Reborn As Noble

After finishing his breakfast, Javier strolled through the estate halls with Liana beside him, heading toward the estate manager's office as instructed. As they passed his parents' room, a loud moan echoed faintly through the corridor.

Javier froze mid-step, his ears twitching slightly. His eyes darted to the side, where he saw Mrs. Erinnete, the head maid, and Mr. Alf, the butler, standing outside the door. Several other maids stood at attention nearby, guarding the area.
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A sly grin spread across Javier's face. Looks like the "bigger boy" really couldn't wait, huh?

He tilted his head, a mischievous smirk forming as he leaned toward Liana and whispered, "Hey, Liana?"

"Yes, young master?" she replied, her voice calm but curious.

"Will you be that loud when we're married later?" he teased, his tone cheeky.

"Young master!!" Liana's exasperated voice followed, though her cheeks were lightly blushed as she hurried after him.

The guards and maids exchanged knowing glances, trying to remain professional despite the scene, while Javier's laughter echoed down the hall.

Javier chuckled, glancing back to see Liana's flustered expression.

"Young master, stop teasing like that!" Liana huffed.

Javier turned to walk backward, his grin wide. "But I don't mind if you are that loud once we're married!" He laughed , enjoying her reaction.

"YOUNG MASTER!" Liana shout, a mix of indignation and embarrassment in her voice. She quickened her pace, closing the distance.

Still laughing, Javier sped up slightly, his playful tone carrying down the hall. "I'm just saying, Liana! No need to hold back with me, you know!"

"Enough with that nonsense!" Liana scolded, finally catching up and grabbing his sleeve. Her stern expression couldn't hide the faint smile at the corners of her lips.

"Alright, alright," Javier conceded, raising his hands in mock surrender, though his eyes still gleamed with mischief. "I'll behave."

Liana sighed, shaking her head. "Now, young master, let's head to Mr. Alex's office."

"Okay!!" Javier replied, a bright smile on his face as he followed her lead.

Javier and Liana finally arrived at the estate manager's office. The room was lined with shelves filled with scrolls, books, and records detailing the estate's operations.

"Ah, young master, Miss Liana," the estate manager greeted them with a polite bow, gesturing toward the chairs across his desk.

Liana stepped forward and explained their visit. She mentioned Lord Garius instructions regarding the land allocation for Javier farming project.

While Liana and the estate manager discussed the details, Javier wandered over to one of the shelves, drawn to the neatly arranged ledgers and journals. He plucked a book from the collection and flipped it open casually. The dry, small handwriting detailed crop rotations, tax records, and other logistical minutiae, but Javier skimmed over them without much interest.

So, this is the kind of paperwork Father deals with every day. No wonder he's always so grumpy, Javier mused, suppressing a yawn.

He glanced back at Liana, who was listening to the estate manager explanation.

Well, as long as she's handling the boring stuff, I'll just… Javier turned the page lazily, pretending to be engrossed in the book while mentally planning his next mischief.

Occasionally, he glanced up and caught snippets of their conversation, quickly tuning out anything that sounded too technical. Instead, he let his thoughts wander, a mischievous smile playing on his lips as he imagined the chaos he could stir up with his new farming project.

By the time the estate manager finished explaining, Javier had already replaced the book and leaned back against the shelf, giving them a bright, innocent smile as if he'd been listening the entire time.

As Javier stood in the estate manager's office, his thoughts drifted to the grand vision forming in his mind. He rubbed his hands together gleefully, his smirk growing wider by the second.

Ehehehe… soon… sugarcane and cocoa. They all think sugarcane is just a plant you chew on for sweetness and that cocoa is only for those distant tribes. Just wait… Once I refine sugar and make chocolate, the whole kingdom will come running! The Armand name will become famous with luxury and innovation.

Liana noticed Javier's expression and raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. She was used to his mischievous musings by now.

The estate manager, unaware of Javier's schemes, handed over a set of documents to Liana, explaining something about soil quality and irrigation. Meanwhile, Javier was consumed by memories of his past life.

Back then, sugar and chocolate were everyday commodities. Here, they're rarer than gold! The nobles will go wild for this once I market it as an exotic delicacy. And the common folk? They'll clamor for even a small taste. Heh… With my modern knowledge, I'll revolutionize trade and agriculture. Who needs politics when I can control the market?

His grin widened as he imagined elaborate feasts with nobles savoring his future creations, their wealth pouring into his pockets.

