Reborn As Noble

"Liana?"

"Yes?" Liana looked up, blinking as Javier called her name.

"What's with the silence?" he asked, brow raised in mild concern.

She offered him a gentle smile. "Nothing, young master."

"Really?" Javier pressed, narrowing his eyes a little.

"Yes."

"For real?"

"Yes~" Liana replied, her voice turning playfully sweet. "Now, young master, I'm sure you're hungry. Let's find someplace to eat. I'm certain Gloria can't wait either."

"Ara~ Liana, it's not just me, you know." Gloria chimed in, feigning innocence as she hugged Javier's arm a little tighter.

"My, Gloria, I'm not that hungry," Liana replied, shaking her head with mock modesty.

"Ara~ feeling full after the kiss?~" Gloria teased, her tone lilting.

Liana just smiled, glancing around the lively street, her hand still resting comfortably on Javier's arm.

Behind them, Buddy trotted along with an easy, proud gait, followed closely by Pikko and Peanut.

Buddy nudged Pikko with his beak, earning a quick peck in return. Peanut joined in, darting between them and playfully head-butting, their feathers puffed and tails flicking in excitement.

They moved through the bustling street as a trio of oversized, energetic bird, weaving around carts and market stalls, chirping and pecking at each other without a care in the world.

Javier slowed his pace, gaze sharpening as he spotted a small figure weaving through the crowd. A child around seven or eight, bundled in clothes that looked oversized and dusty, clutching a battered satchel close to her chest. Her eyes darted, searching for something.

"Hmm?"

"What is it, young master?" Gloria asked, following his gaze.

He gave a subtle nod toward the girl. "Doesn't that seem odd to you? I thought no one in Armand went hungry, or had nowhere to stay, or couldn't find honest work."

Both Gloria and Liana turned, quickly finding the child as she paused near a bakery window, staring at the racks of fresh bread inside.

Gloria's voice was soft.

"Ah… she's probably a refugee, young master. We've been seeing more of them lately, from other human regions. Some come in during the night or early morning."

She glanced at Liana, who nodded in agreement.

"Usually, our guards escort them to the registration office in the main square after a quick check at the gates. We have food stations and shelters set up, but… sometimes the younger ones slip away."

Javier watched the girl linger outside the bakery, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

The refugee problem is getting worse. I wonder how the other nobles are handling things in their own territories.

But rules were rules. The process here was strict: all newcomers registered, given a temporary ID, assigned a place to sleep, a meal ticket.

It was Father's system. Simple, fair, impossible to abuse.

The problem is… she and the other refugee are from another lord's territory; this could get complicated. Some nobles will use any excuse to accuse us of "harboring" their people for our own benefit…

Still, Father always said: help those who ask. And honestly, I feel the same. No one should be left hungry, or without a place to sleep, or honest work to survive.

But how did she get this far inside? Javier frowned, scanning the square. The guards were making their rounds, sharp-eyed as always.

Javier gave a slight wave, signaling them to approach.

The nearest two border guards crossed over quickly, boots crisp on the stones. They stopped a few steps away, saluting with a fist to their chest before bowing.

"Young master!"

Javier nodded, his eyes flicking once more toward the girl near the bakery. "I have a question. That child over there....was she registered at the gate this morning?"

The guards followed his gaze, taking a moment to remember.

"Ah, yes… If I'm not mistaken, she arrived at dawn with a group of refugees. She's already been checked and processed, young master."

Javier studied the girl, still lingering at the bakery window.

"So what's she doing wandering around inside town?"

The first guard straightened.

"It's Lord Garius's new order, young master. Any refugee with a temporary ID is free to walk within the border town, so long as they cause no trouble. They're allowed to move about, within reason."

"So she's already registered?"

"Yes, young master. She and the rest from her group have been logged and assigned IDs."

Javier's gaze softened, though a trace of worry remained. "Good… but her clothes…"

The second guard glanced down, apologetic.

"About that, young master... supplies are running thin. Too many new arrivals. The main shipment of children's clothing from Gaze City hasn't arrived yet. Most new arrivals just wear whatever was available. And we're waiting for the clothes shop to open, but the problem with the stock is also there too."

Javier nodded, absorbing every detail. "And she's eaten?"

"Yes. Most of the refugees received breakfast this morning. We're waiting for Lord Garius's order about relocation. The camp outside the border will be closed soon, since it's not safe out there anymore. Everyone will be moved to the new settlement within Armand territory."

A measure of relief eased Javier's face, but he kept his eyes on the girl's lonely silhouette by the bakery window.

"All right. Just make sure someone keeps an eye on her and the other refugees. Some of the other lords might send people to 'recover' their subjects by force. We can't let that happen."

The guard nodded, face turning grim. "Of course, young master. We've already received Lord Garius's order to double the patrols at the gates and throughout the town. Any unknown parties or suspicious movements will be reported immediately."

Javier's gaze lingered on the child.

"We're not here to steal anyone's people. But if any of those so-called lords try to snatch refugees back by force… they'll answer to Father."

His face turned serious.

"Or to me."

While Javier continued his quiet discussion with the guards, Liana let her gaze wander across the busy border street. Now that she was looking for it, she noticed more refugees than before. Children and adults alike, huddled in pairs or small groups, all wearing the same weary, cautious expressions.

Many clutched the simple meal tickets and temporary IDs given at the checkpoint, their clothes ill-fitting, some with nothing but thin cloaks to shield them from the morning chill.

Liana also noticed the presence of Armand guards, their numbers doubled at every corner and entrance, calmly observing.

Inside her mind, Liana's thoughts turned somber.

The refugee problem is getting serious after the Celestial War… It wasn't like this before. Every border, every safe region, is overrun with people fleeing chaos, searching for a place to begin again. Even Armand, as prepared as we are, is starting to feel the strain. If this keeps up…

She glanced back at Javier, who was still speaking with the guards, then let her eyes settle once more on the crowd, so many faces, so much uncertainty, and so much hope clinging to the edge of survival.

How long before things truly stabilize? she wondered, quietly tightening her grip on Javier's arm. And how many more will need shelter before it's all over?

( End Of Chapter )