Reborn As Noble-Chapter 364: Brothers and Banter ( )

Cedric strolled through the manor halls, hands tucked into his pockets, feeling bored.

Meira wasn't around.

Even Marcellus was locked away in his room with Lithia, probably too busy for anything else.

With nothing better to do, Cedric wandered aimlessly. His steps led him to the upstairs balcony, where a cool breeze greeted him. He leaned against the railing, lazily scanning the estate grounds.

And that's when he saw him.

Far below, near the Pekko pen, his little brother Javier was having the time of his life, grilling meat with Liana and Gloria.

Oho—

Cedric smirked. Lucky him.

He had long since recognized Javier's affection for those two. Watching them now, there was no doubt—his little brother was winning at life.

With boredom setting in, Cedric let out a quiet sigh.

He felt slightly hungry.

He could go to the main dining room, call for the household maids and the chef, and have them prepare something for him. A proper noble meal, served on fine plates with a warm drink.

But then…

His gaze drifted back to Javier's little gathering.

The sizzle of grilling meat, the faint aroma drifting with the wind—his younger brother was clearly using high-quality ingredients.

Cedric's smirk deepened.

That looks interesting.

He pushed himself off the railing and stretched his arms casually.

"I think I'll join them."

With that, he turned and headed downstairs, a new objective in mind.

Cedric took his time, walking leisurely toward the Pekko pen. It was a bit of a distance from the main manor, but who cared? He was bored anyway.

The scent of grilled meat grew stronger as he approached. The crackling of fire, soft murmurs of conversation, and occasional laughter from the two maids became clearer.

Then—he spotted them.

His little brother was gathered around the grill with his ever-loyal maids, Liana and Gloria, enjoying their quiet meal together.

Well, well… this looks fun.

Cedric grinned.

"Yo! My little brother!"

At his voice, Javier visibly stiffened before turning toward him with a long, exhausted sigh.

"Ugh… Cedric." Javier's expression instantly darkened. "What now?"

Cedric placed a hand on his hip, giving his younger brother a dramatic look of offense. "Aww, come on, little brother… at least let me eat something from that grill."

Javier frowned. "Ehhh?! You can ask the maids or the chef to prepare something for you!"

Cedric clutched his heart in mock hurt. "Aww, come on~ I'll give you a kiss on the cheek?"

"EWWW! No way!" Javier recoiled in disgust. "Go ahead and grill yourself some meat!"

Cedric chuckled. "Wooo, that's my little brother."

Satisfied with Javier's reaction, he took a seat by the grill, ready to make himself comfortable.

"Hmm? Where's Meira?" Javier asked casually between bites.

Cedric, already munching on a piece of grilled meat, barely looked at him. "Munch, munch… I don't know. But Mrs. Erinette said she had something assigned by our mother."

Javier nodded. "Hmm? How about your other personal maids?"

Cedric lazily waved his hand. "Don't ask me. I bet Father was calling them. Besides, they only accompany me for official duties or visits, right?"

"Well… that's true." Javier shrugged, focusing back on his food.

Liana, who was beside him, took a freshly grilled piece of meat from the skewer and gently held it up to Javier's lips.

"Here, young master."

Javier leaned forward without hesitation and took a bite, his expression one of pure bliss.

Gloria watched with an amused smile, while Zania—who had been silent this whole time—suddenly looked up.

Her gaze drifted toward Cedric.

And for the first time—she truly saw him.

Handsome.

That was the only word that came to her mind.

His sharp yet refined features, the effortless charm in his relaxed posture, and the way his eyes sparkled with amusement—he looked like someone born to be admired.

A noble through and through.

Her heart skipped a beat before she even realized it.

Oh no.

Then Cedric turned toward Javier, completely unaware of the attention he had just gained.

"Oh, little brother? Who's this?" He gestured toward Zania with mild curiosity. "Is this that Amazarak princess who was supposed to be hanged?"

Javier, still chewing, answered with a lazy nod. "Yeah… kinda."

Zania quickly looked away, biting into her own food.

Why did she feel flustered all of a sudden?

Cedric leaned back slightly, taking another bite of the juicy grilled meat. His gaze drifted toward Zania, his expression relaxed—almost uninterested.

"Well… she's kinda cute."

Zania froze.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the skewer she was holding.

Did… did she hear that right?

Slowly, she looked up again, and—

There he was.

That handsome noble with golden eyes, his refined yet effortless charm showing in the way he carried himself with confidence without even trying.

Too handsome.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She had always believed that nobles were arrogant, cold, and cruel. But Cedric… he was different. He was smiling, teasing, completely at ease.

And—he just called her cute.

Even if he didn't mean it seriously.

Even if it was just an offhand remark.

It didn't matter.

Because at that moment, Zania's heart melted.

Meanwhile, Cedric continued enjoying his meal, completely unaware of the effect he had just had on her.

He chewed thoughtfully, glancing at her again.

Then, in between bites, Javier casually spoke up.

"You want her?"

Cedric blinked, pausing mid-bite. "Hmm?" He swallowed. "I don't know… she's not trained as a maid yet, right?"

"Yeah…" Javier mumbled, also munching away.

The conversation moved on.

But Zania?

Her mind was in a complete mess.

Cedric took another bite, chewing slowly before speaking in a casual, uninterested tone.

"Besides, Father didn't say anything about that, right?"

Javier shrugged, poking at the sizzling meat on the grill. "Yeah, kinda… I don't know. All I know is Father said to keep an eye on her. She can't leave the Armand region, no matter what."

Javier lazily turned the skewer, the flames licking at the edges. "More like she's a prisoner… just not inside a jail."

"Oh… well… whatever." Cedric replied, unfazed.

He remained focused on his food, his posture relaxed as if he had already lost interest in the topic.

But across from him, Zania's world was in chaos.

She had been listening. She had heard every word.

She was a prisoner.

A captured Amazarak princess.

Yet—why did none of that matter anymore?

She wasn't thinking about escaping or seeking revenge.

She was thinking about his voice.

His golden eyes.

The effortless way he smile when he spoke.

The way he didn't even realize how devastatingly handsome he was.

Before she knew it, her hands were moving on their own.

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

She rushed to the grill.

Her fingers worked quickly, flipping the skewers, pressing them down to ensure they were cooked perfectly.

Then—without a word—she picked one up and held it out toward Cedric.

Her hand trembled slightly.

She didn't say anything.

She didn't look away.

Her gaze locked onto Cedric's face.

Without blinking.

( End of Chapter )