Liana sighed, noticing his faraway look. "Young Master, are you paying attention?"

Javier blinked, snapping out of his daydream. "Of course, of course! I heard every word!"

The estate manager and Liana exchanged skeptical glances but didn't press the matter.

As they left the office, Javier couldn't help but chuckle under his breath. "First sugarcane and cocoa, then the world!"

Liana gave him a wary look. "Young Master, are you plotting something again?"

"Plotting? Me? Nope!" Javier replied, putting on his most innocent face. But inside, he was already envisioning his empire of sweetness taking shape.

Javier stretched his arms as they walked out of the estate office, his grin widening mischievously.

"Liaaanaaaa…" he drawled playfully.

Liana sighed, already bracing herself. "What now, Young Master?"

"Let's head to the Pekko pen! I want to check on my buddy. Then, we'll go to my workshop," he said, practically skipping with excitement.

Liana crossed her arms and regarded him with a weary look. "Your 'precious companions'? You mean those overly cheerful birds you spoil with snacks?"

Javier put a hand over his heart, feigning shock. "Liana! How could you say that? Pekkos are majestic creatures, not just birds! One day, they'll carry me into glorious battles—or maybe just to the market for snacks."

Liana shook her head with an amused sigh. "Yeah, sure… Let's go before you start giving them noble titles or something."

Javier chuckled as he quickened his pace, already imagining his Pekkos wearing full armor.

Trailing behind, Liana couldn't help but smile softly. Despite his antics, she found Javier enthusiasm oddly charming.

When they arrived at the Pekko pen, Javier dashed forward. His favorite Pekko, a cheerful orange-feathered bird with a swirling red-and-black beak, let out an enthusiastic squawk and waddled over to greet him.

"Buddy!" Javier shouted, wrapping his arms around the Pekko's neck and ruffling its soft feathers. "You're the best, you know that? The absolute best!"

Buddy squawked again, flapping its short wings as if in agreement.

Meanwhile, Liana moved efficiently, placing fresh feed into the trough and replacing the water in their sturdy stone basin. Her own Pekko, sidled up to her.

"Good morning, Pikko," she murmured affectionately, stroking its head and earning a happy trill from the bird.

Liana crouched to inspect Pikko's claws and feathers, ensuring it was in good health. She was meticulous about caring for her Pekko, grateful to Javier for the unexpected gift a few months ago.

Javier looked over, still hugging Buddy. "You and Pikko are getting along well, huh?"

"Of course," Liana replied, smiling as she scratched under Pikko's beak. "She's well-behaved, unlike certain someone."

"Hey!" Javier protested, standing up. "I'm plenty well-behaved!"

Buddy let out a loud, amused squawk, as if disagreeing.

"Traitor," Javier muttered, patting Buddy's side before bursting into laughter.

Liana chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Come on, Young Master. After this, we need to head to your workshop. Don't spend the whole day hugging your 'majesty' there."

Javier grinned and gave Buddy one last hug. "Fine, fine."

Once inside his personal workshop, Javier made a dramatic flourish with his hand and activated his magic storage. A glowing circle appeared in the air, and with a flick of his wrist, he summoned an enormous chest. The heavy thud it made as it landed reverberated through the room.

Liana blinked, already bracing herself.

Javier flipped open the chest, and a dazzling light burst out—gold coins, glittering jewels, and ornate trinkets sparkled brilliantly inside. The sight was enough to make anyone's jaw drop, but Javier? He was beyond ecstatic.

"Kikikiki!!" he clasped his hands together, shaking with mock greed. "I'm rich! I'm rich! A lord? No, a king! A king of wealth! My empire begins now! Bow before me, peasants!" He dramatically struck a pose as if addressing an invisible crowd of admirers.

Liana pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "Young Master…"

Javier froze mid-pose, turning toward her with a sheepish grin. "What?"

"Is this the kind of behavior befitting a noble?" she asked, her tone calm but firm.

"But I worked hard for this!" he argued, pointing at the chest. "Hunting monsters, selling their parts, crafting weapons and armor, dealing with Old Man Orrim's constant haggling—and don't forget my latest venture! Clearing out that goblin settlement and finding their hoarded treasure! This is all mine, Liana!"

"And you've done well," she replied, walking over with her hands on her hips. "But acting like a bandit king isn't exactly dignified."

"Bandit king?" Javier gasped, clutching his chest in mock offense. "I'm more like… a treasure-hunting genius! "

"Sure..sure." Liana reply with smile.

( End of Chapter )