Reborn As Noble

Meanwhile.

Armand Island Dock.

Hesbeirn stood with his arms crossed, several Armand royal guards lined up on both sides of the gangplank. He let out a weary exhale the moment the warship’s gangplank lowered.

A beautiful catgirl stepped onto the dock. Her long, flowing hair caught the afternoon light, cascading past her shoulders in waves of deep, rich color. Her dress was elegant and regal, fitted perfectly to her figure, her full breasts bouncing gently with each hurried step.

Her face was beautiful, sharp, and dignified, but pure annoyance was written across every line of it. Her brow was furrowed, her lips pressed thin, her eyes burning with frustration.

Hesbeirn placed his fist over his left chest and bowed slightly. The Armand royal guards followed his lead.

”Welcome, Your Majesty, Queen of the Beastkin Empire.”

”Hush, Hesbeirn.”

The Queen crossed her arms in front of him, her tail bristling behind her.

”Save the formality. I’m not in the mood for it.”

She stared up at him, her eyes sharp.

”Is Lioness here?”

Hesbeirn nodded.

”Yes. His Majesty King Lioness is in the main hall. He’s been feasting with King Veldrac and the others since he arrived.”

The Queen let out a frustrated grumble.

”Did anyone inform Lioness that I’m arriving?”

Hesbeirn chuckled and shook his head.

”Not yet, Your Majesty. We only informed the Sovereign about your arrival. As per your instructions.”

Her face turned serious.

”Good. How dare that brute leave me alone to handle those gossiping noblewomen. He slipped away while I was busy with the council, and now he’s here, feasting and having fun, while I had to deal with their endless chatter and scheming.”

Hesbeirn shook his head and let out a soft laugh.

”Still never change, huh, Thalia?”

Thalia pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a sharp exhale.

”The one who never changes is Lioness!”

Hesbeirn turned his face away with a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his head.

She crossed her arms, her tail bristling behind her.

”Now show me the way. And don’t even think about informing Lioness I’m here.”

”Yeah, yeah.”

Hesbeirn turned and walked first, Thalia following behind him. Her attendants and beastkin maids fell into step behind her, and squads of Beastkin Royal Guards moved to join them, immediately exchanging handshakes with the Armand Royal Guards.

Thalia paused mid-step and glared at her royal guards.

”Handshakes later. Now move.”

All the Beastkin royal guards and Armand royal guards flinched, snapped to attention, and saluted.

”Yes, Your Majesty!”

After Hesbeirn moved ahead with Thalia and her attendants, three figures appeared at the top of the gangplank.

Lograc stumbled down the gangplank first, his face pale, one hand pressed against his stomach.

Kevira appeared beside him, blinking slowly, his hair still mussed from sleep.

Kezzoth followed last, scratching his head and yawning widely.

”What a nice nap...”

The three of them glanced around, noticing only their attendants behind them, along with a few Armand naval officers and Armand royal guards who had been waiting at the dock.

Then they spotted their mother in the distance, already walking away with Hesbeirn.

”Eh?”

Lograc stared after her, his voice thin and weak.

”Did Mother just leave us?”

Kezzoth shrugged, then yawned again, his eyes lazy and half-lidded, his tail swaying slowly behind him.

”Maybe.” He glanced toward where their mother had disappeared. ”She was pretty furious when we boarded.. I don’t think she noticed we were still down here.”

Kevira glanced toward the Armand officers standing nearby.

”Errr... so... what now?”

One of the Armand officers stepped forward with a slight bow and a polite smile.

”If Your Highnesses would allow us, we will escort you to your assigned villa. Your belongings will be delivered shortly. If you require anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask.”

Kevira smiled.

”Please, lead the way.”

Just as they were about to move, Lograc stopped, his gaze drifting toward the water. Another Armand warship was cutting through the waves, approaching the island from the east.

Kevira glanced at the Armand officer.

The officer smiled.

”That vessel is carrying the delegation from the Elven Nation. Several members of the Elven royal family have arrived to attend the vacation, along with their escorts.”

”Oh...”

Kevira nodded, then glanced toward his brothers.

”Looks like this vacation is going to be a lively one.”

Kezzoth smiled and nodded.

”Mm. The more the merrier. I’m sure Father will be thrilled. More people to drink with.”

The three of them walked down the gangplank and stopped as four figures approached from the distance, escorted by Armand maids, with Armand Royal Guards trailing at a distance.

Marcellus raised his hand in greeting from afar.

The three Beastkin brothers smiled.

”Looks like all the Armand princes are coming to greet us.”

Meanwhile, in the villa’s main hall.

”Nyaaaa!”

Mimi hissed, her tail bristling. She stood in the doorway, glaring at her father, who was already drunk, his arm slung shoulder-to-shoulder with Veldrac, a wine bottle dangling from his hand, his cheeks flushed red.

Lioness turned at the sound of her voice, his grin widening, his tail swaying in delight. His voice boomed across the hall.

”Mimi! Come to papa~!”

Mimi ran toward him. Lioness spread his arms wide.

She leaped and brought her leg down in a sharp downward kick, the heel of her foot landing squarely on his head. He went down flat against the floor with a heavy thud. Mimi landed lightly beside him, tail lashing, hissing under her breath.

”You’re already drunk! It’s barely dinnertime and you’re already drunk! What kind of king gets drunk before the sun even sets?!”

Lioness pushed himself up in a single swift motion, then struck a pose, flexing both arms, his muscles bulging.

”Good kick!” He gave her a thumbs up, his voice still booming. ”That’s my baby girl! Leaving you in Armand was the best decision I ever made! You’ve gotten stronger, Mimi! Much stronger!”

He pulled his top off in one motion, tossing it aside, and flexed again, his chest and arms swelling with thick muscle.

”Soon, you’ll be as strong as me! Bwahahaha!”

( End Of Chapter )