Reborn As Noble

"Buddy!!!" Javier shouted happily as they got closer to the holding area.

"Cuquawk!!!" Buddy replied excitedly, flapping his big wings and bouncing on his strong legs.

"Ehehehe!! Did you miss me?" Javier smiled, running to his Pekko and patting its beak gently.

Liana sighed softly and shook her head with a small smile. "Haaa... Young Master, it hasn't even been a day since you last saw him."

"Yes, yes... but it feels like forever!" Javier said, burying his face in Buddy's feathers like a child who sees a friend after a long time. "Right, Buddy?"

"Cuquawk!" Buddy squawked happily, leaning into Javier's touch.

Meanwhile, Liana looked at the caretaker, who stood nearby in a neat uniform with the Armand family emblem. She bowed politely. "Thank you, Mrs. Caretaker."

The woman smiled and returned the bow. "You're welcome, Miss Liana. We'll keep taking care of them until the event is over. They've been good, as always."

"I see. Thank you for your hard work," Liana replied, her voice calm and polite.

Javier looked over while scratching behind Buddy's neck. "Good? Buddy? Ehehe, you're full of surprises today," he teased, making Buddy squawk happily again.

"Young Master, we should go back soon," Liana reminded him, pointing to Pikko, who was cleaning her feathers nearby.

"Haaa... fine. But only after I give Buddy a little more attention. He's been such a good boy," Javier said with a grin, giving Buddy a small treat from his pocket.

The caretaker chuckled softly, watching them play. "Your bond with them is amazing, Young Master Javier. They're lucky to have you."

"Of course! Who else can handle these two so well?" Javier said proudly, then turned back to Buddy with a smirk. "Right, Buddy?"

"Cuquawk!!!" Buddy answered loudly, making everyone laugh.

Javier climbed up onto Buddy's back easily, smiling widely as he got comfortable.

Buddy, very excited, started lifting his right leg, then his left, switching back and forth like he was doing a funny dance. His big body moved back and forth as if he were performing a bird dance.

"Buddy, calm down!" Javier laughed, holding onto the reins while Buddy continued being silly. "Ehehehe, you're too excited!"

Meanwhile, Liana gracefully got on Pikko, her movements smooth and quick. "Thank you again, Mrs. Caretaker," she said politely, bowing her head a little.

"Don't mention it," the caretaker replied with a warm smile. "After all, it was Lord Garius's order."

Before Liana could say more, Buddy let out a loud squawked and started moving in circles, his excitement overflowing.

"Buddy!!" Javier called out, half-amused and half-exasperated. "Stop showing off!"

The big Pekko ignored him and kept dancing, making people step aside quickly. Some laughed, while others looked confused.

"Ehehehe, Buddy! You're making everyone move out of the way!" Javier grinned, clearly having fun.

Liana sighed softly, shaking her head as Pikko stood still, calm and collected compared to Buddy. "Haaa... Young Master, please don't encourage him," she said, although a small smile showed she was amused.

"But he's having fun!" Javier replied, leaning forward to pat Buddy's neck. "Right, Buddy?"@@novelbin@@

Buddy squawked loudly, as if he agreed, and kept circling until Javier finally pulled him in, much to the relief of the onlookers.

"By the way, where are Mother and Father?" Javier asked, looking around as Buddy shifted excitedly beneath him.

The caretaker, still nearby, replied calmly, "I believe they are in different areas right now. And Mr. Alf said you both could go first."

"Ohhhhh!!!" Javier exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with excitement as he held Buddy's reins tightly. "Ehehe, let's go, Buddy!"

"Young Master... don't," Liana quickly said, her voice calm but firm as she brought Pikko closer to him. "We should go to them now."

"Huh? But..." Javier started, pouting a little, his mind racing with ideas to run ahead.

"No buts!" Liana's tone was serious. She turned to the caretaker and her team, and her eyes gave a warning. The caretaker understood and signaled her team, who got ready on their horses.

