Reborn As Noble

That evening, the front gates of the Armand estate stood open.

Light spilling across the cobblestone path.

Garius stood at the center, cloak swaying faintly in the evening breeze. At his side were Alf and Erinnette.

Behind them, a dozen maids lined up in perfect formation, their posture flawless, their eyes sharp despite the outward appearance of grace. Further back, soldiers and guards stood ready.

Garius let out a long sigh, his gaze steady on the road beyond the gates.

"Alf. Erinnette."

"Yes, my lord?" the two answered in unison.

"Everything is ready?"

"Yes, my lord," Alf replied without hesitation. "The chefs are busy in the kitchen even now. The guest houses are prepared, and our units are stationed in their posts."

Erinnette added smoothly, her voice calm and resolute,

"Their safety remains our main concern, my lord. Hospitality is never a problem for us."

"Good," Garius said, his eyes steady as he watched the road ahead.

"Then we will receive them properly. Keep our discipline sharp. Safety comes before ceremony."

Alf and Erinnette bowed their heads at once.

"Yes, my lord."

Then he saw it.

In the distance, several carriages approached.

Lavish, finely crafted, their polished frames gleaming even from afar. Around them rode disciplined escorts, small but elite troops that marked their status as rulers.

Inside, Garius's thoughts turned heavy.

All of them, here at once… I expected they would arrive separately. No doubt they gathered beforehand and chose to come together.

Fortunate that my courtyard is large enough to hold so many carriages and mounts.

Beside him, Alf and Erinnette exchanged brief smiles when they noticed his quiet sigh.

Garius spoke without turning his head.

"Alf. Erinnette. Since the border wall already reported their arrival, I trust we have also prepared accommodations for their attendants and troops?"

"Yes, my lord," Erinnette answered smoothly. "The arrangements are complete."

Alf followed with a firm nod.

"Everything has been seen to. Their escorts will be housed and provided for without issue."

Garius narrowed his eyes, watching the carriages draw nearer, their banners fluttering proudly in the breeze.

From the distinct crest etched on the lead carriage, he could already tell the Demon King wasn't traveling alone this time.

So he's brought her… the Demon Queen. Makes sense. They would never leave their kingdom without both rulers present. And judging by that second carriage following closely behind… one of his children, perhaps? Or a sibling. They'd never leave their country completely unattended.

He shifted his gaze to another set of banners.

Mylezra… I'm sure she'll have left the kingdom in the hands of her siblings. Most likely Rhalyf… Liana's father.

Another carriage came into view.

Lioness, of course. And if he's here, then I wouldn't be surprised if Felicia or Mimi came along… or both. Perhaps even his sons.

And looking at that larger carriage, no doubt the Beastkin Queen is present as well. That woman would never allow Lioness to step outside his borders without her, and knowing him, he wouldn't have dared to leave her behind either.

Garius drew in a slow breath, folding his hands behind his back as he straightened his posture.

Garius looked on as the line of royal carriages slowed, wheels creaking to a steady halt before the estate gates.

Before he could even speak a word of welcome, a sudden cry cut through the tension.

"Cuquawked!!"

From the side, Giddie burst forward, the golden feathers of the great pekko glinting as he trotted proudly toward the front carriage. He stretched his long neck toward the mounts pulling it, squawking in excitement.

Garius closed his eyes and pressed a hand against his brow. "…Giddie." His voice was low, steady, but laced with restrained annoyance.

The majestic pekko froze. Slowly, as though realizing his mistake, he turned and waddled back toward Garius, standing tall beside his master like a soldier caught out of line.

"You should not do that," Garius said firmly, his eyes narrowing. "I have told you many times."

"Cu…quawked."

The massive bird's reply came softer this time, almost timid, his head lowering ever so slightly as if cowed by his lord's disappointment.

The sight alone drew faint smiles from Alf and Erinnette, though neither dared voice it aloud.

The huge golden pekko stood obediently by Garius now, his proud stance muted.

"…Just wait until after this, Giddie. I will give you the fruit you love,"

Then the first carriage door opened.

The Demon King stepped down.

Garius let out a quiet sigh as he regarded his old friend. Veldrac's figure was as imposing as ever.

Tall, broad-shouldered, his frame carrying the strength of a seasoned warrior. His features were sharp, his bearing regal, and he stood just a little taller than Garius himself. Handsome, well-built, the image of a king.

And yet…

Despite all that, the way he speaks is always too loud.

"GARIUS!!!"

The booming voice echoed through the courtyard before the man even crossed the distance. "Ehehehe!! Long time no see!!"

Veldrac strode forward with a grin wide enough to split his face, placing a heavy hand on Garius's shoulder as though no time or distance had ever separated them.

Garius exhaled through his nose, his reply even and measured. "Long? It was only two or three months ago. Do you not remember? We met at Lioness's palace."

"Still long, my friend!" Veldrac bellowed with laughter, his grip on Garius's shoulder.

Before Garius could respond, another voice rang out.

Boisterous, matching Veldrac's volume.

"Oho!!! Old friend!! Long time no see!!"

A figure leapt down with a flash of motion, landing far too energetically for a man of his station. King Lioness straightened, his golden hair catching the light, his tail flicking lazily behind him, and the faint twitch of beastkin ears distinguishing him from a human at first glance.

Inside, Garius's thoughts sank like a stone.

…Here comes another one. Can the two of them not learn a shred of maturity? Their looks hardly match the way they act.

He closed his eyes briefly and let out a low breath.

"Haah… can you two at least keep your voices down?"

"Oho?" Lioness leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Someone sounds like an old man. But you're younger than both of us, aren't you?"

Now Garius found himself caught between them.

Veldrac's heavy hand pressing on his right shoulder, Lioness clapping his left with equal force.

He raised an eyebrow, his voice calm, but sharp enough to pierce their antics.

"Old? You two? Then perhaps act your age. For men who claim years, you behave as though you've barely seen a decade."

"Hey~ age may be old," Veldrac laughed, "but our souls are still young!"

Lioness nodded eagerly, grin wide. "That's right! So how about this, Garius? We'll call you our older brother instead!"

( End Of Chapter )