Reborn As Noble

Zania followed behind Javier and his two maids, her gaze wary yet curious. She wasn't sure what to do. She had been released—without a slave collar, without chains, without any visible restraints.

And yet… she didn't run. Not because she was scared, but because… something didn't make sense.

The people. They smiled when they saw Javier. Not forced smiles. Not the fearful, hollow obedience she expected from people under a "tyrant." But genuine happiness.

"Ah! Young Master!" A merchant waved. "How about stopping by for a drink? Freshly made juice!"

Another woman from a food stall called out cheerfully, "Young Master! I just finished baking a fresh batch of egg cakes! Come and have a taste!"

Javier grinned, rubbing his chin. "Oho~ Free samples? I like that."

Liana sighed. "Young Master, you always take advantage of their kindness."

Gloria adjusted her glasses, smirking. "At this point, they should start charging you extra."

Javier dramatically clutched his chest. "How cruel! You two are my future wives, yet you show me no mercy!"

The two maids gave him flat stares.

Zania, walking behind them, was in disbelief. "What is this?" This wasn't the world she was taught to expect. "Why… are these people happy?"

As Javier and his maids strolled through the lively town, their ever-loyal Pekko followed behind them—this time behaving. No stealing food. No chaotic running. Just a smug strut, head held high, chest puffed out, walking like he owned the place.

"Cuquawked ~ Cuquawked ~ Cuquawked ~~" Buddy let out a proud tune, sounding like he was happily singing to himself.

The villagers couldn't help but smile. Some chuckled at the sight. "Looks like Young Master's Pekko is in a good mood today."

A child pointed excitedly. "Mama, look! The Pekko is singing!"

Even Pikko and Peanut walked with elegant pride, clearly enjoying the attention.

Meanwhile, Zania, trailing slightly behind, felt even more confused. "Even the birds here act like royalty?"

This land… it wasn't at all what she had expected.

Javier grinned as he pulled out a piece of roasted meat, waving it temptingly. "Buddy? Want some meat?"

Buddy paused mid-strut, tilting his head. "Cuquawked?"

For a moment, Javier thought he had him. But then—Buddy shook his head. "Cuquawked ~"

"Oh?" Javier raised a brow. "Full already?"

Buddy puffed out his chest. "Cuquawked!!"

Javier squinted at him suspiciously. "Damn… what did the guards feed you this time?"

Buddy fluffed his feathers smugly. "Cuquawked~"

Pikko and Peanut looked equally satisfied, walking with a noticeable sway in their step, as if they had just finished a grand feast.

Javier sighed. "Haa… no wonder you're all acting so obedient today."

Javier stretched his arms as he strolled through Gaze Town, taking in the lively atmosphere. "Oho~ now this is what I like to see."

People were laughing, chatting, and working. Even the kids ran around, playing freely. It was peaceful.

Then, something truly caught his attention. "Oh! Now we're talking—cheap food!" Javier smirked, eyeing the stalls.

Liana chuckled. "Yes, Young Master. Not just here, but the whole Armand region."

Javier rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That's nice to hear… maybe I should start learning how Father managed to do this."

Gloria raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh~? Someone's seriously thinking about inheriting the title?"

Javier froze. "Ugh… don't remind me." He groaned, running a hand through his hair. "They all pushed those responsibilities onto me… damn it." The weight of the future still lingered in the back of his mind.

Gloria leaned in with a teasing smirk. "By the way, Young Master?"

Javier stretched lazily. "Hmm? What's up, Gloria?"

Gloria casually pointed toward Zania, who had been walking silently behind them. "What are you planning to do with this girl?"

Liana tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Yes, Young Master~ it looks like your collection of girls is growing."

"Geh—!" Javier nearly tripped. "No! That's not—" He sighed, rubbing his temples. "I don't know… we'll figure it out when we reach the estate."

Liana and Gloria exchanged glances, their smirks deepening.

"My, my… just turned 12, and he already has such a huge desire," Liana mused playfully.

Gloria nodded sagely. "Maybe she's his type, right, Liana?"

Javier groaned. "Oh, come on! Don't start!"

Liana sighed dramatically, placing a hand on her cheek. "My, my… I wonder… when he turns into a fine young man, will he forget about us, Gloria?"

Gloria gasped, playing along. "Oh no, Liana~! I can already see it! He'll focus on this new girl instead… or worse…" She gave Javier a knowing glance. "Maybe he'll just keep adding more girls to his collection."

"Oi!" Javier snapped. "I'm not collecting girls! Stop making it sound weird!"

Gloria pretended to clutch her chest, as if heartbroken. "Ah, Young Master~ playing with the hearts of innocent maidens… once you're done with us, you'll toss us aside, just like that…" She wiped an imaginary tear, her voice dripping with drama.

Liana shook her head. "Truly tragic… abandoned after years of loyal service…"

Javier facepalmed. "Why are you both acting like I threw you away already!?"

Gloria dramatically clung to Liana, pretending to weep. "Oh, Liana~! It's only a matter of time… once he's done with us, once he's taken all our sweetness, he'll grow bored and toss us aside… Ahn~"

Liana gasped, covering her mouth as if struck by a tragic revelation. "Oh no… Gloria, you're right! He's going to replace us with new, younger girls…!"

Javier stared at them, his eye twitching. "What the hell is this nonsense!?"

Gloria leaned against Liana, wiping away fake tears. "Ah… Young Master was once so kind… so sweet… but now… now he's become a heartless womanizer… We're doomed, Liana…"

Liana nodded solemnly. "Yes… doomed to be thrown away after years of devotion…"

Javier groaned, rubbing his face. "You two are ridiculous."

Javier suddenly turned serious, his usual playful expression fading. Before either of them could react, he gently took Liana's hand in one of his and Gloria's in the other. His grip was warm—firm, yet hesitant.

Liana blinked in surprise. "Young Master…?"

Gloria tilted her head, watching him carefully. "Hmm? What's this?"

Javier looked away, his ears tinged red. "I'm not… ever… thinking of leaving you both… or discarding you two…" His voice was quiet, but every word carried weight.

Liana felt her heart skip. Gloria blinked, momentarily stunned, before her lips curled into a small, genuine smile. "Oh, Young Master… that's not fair."

Javier finally looked at them, his grip tightening slightly. Liana smiled softly, her emerald eyes warm. "Then never let go, Young Master."

Liana narrowed her eyes playfully. "So, Young Master… she's also part of your collection now, right?"

Javier tilted his head, glancing at Zania, who stiffened under their gazes. "Hmm? Who knows?" He smirked, shrugging.

Gloria giggled, leaning in. "Oh? Acting mysterious now, Young Master?"

Javier chuckled, then stretched his arms behind his head. "But one thing's for sure… I'm not planning on adding more girls in the future.No need to worry about that."

Liana raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Really now?"

Gloria smirked. "Should I write that down? Maybe carve it into stone?"

Javier pouted. "Oi, let me finish!"

Liana and Gloria laughed softly, waiting.

Javier sighed, then continued. "Like I was saying… the future isn't something we can predict, nor something we always plan for. Who knows what'll happen?"

Liana crossed her arms, watching him carefully. "Then what do you plan to do about her?"

Javier grinned and patted Buddy's neck. "Nothing much. Father asked me to make sure she keeps following me wherever I go. So, that's what I'll do."

( End of Chapter )