Reborn As Noble

For a moment, she stood still, staring at her reflection, at the faint blush on her cheeks, the way her eyes glimmered with hope.

”Get close to him,” she whispered again, smiling shyly. ”Just... a little closer.”

”And maybe... just maybe...” she whispered, pressing her fingertips to her lips, ”after the Pekko ride...”

Her imagination took off at full speed.

The sun would be setting behind them. The horizon glowing golden-orange as the Pekko birds slowed to a stop by a quiet lakeside.

The wind would tousle her hair, and Heres, cool and silent, would hop off first, then turn around, offering his hand to help her down.

She would hesitate just a little, blushing.

Their fingers would touch.

Then... he’d pull her close, just slightly. Their faces inches apart. His hair swaying gently. That unreadable gaze softening... just for her.

He would lean down.

Closer...

Closer...

Her eyes widened and she froze in place.

”K-Kyaaaa!!” she squealed, spinning in place and hugging her pillow tight.

She threw herself onto the bed, kicking her feet wildly as her face flushed crimson.

A maid passing by outside blinked at the muffled shriek inside the room and quietly decided not to knock.

Inside, Kliatana rolled over dramatically, her hands covering her face.

”Calm down! Calm down!!” she hissed to herself. ”It’s just a dream! It’s not real yet!”

She peeked out from between her fingers, face glowing red like a tomato.

”But... maybe...” she whispered, holding her cheeks. ”Maybe if today goes well...”

Moments later.

In the courtyard.

The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the trees, wrapping the area in a warm, golden glow. The air was calm, carrying the faint scent of the flower beds that lined the stone path.

Heres sat quietly on a carved stone bench near the center fountain, one leg crossed over the other. The soft rustle of the leaves blended with the gentle bubbling of the water, filling the stillness.

Beside him stood his Pekko.

Zuto, tall, powerful, and majestic. Its feathers shimmered faintly in shades of deep chestnut and bronze, gleaming under the sun like polished metal. The great bird stood proudly, but its curious eyes followed every movement of its master.

Zuto tilted its head and let out a soft, low squawk.

Heres smiled faintly, reaching up to stroke the side of its long neck.

”Zuto~,” he said softly, his voice calm, almost affectionate.

The Pekko’s eyes closed halfway in delight, a low, pleased rumble vibrating through its throat.

”Cuquawk?” Zuto’s tone sounded almost questioning, as if asking what they were waiting for.

Heres chuckled quietly. ”You’re wondering why I’m nervous, aren’t you?”

He glanced around, the courtyard was still empty. He leaned closer to Zuto, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

”Listen, Zuto...” he murmured.

”Today, I’m going to teach a girl... my dream girl... how to ride a Pekko.”

Zuto blinked slowly, feathers fluffing up slightly as if intrigued.

”So...” Heres continued quietly, brushing his hand along the feathers, ”I need you to behave well. No showing off, no sudden dashes, no loud squawks. You understand? Just this once, please behave. You know this is my only chance to get closer to her, to talk to her.”

Zuto blinked again.

Then squawked in proud, puffing his chest up.

Cuquawked!

Heres smiled faintly, sighing as he looked back toward the empty archway. ”She’s different, Zuto. Not like the others.”

He gently tapped the bird’s beak. ”If today goes well, maybe she’ll start to see me differently too.”

The bird puffed its chest, wings flaring slightly in a proud gesture.

Heres chuckled softly. ”So... you’ll help me, then?”

Zuto leaned forward and gently bumped his beak against Heres’s shoulder, as if saying, Leave it to me, Master.

Heres smiled. ”Good boy.”

He leaned back against the bench, taking a deep breath as he stared toward the entrance of the courtyard.

Any moment now... she would come walking through that archway.

Meanwhile...

behind the grand courtyard doors...

Kliatana stood in place, dressed in her finest afternoon dress, soft lavender with silver trim, chosen specifically to bring out the grace in her every step.

Her hair was done neatly, a few curls draped perfectly along her shoulders, and the delicate scent of the perfume Javier once praised still lingered lightly around her.

She gently tapped her heel against the floor.

Where the hell is Javier?!

she hissed inwardly, lips fixed in a serene smile despite the frustration boiling in her chest.

Just a few steps away, the two personal maids stood silently with their heads bowed, their expressions stiff after being given a merciless scolding by Liana earlier.

Kliatana peeked through the slightly opened door.

Her eyes immediately locked on him.

Heres.

Seated on the bench with that same calm, collected look. His Pekko stood tall beside him like a knight’s steed.

To her, it was a dream scene. The perfect gentleman waiting. The gentle wind tousling his hair. The glowing sunlight behind him, like a halo.

Kliatana’s cheeks flushed, and her heart skipped.

That face... that calm smile...

For her, there was no other man in the world who looked that perfect.

But her outward expression remained the picture of serenity. A graceful noble lady standing in quiet poise. Only the faint tapping of her heel revealed the storm inside.

Grrr... Javier...! she cursed silently, her polite smile twitching slightly.

Where the hell are you!? You were supposed to accompany me! You said you’d help me! You know I can’t just walk in there by myself, he’ll think I’m desperate!

She forced a calm exhale, raising her chin a little.

Calm, Kliatana. Calm. You’re refined. Composed. You’re a lady. Don’t ruin it now.

Still, she couldn’t shake the panic.

Her gaze flicked toward the two personal maids standing nearby.

Kliatana sighed softly, composing her voice. ”Can you please call Master Javier here?”

One of the maids bowed quickly. ”As you command, my lady.”

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hall as the maid dashed off.

The moment she was gone, Kliatana’s elegant mask cracked again.

Ugh!!! Javier!!! You idiot!! You were supposed to be beside me until this started! You promised to help me ease into it, so that it wouldn’t look obvious!!

Her hands clenched into tiny fists as she peeked again through the narrow gap of the door.

Heres was still there. Sitting quietly. Graceful as ever. The sunlight danced across his features, and the breeze stirred his hair in a way that made her chest tighten.

Heres...

She closed her eyes, face burning slightly, and whispered under her breath,

”...Javier, if you don’t show up in one minute, I swear I’ll...”

The Pekko squawked softly from the other side of the courtyard, and Kliatana immediately froze, holding her breath like a guilty child caught doing something she shouldn’t.

Then, she inhaled slowly again, straightened her dress, and whispered to herself, voice trembling but firm.

”Alright. Calm. Smile. Graceful.”

Her hand hovered over the door handle.

Just act natural... until Javier gets here...

( End Of Chapter )