Reborn As Noble

"My father extends an invitation to the feast at Armand, to Chieftain Gumarak, to Your Highness,"

Javier said with steady courtesy, bowing slightly toward the queen, "and to any company you wish, up to twenty may join me."

The queen's brows arched lightly.

"Tonight?" she asked, her tone calm but tinged with concern.

"That is quite sudden… preparations will be..."

"Worry not, Your Highness," Javier interrupted gently, his hand lifting with measured grace before he lowered it across his chest again.

"My father anticipated this. The invitation includes transportation." He turned slightly, extending his arm toward the vast silhouette of the transport drone gleaming behind him.

The queen's lips curved into a serene smile, eyes glinting with approval. "My, my… very well. Give us but a moment to prepare."

Before her words had even settled, a booming voice thundered from behind.

"Woo!!! My future son-in-law!"

Gumarak barreled forward, his chest puffed, his booming laughter echoing through the courtyard. "Of course, an invitation from my old friend Garius can't be rejected! Not by me!"

He jabbed a thick finger toward two nearby officers, his grin wide.

"You! And you!!"

Both dwarves stiffened at once. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Prepare our dwarven wine! Load it all into the transport!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The two scrambled away at once, already shouting orders down the corridor.

The queen's smile remained, but her eyes narrowed faintly as she turned her head toward him. "Dear husband… moderation."

"Bah! It's a feast!" Gumarak bellowed, waving his hand dismissively. "What's a dwarven feast without barrels o' wine!?"

The queen sighed softly.

Gumarak threw one arm around Javier's shoulder, his booming laughter rolling through the courtyard.

"Bwahahaha! My future son-in-law! Aye, this is what I like! Straight to the point, none of that paper-writin' nonsense!" He squeezed Javier's shoulder with enough force to make stone creak, his grin unshaken.

The witch won't dare pull me beard with the lad standin' here, he thought smugly.

Ferine stood beside her father, her smile serene, her eyes flicking briefly toward Javier with quiet warmth.

Liana and Gloria's gazes sharpened like drawn blades, their eyes locked firmly on Ferine. Neither said a word, but the weight of their glare was heavy enough that even the queen, watching from the side, caught it with a small, knowing smile behind her fan.

Moments later, the preparations were complete. Servants rushed to and fro with barrels of dwarven wine.

Just then, the royal advisor staggered in. Robes crooked, cheeks flushed, breath reeking of liquor. He nearly tripped over the stone step as he bowed hastily.

"M-My apologies, Young Lord Javier! Everything is in disorder tonight… such short notice…"

Javier's polite smile never wavered. He inclined his head slightly, hand to his chest.

"The fault is mine. My father requested I come at once. I could not and would not dare refuse him."

"Bah! Don't fret it!" Gumarak bellowed, slapping Javier's back with enough force to rattle his bones.

"But really… why tonight of all nights? That sly Garius, he's never been one for last-minute feasts."

He stroked his beard, suspicion flickering in his eyes. "Strange, aye. Makes me wonder what the old fox is schemin'…"

Javier let out a soft, courteous laugh, bowing his head slightly to hide his eyes. "Perhaps it is simply his way of cherishing his old friends."

Inside, however, his thoughts were sharper.

I'll never say King Veldrac and King Lioness are already there. If Gumarak knew, he'd bolt, and once he runs, even Father admits he's too slippery to catch. A headache I'd rather avoid.

From the palace doors, another procession approached.

Royal officers in neat lines, followed by several armored guards. In the center walked a broad-shouldered dwarf, walking steadily, his expression calm but warm.

"Look, Javier!" Gumarak roared proudly, his hand swinging up before slapping Javier's back with a heavy, bone, jarring shove.

"That's my eldest! If I ever step down from the throne, he'll take it! The next chieftain of the dwarves. Lograc!"

Javier sighed softly, his polite smile still in place. As always, he has to announce it loudly for the whole mountain to hear…

Lograc stepped forward with graceful bearing, escorted by the royal guards. When he reached Javier, his stiffness disappeared. He offered his hand, his eyes turning soft with genuine ease.

"We meet again, Young Lord Javier."

Javier shook his hand firmly. "Likewise, Your Royal Highness Lograc."

"Hey!" Lograc laughed, shaking his head. "Don't call me that. It makes me sound older than Father."

Javier smiled. "Then I'll call you whatever you prefer. Still, it's good to see you well."

Behind him, Liana and Gloria froze, their eyes widening.

Young master….has a friend?

Liana breathed out slowly, a hand over her chest in quiet relief. All this time, we thought he never connected with anyone outside the family…

Gloria adjusted her glasses, a small smile on her lips. So he isn't as alone as we feared.

Gumarak let out another booming laugh, clapping both Javier and Lograc on the shoulders at once, nearly pushing them together.

"Bwahaha! That's it! My boy and Garius's boy. Look at you two, side by side! Just like the old days when me and that sly fox caused trouble together!"

Then a calm, gentle voice spoke.

"Dear, how about we go inside the transport Javier prepared instead of waiting in the courtyard?"

The queen spoke softly and gracefully, her smile kind. But her eyes flicked slightly, and the guards, officers, and even the tired royal advisor straightened.

"Ceh! This witch's mouth is loud," Gumarak muttered boldly, his chest puffed out as if challenging her. His loud voice echoed across the courtyard.

The queen's lips barely moved into a smile, but she kept her calm look. Her eyes glimmered faintly.

Just you wait, old dwarf, she thought quietly, her steps still graceful. You only act brave because our future son-in-law is nearby. I'll remember this...

Javier exhaled softly, his polite smile staying in place as he followed them. …

I feel like I've been pulled into something dangerous again.

Javier looked at the gathering. The dwarves gathered more than he expected. His lips formed a thin line, and he let out a long, quiet sigh.

More than twenty… of course it wouldn't be simple.

He raised his hand, and mana spread smoothly through the courtyard. In the next moment, a second transport drone appeared beside the first, smaller.

"The rest can use this one, Your Majesty," Javier said politely, bowing his head to the queen.

The queen's calm smile deepened, and she gracefully lifted a fan to her lips.

"My, how thoughtful. Very well." She looked at the royal advisor, who was still swaying on his feet. "You and the other officers will board that one."

"Eh? But… Your Majesty…" The advisor's face went pale. His eyes moved nervously between the smaller craft and the larger shiny one, clearly hoping to avoid it.

Javier sighed softly again, his polite smile still in place.

Of course they'd be scared. Who wouldn't be when they see a machine like this for the first time?

He spoke in a calm, kind voice. "Gloria… can you go with them inside the other transport drone? It might help them feel better."

Gloria blinked, a little surprised. "But, Young Master—"

Liana crossed her arms and looked away. I don't want to be separated with young master.

Javier sighed again, running a hand through his hair.

"All right then. Liana and Gloria, you will go with Chieftain Gumarak, the Queen, and Princess Ferine in the main transport."

Both maids stiffened, their eyes widening.

( End Of Chapter )