Reborn As Noble

Chapter 802: The Bellies and the Boardroom ( 802 )

"Alright, Buddy, Pikko... you’re both free to do anything. Just don’t cause trouble for the people." Javier’s grin curled wider, his voice dropping into a sly whisper. "well...for those trash...go wild."Buddy bobbed his massive head, beak snapping in excitement, wings flapping with such force that a few passersby stumbled back.

Pikko, beside him, tilted her head with dignified calm, her orange-silver feathers catching the sun.

Liana pinched the bridge of her nose. Her young master stood there, hands on his hips, whispering schemes to two monstrous birds as if they were his partners in crime. And worse, those birds looked like they understood every word.heir carriages rolled to a stop near the storefront. Servants and private guards leapt down first, clearing space with the weight of steel at their hips. The nobles straightened their cloaks and jewelry, their steps heavy with arrogance as they moved to join Viscount Camair, laughter already echoing between them.

The moment Viscount Camair stepped through the door, his fingers trailed along a shelf, plucking up a bottle of fine wine as if it already belonged to him.

"We take this! And that!" he barked, his grin wide.

The merchant, wealthy, well-dressed, and accustomed to dealing with nobles, hurried forward with a respectful bow.

"Ah, your lordship~ Welcome to my humble shop. Please, do have a look. I will prepare the ledger for your purchases."

But before he could finish, another noble was already tugging a bolt of silk free from its rack. "Hmph. The weave is decent. Pack it." He tossed it to his guard, who stuffed it into a crate without asking the price.

Another lord leaned over the counter, pointing at a polished box of jewelry. "That too. And these trinkets. Quickly now!"

The merchant blinked, caught between disbelief and dread as more of his merchandise vanished. His lips twitched nervously, trying to form words. He had assumed, as any merchant would, that nobles of such rank would choose their goods and then pay in proper coin.

But their sly grins told a different story. Not one of them reached for a purse. Not one asked the cost. Their soldiers simply piled up goods, loading them without restraint.

"My lords... surely you intend to..." The merchant’s voice cracked under the weight of their arrogance. He forced a smile, though his hands trembled slightly at his sides. "...to settle accounts before leaving?"

The nearest noble turned, his smile sharp as a blade.

"Settle accounts? We honor you by stepping foot in your shop. That should be enough."

The merchant swallowed hard, forcing his expression into the smoothest mask of courtesy he could muster. He bowed slightly, clasping his hands together as his eyes followed another crate being hauled out the door.

"My lords... forgive my boldness," he began, his tone careful, respectful, almost pleading.

"It gladdens me to see your esteemed selves finding value in my humble wares. Truly, it is an honor. Yet... ah..." His fingers twitched against his robes as he searched for the right words.

"...it is the way of trade, honored sirs, that even the finest customers settle accounts before the goods leave the shop. Surely your lordships would not wish my clerks to be confused when balancing the day’s records?"

He forced a light chuckle, bowing lower, as if trying to frame his request as a simple matter of routine rather than defiance.

But the nobles barely paused. One of them waved a jeweled hand dismissively, his lips curling into a smirk.

"Accounts, records... do not trouble us with such petty details. Consider it payment enough that men of our rank deem your goods worthy to take."

Laughter followed, sharp and cruel, as another soldier carried out a bundle of silk. The merchant’s smile faltered, his bow stiffening under the weight of humiliation, but still he dared not speak too strongly, lest their mockery turn to wrath.

( End Of Chapter )