Reborn As Noble

Chapter 20 Blankets and Banquets ( 20 )

”Young master!! Wake up!” Lianaʼs strong voice rang out as she shook Javierʼs shoulder. ”You need to get ready for the party!”

”Haaa... I donʼt want to...” Javier groaned, burying his face deeper into the pillow. ”Let Marcellus and Cedric handle it.”

”Nope! No can do!” Liana crossed her arms, her tone leaving no room for argument. ”This party is important. Youʼre part of the Armand family, and you have to attend too!”

Javier peeked at her from under the blanket, a sly smile forming on his lips. ”Donʼt wanna. I hate parties for nobles. Theyʼre stuffy and boring.”

Liana sighed deeply, rubbing her temples. ”This young master of mine…” she muttered, shaking her head. Then her patience snapped. ”Just get up!”

”Ekkk!!” Javier yelped as Liana pulled the blanket off with surprising force. ”Donʼt be so rough, Liana!” He sat up, rubbing his arms as if injured. ”Ugh. Is this how you treat your… future husband?” He flashed her a mischievous grin.

Liana glared at him, her cheeks a little flushed. ”Young master, stop saying things like that and get ready already!”

”But Lianaaa,” Javier whined, his smirk playful. ”If you get mad at me now, what will you do when weʼre married? Youʼll have to wake me up every day like this!”

Liana pressed her fingers against her forehead, taking a slow breath to keep her calm. ”Get. Dressed,” she said, her tone sharp, but her lips twitched as if she was trying not to smile.

Javier chuckled, stretching lazily. ”Fine, fine. But only because you asked.” He stood up, ruffling his messy hair and grinning at her.

Liana sighed again, shaking her head. ”What am I going to do with you, young master?” she murmured under her breath before turning to help him get ready.

The children of noble houses from across the kingdom were gathering at the Viscount Armandʼs Grand Hall. It was an event brimming with introductions, connections, displays of talent, and the occasional flaunting of wealth. Some were undoubtedly seeking potential partners, while others aimed to outshine their peers.

”Ugh… this isnʼt for me,” Javier muttered, running his hand through his messy black hair as he lounged lazily in his chair.

”Itʼs boring and annoying...”

He sighed deeply, staring at the ceiling of his room. Why do I have to go? The thought of dressing up and mingling with a crowd of stiff, pretentious nobles made him groan.

The Grand Hall was buzzing with preparations—staff bustling to ensure everything was perfect, guest rooms being readied for the noble families, and a sense of excitement hanging in the air. But for Javier, it felt like a looming storm cloud.

”Why do I have to do this?” he grumbled, slumping further into his chair. ”Isnʼt it enough that my brothers and my older step-siblings are going? Theyʼre all better at this noble nonsense than I am!”

He glanced out the window, catching a glimpse of the decorations being finalized in the courtyard. The sight only deepened his frown. ”Haaah… maybe I should just fake being sick or something,” he mused, though he knew Liana would never let him get away with it.

Still, the idea of sneaking off to the forest or doing anything other than enduring the party was tempting. ”I could be out hunting monsters, training, or just napping instead of wasting my time on this.”

But he knew, deep down, that no amount of complaining would change the fact that his presence was expected.

”Stupid noble traditions,” Javier muttered, crossing his arms. ”Why canʼt they just leave me out of it?”

”Young master!” Lianaʼs voice rang sharply as she swung open the door to Javierʼs room without warning.

Javier flinched, caught lounging lazily in his chair. He quickly sat up and flashed his usual cheeky grin. ”Umm... err... Liana... ehehe…”

Her emerald eyes narrowed. ”Still not ready yet!?” she scolded, hands firmly on her hips.

Javier scratched the back of his head sheepishly. ”Do I really have to? Canʼt I just skip this one? I—”

”Get dressss!” she ordered, cutting him off.

”Ekkk! Liana, wait! Donʼt—”

Before he could protest further, Liana marched over, grabbed him by the arm, and yanked him upright. Her movements were swift and unyielding, and in moments, she started pulling at his tunic.

”Donʼt undress me! Ekkk! This is harassment!” Javier yelped, a mix of mock protest and genuine embarrassment in his voice.

”Harassment?” Liana scoffed, effortlessly slipping his tunic over his head. ”Youʼve brought this on yourself by refusing to cooperate. You have no one to blame but yourself!”

”Liana! Donʼt be so rough! Youʼre ruining my image!” Javier squawked, trying to wiggle away, but Lianaʼs grip was firm, and her composure remained steady despite his antics.

”Image?” she replied, rolling her eyes as she reached for the polished, elegant outfit laid out for him. ”Youʼre the young master of the Armand household. Youʼll thank me later when youʼre properly dressed and not embarrassing yourself in front of the kingdomʼs nobility.”

As she fastened the last button on his finely tailored coat, Javier crossed his arms and pouted. ”Hmph. You didnʼt have to manhandle me like that.”

Liana stepped back, inspecting her work with a critical eye. ”There. Now you look like a proper young master.”

Javier sighed dramatically. ”You couldʼve at least been gentler, you know. What if I start thinking youʼre trying to dominate me or something?”

Liana smirked, leaning closer to adjust his collar. ”Youʼre lucky I donʼt drag you out of this room by your ear, young master.”

Javier gulped, though the corners of his mouth twitched upward in amusement. ”Alright, alright. Iʼll go….”

Liana rolled her eyes again, though a faint smile tugged at her lips as she turned toward the door. ”Now hurry. Weʼre already late.”

As she walked ahead, Javier followed, muttering under his breath, ”Haaa… this feels more like being marched to my execution than to a party.”

As they walked down the hall toward the grand party, Javierʼs gaze shifted to Liana, who moved gracefully beside him. He couldnʼt resist giving her a sly smile.

”Liana,” he said, his tone playful, ”youʼre my maid, right? So, make sure you wear your best outfit tonight.” He chuckled, his amber eyes glinting mischievously. ”Oh, and that necklace suits you perfectly… ehehehe.”

Liana glanced at him, the corners of her lips curling into a half-smile as she adjusted the necklace heʼd given her. ”Young master, letʼs just go. Weʼre already late as it is.”

”This is bliss. Accompanied by a beautiful girl… ehehehe.”

Liana shook her head, her expression softening despite herself. ”Donʼt worry, young master. Youʼll find a suitable partner at the party.”

”Yeah, yeah… like anyoneʼs going to be interested in an 11-year-old boy like me. Duhhh.”

Liana chuckled softly, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. ”Well, young master, you certainly donʼt look 11 with that height. Youʼre taller than most boys your age—and some adults, too.”

”Whatever,”

As they approached the grand hall, the sounds of chatter and laughter grew louder. Javier sighed, squaring his shoulders. ”Letʼs get this over with.”

Liana placed a comforting hand on his arm, her touch gentle yet firm. ”Just be yourself, young master. Youʼll do fine.”

”Thanks, Liana. At least I know Iʼve got one person on my side tonight.”

”Always,” she replied quietly

Together, they stepped into the glittering hall, where the lights cast a golden glow over the elegantly dressed crowd. Despite his earlier protests, Javier couldnʼt help but feel a little more confident with Liana by his side.

( End of Chapter )