Reborn As Noble

Earlier That Day – Before Everything Unfolded

Alf and Erinnette stood just outside the door, their expressions unreadable. Surrounding them were rows of elite guards and Lord Garius' personal maids—the elite battle maids, each one standing like an unbreakable wall.

The moment they noticed him, every gaze locked onto him.

Javier stopped in his tracks. Even without words, their silent watchfulness pressed down on him, making the weight on his shoulders feel heavier.

He swallowed hard, then finally spoke. "Is Father inside?"

Alf gave a small nod. "Yes. But Lord Garius said he wanted to be alone for now."

Javier clenched his fists. Inside his mind, a storm raged. "This is my fault." "If only I had made a decision faster—if I hadn't hesitated—none of this would have happened."

He exhaled slowly, feeling the frustration burn in his chest. But now wasn't the time to dwell. He had to make things right.

Javier took a deep breath and stepped forward. The guards at the door instinctively moved, ready to block his path—not with force, but with polite insistence.

Before they could speak, Alf raised a hand—a silent command. The guards hesitated, then stepped back.

Javier nodded slightly in thanks before he reached the door. He lifted a hand, hesitated for only a moment, then knocked.

A beat of silence. Then—his father's voice, calm but firm. "Alf, tell them no visitors for now."

Javier clenched his jaw. "Father… it's me. Javier."

Another long silence. Javier held his breath. Then, at last—"Come in."

Inside the dimly lit study, Garius fought back a smirk. This was all part of his plan, but he couldn't let Javier see through it yet.

With practiced ease, he adjusted his posture, shifting into a more serious and unreadable expression. Then, he glanced toward the door. Through the faint gap, he could see Alf and Erinnette standing just outside—loyal as ever.

"You two, come in as well."

Alf and Erinnette exchanged glances, their silent relief almost visible. Without hesitation, they stepped inside, following right after Javier.

Erinnette immediately moved to prepare a drink for their lord, but before she could continue, Garius raised his palm. "Erinnette."

She halted. "Yes, my lord?"

"I want wine."

Alf's lips twitched into a knowing smile, and Erinnette's shoulders eased slightly as she gave a small nod. "As you wish, my lord."

There it was—Garius was slowly regaining his mood.

Javier, however, remained still. He stood directly before his father's desk, his posture straight but tense, his hands curled slightly at his sides.

Garius finally leaned back in his chair, folding his fingers together. His piercing gaze settled on Javier, studying him for a long moment.

Then, in a low, firm voice—"So… tell me, Javier. What do you want?"

Javier swallowed. His hands clenched at his sides, but he held his ground. "E-esteem father… I—I came here about the Amazarak girl."

Garius didn't move. He simply watched, his gaze unwavering. "Hmm? What about her?"

Javier took a deep breath. "I will take responsibility and ensure she behaves. Please."

A heavy silence followed. Garius, maintaining his unshaken authority, rested his chin on his knuckles and narrowed his eyes. "What?" His deep voice carried a weight that pressed into the room, tightening Javier's throat.

"Please release her," Javier said, forcing the words out.

Garius' expression didn't shift, but his presence grew heavier. "You know I cannot do that, Javier." His tone was absolute. "Releasing an enemy makes Armand look weak."

Javier shook his head. "No, Father. I didn't mean to release her fully like that."

Garius studied him carefully, then deliberately pressed further. "Oh? So, you've chosen to make her wear the slave collar?"

"No, Father."

"Then what, Javier?" Garius leaned forward slightly, his voice cold. "If you don't collar her, she will run the moment she sees an opportunity. She will leave Armand's borders without you, me, or anyone else knowing. And tell me—"

His sharp gaze pinned Javier in place. "What do you think will happen then?"

Javier opened his mouth, but—

"So," Garius cut him off. "If you refuse to make her your slave, and you refuse to have her executed, tell me—"

He leaned back, voice low, testing. "How will you handle this?"

Inside Garius' mind, his thoughts ran with expectation. "Come on, Javier. Show me your best mind."

Javier gritted his teeth. He had to word this carefully.

"Esteemed Father… what I'm asking for isn't to release her completely."

Garius raised a brow. "Then?"

