Reborn As Noble

Chapter 465: Nightfall at the Heart of Armand ( 465 )

”And Mimi?”

King Lionessʼs voice cut through the tension like a blade.

”Y-Yes, Fath— Your Majesty?” Mimi stiffened, her tail dropping flat as she looked up nervously.

He gestured calmly, but firmly.

”Release him.”

”Ehhhhh!?”

Mimi whined, clinging just a little tighter.

His eyes narrowed.

”Mimi.”

”...Y-Yes, your majesty...” she muttered, finally letting go with clear reluctance.

Javier exhaled.

Freedom tastes like oxygen...

”And you too, Delya.”

King Veldracʼs voice was calm but firm.

”Yes, big brother,” Delya muttered, still gripping Javierʼs sleeve.

Veldracʼs eyes slowly narrowed into a silent, soul-piercing stare.

Delya flinched.

”I mean—YES, your majesty!”

She jumped back as if she had touched holy fire, standing straight beside Mimi, both of them looking like scolded schoolgirls.

King Lioness sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

”Letʼs move. Weʼll speak away from the crowd.”

King Veldrac nodded, his tone now colder.

”There are things that need to be said. Things that should not be overheard by wandering ears.”

Javier straightened his coat, took one last longing glance at the fruit cart, then followed.

”Here we go again,” he muttered.

Javier walked a few steps behind the kings, now casually flanked by Queen Maira, who strolled gracefully at his side, her fan lazily flicking open and closed as if she were on a garden walk, not heading toward a royal war carriage.

They were still on the paved road leading to the royal transport, surrounded by elite guards, with the massive capital gates looming ahead.

As Javier adjusted his coat, he couldnʼt help but overhear the two kings walking in front of him—King Lioness and King Veldrac—speaking in low, familiar tones.

”I still canʼt believe it...”

King Lioness muttered under his breath, brows furrowed.

”He actually sent his youngest son.”

”No wonder,” Veldrac replied, rubbing his temple.

”That letter he sent... now it makes sense why he asked your daughter and my sister to ʼgreet him at the borderʼ so specifically. We both thought he was coming.”

”Tch. Damn Garius.”

King Lionessʼs voice dropped with a mix of annoyance and reluctant amusement.

”I thought the three of us would finally be on a mission together again—like the old days.”

Veldrac chuckled dryly.

”Instead, he sends in his mini version.”

Behind them, Javier sighed quietly.

”Mini version, huh... Thanks, Dad. Really appreciate the vote of confidence.”

Queen Maira leaned toward him slightly, whispering with a smirk.

”Donʼt worry, dear. I think youʼre doing wonderfully. A little chaos makes the world more interesting.”

Javier side-eyed her carefully.

”Please donʼt cause another political scandal.”

Queen Maira winked playfully before walking a few paces ahead with her usual elegant sway.

Mimi and Delya, who had been trailing just behind Javier like perfectly synchronized shadows, immediately closed in again—each trying to flank him on opposite sides.

Javier felt the shift in the air and groaned internally.

Here we go again…

He slowed his steps just enough to glance sideways, then forced an awkward smile.

”Err... girls?”

Both of them perked up.

”Please... excuse my rudeness, but could I ask you—just once—to give me a little space?”

”Ehhh~?”

Mimi tilted her head dramatically, still leaning into his side.

”Define ʼspaceʼ,” Delya added with a sly grin, arms casually brushing against his.

Javierʼs smile twitched.

”No ʼehhhʼ. Iʼm serious. Iʼm sure my buddy here—”

He pointed behind him without turning.

”—was planning to walk next to me. Werenʼt you, Buddy?”

Buddy, who was still lazily following at the rear, instantly perked up at the sound of his name.

He strutted forward with a smug bounce in his step and wedged himself neatly between Javier and the two girls—stretching out his wings like a proud divider.

”Cuquawked.”

(”I got you, boss.”)

Javier let out a breath of relief.

”Thank you, my noble feathered wall.”

Meanwhile, in the Armand Region.

That night...

The moon hung low and silver, casting a pale glow across the quiet landscape.

A gentle wind brushed through the grasslands, whispering secrets of what lay ahead. The air was unnaturally still—almost like the world was holding its breath.

Count Garius De Armand rode silently atop Giddie, the golden Pekko, whose feathers shimmered even in the faint moonlight. His regal figure cut through the darkness like a spear of light.

Fransesca rode with him, sitting gracefully behind, one hand resting calmly against his back, her eyes glowing faintly with magic from her sacred winged aura.