Reborn As Noble

Liana arrived at the door and pushed it open without knocking.

Racia, halfway through a sip of tea, froze. Her eyes widened.

Ah...Here we go... the strict future wife of Young Master. I hope I don’t get dragged into trouble.

She set the cup down with both hands before standing and bowing, palm pressed neatly to her left chest.

”Good afternoon, Miss Liana. How may I help you?”

Liana glided past her with effortless poise, her eyes scanning every corner. She checked beneath the table, then peered into the small storage room at the back, not missing a single detail.

”Where is Young Master~?” Liana asked with a perfectly sweet tone, head tilted, but her gaze was direct.

Racia swallowed. Liana’s presence was overwhelming, her aura heavy enough to make the air feel tight. ”Um... I-I don’t know, Miss Liana,” Racia stammered, trying her best not to fidget.

”Really, Miss Racia?~ Are you absolutely sure you don’t know?” Liana’s voice was gentle, but the pressure behind it made Racia’s skin prickle.

Racia stammered, panic clear in her voice. ”I... I really haven’t seen him since about an hour ago. I remember saw the orange Pekko outside, squawking and banging on the door with it’s beak. Racia replied carefully, feeling the pressure mount. ”That was about an hour ago...”

Liana eyed Racia up and down, then leaned in, inspecting the hem of Racia’s long skirt.

”You’re certain he’s not hiding under your skirt?” Without hesitation, she pinched the fabric and lifted it up, to check beneath.

”Eeep! Miss Liana!” Racia squeaked, clutching her skirt defensively. ”There’s no way Young Master could fit!! My skirt’s not that long!”

Liana examined her, then let the skirt drop and fixed her own hair with an elegant flick. ”If you see him, let me know at once. Understood?”

”Y-yes, Miss Liana!” Racia squeaked, bowing with relief and a nervous smile as Liana turned and swept gracefully out of the office.

Once she was out, Liana moved gracefully down the main road, her expression calm but her mind racing.

According to Racia, Young Master was last seen outside the house, looking up at Buddy an hour ago

Wait... when I asked Buddy where Young Master was, he only squawked.

She pressed her lips together, recalling every detail.

Buddy never leaves Young Master. No matter where he goes, that Pekko is always right there.

Even when Young Master is just lounging around, Buddy was always around, never wandering off. That stubborn big bird acts like a loyal dog, if Young Master is anywhere nearby, Buddy will be too.

So if Buddy was lounging at the house when I checked, then...

Her pace quickened, skirts swishing, but every movement was precise and serene. Onlookers paused to admire the sight of the beautiful elf in her maid uniform gliding by, but Liana’s attention was fixed on her destination.

This means... That bird tricked me! If Buddy was resting there, then Young Master never actually left. I should have checked closer!

She hurried her steps.

There’s only one place I didn’t check...

Under Buddy’s wing!

Liana broke into a smooth, determined stride, heading straight back toward the house.

When Liana arrived at the courtyard, she found Buddy sprawled out as usual, looking completely relaxed. She approached with measured steps, her face composed, but her eyes glinting with irritation.

She stopped right in front of the massive Pekko, gazing up at him with a cold stare. Buddy’s beak curl into a smug grin.

”You damn orange bird, you dare trick me?” Liana hissed, her tone icy. ”Where is Young Master? Don’t play dumb.”

Buddy looked down at her, puffed his chest out, and twisted his beak into an even more arrogant smirk, like he was proud of himself.

Still acting innocent, Buddy lifted his massive wing.

Underneath, curled up against Buddy’s warm body, Javier was fast asleep.

Liana’s glare sharpened. ”How dare you trick me! Do you want to end up as dinner tonight?”

Javier blinked sleepily, sitting up from under Buddy’s massive wing. His hair was a mess, shirt rumpled, a faint line of drool on his cheek. He glanced around, confusion in his eyes until he spotted Liana glaring at Buddy with her arms folded tight.

”Oh... Liana? What’s wrong?” Javier mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

Liana kept her voice calm, but her eyes were sharp. ”I asked Buddy where you were, and this big orange Pekko tricked me, Young Master. I’ve been looking everywhere.”

Javier just yawned, leaning his head against Buddy’s warm feathers. He glanced up at Liana, still half-asleep. ”Liana... I’m hungry.”

She sighed, tension melting away into a patient smile. ”Alright, Young Master. Come inside, I’ll cook something for you.”

He nodded, still groggy, and patted Buddy’s side with genuine appreciation. ”Thanks, Buddy. That was a good nap.”

Buddy gave a low, self-satisfied squawk, acting as if none of this chaos had anything to do with him.

Liana waited for Javier to get to his feet, then gently straightened his collar and guided him back toward the house.

Once inside the house, Liana closed the door behind them and glanced at Javier.

”Now, now, young master, go wash your face. I’ll prepare food for you.”

”Mm... okay. Thanks, Liana.” Javier shuffled toward the bathroom, still half-asleep.

Liana shook her head, then touched her mana talkie in her ear. ”Gloria, Felicia, Delya, Mimi... Young master’s home. All of you should come back now.”

From the mana talkie, Gloria’s voice came in, calm and a little teasing. ”Ara? Where did you find him?”

Liana sighed softly. ”He was sleeping in the courtyard.”

Felicia’s voice joined in, slightly confused. ”But we already searched the courtyard before, didn’t we?”

”Yes... but we forgot to check under Buddy.” Liana reply.

”Ara~ Buddy is lucky to be Young Master’s Pekko. If not, I’d have cooked him for our dinner,” Gloria chimed, voice playful.

Before Liana could answer, Mimi’s voice burst through the channel, excited. ”Liana, nya! Can I buy these honey fruits? And this other fruit? Or this huge slab of meat?”

Liana let out another sigh, her lips twitching with a small smile. She tapped her mana talkie to reply, ”Yes, yes... just buy what you want.”

”Alright! Thanks!” Mimi cheered, clearly thrilled.

( End Of Chapter )