Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1626: A Circle Small Enough to Trust ( 1626 )

Liana paused, watching how Buddy kept staring at her, waiting for her answer. His eyes were fixed on her face, unblinking, patient, expectant.

Then she raised a knuckle to her lips and laughed softly. Her shoulders shook gently, her breasts bouncing softly with the motion.

She reached up and gave his beak a light slap, shaking her head, still smiling.

”Sheesh... Isn’t it better if Master told you himself?”

She tilted her head.

”It’s not something you should be worrying about, Buddy. Trust me. Master has his reasons for not telling you yet. It’s not like he wants to keep it a secret from you.”

She glanced around the bustling hall, then back at him.

”Master doesn’t want to tell you now because it’s the vacation. This is the time for everyone to relax, to enjoy themselves, to be with family and friends before the real work begins again. If he told you now, you’d spend the whole vacation worrying about it, asking questions, following him around, pestering him for details.”

She smiled, her voice softening.

”So let him tell you in his own time, in his own way. When the vacation ends. When we’re back at the estate.”

She patted his neck, her fingers gently caressing the feathers there.

”Okay~? Mm?”

Buddy shifted his body, still sitting close to Liana, and kept staring at her, suspicion still flickering in his eyes.

”Cuquawked?” (Really? You’re not hiding something from me? You’re not going to leave me behind when something fun happens?)

Liana nudged his body with her elbow and smiled.

”Silly~ No way Young Master would do that. You’re the only friend Young Master truly has.”

Buddy smirked, puffing his chest up with smug pride, and let out a confident squawk.

”Cuquawked!” (Of course! I’m the one Master trusts more than anyone! Master would never leave me out of anything fun! I’m his partner, his first friend, his most loyal companion! If there’s something exciting happening, I’ll be right there beside him!)

Liana let out a soft laugh, watching Buddy puff himself up, his chest swelling with pride, his head held high.

Gloria watched them both, then let out a long exhale.

”I wonder how you put up with that orange menace. He’s always so loud, always making a fuss, always sticking his beak into everyone’s business. And he never stops being annoying. He never stops talking.” She shook her head. ”I don’t know how you’re able to tolerate him.”

Buddy narrowed his eyes, his beak curling into a smirk, and let out a low squawk toward Gloria.

”Cuquawked~” (Sounds like someone’s jealous~)

Gloria rolled her eyes, adjusting her hold on Genevieve before she spoke.

”Jealous? Of you? Please. I have far better things to be jealous of.”

Liana patted Buddy’s wing.

”Alright. That’s enough, you two.”

She glanced at the table, then up at Buddy.

”If only someone could bring food to this table...”

She murmured, her voice soft and thoughtful.

”I’m a little hungry, but I don’t want to trouble the maids. They’ve been working so hard all evening. And my legs are tired from standing and greeting all the delegations.”

Buddy stood and glanced down at Liana. He let out a low squawk, his tone shifting into something regal.

”Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~” (Then worry not, my lady of the forest. I shall bring all the food to this table myself. Every dish you desire, every delicacy in this hall. All I ask in return is that my reward be prepared by your own hands. Your special sauce, my witch lady. That is the price of my service~)

He turned and began walking toward the buffet. His legs moved in that slow, deliberate strut of his, each step measured and proud, his chest puffed out, his head held high, his tail feathers swaying with a lazy, satisfied rhythm behind him.

Gloria shook her head and said, her voice low.

”You spoil that bird too much, Liana. Feeding him, doting on him, letting him sit beside you like some spoiled child. And after everything he’s done, the farts, the teasing, the constant annoying squawks, you still treat him like he’s your child.” She exhaled. ”No wonder he’s so bold. No wonder he thinks he can do whatever he wants.”

Liana smiled, her gaze drifting across the table.

Delya sat with her usual dreamy smile, savoring her chocolate dessert. Felicia’s tail swayed gently as she pointed at her mana phone, Gracelle leaning in close on her right side, Celine behind her, glancing over her shoulder, and Lyzia on Felicia’s left side.

Liana lowered her voice, soft and thoughtful.

”I just want to make Buddy comfortable. I want to make sure that when Young Master tells him about the mission, the news doesn’t hit him too hard.”

She paused, her gaze growing thoughtful.

”That orange pekko can’t be separated from Young Master. He’s been beside him every single day. He’s never been left behind on any mission Young Master was given by Father-in-law. Remember?”

She turned her head and glanced toward the distance where Buddy stood at the buffet table. Armand maids stood nearby, watching as Buddy used his magic to lift several plates into the air. The food floated gently toward each plate, arranging itself neatly. One of the servants stepped forward, saying something to Buddy about which dishes were the best. Buddy simply nodded, his beak curling into a satisfied smirk.

”That’s why I’m doing this. Yesterday and today have been a small test. A chance for Buddy to learn he can be apart from Young Master for a while. That he can stay with me, with you, with the others.”

She paused, her voice dropping lower.

”So when Young Master leaves for his mission alone, Buddy won’t sulk too much. He’ll know he has a place here. That he’s still needed. That he’s not being abandoned. And Young Master can leave with a clear mind, knowing Buddy is in good hands. That he won’t have to worry about Buddy while he’s gone.”

Gloria tucked Genevieve’s hair back behind her ear and smiled, murmuring softly.

”I wonder why Young Master never tries to make friends outside.”

Liana smiled.

”I’m sure you already know, Gloria.”

She set her spoon down.

”Young Master isn’t incapable of making friends. He’s charming. People naturally gravitate toward him. But he doesn’t see the point in shallow connections. If someone isn’t family, isn’t one of his girls, isn’t someone he trusts completely, he doesn’t invest.”

She reached for the dessert and scooped a small portion with her spoon.

”And he’s careful. He’s seen what happens in noble courts. The scheming, the false smiles, the whispered betrayals. He learned early to keep people at arm’s length until they prove themselves. Most never do.”

She watched Buddy nudge Mimi with his rear, sending her stumbling forward with a startled nya. Liana smiled.

”Besides, he genuinely enjoys his own company. Just like right now. He’s alone, working on something he loves. He likes that. Being alone doesn’t bother him. It recharges him.”

She tucked a strand of silver hair behind her ear.

”And between missions, inventions, training, and preparing for the invasion, he doesn’t have the time to cultivate new friendships. He’d rather spend what free time he has with his girls than making small talk with strangers.”

Liana smiled.

”If someone genuinely clicks with him, if someone proves themselves trustworthy and interesting, he would welcome them. But he doesn’t go looking.”

She lifted her glass and took a slow sip.

”That’s what I love about him, you know. Most powerful men fill their halls with flatterers. Young Master fills his with family. Just like the Armand family does. Father-in-law doesn’t surround himself with sycophants or nobles chasing favors. He surrounds himself with people he trusts. His wives. His children. His closest friends. His most loyal aides. People who have proven themselves. People who would stand beside him no matter what.”

She set the glass down.

”Young Master learned that from them. He saw how his father built Armand, and he decided to do the same. A home filled with people who genuinely matter. A circle small enough to trust. And each person inside it carefully chosen.”

( End Of Chapter )