Reborn As Noble

Liana and Gloria finally arrived at the last major town before the Elven Kingdom border—a bustling settlement nestled just beneath the towering high wall and reinforced gate that separated the Beastkin Kingdom from the ancient elven lands.

Gray clouds gathered overhead, thickening by the minute.

Liana slowed her Pekko and glanced at the sky.

"Let's stop here and rest." she said calmly.

"The clouds are getting heavy… looks like it might rain soon."

Gloria nodded from beside her.

"Mm… okay, Liana."

They guided Pikko and Peanut through the main road toward the central plaza, passing merchants, guards, and weary travelers.

"Let's find something to eat first," Liana continued.

"And we need a big pile of grilled meat for the Pekkos. They've been running non-stop."

Gloria glanced back at Peanut, who let out a low squawked and stared longingly at a vendor's meat stand.

"Yeah… I think they're hungry."

Liana nodded.

"After that, we'll look for a good inn. Somewhere quiet."

"Agreed." Gloria smiled.

"We'll need a proper rest."

The two dismounted gracefully and began their search.

They bought a generous pile of grilled meat from a local vendor near the central square—enough to satisfy both Pikko and Peanut, who were already drooling in anticipation.

After feeding their hungry Pekkos , Liana and Gloria sat on a bench nearby, enjoying their own hot portions of grilled skewers wrapped in fresh bread.

The sky was darkening slowly, and the wind grew cooler, brushing softly through their hair.

As they ate in relative silence, Gloria broke it first, her tone calm, almost too calm.

"What do you think the young master is doing right now?"

Liana didn't even glance at her.

"Hmph!"

She took a sharp bite of her meat skewer.

"Probably going around flirting with other maids."

She chewed aggressively.

"Maybe he's laying his head on Erisa's lap right now. Or—worse—he's gone off to Gaze Town, charming some rich noble girl. Or sweet-talking the staff at the public office with that smug face."

Gloria smiled, resting her chin on her hand.

"What if… he's currently sulking? Crying again like last time?"

Liana paused mid-bite.

"Hmm?"

She narrowed her eyes, not buying it.

"No way. I don't think he'll do that again."

She leaned back slightly.

"That time… he wasn't like he is now. He was still just a brat. Clingy. Mischievous. Always running to me for attention."

She looked off to the side, voice dropping slightly.

"…But now he's taller. A bit more mature. Stronger. And…"

Her cheeks puffed slightly.

"…more handsome."

She took a big, angry bite, cheeks puffed, eyes narrowed.

"Hmph!"

Gloria chuckled softly, sipping her drink like a noble sipping wine.

"Oh my~ I think someone's jealous."

"I'm not." Liana replied quickly, chewing louder.

Gloria looked up at the sky, watching the thick clouds slowly rolling in.

Her smile was soft. A little wistful.

"I missed our young master."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, carried away by the breeze.

Liana said nothing.

She kept chewing, but slower now.

Her gaze lowered, and her lips tightened.

She didn't look at Gloria. But as she sat there…

Her foot began to sway gently—then tap the ground lightly, over and over.

A flustered rhythm.

She stabbed another piece of meat.

Chewed again.

Still refusing to answer.

"Liana?" Gloria said gently, still smiling.

"Hmm?" Liana responded without looking up, mouth half-full.

"You don't look like someone who hates him."

There was a pause.

Liana let out a small sigh… then smiled.

A soft, defeated smile.

"Mou~ That dumbass."

She leaned back on the bench, looking up at the cloudy sky as a light breeze brushed past them.

"…Always making things difficult."

Gloria chuckled beside her.

"But you love him."

Liana didn't respond.

She just kept smiling, that same pouty warmth lingering at the corner of her lips.

"Enough of that," Liana said, standing up and brushing off her skirt.

"Let's find an inn. One with a stable for Pikko and Peanut."

"Alright~" Gloria replied with a light smile, rising as well.

The two turned toward the town street, guiding their Pekkos gently behind them as the wind picked up slightly and the scent of rain became stronger.

As they walked, Gloria glanced sideways.

"I wonder what the young master is doing right now."

Liana scoffed, arms crossed.

"Hmph! Probably enjoying himself to the fullest."

Her lips curled into a slight pout.

"Flirting with some poor maid or laying around like royalty."

Gloria chuckled.

Her voice was softer this time.

"Knowing him for so long…"

She looked ahead, eyes gentle.

"I don't think he's smiling right now."

Liana didn't respond.

But her steps slowed slightly.

And the clouds above began to open—

The first raindrops started to fall.

"Ah! It's raining!" Liana cried out as the first heavy drops splashed against her shoulders.

Gloria quickly grabbed her arm.

"Come on, over here!"

The two rushed beneath a wooden overhang near a merchant stall that had already pulled down its canvas cover. The smell of wet stone and grilled meat mixed with the fresh scent of rain.

Liana raised her palm, letting the raindrops hit her skin.

She stood there quietly, watching them fall.

A small smile bloomed on her lips.

A memory returned.

Her young master…

Running through the courtyard, arms wide, face turned to the sky.

Laughing like a child, even though he was already nearly eleven at the time.

Buddy was behind him, slipping and squawking, both of them soaked to the bone, kicking up puddles like wild children.

She, Gloria, and the other maids chasing after him, soaked and frustrated.

And Lady Francesca's stern voice echoing from the balcony—

"JAVIER! GET BACK INSIDE THIS INSTANT!!"

And yet—

He'd pretend not to hear.

He'd keep running.

Keep laughing.

Holding onto that fleeting joy like it was the most important thing in the world.

"Young master…"

The rain continued to fall.

But her heart felt… a little warmer.

Gloria saw that smile.

The one Liana tried to hide behind the rain.

The one that only surfaced when memories of him came rushing back.

But Gloria said nothing.

She simply stood beside her, hands folded, eyes on the road ahead.

After all… she knew how Liana was.

Proud. Stubborn. Fierce.

But also…

Hopelessly devoted.

No matter what games they played, no matter how many times she scolded or teased him—

She would always choose their young master.

Gloria looked toward the falling rain, her expression soft.

The droplets danced off the wooden canopy above, forming tiny rivers along the cobbled street.

She closed her eyes briefly.

"Young master…"

"We'll be back soon."

"Don't worry."

( End Of Chapter )