Reborn As Noble

Javier, sitting comfortably on a stack of crates, let out a satisfied sigh as he wiped the crumbs from his fingers. The remnants of a pastry still lingered on his lips as he licked them absentmindedly.

"Mmm. That was a good snack," he mused, stretching his arms. "You girls sure took your time."

Liana, adjusting her sleeve with practiced ease, shot him a sidelong glance. "We finished in under five minutes, young master."

Gloria, her pristine maid uniform still spotless despite the battle, simply smiled as she adjusted her glasses. "Ara, was it too slow for you?"

Javier grinned, swinging his legs playfully. "Oh no, you both did great. Very elegant execution. Super efficient. I had just enough time to finish my pastry."

A faint sigh escaped Liana's lips, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

"Now, now, young master," Gloria finally said, clasping her hands together. "Shall we head home?"

"Okay! Ehehehe…" Javier hopped off the crate, his steps light as if they hadn't just cleaned up an entire group of enemies.

Behind them, Buddy and Pikko strutted proudly, their beaks held high and their feathery chests puffed up as if they had been the true victors of the battle.

As they stepped out of the arena, the cold night air greeted them—along with the sudden sound of heavy footsteps and clanking armor.

A loud, commanding voice rang out. "HALT!"

Javier blinked.

Before them stood an entire army—rows of Royal Knights in gleaming armor, Royal Archers with arrows nocked and ready, forming an inescapable blockade. The golden insignia of the kingdom glinted in the torchlight, their presence suffocating.

Without hesitation, he dove behind Liana, clutching the back of her dress like a terrified child. His eyes widened as he peeked over her shoulder, his voice trembling just enough to sound convincing. "L-Liana… I-I think we're in trouble…" he whimpered, pressing closer as if seeking protection. Then, in a much quieter tone, he whispered, "You two, raise your hands."

Liana merely sighed. Gloria adjusted her glasses.

"If you say so, Young Master," Liana said without hesitation, lifting her hands in mock surrender. Gloria did the same, unfazed as ever.

"Detain them!" one of the knights ordered.

Javier gulped and trembled theatrically. "Uwaaah! Please, don't hurt me!"

Liana resisted the urge to facepalm. Gloria simply smiled.

The Royal Knights advanced.

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In the small, dimly lit room, Javier sat casually in a chair, swinging his legs as if the situation was no big deal. Liana and Gloria stood calmly behind him, their expressions unreadable, though Liana occasionally glanced at Javier to make sure he didn't say anything... out of line.

Across the table, a stern-looking female officer leaned forward, her piercing gaze fixed on Javier. Her uniform bore the insignia of the royal guard, and she exuded authority with every movement.

"So, what actually happened?" she asked, her tone firm but softened slightly since she was questioning a young boy. She clearly expected him to reveal the truth in his excitement.

Javier's eyes sparkled as he leaned forward with an excited grin. "Ah, Miss Officer! You wouldn't believe it! These two saved me!" He pointed dramatically at Liana and Gloria, his voice full of awe. "When I woke up, I was on their backs! They protected me the whole time!"

The officer blinked, slightly taken aback by his enthusiasm. "Oh... really?" she asked, raising an eyebrow and glancing at the two maids.

"Yes!" Javier nodded vigorously, his tone growing more animated. "They're amazing! Liana was like—shwing!" He mimed slashing a sword. "And Gloria was like—whoosh, swoosh!" He mimicked fast movements with his hands, his face lighting up as he continued. "They were unstoppable! They fought off the bad guys while I was just... um, recovering! That's why I didn't see much, but I know they were awesome!"

The officer tilted her head, looking between the boy and the two maids, who kept their calm composure despite his silly retelling. Gloria cleared her throat, a small, knowing smile on her lips. "Young Master tends to get... creative with his stories," she said politely.

"But it's true!" Javier insisted, crossing his arms and pouting. "They're heroes! You should give them medals!"

