Reborn As Noble - Chapter 430

Chapter 430: Plans and Predicaments ( 430 )
“If you’ll excuse me,” Javier said with a respectful bow, his tone polite.

He took three steps backward—flawless etiquette drilled into him since childhood—then turned smoothly and made his way to the door.

The moment the door closed behind him—

“Ehehehe…”

His grin widened like a child with a secret.

“I’m gonna find a way to make sure Father, Mother, Mr. Alf, Mrs. Erinnette…”

He tilted his head slightly, eyes twinkling.…and everyone important stays young and healthy forever.”

“Kekeke…”

He strolled down the hallway, hands behind his head, looking relaxed—but inside, plans were already forming. Rare alchemy ingredients… forbidden magic theory… enchantments… anti-aging support spells…?

“Heh… if I find a way to stretch their lifespan, I’ll never need to sit on that chair. Perfect.”

He whistled a soft tune, already considering who to approach first—maybe the estate alchemist? Or raid the forbidden section of the Armand magic archive?

One thing was certain:

He’d rather become the world’s most dangerous support than sit in the Lord’s office pushing paperwork.

Javier whistled softly, hands in his pockets, as he strolled leisurely down the polished hallways of the Armand estate.

He made his way toward the maid dining hall, expecting to see the usual chaos of morning chatter and scurrying maids.

But instead…

Empty chairs. Clean tables. Just the chef wiping down the counters.

“Hmm?” Javier blinked.

“Where is everyone?”

The chef glanced up and bowed respectfully.

“Most of the maids have already finished breakfast, young master. The rest have gone to begin their duties.”

“Ahh… got it.”

Still whistling, Javier turned and wandered back into the manor halls.

He passed a few servants bowing politely along the way, but no Liana. No Gloria. Not even Meira or Lithia.

“Huh… Where are they?” he muttered.

Then—

As he rounded a corner near the guest wing…

Smooch.

“Mm… Marcellus… stop~ someone might hear us…”

Javier froze.

A slow, devilish grin spread across his face.

“Looks like big bro’s busy,” he whispered.

Without hesitation, he crept up to the door.

Knock-knock-knock-KNOCK!!

“—HUH!?” a voice squeaked in panic from inside.

Javier turned on his heel and sprinted down the hallway, grinning ear to ear.

From behind the door:

“DAMN IT, JAVIER!! I KNOW THAT KNOCK!!”

Javier laughed all the way down the hall, not even trying to hide his footsteps now.

After making sure he was far from Marcellus’s room, Javier strolled casually again, this time heading toward the open courtyard.

“Hmm… if there’s nothing to do right now…”

He stretched with a yawn, hands behind his head.

“…might as well go visit Buddy, Pikko, and Peanut at the pen.”

As he passed by the flower-lined walkway, he whistled a soft tune. The courtyard breeze brushed gently against his cloak.

But then—

“CUQUAWKED!!!”

“CUQUAWK!! CUQUAWK!!”

Javier blinked.

Loud squawking. Feathers. Movement. Chaos.

He turned the corner—

And burst out laughing.

Buddy was running full speed in circles, clearly panicking—his wings flapping comically while his long legs kicked up dust.

Chasing him at full speed was Giddie.

The towering, regal Pekko had a massive red-black beak and glossy golden feathers. His steps thundered like a proud warlord.

Buddy zig-zagged desperately.

“CUQUAWKED!!” (GET THIS CRAZY OLD MAN AWAY FROM ME!)

“Damn…”

Javier grinned, crossing his arms as he watched the chase.

“Even Buddy’s scared of Giddie…”

He shook his head with a smirk.

“Father’s Pekko really is the king of all Pekko.”

Meanwhile, Pikko was off to the side, watching the chaos and ruffling her silver-orange feathers like a noble lady sipping tea.

Peanut, on the other hand, was running in circles beside Giddie—not chasing, just imitating the chase for fun.

“That one’s definitely like Gloria,” Javier muttered, amused.

Suddenly, Giddie skidded to a dramatic halt.

His wings flared wide for one final, prideful display—like a conquering emperor announcing the end of his rampage.

Then—

He turned.

And began to walk slowly.

Majestically. Proudly. Like a royal parading through his domain.

Each step echoed with grace and exaggerated flair, his head held high, feathers gleaming under the afternoon sun.

Javier raised an eyebrow.

Then he heard it.

“Giddie! Lunch time!”

A calm, familiar voice.

Garius.

Javier peeked out from behind the bush.

What he saw made him stifle a laugh.

The fearsome King of Pekko—the mighty Giddie—was now hopping eagerly in place, wings fluttering, eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“Cuquawk! Cuquawk!”

That wasn’t a battle cry.

That was excitement.

“…Wow.”

Javier blinked, watching Giddie practically dance as Garius approached with a small scoop of hand-selected fruit slices.

