Reborn As Noble - Chapter 235

Chapter 235: Family Matters ( 235 )

“Ehehehe! We Arrive!!!”

Javier’s excited voice echoed as they crossed the border into the Armand Region. The moment he spotted the familiar gate, his energy surged.

“YEAHHH!!!”

With a wide grin, he threw his hands up, letting out a loud whoop. “HOOOOMMMMMEEEEEEE!!”

Before Buddy even came to a complete stop, Javier slid off effortlessly, landing smoothly on the ground. Without missing a beat, he dashed toward the nearest food stall by the gate.

An old vendor, burly and gruff, watched with a knowing smile.

Javier slapped down ten silver coins. “Old Man! Give me roast meat worth this much!”

The vendor’s smile widened. “Welcome back, Young Master.”

He expertly sliced thick cuts of sizzling, perfectly roasted meat and handed them over in a wrap. “How was school? I heard your blessing ceremony went smoothly.”

Javier took a massive bite, chewing as he answered casually. “School? Boring. Lucky it’s over.”

He waved dismissively. “The blessing ceremony? Just so-so…”

Meanwhile—

A shadow loomed behind him. Buddy, his trusty companion. With his beak slightly open and drool dripping down, he stared intently at the meat, his eyes screaming one thing: GIVE. ME. MEAT.

Javier, not even turning around, let out a small chuckle. “Heh. Yeah, yeah, I know, Buddy.”

With a smirk, he tore off a large chunk and tossed it back. Buddy snatched it mid-air, chomping down with a triumphant squawk.

The vendor chuckled. “Hahaha! Some things never change.”

Gloria, still seated on Pikko, covered her mouth with a soft laugh. “Ara~ The Young Master never wastes a second before finding food.”

Liana shook her head but smiled. “At least let us settle in before running off, Young Master…”

Javier, mouth still full, grinned widely. “Too late! I’m home, so I’m celebrating!”

He stretched lazily, still chewing on his roast meat. Liana, ever the responsible one, sighed. “Young Master, we still have hours before reaching the estate. We should get going.”

Javier paused, glancing at the road ahead. Then—he shrugged. “Hmm? No need.”

He turned toward Erinette, his grin widening mischievously. “Erinette?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Yes, Young Master?”

Javier smirked. “You can go ahead. I bet you can’t wait to see your husband.”

Erinette’s eye twitched.

Meanwhile—

THUMP!

A dry retching sound echoed behind him. Javier turned to see Iria and Iziya collapsed on the ground, pale as ghosts, their bodies trembling as they clutched their stomachs.

One of them groaned weakly, “T-Too… fast…”

The other barely lifted her head, eyes unfocused. “N-Never… riding… Pekko… again…”

Then—

BLEEEEGHHH!!

Both girls turned and threw up.

Javier blinked, then—

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

He burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.

Liana sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Young Master, don’t laugh…”

Gloria, however, simply chuckled behind her hand. “Ara~ Such a strong will, yet their bodies can’t keep up.”

Still laughing, Javier wiped a tear from his eye. “Ehehehe… Guess not everyone is cut out for Pekko travel!”

Buddy squawked in agreement, flapping his wings proudly, while Pikko turned away, maintaining his dignified demeanor. Silverwind? Completely unbothered, still ignoring everything.

Javier clapped his hands together. “Alright! Let’s go home!”

Just as Javier was about to mount Buddy, something caught his eye—a new Pekko approaching from the distance. But it wasn’t just any Pekko.

It was Alf.

Javier’s eyes widened in disbelief. “EHHHHH!? Mr. Alf, riding a Pekko?!”

His voice carried pure shock. Then—his mind clicked. “Wait… how did he know Erinette was here?”

Before Javier could think further—

SQUAWK!!

Buddy and Pikko suddenly let out distressed cries, their feathers puffing up as they tensed.

Javier blinked. “Huh? Buddy? Pikko? What’s wrong?”