Liana sighed softly but smiled at Javier, bowing her head slightly. "Miss Officer, we were only doing our duty to protect our Young Master. Nothing more."

The officer leaned back, scribbling something in her notebook while glancing at Javier, who was now animatedly reenacting an imaginary battle with sound effects. She couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. "Well, you're lucky to have such capable maids," she said kindly, though she suspected there was much more to the story. "We'll confirm everything shortly."

After a while, the female officer returned with a small stack of documents in hand. She looked at Javier, Liana, and Gloria with a neutral expression before saying, "You all can go now."

"Yay! I'm hungry!" Javier cheered, raising his hands like a child celebrating a festival.

"Now, now, Young Master," Liana said gently, adjusting his cloak as they prepared to leave.

As they walked down the quiet street toward their rented house, the tension from the earlier questioning eased. Javier happily munched on a snack he had produced from his magic storage, while Buddy and Pikko trailed obediently behind.

Liana shot a sideways glance at Gloria, a sly smile creeping onto her lips. "Someone certainly put on quite the performance back there, didn't they?"

Gloria smirked knowingly, her eyes glancing toward Javier. "Ara, ara, it seems our Young Master has a hidden talent for drama."

"What?" Javier mumbled with a mouthful of food, looking up at them with wide, innocent eyes. "I was just telling the truth! You two were amazing! It was all you! Whoosh, pow, shwing!" He mimicked exaggerated fighting motions, earning a giggle from Liana.

"Young Master," Liana teased, "you really enjoyed playing the clueless little boy, didn't you?"

"What do you mean, 'playing'?" Javier tilted his head, feigning confusion. "I was scared! Trapped! I didn't even know what was going on until you both saved me!"

"Sure, Young Master," Gloria said with a smirk. "You're just an innocent little boy who knows nothing about gravity magic, barriers, or... binding spells?"

"Exactly!" Javier declared, his voice mockingly sincere. "It's not like I had fun taking care of those bad guys or anything. Nope, not me!"

Liana sighed but couldn't hide her amusement. "You really are something, Young Master."

"Of course I am!" Javier grinned. "Now, can we eat? I'm starving after all that 'danger'!"

"Haa... fine," Liana said, shaking her head. "Let's get home first."

"You'll spoil him more if you keep giving in like that," Gloria teased, leaning closer to Liana. "You know he'll make you cook extra meat again."

"And who's going to eat half of it along with him?" Liana shot back, raising an eyebrow.

"Ara, guilty as charged," Gloria replied with a laugh.

Javier walked ahead, humming happily, pretending not to hear them as they teased each other. "Let's go, let's go! Dinner awaits!"

As they arrived at their rented house, Buddy and Pikko dashed excitedly around the courtyard, circling the house with playful squawks that echoed like a warning. They patrolled the area, alert and ready to defend their master.

Liana and Gloria exchanged glances, silently agreeing on their next move. Without a word, they drew their weapons—Gloria hefting her massive magic war hammer with ease, and Liana nocking an arrow onto her enchanted bow while keeping her blade ready at her side.

Javier, trailing behind, tilted his head and smiled innocently. "Hmm? Why are you both so tense? This house is safe... right?" He pointed casually toward the side of the house.

At that moment, shimmering figures began to materialize in the courtyard. A full squad of puppet knights emerged, each clad in gleaming mithril armor and wielding deadly mithril swords. Behind them, another group of knights appeared, equipped with glowing magic crossbows, their movements precise and methodical.

"Ehehehe," Javier chuckled, his smirk widening. "They've been here the whole time, you know. Just in case."

Liana sighed, lowering her bow slightly. "Young Master, you could have mentioned that earlier."

"Ara, ara," Gloria said teasingly, resting her war hammer on her shoulder. "It's almost like he wanted to see us on edge."

"What? Me? Never!" Javier placed a hand on his chest, feigning innocence. "They're just my little insurance policy. Nothing to worry about. See? The house is totally safe!"

