Reborn As Noble

Chapter 18 More Than Just a Maid ( 18 )

”Mama! Let me buy that Pekko!” Javier pleaded with a cheeky grin, practically bouncing with excitement.

Francesca, seated gracefully in her chair, pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance. ”No! You snuck out of the manor without telling anyone, causing a fuss, and now you want something completely inappropriate for a noble like you!” She let out a deep sigh. ”What am I going to tell your father about this, hmm?”

Javier leaned forward with a charming smile. ”Mama, just this once, okay? Please?”

Francesca gave him a firm look. ”No! If you want to ride, we have perfectly good horses ready for you. Horses are dignified and suitable for someone of your status. Why on earth do you want those strange birds?”

”Horses are boring, Mama! The Pekko is way cooler!” Javier whined, trying to spark her sense of adventure.

Francescaʼs patience was wearing thin. ”Absolutely not! And stop arguing.”

Knowing he wasnʼt going to win this one, Javier huffed and stood up. ”Tch, fine!” He stomped off toward his room.

But once he was out of sight, his mischievous grin returned. Ehehehe… If Mama wonʼt buy it, Iʼll just find the gold myself. Who needs permission when I can get it on my own? Ehehehehe...

Meanwhile...

Outside the big house, the sounds of swords clanging filled the training yard as Marcellus and Cedric practiced hard, moving quickly and skillfully.

”Do you think you can beat me?!” Marcellus teased, striking powerfully while being careful.

Cedric smiled and sidestepped. ”Letʼs see if you can catch me!” He quickly jabbed with his sword, but Marcellus blocked it and retaliated with a spinning kick.

Their fight was full of energy, mixing attacks and defenses with quick moves and occasional punches and kicks. Meira and Lithia watched from a distance, cheering lightly whenever one of the brothers pulled off a good move.

Javier walked toward the training yard, keeping an eye on them. He frowned when he saw Meira and Lithia standing proudly with his brothers.

Damn it, he thought, feeling annoyed. They look so happy being with my brothers. Those were my maids first!

He leaned against a tree with his arms crossed, watching the fight. Soon, he lost interest. Their moves were predictable and boring. Javier sighed loudly. What are they doing? Just fighting like the trainers told them? So dull.

Marcellus and Cedric noticed him and paused their sparring. A smirk spread across Marcellusʼs face as he pointed his sword at Javier.

”Look whoʼs here! Our useless little brother,” Marcellus said mockingly.

Cedric laughed. ”No wonder he only has one maid. Poor Liana must be tired dealing with someone like you!”

”How can you be so lazy, Javier?” Marcellus added loudly. ”At this rate, even your step-siblings will be better than you!”

Their laughter echoed across the training yard, but Javier just smiled and stayed calm.

”Uh… Iʼm… going… now...” he pretended to say nervously, scratching the back of his head and shuffling away as his brothers kept laughing.

But inside, he was really smiling. Why should I show them anything? Let them think Iʼm useless. Itʼs better this way! Ehehehe…

As he walked off, he started looking around. ”Whereʼs Liana?” he muttered.

The thought of resting on her lap while she stroked his hair made him smile even more. He hurried his pace, eager to find her.

”Hmmm... where can I find 15-20 gold? Hunting monsters? Yeah, that should work. Tomorrow, Iʼll head out... secretly... ehehehe.” Javier grinned to himself as he plotted his next adventure.

With his plan decided, he looked around the manor. ”Now... whereʼs Liana? Sheʼs supposed to be taking care of me. After all, sheʼs assigned only to me,” he muttered as he wandered through the halls.

His search eventually led him to the kitchen, where he spotted Liana sitting at the table, eating alone. She looked peaceful, quietly enjoying her meal and completely unaware of his presence.

Javier smirked mischievously and crept up behind her silently. Before she noticed him, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders in a playful hug and planted a quick kiss on her cheek.

”!!! Young master!!!” Liana yelped, nearly dropping her fork as she turned to face him, her cheeks flushing a deep red.

Javier grinned, his face close to hers. ”Caught you, sweetheart!”

