Reborn As Noble

Inside the carriage, Lord Garius leaned back with a calm look, but a faint smirk on his lips showed the excitement inside him. His hand shook slightly, not from fear, but from wanting to join in.

Ahhh! he thought, trying to stay composed. I want to join too! Ugh... if Alf hadn't told me to control myself and not show this side in front of my kids—including Javier—I could be out there having fun!

His fingers drummed lightly against his knee as he heard the sounds of fast, precise fighting. The muffled cries of the ambushers and the clash of blades only made him feel more restless.

Ughhh... this is torture! he grumbled in his mind. All I can do is sit here and pretend to be the calm head of the family. Meanwhile, they're out there having a blast...

Lady Francesca, sitting next to him, noticed his twitching hand and the gleam in his eye. "Dear..." she said softly, teasing him. "You're itching to go, aren't you?"

"Hmph," Garius replied with a small cough, trying to steady his hands. "Of course not. I'm just watching how well our elite units are doing."

Francesca chuckled and shook her head. "If only Javier could see this side of you. He'd understand where he gets it from."

Garius's smirk grew a bit wider, but he stayed silent, looking out the window, wishing the ambush would end quickly—just to save himself from the pain of waiting.@@novelbin@@

While the carriage stayed still, Eridith, the White Flame, leaned forward. "Hmm? Why are we stopping?"

Lady Francesca glanced at her, giving a calm, knowing smile.

Eridith's crimson eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Ehhh! Why didn't you tell me something fun is happening out there?" she whispered, excitement in her voice. "I could change into my dragon form, fly ahead, and finish them all with a single Fire Breath!"

Francesca kept her serene expression but suddenly grabbed one of Eridith's horns firmly.

"Eeeekk!! Francesca!" Eridith squealed, her confident attitude fading as she squirmed in her seat.

"If you do that," Francesca said in a low, serious tone, "the king will notice you're here. Do you want to cause more problems for us? Don't you want to become Garius's wife?"

Eridith froze, looking nervously at Garius, who was sitting across from them, keeping his calm facade but clearly listening. She swallowed hard and gave a sheepish grin. "Eh... hehe... sorryyyyy!"

Francesca released her horn with a sigh, shaking her head. "Haaa... just sit still and let Alf and the others handle it. You'll get your chance for excitement later."

Eridith pouted a bit, rubbing her horn. "Fine... but you're so mean sometimes, Francesca," she muttered, crossing her arms like a scolded child.

"Mean?" Francesca replied, her smile softening. "I'm saving you from ruining your own plans, you silly dragon."

Eridith huffed but didn't argue further, though a small grin appeared on her lips. She knew Francesca was right—even if she'd never admit it.

Francesca leaned closer to Eridith, her serene smile carrying a sharp edge. "And if they knew you—the White Flame—were escorting us in your dragon form, they definitely wouldn't attack this carriage."

Eridith tilted her head in confusion. "Wouldn't that be good? Less trouble for us."

"No, it wouldn't," Francesca replied, tightening her grip on Eridith's horn, making her squirm again. "If they don't attack, we won't learn which household sent them. That would lead to bigger problems—especially questions about why a Count's household is with a White Dragon."

Eridith's crimson eyes widened as she realized the implications, but Francesca continued.

"And don't forget," Francesca whispered, "they don't even know the White Flame Dragon has a human form, let alone that the dragon is... a girl. So behave yourself, Eridith."

Eridith swallowed hard, her confidence fading under Francesca's calm yet commanding tone. "Umm... aa... okay... if you say so, Francesca," she muttered, her shoulders slumping slightly.

Francesca released her horn with a soft sigh, smoothing her dress as she settled back in her seat. "Good. Now sit still and act like the refined lady you claim to be."

"Haaa... fine," Eridith grumbled, pouting as she adjusted her posture, a faint blush on her cheeks giving away her embarrassment.

Francesca's serene smile shifted into a playful yet firm frown as she leaned toward Eridith again. "And let me make one thing clear," she said, gripping Eridith's horn once more, "I already have enough trouble with my honey bun being cheeky and mischievous. Not you too, Eridith."

