Reborn As Noble

Lyzia puffed her cheek, her face reddening with frustration as she opened her mouth, ready to shout back at Buddy. Before she could get a single word out, Liana spoke, her voice calm and soft, still focused on the dish she was preparing.

”Buddy~”

Buddy turned his head toward her, his beak still curled in a smug smirk.

”Cuquawked?” (What?)

Liana kept her focus on the dish, her hands moving with practiced precision as she measured the spices.

”Stop causing more trouble, especially during this rare vacation. We’re here to relax and enjoy each other’s company, not to stir up more chaos.”

Buddy pulled his head back slightly, his feathers ruffling as he let out a low, defensive squawk.

”Cuquawked? Cuquawked~” (What? I was just being the usual me~ The annoying one~ Even Master gets teased by me all the time, so why not everyone else? It’s not like I’m being mean~)

He tilted his head, his beak curling into a sly smirk as he wiggled his eyebrows at Lyzia.

”Cuquawked~” (Besides, that’s just how I show I care. If a pekko doesn’t care about someone, we won’t go near them, won’t squawk at them, won’t even bother teasing them. We’d just ignore them completely. Even if they offer us food, we’d turn our beaks up and walk away.)

He puffed his chest out with pride, glancing down at Lyzia, who was still puffing her cheek and glaring up at him.

”Cuquawked~” (So consider yourself lucky, little witch~ That means I like you~)

Buddy’s smirk widened as he continued to glance at Lyzia, who bit her lower lip in frustration. He moved to her side, giving her a playful side-glance before letting out a smooth, convincing squawk.

”Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~” (Besides~ Most witches are beautiful, graceful, elegant~ They’re mysterious~ Powerful~ And they always get what they want~)

Buddy bobbed his head, his expression turning serious as he puffed his chest out. He began walking around Lyzia with a smug, regal stride, his wings tucked up against his sides like a nobleman inspecting something of interest.

”Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~” (They don’t need to chase after anyone. People come to them. They have presence. They have charm. And when they walk into a room, everyone stops and stares. So when I call you a witch~ It’s not an insult~ It’s a compliment~)

He stopped directly in front of her, tilting his head down with a knowing smirk.

”Cuquawked~” (You should be honored~)

Buddy continued puffing his chest out, moving his head slowly as he inspected Lyzia’s body with a deliberate, appraising gaze.

”Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~” (Look at you~ That porcelain skin, so smooth and flawless~ Those eyes, so bright and clear~ That hair, like moonlight~ And that body~ Elegant, graceful, and perfectly proportioned~)

Lyzia’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. Her irritation melted away with each word, replaced by a growing sense of pride and satisfaction. She clasped her hands together, her body swaying slightly as she leaned forward, her voice coming out in a soft, eager whisper.

”Really? You think I’m that beautiful?”

Buddy bobbed his head once, his expression turning serious as he let out a firm, confident squawk.

”Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~?” (Of course~ Would I lie to you~?)

Lyzia let out a small, delighted squeal, her hands flying to her cheeks as she bounced on her feet. Without warning, she began slapping Buddy’s wing repeatedly, each hit light and flustered, her face burning bright red.

”You! You! You! Stop saying things like that!”

Buddy glanced at Liana with narrowed eyes, his expression flat and unimpressed. Liana simply shook her head with a smile, not bothering to intervene.

Ugh... This brat is so annoying. She’s already melting from praise given by a pekko. What a weird little witch.

Buddy moved toward Lyzia’s back, positioning himself directly behind her. Without warning, he swung his rear end toward her and bumped her hard. Lyzia was launched into the air, her arms flailing as she soared upward.

Liana glanced up from her cooking, watching Lyzia flail through the air before her gaze shifted to Buddy. She let out a soft exhale, her voice calm but curious.

”Why did you do that?”

”Cuquawked...” (She’s a weirdo. Getting flustered by a pekko’s praise. What kind of person blushes because a bird compliments them?)

Liana chuckled softly, shaking her head as she returned her attention to the dish.

”Your lie about witches was quite convincing, you know. Most witches are old, wrinkled, and and crooked noses. You made them sound like goddesses. I didn’t know you could lie with such a straight face.”

Buddy glanced at her, tilting his head with a smug smirk.

”Cuquawked~” (Not every witch is old. Most of them are beautiful, mysterious, and powerful. And as for being a smooth talker~ I learned from the best. My master.)

Liana paused mid-slice, her knife hovering above the cutting board. She slowly turned her head toward Buddy, her eyes narrowing into a sharp glare. A cold, dangerous aura radiated from her, making the air around her feel heavy.

”Excuse me? Young Master taught you to lie?”

”Cuquawked!!!” (No! I didn’t mean that!)

Buddy scrambled to explain, his wings flapping nervously as he moved toward her. He pressed his feathered body against her side, nuzzling against her arm in a desperate attempt to appease her.

”Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~” (I meant he taught me how to talk smoothly! How to be charming! Not to lie! I swear! Please don’t be angry, my beautiful elf witch! I’ll behave! )

His eyes suddenly caught sight of a glass jar filled with a vibrant, shimmering liquid. His head snapped toward it, his earlier panic forgotten as excitement lit up his eyes.

”Cuquawked~?” (What’s this~?)

Liana glanced at the jar, her expression softening as she continued to prepare the dish.

”It’s for Young Master. A special drink I made from various herbs and fruits. It’s refreshing and helps restore energy.”

Buddy’s beak curled into a sly smirk. He stepped back, standing tall with his neck straight, his eyes glancing sideways toward Liana, trying to look completely innocent.

Liana continued stirring the food inside the pan, her voice calm but carrying a clear warning.

”Don’t touch that drink, Buddy. I’ll make you something else later if you behave.”

Buddy bobbed his head innocently, taking another slow step back as if he were moving away. While Liana’s attention was on the sizzling pan, a faint shimmer of magic pulsed around his body. The juice inside the jar rippled, then floated upward in a silent, invisible stream. It curved through the air, gliding toward Buddy.

He opened his beak wide, and the drink poured straight into his mouth. He swallowed it down in one long, satisfied gulp.

Liana was about to place the finished dish onto a plate when she glanced toward the jar. Her eyes narrowed, her hand freezing mid-air as she saw the empty container.

”Buddddyyyyy! I told you not to drink Young Master’s drink!”

( End Of Chapter )