Reborn As Noble

After the discussion with the guards, Javier lingered, finger pressed thoughtfully to his chin, eyes distant as he watched the stream of refugees and the guards keeping order. The usual spark of mischief had vanished from his face, replaced by a seriousness that settled over him like a shadow.

Gloria and Liana exchanged a silent glance. Both could sense it, worry flickering in their eyes.

It was happening more and more lately. Their young master, who a year ago would nap at every opportunity, skip lessons, or tease the maids, was now quiet and brooding. He was already starting to resemble Lord Garius in his manner and the weight of his thoughts.

Liana's hand gently squeezed Javier's sleeve, as if trying to anchor him.

Gloria tilted her head, her teasing smile fading. "Young master… don't start frowning like Lord Garius. It doesn't suit you," she said softly, half-joking, half-concerned.

Liana smiled, gentle but bright, a playful glint in her eyes. "How about we eat first? You always cheer up after a good meal."

Javier didn't answer right away. He scanned the bustling street. Refugees, guards, the shifting crowd. For a moment, his face remained serious, unreadable.

Then, suddenly, he turned to face them, resolve in his gaze. "We should head back to Armand first."

Both Liana and Gloria blinked, caught off guard. That wasn't the response they expected. Not from the Javier they knew so well. There was no joke, no lazy dodge, no grin to soften his words.

Liana's hand hovered near his sleeve, worry flickering in her voice. "Young master…?"

But just as the tension started to settle, Javier's lips curled into a familiar, sly grin.

"Since Buddy is a big eater and a troublemaker, I think we'd better get home and start grilling meat. Before he decides to raid the market again."

Gloria let out a relieved breath, a genuine laugh escaping her lips. "Ara~ then let's hurry before he eats all the supplies!"

Buddy tilted his head and let out a dramatic squawk.

"Cuquawked!!!"

Javier grinned, meeting Buddy's glare head-on.

"What? You really are a big eater! I still remember those poor merchants panicking, scrambling to count up the price after you cleaned out their fruit stalls. In the end, I had to pay double just for that trouble."

Buddy gave another indignant squawk, ruffled all his feathers, and spun around with a huff, his beak held high and his tail fluffed, scratching at the dirt as if he couldn't possibly care less. He kept his back pointed stubbornly toward Javier, the picture of sulking Pekko pride.

Javier just laughed, stepping closer. "Aw~ don't sulk, my favorite Pekko. Come on, we're partners, aren't we? That's why I named you Buddy in the first place."

Buddy shot him a side-eyed glare, then deliberately looked away, feathers ruffling in mock offense.

Javier leaned in, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret.

"Tell you what, when we get back to the estate, I'll grill up some good wyvern meat just for you. Big, juicy pieces. You in?"

"Cuquawked…" Buddy grumbled, clearly pretending not to care, but taking a few heavy steps closer to Javier and eyeing him with something that looked suspiciously like anticipation.

Liana and Gloria burst into laughter, their voices light and bright as the last of the tension faded. Watching Javier negotiate with his overgrown, prideful Pekko always warmed their hearts, proof that no matter how serious things became, some things in Armand would always stay the same.

They both exchanged a look, soft amusement warming their eyes as they watched the scene unfold. There was something endearing, almost childlike, in the way Javier tried to coax his stubborn Pekko out of a sulk, offering promises, teasing, and refusing to give up, even as Buddy kept turning away and scratching at the dirt in exaggerated protest.

For a moment, it felt less like a lord and his prized mount, and more like siblings bickering at home. Javier would inch closer, grinning and whispering bribes, only for Buddy to shuffle away with a pointed huff, feathers fluffed in mock offense.

When Javier tried to circle around and meet Buddy's eyes, the Pekko would just pivot again, keeping his back turned.

"Oh? Still sulking, huh?" Javier grinned, glancing away from Buddy and eyeing a group of wild Pekko lounging lazily along the roadside.

He rubbed his chin, making a show of sizing up the biggest among them.

"Hmm… That one looks pretty good. Maybe I should change my mount. Yeah, I bet he doesn't sulk all day like a spoiled chick."

He cast a sly look back at Buddy, voice loud enough for the whole street to hear.

"Maybe I'll ride him back to the estate today instead. What do you think, Liana?"

Buddy's head snapped around, his eyes wide with outrage. He let out a deafening, indignant squawk and stomped his feet, feathers puffed to their fullest.

"CUQUAWKED!!!"

Javier burst out laughing and took off at a jog, weaving between market stalls as Buddy gave chase, wings flaring, beak open in dramatic protest.

"Ahaha! Chill, Buddy! I was just joking!!" Javier called out, still laughing as Buddy pursued him in circles, one overgrown bird and one mischievous noble darting around the square, drawing amused glances from townsfolk and guards alike.

Liana and Gloria stood side by side, shaking their heads and smiling as their young master was chased through the morning bustle by his fiercely loyal, and not-so-easily replaced, Pekko.

"Young master," Liana called, her voice clear above the playful chaos.

Javier and Buddy paused mid-chase, turning to see Liana and Gloria already astride their Pekkos, waiting at the edge of the square.

"We should head home now," Liana said, her tone gentle but certain, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Javier exchanged a look with Buddy, the playful tension dissolving in an instant. Buddy straightened, feathers smoothing, eyes bright and eager again.

"Alright!" Javier grinned, showing off his widest, most genuine smile as he swung himself up onto Buddy's back in one fluid motion.

"Alright, Buddy! Let's head home!"

"Cuquawked!!!"

Buddy surged forward, leading the way as their little group set off. Three Pekko, two maids, and a young master whose laughter drifted back through the morning air.

( End Of Chapter )