”Y-young master, what are you doing here?! You scared me!” Liana exclaimed, scolding him softly despite her flustered state.

”I was looking for you,” he said, pulling up a chair to sit beside her. ”Youʼre supposed to be with me, right?” He pouted playfully, resting his chin on her shoulder.

Liana sighed, trying to steady her racing heart. ”Young master, Iʼm allowed a short break, you know. Even maids need to eat.”

”Then let me join you.” Javier reached over and grabbed a piece of bread from her plate, taking a bite without asking.

”Young master!” Liana exclaimed, though she couldnʼt hide the small smile tugging at her lips.

Javier winked at her. ”What? Sharing is caring, right?”

”If you want to eat, let me cook something for you,” Liana said with a gentle smile, standing up from her seat.

Javier leaned back, grinning mischievously. ”Ehehe... thatʼs my girl…” He tapped his lips playfully.

Liana sighed and glanced around to make sure no one was watching. Then she leaned down and kissed him softly on the lips. Deep down, she cherished these moments, though she would never admit it aloud.

After pulling away, her cheeks slightly flushed, she asked with a smile, ”Satisfied, young master?”

”Yeah,” Javier—Junichi—replied with a content smile.

”Good. Now sit tight while I prepare some food for us,” Liana instructed, her tone warm and cheerful as she turned to the kitchen counter.

Javier watched her move with grace and composure, a rare sense of peace washing over him. Liana, always gentle and poised, hummed softly as she began to cook.

How did I get so lucky with her? he thought to himself. She wasnʼt just his maid; she was his closest confidante, his source of comfort, and—if he had his way—his future.

As the delightful aroma of the food began to fill the kitchen, Javier rested his chin in his hand, his gaze never leaving her. ”Youʼre amazing, you know that?” he said softly.

Liana turned her head slightly, smiling as she continued her work. ”Flattery wonʼt earn you extra servings, young master.”

Javier chuckled. ”Who said I was after food? I already have what I need right here.”

Liana shook her head, trying to stifle the smile that tugged at her lips.

”Liana,” Javier called, his tone unusually soft yet serious.

”Yes, young master?” Liana replied, glancing over her shoulder as she stirred the pot on the stove.

Javier leaned back in his chair, a sly but sincere smile spreading across his face. ”Once I turn 18, letʼs get married.”

Liana froze for a moment, her hands still as she stirred the pot. Slowly, she turned to face him, her expression a mix of surprise and disbelief. ”Young master… what are you saying?”

Javierʼs playful smirk faded into rare seriousness as he leaned forward. ”I mean it, Liana. Once I turn 18, I want us to get married.”

Liana blinked, her cheeks flushing a soft pink. ”Young master, you canʼt be serious. Iʼm your maid, and youʼre a noble.”

”So?” Javier shrugged. ”Who cares about that? I donʼt see anyone else who cares about me the way you do. Youʼre more than just a maid to me, Liana. Youʼve always been.”

Her heart skipped a beat at his words, but she quickly composed herself, returning her focus to the stove. ”Young master, youʼre still so young. You donʼt understand what youʼre saying. Besides, your family…”

”I donʼt care what they think,” Javier interrupted firmly. ”When I turn 18, Iʼll be the one to decide my future. And I want you to be a part of it.”

Liana stirred the pot in silence for a moment, her emotions swirling as much as the soup inside. She knew how determined he could be, but she also understood the weight of societal expectations that surrounded him.

”Youʼre impossible,” she finally said with a soft sigh, her voice barely more than a whisper.

”And you love me for it,” Javier replied, his grin returning.

Despite herself, Liana felt a small smile tug at her lips, even as she tried to maintain her composure. ”Letʼs discuss this when youʼre older, young master.”

”Iʼm holding you to that,” he said, his voice brimming with confidence.

As Liana placed the finished meal in front of him, she couldnʼt help but glance at his face, her heart quietly fluttering. What am I going to do with you, young master? she thought, a mix of fondness and uncertainty swirling in her chest.

( End of chapter )