Reborn As Noble

Liana shouted, stumbling forward as the petals floated down like snowflakes.

She didn't stop.

She ran. Chasing after them.

"Come back!!" she yelled, her voice breaking. "Please—!!"

Her bare feet moved quickly across the soft grass, weaving through the trees, and into an open field glowing with golden twilight. The sky above was oddly still — no clouds, no sun — just a heavy silence pressing down on her chest.

Then she stopped.

She saw it.

Five graves.

Simple stone markers stood in a quiet row, surrounded by wilted flowers. Each one had no name. No carving. Just the heavy feeling of loss.

Liana sank to her knees. Her breath caught in her throat. Her fingers shook as she reached out toward the nearest grave.

"No… no, no… this isn't real…"

She clutched the cold dirt, tears flowing at last.

"Why…? Why am I seeing this…?"

A whisper answered her.

"Because you're afraid."

Liana spun around quickly.

There was no one.

Only the wind… and the petals swirling around again.

"Afraid of losing him."

Her eyes widened. The whisper wasn't coming from outside — it was inside her mind.

She pressed her hand to her chest, her heart pounding painfully.

"I won't let this happen. I won't… I swear…"

The petals spun around her again, lifting and twirling — then suddenly—

Darkness.

Liana gasped, jerking awake from her sleep. Her breath was hurried, chest rising and falling quickly. Cold sweat clung to her skin.

The quiet night was back. She was in bed — Javier's arm loosely around her.

She turned her head.

He was there.

Sleeping peacefully.

Alive.

Liana touched his cheek gently. Her hand trembled. Then she buried her face against his chest, holding onto him tightly.

"Mmm… Liana?" Gloria's sleepy voice murmured, her eyes barely opening as she shifted slightly on the bed. Her hand reached up to brush her hair aside.

Liana quickly wiped the sweat from her forehead and forced a small smile. "Ah… no, nothing. I'm okay."

Gloria's gaze, still hazy, lingered for a moment before she asked softly, "Did you have a nightmare?"

"Kinda," Liana whispered, lowering her voice as she glanced at Javier, who was still sleeping peacefully between them.

Gloria yawned, scooting closer and wrapping an arm around Javier's torso. "Don't think too much about it… it's just a dream."

She closed her eyes again, her breathing evening out quickly.

Liana looked at the two beside her—the gentle rise and fall of Javier's breath, Gloria's calm expression.

She exhaled slowly, trying to settle herself.

But deep inside, the image of those five graves still lingered in her mind.

The next morning.

Javier stirred awake, blinking slowly as sunlight streamed through the window. His body felt warm and comfortable, wrapped in Gloria's embrace on one side and Felicia curled against his chest on the other.

Yet, something was different.

He slowly turned his head to the right.

Liana was no longer there.

"Huh?" he muttered, still drowsy. "Where's Liana?"

Gently, he slid his arm out from under Gloria, careful not to wake her, and eased her back onto the pillow. Felicia shifted slightly, letting out a soft breath, her tail flicking once before settling again.

Javier sat up and looked around the room.

No sign of Liana.

He stretched, rubbed his eyes, then got to his feet, his bare soles making soft sounds on the stone floor as he headed toward the washbasin. After splashing cold water on his face, he shook off the last remains of sleep.

As he stepped out of the bedroom, he caught a faint sound—the gentle clinking of utensils, the soft chopping of a knife, and the crackle of a fire.

The kitchen.

Javier's eyes brightened a little.

"…She's cooking?" he thought, curious and a little concerned.

When Javier reached the door of the kitchen, he paused for a moment.

The morning light streamed softly through the small window, filling the room with a gentle glow.

And there she was.

Liana stood by the stove, wearing a simple white apron over her maid outfit. Her hair was loosely tied back. She was humming softly, a tune that was unfamiliar yet soothing. Her hands moved with familiarity — one stirring the pot, the other sprinkling herbs with gentle care.

The aroma of roasted meat and fresh vegetables filled the air.

She looked peaceful. Calm. A faint smile played on her lips as steam curled up before her.

For a moment, Javier didn't say a word. He simply watched her.

And something about that sight made his heart tighten — not with pain, but with warmth. After all the chaos, the punishments, the teasing… seeing Liana like this felt different. Quiet. Gentle. Almost… distant?

He moved closer, slowly.

Liana felt a familiar warmth wrap around her waist, and then Javier's head rested lightly on her shoulder. She didn't turn around, but a faint smile touched her lips.

"What are you cooking?" Javier asked softly, his voice still a little husky with sleep.

"Good morning, young master," Liana replied softly. "I was making breakfast. You don't have the maids or chefs from Armand's household here like back home, after all."

Javier smiled and leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss on her cheek from behind.

Liana's hand paused for just a moment. Then she tilted her head slightly and returned his gesture with a light kiss on his arm. "Now, young master, go wash your face. Maybe feed Pekko outside. I'm sure Buddy's waiting."

"Yeah, yeah…" Javier mumbled playfully, but he didn't move right away. He stayed there for another moment, holding her a little tighter before gently letting go.

Javier made his way to the shower, quietly enjoying the warmth of the water as it washed over him. After scrubbing himself clean, he reached out—and then paused, realizing he'd forgotten to bring a towel.

"…Liana—" he started to call, but before the words could leave his mouth, a gentle hand slipped through the slightly open door, offering him a folded towel.

"Here, young master," came Liana's soft, steady voice from behind the door.

Javier blinked, slightly surprised. "Ah… thank you, Liana." He smiled, feeling touched by her thoughtfulness.

Once Javier stepped out of the shower, towel in hand, he saw her waiting just outside — calm, graceful, and smiling warmly.

"Now, young master," she said softly, "your clothes are ready in the living room. Noble attire, of course."

She shot him a playful glance, then added, "After that, you can check on Buddy, Pikko, Peanut… and the stray cat's new Pekko too."

Javier smirked. "Umm… I will. By the way, where's Gloria?"

"It's still too early, young master," Liana replied with a gentle laugh. "I haven't woken her up yet."

She turned and started walking back toward the kitchen, humming softly as if the earlier dream hadn't left a trace on her face.

( End Of Chapter )