clean and fully stocked. Everything must be perfect. And I’ll inform the officers on duty to be ready at the dock to receive our guests when they arrive.”

Erinette smiled, then reached up and smoothed the front of his coat, her hands running lightly over his chest and sides. Her fingers paused briefly over the concealed blade strapped beneath his coat, the compact mana pistol at his hip, and the thin wire coiled at his belt.

She looked up at him, her smile warm but knowing.

”You’re prepared, as always.”

”Mm.”

”Go to His Majesty. I’ll handle the rest.”

Alf nodded once, gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and turned to walk down the corridor toward Garius’s room.

He arrived at Garius’s room. The soldiers stationed nearby snapped to attention, placing their palms over their left chest and bowing.

”Sir Alf.”

Alf nodded once, one hand resting behind his back. He glanced at the nearest soldier.

”Has His Majesty left the room?”

”No, Sir Alf. His Majesty has not left the room. He’s been inside with the Queens all afternoon.”

”Mm.”

Alf gestured with a slight tilt of his head.

”Continue your duty.”

”Yes, Sir Alf.”

He walked toward the door and paused. From inside, he could hear a soft giggle, followed by a muffled laugh. He cleared his throat and knocked firmly on the door.

”Your Majesty.”

The knocking stopped the sound inside. A moment of silence. Then footsteps approached, and the door opened a crack. Garius’s head peeked out.

”Yes, Alf?”

Alf lowered his voice, speaking in a quiet, measured tone.

”Your Majesty. There is a matter that requires your attention.”

”Hmm? What do you mean by that?”

Alf leaned in slightly, his voice dropping even lower.

”Nyxara... Your Majesty.”

Garius’s eyes widened for a brief moment. Then his expression settled back into his usual calm, serious mask. He nodded once.

”Wait for me.”

He closed the door. Alf heard the rush of footsteps from inside, followed by Garius’s voice.

”Garcinia... where are my clothes?”

”Dear? Where are you going?”

”Phenelopie... my pants... ah! Eridith, I... I have an important matter right now. We’ll continue later, okay?”

Alf smiled faintly and shook his head, listening to the chaos from the other side of the door. Then Mylezra’s voice cut through, carrying a note of protest.

”Mou! I didn’t get my turn yet!”

”A... ah... I’m sorry, Mylezra. I’ll make it up to you later, okay? Okay?”

Alf stepped to the side, giving way. The door swung open, and Garius emerged, his shirt half-buttoned, his belt still loose, his hair slightly disheveled. He was already walking, his stride long and quick, his voice carrying the tone of a man who was absolutely not in a rush.

”L... let’s go, Alf. We have important matters to attend to!”

Alf smiled and nodded.

”Yes, Your Majesty.”

From inside the room, Eridith puffed her cheek and tried to chase after Garius, but she stopped at the doorway and looked at Alf.

”Why is Garius in such a rush?”

Alf adjusted his glasses and smiled at Eridith, then at Mylezra, who approached from behind her, followed by Garcinia and Phenelopie. He adjusted his cuff and spoke in a low, even voice.

”Nyxara.”

He turned and walked down the hallway, following Garius, who was already several steps ahead.

Mylezra’s eyes narrowed. Eridith’s expression turned serious. They both glanced at each other and exhaled.

”Looks like we should prepare... Mylezra.”

”Yeah...”

Meanwhile.

On a certain part of the island.

”Cuquawkeddddd!!!” (Oi!!)

Buddy glanced up from the ground, his eyes narrowing at Javier, who was perched on the top branch of the tall tree, munching on one of the glowing fruits with lazy satisfaction. Juice dripped from the corner of his mouth as he glanced down at Buddy.

”What? Oh~ Chill, Buddy. I just tasted one. Come on.”

Buddy narrowed his eyes further, his feathers ruffling as he let out a sharp protest.

”Cuquawked, cuquawked!” (Stop eating and start plucking the ripe fruits! Put them in the basket and store them in your dimensional storage!)

Javier glanced down at him, eyes narrowing, before he plucked another ripe fruit from the branch and tossed it toward Buddy. Buddy opened his beak wide and gulped the fruit down with a single snap, then flapped his wings twice and squawked in delight.

”Cuquawked~” (Delicious~)

Buddy paused. He blinked once. Twice. Then his eyes widened, and he squawked again, his feathers bristling.

”Cuquawked!” (Hey! Don’t trick me with just one fruit! Gather the fruits fast! If my father finds out about this fruit, he won’t let me have any! He’ll take the whole stash for himself!)

”Alright, alright. Jeez. Chill down a bit.”

”Cuquawked!” (Don’t use magic to pluck it! This fruit is special! It will wither the moment you use magic to pluck it out. Use your hand!)

”I know! Ugh! I’m not that dumb!”

Javier bit into the fruit, holding it between his teeth, and began plucking the ripe glowing fruits with his hands, dropping them one by one into the basket below. He mumbled in a muffled voice, the fruit still in his mouth.

”Can’t believe this island has special fruit like this~ Lucky~”

( End Of Chapter )