Then—he felt it. A powerful presence. No—three.

His eyes slowly lifted.

And then—

BOOM!

A huge, golden-haired Pekko stepped forward, its massive frame towering over the others. And the one riding it—

Lord Garius.

Javier’s father.

Seated firmly, his expression unreadable, his gaze sharp as ever.

Behind him—arms wrapped gently around his waist—was Lady Francesca, Javier’s mother. Her elegant features remained calm, though her eyes held warmth as she glanced at Javier.

Just beside them, on his own Pekko and wearing his usual confident smirk, was Hesbeirn.

Javier felt a drop of sweat roll down his temple. “…Oh.”

The air suddenly felt heavier. For the first time in a while—Javier wasn’t sure if he should laugh or run.

“JAVIER!”

Javier froze. His entire body stiffened as his father’s booming voice rang through the air.

“Eeeepp!!” He snapped to attention, standing straighter than ever. “Y-Yes, E-Esteemed Father!!”

Liana and Gloria silently covered their mouths, clearly holding back laughter. Erinette stood perfectly composed, as if this was just another normal day.

Lord Garius, still seated on his massive Pekko, narrowed his eyes. “Why did you stop here instead of heading straight home?”

Javier opened his mouth, then closed it. Then opened it again. “Errr… errr…”

Think, think, THINK!

Garius slowly turned his gaze. “Erinette.”

His voice was firm, commanding.

Erinette bowed her head slightly. “Yes, my lord?”

Garius motioned toward the two small, pale girls still recovering from their near-death Pekko ride. “Who are those two children?”

His sharp gaze locked onto Iria and Iziya. The two girls, still dizzy and weak from the journey, immediately tensed under his presence.

Iziya let out a tiny squeak. Iria’s knees wobbled.

Javier, still sweating, quickly waved his hands. “Ahahaha… um, funny story, Father!”

Garius’s eyebrow twitched. Lady Francesca, still seated behind him, chuckled softly. Hesbeirn just smirked, clearly enjoying the show.

Javier knew one thing for sure—he was in trouble.

“HESBEIRN!”

Hesbeirn immediately straightened. “Yes, my lord?”

Garius’s sharp eyes locked onto Iria and Iziya. “Capture those two and bring them to the estate.”

Iria and Iziya visibly flinched.

“Yes, my lord!” Hesbeirn grinned, cracking his knuckles before effortlessly grabbing the two girls by their collars.

“Eeeek!!”

“W-We can walk! We can walk!!”

Ignoring their protests, Hesbeirn simply slung them over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes. Javier gulped, his heart racing.

But before he could react—

Garius turned his intense gaze toward Liana and Gloria. “And YOU TWO.”

Liana and Gloria immediately stood at attention.

“You will report to ME when we arrive back at the estate.”

Liana’s posture stiffened. “Y-Yes, My Lord!”

Gloria, usually composed, nodded quickly. “Yes, My Lord.”

Javier, now sweating bullets, made one last desperate attempt to escape focus. Maybe—just maybe—his father wouldn’t—

“AND JAVIER!”

“Y-Y-Y-YES, ESTEEMED FATHER!!”

Garius’s eyes narrowed. “Take your ‘muddy’ back to the estate. And NO DETOUR.”

Javier’s heart dropped. His father knew.

Forcing an awkward grin, he saluted playfully. “O-Of course! Straight home! Not even thinking about detouring! Hehehe…!”

Garius raised an eyebrow.

Javier nodded excessively, trying to appear innocent.

Garius didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. Javier already knew—he was completely trapped.

As his father turned his Pekko toward the estate, Javier sighed deeply, his freedom slipping away.

“Tch… fine, fine…”

Muttering under his breath, he climbed onto Buddy. Liana, hiding a smirk, glanced at him. “Shall we go, Young Master?”

Javier grumbled. “Yeah, yeah… no detours…”

Buddy squawked sadly, sensing his master’s defeat.

( End of Chapter )