Reborn As Noble

Ah… I should hide my mana.

This place is big, but not big enough when you live here every day. Anyone searching seriously could track me down in minutes.

The courtyard is huge… the backyard even larger. Behind that, the barracks. And beside those, the maid quarters.

"Quarters" in name only. Heh, more like five-star room compared to the cramped dorms of the old world.

He smirked to himself as he strolled along, hands in his pockets.

Not gonna lie though… even those can't compare to my room. Spacious, comfortable, and better furnished than most nobles' audience chambers. Perks of being me, after all.

His grin widened, a glint of mischief in his eye.

And as usual, the personal maids live inside the main house. Though Liana and Gloria… they do have their own rooms. Doesn't matter. They always end up in mine.

A low chuckle rumbled in his chest as he imagined it.

Yep… my hugging pillows. Lucky, lucky me.

I'm sure tonight will be loud in the grand hall. No doubt about it.

The second hall can't even be used right now.

All because of that "throne room" I built for Father out of pure gold. His face when he first saw it....heh. Priceless. Lucky for me, he didn't reject it. Just… awkward.

Javier smirked, then shook his head.

Enough of that.

The war is over. Peace is here, at least for now. And it's been too long since I last enjoyed a glass of wine.

He lifted his eyes skyward as he walked, the night stretching endlessly above.

Beautiful. Truly beautiful.

His ears caught faint sounds in the distance, boots against stone, steel brushing in formation.

Peh… everyone's patrolling, setting their positions. All for those kings and queens.

And I'm sure Delya, Mimi, and Felicia are here too.

Mimi will be calling out, "~Husband!" with that bubbly smile of hers.

Delya… "~Danna-sama," with that teasing lilt. Haa… that phantom skill of hers, now that would be something after marriage. Yummy, yum-yum.

And Felicia… beautiful in her own right. Not on the level of Liana and Gloria, of course, but still… worthy of a sigh or two.

Still… tonight, I need space. Just for me. To drink, to breathe, to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Oh?

Javier stopped, tilting his head up. A massive tree stood tall, its trunk thick, branches stretching like a canopy against the night sky.

I never noticed this one before… Or maybe I just rarely come here.

Whatever...

With a small grin, he bent his knees and leapt, landing lightly on one of the sturdy branches. He leaned back against the trunk, letting his legs dangle lazily.

Ah… this place is good. Quiet. Away from all that noise. Still within the estate, but far enough that no one will think to bother me.

He pulled in a deep breath, letting it out slowly, eyes half-lidded as the night's calm wrapped around him.

Alright… time to drink… eheheh.

Javier reached into his magic storage, pulling out one of the bottles he had stolen earlier. Beside it came a crystal-made glass. Elegant, flawless, the kind nobles flaunted at banquets.

But this one wasn't ordinary.

It was his personal enhancement.

A special glass that nullified any poison. Any taint poured into it would be pooled away, gathered at the bottom and dripped out in a harmless purified stream. Only the clean liquid remained.

Javier smirked as he turned the glass in his hand, the faint magical sheen running along its surface.

Of course… not only this. Every utensil in the manor.

Plates, forks, glasses, knives, bowl. Everything.

I secretly enhanced them all. For everyone's use. Not just family.

He poured the wine slowly, listening to the faint gurgle as it filled the glass.

If anyone tries poison here, even the smallest trace.

It won't work. Nothing harmful will ever reach them. Not under my watch.

He leaned back against the trunk, swirling the red liquid lightly.

Just like Father. He always thinks ahead. So will I.

A soft grin tugged at his lips. Thinking, planning… preparing. That's what it means to be Armand. Yep.

He lifted the glass, letting the aroma brush past his nose before taking a slow, satisfied sip.

The moment the red liquid slid down his throat, Javier closed his eyes.

Mm~ that's nice. Smooth… the taste is different. Rich. Fragrant. Refined.

He let out a quiet chuckle, swirling the glass again before taking another sip.

Damn, this is good. No wonder Father locked it away. I'm certain this one's expensive.

Lowering the glass, he pulled the bottle closer, turning it in his hand. Now then… let's see who made this masterpiece.

His eyes fell on the etched label, the script elegant and flowing.

"Elven Red Wine."

He raised his brows. Oh?

Don't know… maybe it's expensive, maybe someone gave it to him as a gift.

He shrugged, lifting the glass again without a hint of hesitation.

Doesn't matter. I love the taste. And I'll make sure to drink every drop of it.

Another sip slid smoothly down his throat, the rich flavor warming him as he leaned back against the trunk.

If Father finds out later…

His lips curled into a sly grin, eyes narrowing with mischief.

Well… let's just say...

I'll enjoy the punishment.

He chuckled softly to himself, swirling the wine with a lazy satisfaction, savoring the fleeting peace he had carved out for himself.

I'm sure no one could find me here.

With a flick of his finger, mana rippled faintly around him. Invisible skill on, mana trail covered. Now no one can track me.

Not Alf, not Erinnette, not Hesbeirn. Not Liana, and surely not Gloria.

He paused, tilting his head. …Though I'm not entirely sure about Father. Or Mother. Haa… honestly, I don't even know how strong they truly are.

He smirked, taking another sip of wine. Well, whatever. They're probably busy with the grand hall right now.

Reaching into his storage, Javier pulled out a slab of roasted meat, the aroma mixing perfectly with the fragrance of the Elven red wine.

Leaning back against the trunk, he took a slow drink, then tore into the meat with lazy satisfaction.

Ah… this is life. A real one.

The stars above shimmered quietly as Javier ate and drank in peace, his smug grin lit faintly by the glow of the night.

Until…

"Cuquawked!!"

Javier froze mid-sip, lowering his glass. He glanced down and saw Buddy tilting his head up at him, those wide eyes blinking with innocent curiosity.

"Ceh… this one finds me too easily." Javier sighed, shaking his head. Can't fool a pekko, huh. Well, this one's special… and Father's pekko, Giddie. I can trick the others, but never him.

He smirked faintly. "What now, Buddy?"

"Cuquawked!!"

"Ugh, fine." Javier dug into his magic storage, pulling out another slab of roasted meat and tossing it down.

Buddy snatched it mid-air, gulping it down in one bite.

"Cuquawked!!"

Satisfied, the massive bird crouched, and then sprang upward, wings beating powerfully.

"Oi! You're not a flying bird or some small sparrow!"

Crack!

The branch groaned and split under Buddy's massive weight the moment he landed beside Javier.

Javier's eyes widened. "…Uh-oh."

( End Of Chapter )