Reborn As Noble

Chapter 898: When Liana Isn’t There ( 898 )

That night.

Just beyond the south gate of Furam Town, two modern portable shelters stood beneath the open sky, one for Javier, the other for the girls.

Javier stood outside, both hands on his hips, staring up at the stars. He exhaled, slow and tired.

Maybe I should just build a bigger shelter... something with enough space for everyone to sleep in the same room.

He sighed again.

They’d already spent half the evening arguing over who could share a bed with him. The current bed, despite its comfort, was never meant for six.

In the end, Liana had declared, with her gentle but absolute authority, ”No girl sleeps with Young Master tonight. Girls’ night only.” Her tone brooked no argument.

Javier could only accept it, half relieved and half disappointed.

Nearby, the Pekko flock settled in a circle by the fire, feathers fluffed and eyes drifting shut. The soft crackle of fire, mingled with contented bird noises, wrapped the camp in a sense of safety.

Earlier, Kliatana and Heres had worked side by side, personally distributing food rations, ensuring every family received a fair share. The townsfolk, finally fed and no longer afraid, retired behind closed doors. For the first time in weeks, exhaustion replaced fear.

Armand’s soldiers patrolled the roads and alleys, steps quiet but sure. Above, silent as shadows, Javier’s battle drones drifted in formation, their sensors sweeping for trouble. On every battlement and rooftop, puppet knights stood sentinel, mana rifles at the ready, eyes glowing faintly in the dark.

Javier looked around once more, feeling a rare, quiet satisfaction settle over him.

Mmm... Yeah. That’s enough for today. Let everyone rest. The knights will guard the town, the drones will keep watch, and tomorrow, the next plan begins.

Javier stepped inside his portable shelter, shoulders relaxing as the quiet wrapped around him. He stripped down, tossing his clothes into the floor.

Made his way to the compact magic shower at the far end, twisting the dial until hot water poured down. The familiar warmth eased the tension in his muscles, steam curling around him as he closed his eyes.

Tomorrow’s going to be hectic...

I’ll need tighter coordination with the main Armand troops. My battle drones are already in the sky, sweeping the whole area. Sky Eyes will handle the live feeds, letting us track every enemy movement, pinpoint every camp, every march. Once I secure the next town, then the one after that...

Kliatana can put on her next ’heroine’ act. Win the hearts, gather the trust. Not my problem.

He pressed his palms against the wall, letting the water run down his back.

...What a pain in the ass. We could just storm in and take everything by force.

But these were Father’s plans.

I know every step is measured, everything calculated from the start.

But I do wonder... this time his plan is a bit weird.

He tilted his head back, letting the hot water wash away the tension.

Whatever... I’ll just stick to the plan.

Once the three towns are secure, I’ll move to the next phase.

Father mentioned I just need to cover the three towns that those Arjam envoys asked for help with. The rest will be handled from there.

My main task is to go to the northern main gate of the Arjam Region and drive out all the noble armies, clear out every last mercenary, and lock down the Arjam regional wall. After that, Father takes over and starts his real plan.

Javier stepped out, grabbing a towel, feeling the weight of responsibility settle across his shoulders.

For now... just one night of peace. That’s enough.

Midnight.

Javier tossed and turned beneath the thin cover, rolling from side to side.

Ugh... can’t sleep.

He knew exactly why.

From the day he was reborn in this world, Liana had always been beside him.

First as the fierce maid who kept him safe, then as the elf girl whose warmth he clung to every night. Whether as a small child gripping her sleeve, as the bolder boy who always go for trouble and chaos, or now as a young man, she was always there. Every single night.

He was used to reaching for her in the dark, slipping his arms around her waist, burying his face in her chest, breathing in that soft, sweet scent that seemed made just for him. More than once, his hand wandered, cupping the gentle swell of her breast, feeling her warmth against his palm, claiming that comfort as his own.

Sometimes she scolded him with a sleepy glare and a teasing flick to his forehead. Sometimes she just let him, her hand sliding through his hair as he drifted, their lips meeting in a long, slow kiss that always left his chest tight with something he could never name.

Their bodies tangled in the quiet, her softness against him, breaths rising and falling together, the rhythm lulling him straight into dreams. It had become his favorite routine. His addiction.

Nothing in this world, old or new, could compare.

But tonight, Liana wasn’t there.

No soft elf girl to curl around him. No lips pressed to his forehead. No curve of her breast under his hand, no delicate fingers running through his hair. Nothing to chase away his restlessness.

It left him cold. Empty. Lonelier than he wanted to admit.

He turned again, the blankets twisting, searching for comfort he couldn’t find.

Liana...

He let her name drift in the silent air, aching for the warmth he’d grown to need.

His first love, his constant companion, the girl whose absence left his world suddenly too quiet, too wide.

He closed his eyes, trying to summon the memory of her beside him.

But all he could do was sigh, and wait for morning.

And not just Liana.

Ever since Gloria joined his harem and became his promised second wife, his nights had transformed completely.

Blissful, spoiled, perfect.

Every night, sandwiched between the softness of their chests, one on each side, the warmth of their bodies pressed close. The sweet blend of their scents wrapped around him. Every sigh, every little giggle when he got too bold. It was happiness he’d never even dreamed of in his old life.

He’d gotten used to it fast. Maybe too fast. Waking up with Liana’s hair draped across his chest, Gloria’s arm wrapped possessively around his waist, both of them there to kiss him goodnight, and again in the morning.

It was a happiness that he’d never quite experienced before in his entire life, a deep, profound sense of contentment and joy that seemed to radiate from somewhere deep within his chest.

( End Of Chapter )