Javier inhaled. "Instead, we allow her a limited freedom. She won't be a slave, she won't wear a collar, but—" He met his father's gaze head-on. "She stays in Armand. Under my supervision."

A beat of silence followed. Garius leaned back slightly, feigning contemplation. But inside, he was watching. Calculating.

Javier continued, his voice firm. "She will have nowhere to run. No allies, no escape. She will be bound to me—not by force, but by circumstance."

Garius studied him, then countered, "And what if she harms you? Or worse—betrays our people?"

Javier didn't flinch. "She won't."

"Oh?" Garius pressed. "And how can you guarantee that?"

Javier tightened his grip. "Because she still has something to lose."

Garius narrowed his eyes. "Explain."

Javier didn't hesitate. "She values her people more than her own life. If she tries to run, betray us, or act against Armand in any way, the consequences won't fall solely on her. Her actions will determine the fate of her entire kingdom." He exhaled slowly. "And she knows it."

A heavy silence filled the room. Inside Garius' mind, he mused, Not the brightest strategy, but… acceptable for now.

Finally, he spoke. "Javier."

Javier straightened. "Yes, Esteemed Father?"

Garius tossed the report from Hesbeirn across the desk.

Javier caught it, his eyes scanning the contents. His expression shifted, and his fingers clenched around the parchment. "Is this true, Esteemed Father?"

Garius' lips curled into a faint smirk. "Yes."

Javier gripped the report tightly. "But, Esteemed Father… how can we confirm this?"

Garius didn't blink. "Hesbeirn's elite shadow unit extracted the information from an Amazarak royal warrior—one captured by King Edmund's forces."

Javier felt a chill run down his spine. "Extracted?"

Garius leaned forward. "After some… 'soft interrogation,' they admitted their true mission."

Javier's fingers twitched. "And?"

"Their orders didn't end with simply invading our region." Garius' voice was calm, yet sharp. "Whether they succeeded or failed here, they had another job waiting for them."

Javier's gut tightened. "So… they're going to kill her?"

"Yes."

Javier's breathing slowed as his mind raced. "But why?!" His voice rose slightly. "They're sisters!"

Garius scoffed, shaking his head. "Don't ask me that, Javier. Instead, let me ask you something."

Javier's hands curled into fists. Garius' eyes bored into him.

"If I were a king," Garius said smoothly, "and I wanted to ensure that only one of my sons inherited the throne… would you do the same?"

Javier snapped. "NO! I WOULDN'T!" His voice rang out with conviction. "I don't even want to inherit the Count title, let alone be the main heir—"

Silence.

Javier froze. Garius was staring at him.

"...Ops."

Javier swallowed hard. "Err—I didn't mean it like that… E-Esteemed F-Father…"

A smirk ghosted across Garius' face. "Your inheritance is confirmed, Javier."

His next words came slow and absolute. "You cannot back out. You cannot run from it."

Garius leaned back, watching his son with amusement. "Besides," he added, his voice casual but firm, "none of your brothers want it."

Javier perked up. "Huh?"

"They all suggested you inherit the title instead."

Javier felt a headache forming. "Suggested?" That was just a fancy way of saying, "We're all forcing you to take it, and you have no say in the matter."

Garius smirked. "So you can't do anything about it. Just accept it."

Javier let out a long, defeated sigh.

Garius waved a hand. "Now, Javier."

Javier straightened. "Y-Yes, Esteemed Father!"

"Go do what you want about the Amazarak princess. It's up to you. But—" His gaze sharpened. "Make sure she behaves."

Javier snapped into a salute. "YES, ESTEEMED FATHER!"

And before his father could bring up inheritance or any other headaches, Javier rushed out the door.

Alf stepped beside Garius, arms crossed. "Are you sure, my lord? What if the Amazarak princess causes trouble for our people?"

Garius didn't look concerned. "Well… Erinnette?"

The head maid smiled knowingly. "Yes, my lord?"

"You've already told Liana and Gloria?"

Erinnette tilted her head playfully. "Of course, my lord. They both know."

Garius' smirk widened. "Good. Make sure they do their job properly."

Erinnette bowed gracefully. "Yes, my lord. With those two watching her, I'm sure the Amazarak princess won't dare to step out of line."

( End Of Chapter )