Reborn As Noble

The moment Marcellus pocketed the gold, Javier's smirk returned.

"…Alright, then."

Without hesitation, he sprinted back toward Cedric's room.

Javier flung the door open—again, without knocking. "Brother Cedric! You finished yet?"

Cedric, still adjusting his clothes, looked up. "Yeah, yeah. Come in."

Javier grinned wider. "Hehehe~"

Cedric raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?"

Leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, Javier replied, "Oh… nothing much. Just wanted to let you know…"

Cedric narrowed his eyes. "...Let me know what?"

Javier's smirk deepened. "...That the gold I was supposed to split between you and Marcellus? Yeah, it's already in Marcellus's hands."

Silence.

Then—

"EHHH!?!? NO WAY!!!"

Cedric bolted out of the room, with Meira following closely behind him. "Oi, Marcellus!! That's my share too!!"

Marcellus sat comfortably in his chair, counting the gold coins one by one. "Oho~ this is a lot! I should buy some fine wine with this~"

But—

"OI, MARCELLUS!!!"

A furious Cedric stormed into the room, Meira right behind him. "Where's my share?!"

Marcellus glanced up lazily and smirked. "Huh? Javier gave it to me, so it's mine."

Before Cedric could react, Marcellus suddenly bolted, clutching the gold pouch as he ran. "Later, little brother! Hahaha!!"

"GET BACK HERE!!!" Cedric roared, immediately chasing after him.

Javier, who had been watching from the hallway, grinned mischievously. "Mission success."

Meira sighed but couldn't hide her amusement as she watched the two brothers sprinting down the hall—one screaming and the other laughing.

Javier rushed outside, still grinning from the chaos he had caused inside the manor.

Near the Pekko pen, Liana and Gloria were tending to their own Pekkos—Pikko, Liana's elegant silver-feathered mount, and Peanuts, Gloria's well-trained companion.

Meanwhile—

Buddy, Javier's Pekko, was off doing his usual nonsense, pecking at the ground and scratching the earth wildly with his claws, like a chicken searching for worms.

Javier chuckled. "Oi, Buddy, what are you doing?"

Buddy's head shot up. His eyes locked onto Javier.

Then—

"CUQUAWKED! CUQUAWKED!!"

With pure excitement, Buddy sprinted toward Javier at full speed—his large feet kicking up dust—before circling him in a frenzy.

"Oho~ Buddy is excited for sightseeing, right?"

"CUQUAWK!!"

Buddy stomped his feet, flapped his tiny wings, and squawked even louder.

Liana smiled softly, watching the scene. "It seems he's just as energetic as his owner."

Gloria sighed but chuckled, adjusting her glasses. "Ara~ A perfect match, indeed."

Javier grinned, patting Buddy's beak. "Alright then! Let's go on an adventure!"

Just as Javier was about to hop onto Buddy, a loud voice interrupted his escape.

"Oi, Javier!!"

Oh crap.

Javier barely had time to react before Cedric stormed toward him. "My share."

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"Ehhh?! I already gave it to Brother Marcellus!"

Cedric didn't budge. "Don't care. My share."

His grin widened as he wiggled his fingers, waiting for payment. Then, he dropped the real bombshell. "If I don't get my share… then Liana and Gloria can't go along with you."

Javier froze. "…Wait. What?"

Cedric's grin turned even more sinister. "Hmm… what should I tell Father?" He tapped his chin ."Oh! I know! Maybe something like…"

He put on a mock-serious face and cleared his throat. "Father… your youngest son has been making trouble again. He dashed out recklessly, dragging along Liana and Gloria without informing his dear older brother… Truly, I worry for him…"

Javier stared, wide-eyed.

Cedric smirked.

Javier gritted his teeth. "…You're evil."

Cedric nodded proudly. "Older brothers must teach their little brothers important life lessons."

Javier groaned. This was daylight robbery!

"Fine! Ugh…"

Javier grumbled in defeat, his fingers twitching as he reluctantly opened his magic storage. With a sigh, he pulled out another pouch of gold and shoved it into Cedric's waiting palm.

Cedric's grin widened as he tossed the pouch in his hand a few times, enjoying the weight of his gotten gains. "That's my little brother."

Then—

Cedric suddenly leaned forward. "Want a kiss on your cheek?"

Javier recoiled instantly. "EWWW! No way!!"

Cedric laughed, pocketing his money. "Hahaha~"

Annoyed but feeling victorious, Javier hopped onto Buddy's back, gripping the reins. Just as he adjusted his seat, Cedric called out again.

"By the way, little brother."

Javier tilted his head. "Hmm?"

Cedric smirked. "Go meet Father in Gaze City first and ask for permission."

Javier froze. "…Wait. What?"

He whipped his head around

"Didn't I just get permission from both of you?!"

Cedric grinned. "Huh? Of course. Permission to bring Liana and Gloria, right?"

Javier narrowed his eyes. "And?"

Cedric crossed his arms. "Not permission to leave the estate and go far away."

"…You tricked me."

Cedric's grin widened. "It's called being responsible."

Javier groaned, slumping forward on Buddy. "I hate older brothers…"

As Javier grumbled, still annoyed by Cedric's trickery, his older brother suddenly spoke again.

"By the way… be careful."

Javier waved a hand dismissively. "Yes, yes… I know."

Just then—

Marcellus arrived, casually tossing the gold pouch in his hand as he walked toward them. "So, Cedric. Got your share?"

Cedric grinned, patting his pocket. "Of course! ~"

Marcellus smirked, then turned toward Javier. "Little brother?"

Javier, still seated on Buddy, tilted his head. "Hmm?"

Marcellus's expression softened, but his voice remained firm. "Be careful."

Javier blinked and gave a small nod. "…I will."

Then, Marcellus's gaze shifted to Liana and Gloria, his expression turning serious. "Liana? Gloria?"

Both maids straightened immediately. "Yes, Master Marcellus?"

Marcellus's voice was calm but absolute. "Protect him at all costs. That is your mission."

Without hesitation, they replied, "Yes, Master Marcellus!"

Javier pouted slightly. "Oi, oi, don't talk like I'm some helpless kid."

Cedric chuckled. "Aren't you?"

Javier huffed, kicking Buddy lightly. "Whatever! We're leaving!"

As Buddy squawked and took off, Liana and Gloria mounted their Pekkos and followed closely behind.

Marcellus and Cedric watched as their younger brother disappeared into the distance.

Cedric stretched his arms. "Well… time to relax."

Marcellus tossed his gold pouch into the air and caught it. "Yep. And spend our little brother's money~"

Cedric then turned to Marcellus.

"Brother?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm worried for Javier."

Marcellus sighed, placing the pouch into his coat. "Listen, Cedric. That brat might act like a troublemaker, but he's more capable than either of us when it comes to anything.We should be more worried about the fools who might try to mess with him."

Cedric let out a chuckle. "Yeah… I guess you're right."

Even so, he couldn't shake the feeling in his chest.

( End of Chapter )