Liana rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "Only you would call a squad of mithril-armored knights 'little,' Young Master."

"Well," Gloria added with a grin, "at least we can rest easy knowing we have this... 'insurance.' But next time, warn us before your hidden army suddenly appears, okay?"

"Fine, fine," Javier said, waving a hand dismissively. "Now, can we go inside? I'm hungry, and my 'little squad' can handle the outside patrol."

Buddy and Pikko let out contented squawks as they settled in the courtyard, while the puppet knights silently took up their positions, guarding the house. Liana and Gloria sheathed their weapons and followed Javier inside, both quietly amused by their Young Master's antics.

Later that night, after dinner, Javier lay on his bed, clearly excited, his feet kicking under the blanket. "Lianaaaa..." he called out playfully.

From the kitchen, Liana replied calmly, "Just wait, Young Master. I'm finishing up the dishes."

"Okay..." Javier sighed dramatically, rolling onto his side.

Gloria leaned casually against the doorway with a sly grin, glancing at Liana. "So, you're going to sleep with him again tonight?"

Liana raised an eyebrow as she placed another clean dish on the rack. "Yes, as usual. Like you don't already know that."

"Ara~ clingy, is he? Or maybe you're the clingy one?" Gloria teased, resting her chin on her hand. "After all, he can't sleep without you anymore, can he?"

"That's because I've been taking care of him since he was small!" Liana retorted, crossing her arms with a smile. "If you're so jealous, you can try keeping him company instead."

"Hmm... tempting," Gloria said, smirking as she stood and stretched. "But I think I'll enjoy teasing you about it instead."

"Gloriaaa..." Liana sighed, amusement in her voice.

From the other room, Javier called, "Liana! Are you done yet? I'm getting lonely!"

"See what I mean?" Liana said, shaking her head fondly. "He can't go a night without me."

"Ara~ such devotion," Gloria added dramatically, hand over her heart. "I might be jealous after all."

"Then go sleep in the next room," Liana replied mockingly, pointing toward the door.

"Fine, fine," Gloria said playfully pouting. "But don't forget, I'm still his second maid—and maybe someday, his second wife. Tehe~"

"Goodnight, Gloria," Liana said firmly, her cheeks slightly flushed as she turned back to the dishes.

"Goodnight, future first wife," Gloria replied with a mischievous grin before disappearing into the hallway.

Liana let out a soft laugh while drying the last dish, thoughts shifting to her Young Master, who was undoubtedly waiting. "Coming, Young Master," she called, a small smile on her lips as she made her way to the bedroom.

As Liana held Javier close, his head resting comfortably against her chest, she planted a soft kiss on his lips, a part of her nightly routine. "Goodnight, Young Master," she whispered with a tender smile. Slowly, her eyes began to close as she drifted off to sleep, her embrace warm and secure.

The room was silent, save for their soft breathing—until the faint creak of the door interrupted the stillness.

"Tehe~" Gloria's voice chimed quietly as she tiptoed inside.

She slid under the blanket on the other side of Javier, a sly smile on her face. "Oh, don't mind me... I'm just making sure my future Young Master is safe," she whispered, mostly to herself.

Javier, half-asleep, stirred. "Hmm? Liana?"

"Shh, shh... go back to sleep, Young Master," Gloria cooed softly, gently patting his shoulder. "Liana's here... and so am I." Stay updated via My Virtual Library Empire@@novelbin@@

Liana's eyes fluttered open briefly, casting a sleepy yet sharp glare at Gloria. "Gloria..."

"Ara~ Don't mind me, just keeping things balanced," Gloria teased in a hushed tone, snuggling closer to Javier. "After all, sharing is caring."

"Haa... fine, but don't you dare wake him," Liana muttered, too tired to argue further. She tightened her hold on Javier protectively, her eyes narrowing briefly before she drifted back to sleep.

Gloria smirked, closing her eyes. "Goodnight, future family~" she murmured playfully as the room settled into peaceful quiet once more.

( End Of Chapter )