Reborn As Noble

Chapter 682: Proud Steeds and Silken Bonds ( 682 )

Buddy walked proudly, his chest puffed out with every step as he circled the courtyard slowly.

His head bobbed up and down in rhythm, feathers shimmering softly in the afternoon light.

Perched on the saddle, Lyzia giggled quietly—clearly delighted by Buddy’s showy behavior.

All around, curious elven girls began to take notice.

”Wow...”

”That Pekko... it walks like a royal steed.”

”Yeah... so graceful. And look at the girl riding it—”

”She’s beautiful... like a noble lady from a storybook.”

The girls whispered among themselves, watching as Lyzia gently patted Buddy’s neck, unaware of the attention.

Viessa, still quietly flustered from that earlier encounter with a certain human boy, gracefully excused herself from the group of noble guests.

But as she turned toward the courtyard, her expression froze.

There, riding high on a massive orange-feathered Pekko, was her youngest daughter.

”Lyzia...” Viessa’s voice was calm but firm as she approached. ”Stop and climb down. Now.”

Lyzia flinched.

”A-ah... M-Mother... umm...”

Viessa narrowed her eyes ”A proper girl shouldn’t be riding such a wild mount so casually. Especially not in front of the entire gathering.”

”But... Sister Liana rides hers all the time... and Sister Gloria too...” Lyzia’s voice grew small. ”I just... wanted to try it, just once...”

”No.” Viessa’s tone left no room for protest. ”Down. Now. No excuses, lady.”

”...Yes, Mother...” Lyzia mumbled, slowly dismounting from Buddy’s saddle with reluctant hands, her feet landing softly on the grass.

”Now go and properly greet every noble guest, young lady,” Viessa instructed, her tone firm but graceful.

Then she turned her eyes to the massive orange Pekko.

”And you, birdy... don’t cause a ruckus. Go rejoin your flock over there,” she added, gesturing toward where Peanut and Pikko were peacefully sunbathing under the shade.

”Cuquawked?” Buddy tilted his head, clearly playing dumb.

Viessa narrowed her eyes. ”I know you understand what I’m saying, big bird. Now go.”

”Cuquawked?” Buddy squawked again, but instead of obeying, he waddled closer and gently nudged his beak against Viessa’s shoulder.

Then he chirped softly.

Viessa froze.

”....”

”Aww~ so cute...” Lyzia cooed, clasping her hands.

Viessa remained motionless, shoulders stiff.

This... this bird... was being affectionate?

To her?

”...Don’t you dare imprint on me,” she whispered.

”Cuquawked!” Buddy chirped again, as if smugly acknowledging her words, then turned and strutted off—slowly—toward the other Pekkos.

”...Mother, can we get one Pekko?” Lyzia asked softly, walking beside her.

Viessa didn’t stop walking. ”No, young lady.”

”But—”

”You are an elf. You shouldn’t ride birds like that. We have many proper mounts more suited for our kind.”

”...But sister Liana...”

”No means no, young lady,” Viessa cut her off, her voice still calm but firm. ”Liana is different. You shouldn’t follow her example. She already ran away from home once.”

”...Mm...” Lyzia lowered her head and nodded, silent.

She slowly followed her mother, small steps echoing beside the rustle of silken dresses and the distant music from the courtyard’s celebration.

The joyful sounds around her faded into the background, and all she could do was glance back at the orange Pekko strutting proudly with the other birds... wishing she could ride him just a little longer.

Inside the guest room, Javier had already finished his bath and changed into his usual Armand attire.

Liana stood in front of him, adjusting his collar with careful fingers, while Gloria silently fixed the folds around his cuffs.

”...Now, young master,” Gloria said, stepping back and inspecting him.

”You look like a proper noble from Armand.”

”I am a noble,” Javier replied flatly.

”Yet you don’t act like one,” Liana added with a knowing smirk.

”Ugh. I hate acting noble.”

Liana just smiled in amusement while Gloria sighed and shook her head.

”Let’s go,” Liana said, brushing her hair back. ”I’m sure you’re hungry, young master.”

Javier didn’t answer.

Instead, he quietly reached out and took both of their hands—one in each of his.

He didn’t speak. Just held them.

Liana blinked, surprised, then slowly smiled. Gloria, too, softened.

Liana was the first to lean up. She placed a gentle kiss on his lips, her expression calm and warm.

Gloria followed right after, leaning in from the other side and pressing her lips softly against his.

”There,” Gloria said, brushing his cheek with her finger.

”Happy now?” Liana added.

Javier just nodded. But his grip on their hands... tightened slightly.

And he smiled.

The door to the guest room opened, and the trio stepped out into the warm glow of the afternoon.

Liana didn’t wait—she immediately wrapped her arm around Javier’s right, claiming it with a bright smile. Gloria mirrored her on the left, gently linking her arm with his as they walked toward the courtyard.

”You’re our guest,” Liana said sweetly, but her voice held a teasing edge. ”And our man. So don’t even think about flirting with the cute elf girls just because they’re pretty.”

”Yes,” Gloria added with her usual serene smile. ”You already have us. No need to expand your collection.”

”And you already got to hug my manufacturer,” Liana smirked slyly.

”Ugh, I didn’t mean it!” Javier groaned.

”Yes, yes, you didn’t mean it,” Liana echoed mockingly. ”But you sure looked happy when your face was buried in her chest.”

”I didn’t—”

Before he could finish, both girls squeezed his arms tightly, locking him in place like a noble prisoner.

”Now, young master~” Liana cooed.

Gloria leaned in slightly. ”No wandering eyes today.”

”Or we’ll pluck them out,” Liana added with a cheerful smile.

”That’s a joke, right?”

”...Maybe~”

Javier gulped.

As they stepped into the courtyard, the sunlight poured down gently over the celebration.

But the moment Javier appeared—flanked on both sides by Liana and Gloria—every pair of eyes shifted.

Noble guests paused mid-conversation. Servants stilled. Even a few of the musicians missed their cue.

The young man, tall and refined in his tailored Armand attire, walked confidently with both girls clinging to his arms like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Genevieve blinked in surprise.

”My, my... look at her, husband~” she murmured, lightly nudging the tall elf beside her.

Gloria’s father adjusted his spectacles. ”...Is that our daughter?”

Even Gloria’s older brother—the groom himself—raised an eyebrow in disbelief. ”Gloria...?”

Meanwhile, Viessa’s gaze had locked onto her daughter.

Her eyes drifted to Liana’s hand, boldly looped around the arm of that charming young human.

Inside Viessa’s mind, thoughts swirled.

She... no... he doesn’t look like ”just” their young master.

That wasn’t the look of a simple servant’s loyalty.

It was far too close.

Far too familiar.

And far too... intimate.

( End Of Chapter )