“He eats like royalty… but turns into a little kid in front of Father.”

He whispered to himself, amused.

“Even the Pekko King knows who’s really in charge.”

“Young master?”

“Wha—!”

Javier nearly jumped as Liana’s calm voice drifted behind him.

He spun around.

“Liana! Don’t scare me like that!”

She tilted her head slightly, her emerald eyes as serene as ever.

“Hmm? Young master, did you forget I could track your position with magic?”

“…Oh.”

Caught. Again.

Liana stepped beside him, brushing a strand of silver hair behind her ear.

“What are you doing here, crouching in the bushes like a suspicious noble?”

“Hmm? Oh, nothing important.”

Javier scratched his cheek with a sheepish grin.

“I was just… trying to find you both. You weren’t in the dining room earlier.”

Liana nodded softly.

“I see. Gloria was called by Mrs. Erinnette for maid coordination duty. She’s still at the staff wing.”

“Ahh…” Javier leaned back against the tree casually, peeking once more at Giddie, who was now chirping softly while Garius gently patted his beak.

Liana followed his gaze.

“…Spying on Lord Garius?”

“No. Definitely not. I was… uhh…”

“…Watching Giddie eat like royalty?”

“…Maybe.”

Javier grinned.

“Hey, don’t blame me. It’s hilarious watching the king of all Pekko act like a spoiled brat.”

Liana allowed a tiny smile to form.

“Even beasts recognize kindness, young master. Your father raised him well.”

“Yeah,” Javier said softly.

“Now, young master,” Liana said gently, brushing off a few leaves from his cloak.

“Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

Without hesitation, Javier reached out and took her hand.

Liana blinked softly, a small smile curling at the corner of her lips.

Even after all this time, even after everything…

her young master still wanted her by his side.

They walked side by side along the cobblestone path, passing under the blooming white-bell trees lining the courtyard.

“Liana?” Javier asked, his voice low and casual.

“Yes, young master?”

He glanced at her.

“I wonder…”

“Don’t ever ask that question again!”

She cut him off, eyes narrowing—though her voice held a hint of flustered heat beneath the calm.

“Eh?” Javier blinked, surprised.

“I didn’t even say anything yet.”

“You were going to ask… ‘when you grow old, or when you die… will I find another man in my life?’ Right?”

“…Errrr…”

“I hate that question,” Liana muttered, her voice barely a whisper but firm.

She squeezed his hand just a little tighter.

“Because I’ll never love anyone else. Even if I live a thousand years. Even if you’re no longer here.”

“…Liana.”

“So stop worrying about things that haven’t happened yet.”

She looked forward again, trying to hide the slight shimmer in her eyes.

Javier didn’t say anything.

Without a word, he pulled Liana into his arms—tight, firm, protective.

She froze for a moment, then slowly closed her eyes. Her hands clutched the back of his cloak as she leaned into him.

“…Don’t…”

Her voice trembled slightly.

“Don’t ask that question again.”

She wasn’t crying.

But there was a thin line of tears at the corner of her eyes.

“Like I said before…”

“I won’t.”

“I won’t…”

Her fingers clenched tighter.

“…And I won’t.”

Javier stayed quiet, holding her gently.

“…Still…” he murmured.

“A human like me… might only live seventy, maybe a hundred years if I’m lucky.

But you… you’ll live so much longer than that.”

He felt her flinch against his chest.

“Don’t, young master…”

She whispered.

“Please…”

Her voice cracked—

“I don’t want to think about that. Not now.”

Javier slowly stroked her hair, his hand tender and warm.

“Ara~ leaving me out?”

A soft, teasing voice floated in from behind.

Javier and Liana slowly turned their heads—still in each other’s arms—to see Gloria standing just a few steps away, her arms crossed, a faint smile on her lips.

Her warm eyes gleamed behind her glasses.

“Gloria…”

Javier blinked.

Liana narrowed her eyes.

“Why do you always show up at this kind of moment?”

“Hmm?” Gloria tilted her head innocently.

“Because I am the future second wife, of course.”

Liana’s eye twitched.

Gloria walked toward them, her steps slow and elegant.

Javier scratched his cheek awkwardly, still holding Liana with one arm.

“You sure know how to ruin the mood.”

“Ruin it?” Gloria smiled sweetly, resting her hands behind her back.

“I came to balance it.”

She leaned closer to Javier, just enough to make Liana shift protectively.

“You looked like you were going to cry too, young master. Someone had to step in before you got all dramatic and started promising to conquer time or something.”

“…I was about to,” Javier muttered.

“Exactly my point.”

Liana sighed, wiping her eyes quickly and stepping aside—only to find Gloria casually hugging Javier from the other side.

“My turn,” she whispered softly, resting her head against his shoulder.

Javier glanced between the two.

“…Should I be scared or blessed?”

“Both,” they said in unison.

( End of Chapter )