"Okay, okay!" Eridith squealed, squirming in her seat. "Chill, girl... ugh!"

Francesca finally let go of her horn, brushing her hands as if dealing with a stubborn child. "Good. Now behave," she said, satisfied as she leaned back gracefully. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

Eridith rubbed her horn with both hands, glaring at Francesca with embarrassment and frustration. "You're mean, Francesca..." she muttered under her breath, though she didn't say it loud enough for Francesca to hear.

Across the carriage, Garius watched their interaction out of the corner of his eye, hiding a smirk behind his hand. Even in the face of danger, Francesca had a remarkable way of keeping everyone in line.

Javier sat confidently on Buddy's back, pretending to be oblivious to the tense situation around the convoy. Instead, he focused on having fun, grinning widely as Buddy strutted proudly.

"Ehehehe!" Javier laughed, guiding Buddy in circles around the main carriage. The massive Pekko, feeding off his master's energy, squawked excitedly, lifting one leg and then the other in enthusiasm.

"Cuquawk! Cuquawk!" Buddy let out loud cries, his movements growing more exaggerated, making a few knights in the elite unit exchange amused glances despite their serious demeanor.

"Buddy, let's show them how awesome we are!" Javier declared, leaning forward dramatically. Buddy squawked in agreement, speeding up slightly, his confident steps causing the mounted knights to subtly adjust their horses to avoid the overexcited Pekko.

Liana, watching from nearby atop Pikko, sighed deeply. "Haaa... Young Master, please stop messing around," she called out, though her voice held a hint of fondness.

"What? I'm just enjoying myself!" Javier grinned, clearly reveling in the attention Buddy's antics attracted.

Meanwhile, the tension among the caretakers, battle maids, and assassin unit remained high, but their professionalism kept them from reacting to Javier's playful behavior. The quiet elimination of the ambushers continued, unnoticed by the carefree Young Master and his enthusiastic mount.

From inside the carriage, Francesca glanced out briefly, shaking her head with a small smile. "Haaa... my honey bun really knows how to lighten the mood, doesn't he?" she remarked.

"Indeed," Garius muttered, barely containing a smirk as he watched Javier. Although the situation was serious, the boy's carefree nature brought a strange balance to the scene.

As Javier continued riding Buddy in circles, his sharp eyes caught sight of movement behind the carriages. Another group of ambushers was creeping closer, their dark forms blending into the shadows as they prepared to strike.

Javier grinned to himself, pretending not to notice. "Buddy, let's play some more!" he called out, guiding his Pekko toward the back of the convoy with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Ehehehe, this is so fun!"

Buddy, unaware of the danger, squawked happily and sped up, his steps light and eager. The ambushers, thinking they were undetected, advanced toward the convoy, weapons drawn.

As Javier approached their position, he subtly activated his Gravity Magic. "Let's turn up the fun, Buddy," he whispered mischievously.

Instantly, the magic pulsed outward, increasing the weight around the ambushers fivefold. The attackers stumbled, their movements slowing as they struggled to stay upright.

"Cuquawk!" Buddy squawked, oblivious as Javier cast another spell. This time, he activated Earth Spike, hiding the attack beneath the ambushers' feet.

With a faint rumble, sharp spikes of hardened earth shot upward, piercing the immobilized attackers. Their muffled cries were cut short as the deadly spikes ended the threat silently.

Javier smirked, patting Buddy's neck as if nothing had happened. "Good boy, Buddy. Let's head back before Liana scolds us."

The convoy remained undisturbed, the elite guards and assassin unit unaware that Javier had neutralized another wave of threats.

From a distance, Liana frowned, noticing Javier's detour. "Young Master... what are you up to now?" she muttered, guiding Pikko closer to keep an eye on him.

Inside the main carriage, Garius's sharp gaze flicked to the rear, sensing a faint pulse of mana before it disappeared. A small smirk tugged at his lips as he leaned back, not saying a word. "Hmph, so he's learning to handle things on his own... good."

( End of Chapter )