Liana turned back to Javier with a serious look. "Young Master, if you think about running off and leaving us here..." she paused and leaned closer, "you won't be sleeping with me tonight."

"Haa... fine," Javier sighed dramatically, slumping in his seat as Buddy let out a disappointed squawked.

Liana smiled slightly, but her gaze stayed alert. "Good. Now, let's go to them calmly."

Javier muttered under his breath, "Haaa... ruining all the fun..." but he followed her lead, keeping Buddy in check as the group began their journey toward Lord Garius and Lady Francesca.

Mrs. Caretaker saw the slight worry in Liana's face as her eyes moved around the area. Concerned, she leaned closer and whispered, "Is something bothering you?"

Liana, her gaze sharp and steady, whispered back while adjusting her weapon quietly. "I noticed something strange during the event. We may not be alone."

Understanding how serious this was, Mrs. Caretaker signaled her team subtly. The caretakers, who were more than just animal handlers but highly trained experts, quickly got ready, their hands brushing against hidden weapons as they surrounded Javier and Liana.

Meanwhile, completely unaware of the tension building around him, Javier rode Buddy casually, a big grin on his face. Buddy, matching his master's mood, walked proudly, his large feet stomping confidently as if he owned the road.

"Cuquawk!" Buddy let out a proud squawk, getting a few confused looks from nearby people, while Javier chuckled softly.

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What none of them knew—except for Javier himself—was that he had already activated one of his skills. His eyes glinted as his detection ability scanned the area for any potential dangers.

"Haaa... they're all so serious," Javier thought to himself, his grin growing a little bigger. "Let's see if anyone dares to make a move."

Liana, however, stayed focused, her hand lightly resting on her bow as she exchanged a quick nod with Mrs. Caretaker. The subtle change in their team's position was seamless, making sure their Young Master was protected from all sides without drawing attention.

As they arrived at the gathering place, Liana quickly urged Pikko forward, her sharp eyes scanning the area. She approached Mrs. Errinette, who was on her horse near the lead carriage. Liana bowed slightly from atop her Pekko and whispered, "We might have company."

Mrs. Errinette glanced at her briefly, her calm smile unchanged. "Ah, Liana," she said softly, her voice steady. "Nothing to worry about."

"Hmm?" Liana tilted her head, a bit confused.

"Just stay close to the Young Master," Errinette continued, her tone warm but firm. "Make sure he enjoys himself with you by his side. That's all you need to focus on."

Still a little confused, Liana nodded. "Understood, Mrs. Errinette," she replied, guiding Pikko back to Javier, who was casually patting Buddy's neck, completely unaware of the tension around them.

The scene around them showed the Armand family's power and preparation. Nine grand and sturdy carriages were surrounded by the elite unit of the Armand household. Knights in shiny mithril armor stood in perfect formation, their strong presence demanding respect.

Inside the carriages were Lord Garius, Lady Francesca, Eridith, Phenelopie, Garcinia, and their sons and daughters, their noble presence clear even from within the carriages.

The other carriages held personal maids and a secret elite battle maid unit, disguised as regular maids to hide their true strength and purpose.

Suddenly, from the sides, another group appeared as if they had stepped out of the shadows. Gloria, the Head of Household Maids, and her team joined the formation with grace, their timing perfect.

"Hmm?" Liana blinked, narrowing her sharp eyes slightly. "Gloria?"

"Ara... Liana," Gloria greeted her with a serene smile, her calm demeanor easing some of the tension.

Before Liana could reply, Javier shouted out, "Ohhh!! Gloriaaaa!" waving excitedly from atop Buddy.

Gloria chuckled softly, her serene expression brightened by amusement. "Ara... Young Master Javier. It's always a pleasure to see you so happy."

Javier grinned widely, guiding Buddy closer. "Of course! The whole gang's here, right? This is getting more fun!"

Liana let out a soft sigh, shaking her head. "Haaa... Young Master," she muttered, though a faint smile appeared on her lips. The heavy atmosphere seemed to lighten a bit with Javier's carefree antics.

( End of Chapter )