Reborn As Noble

"Liana," he mumbled, a hint of frustration in his voice, "this is boring."

"Young Master," Liana replied softly, her calm eyes meeting his, "the audience seems to be enjoying the spectacle."

Javier sighed, waving his hand dismissively. "Why are they all so dramatic? Chanting long spells and showing off their flashy skills? In a real battle, if they did this, they'd already be dead."

Liana smiled faintly but didn't respond right away. She understood Javier's point—his unconventional yet effective methods were very different from the showy displays of the other students.

"They're here to impress, Young Master," she finally said, her voice patient. "For many, this event is about recognition, not practicality."

"Haaa... Recognition doesn't mean much when you're six feet under," Javier muttered, closing his eyes. "Let me know when it's time to deal with the next one. Maybe I'll use both shoes this time."

Liana chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Very well, Young Master. Rest while you can."

As the crowd roared with excitement for the next match, Javier remained indifferent, content to wait for his turn while the other competitors fought hard for their place in the tournament.

"Liana?" Javier mumbled, his eyes opening lazily as he looked up at her.

"Yes, Young Master?" Liana replied, pausing her brushing of his hair.

"I'm hungry... ehehe," he said with a mischievous grin.

Liana sighed softly, glancing around the arena. Her sharp eyes scanned the bustling crowd and the competitors' area, sensing that something—or someone—was watching them from afar, making her wary.

"Wanna go together to get food, Liana?" Javier asked, his grin widening as he sat up.

"But, Young Master..." Liana hesitated, her eyes narrowing slightly as she continued to scan the surroundings. "What if your name is called while we're away?"

"Well..." Javier smirked, stretching his arms. "I'll just jump back inside the arena while eating. Simple."

Liana sighed again, shaking her head. "Haaa... okay, Young Master. But stay close to me."

"Of course!" Javier said cheerfully, standing and grabbing his coat. "Let's get some meat, Liana! Lots of it!"

Liana nodded, still cautious as she kept a protective eye on Javier. She knew he could defend himself, but her instincts as his caretaker—and someone who cared deeply for him—wouldn't let her relax.

As they walked toward the food stalls around the arena, Liana subtly positioned herself to shield Javier from any suspicious onlookers. "Stay alert, Liana," she thought to herself, her eyes flicking briefly toward a distant figure she'd noticed earlier, hidden in the crowd. "Something isn't right..."

Meanwhile, Javier seemed oblivious to her concerns, happily humming as he planned what to eat. "Meat skewers, roasted chicken, maybe some pie... oh, and wine!"

"Young Master, you're still underage," Liana reminded him gently.

Javier grinned mischievously, shrugging off her protest. "Ehehe... I don't care. I want to drink it," he said confidently, already imagining how the wine would pair perfectly with the feast he was about to enjoy.

Liana sighed, her expression softening despite her vigilance. "Haaa... fine, Young Master. But only a little."

"Hehe, you're the best, Liana!" Javier cheered, his carefree attitude never faltering, even as Liana's eyes darted cautiously around the crowd, her protective instincts on high alert.

As they walked, Liana's thoughts drifted, her eyes scanning the busy area with caution. Maybe it would be better if the Young Master had another personal maid to help him... she thought silently. Handling everything alone during events like this makes it hard to stay focused.

But this thought brought an uncomfortable feeling to her chest. What if he liked the other maid too?

Her hand instinctively tightened on the hem of her dress as she continued walking beside him.

"Liana?" Javier's voice broke into her thoughts.

"Hmm?" she replied, turning to look at him.

"What are you thinking?" he asked, tilting his head slightly and wearing his playful grin.

"Nothing, Young Master... nothing," Liana quickly said, steadying her voice as she pushed the thought aside.

Javier shrugged, his grin widening. "Let's go back, Liana. Ehehe!"

"Okay, Young Master," she answered softly, a small smile forming on her lips as she stayed close to him, her earlier worries tucked away—for now.

"By the way, Liana?" Javier asked, his grin showing a hint of mischief.

"Yes, Young Master?" Liana replied, her tone calm as always.

"Buddy and Pikko... who's going to feed them at the house?"

Liana chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You don't have to worry, Young Master. They're not at the house. I'm sure Lord Garius arranged for them to be brought here. Most likely, those two are already outside the arena, being taken care of by a special caretaker."

"Huh?" Javier blinked, tilting his head. "We have a caretaker for Pekkos?"
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"Hmm?" Liana tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I'm not entirely sure, Young Master, but according to Mrs. Errinette, she mentioned that someone would look after them while we attend the battleground event."

Javier's grin widened as he imagined the scene. "Oh~ I bet the caretaker is running around, panting and exhausted, trying to chase Buddy and Pikko. Hahaha!"

Liana's lips curled into a faint smile as she pictured it too. "You might not be wrong, Young Master," she replied, her tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Those two are quite spirited."

"Ehehe, I hope Buddy doesn't cause too much trouble," Javier added, already imagining his Pekko smugly refusing to listen to anyone but him.

Meanwhile, outside the arena, Buddy and Pikko stood proudly in their designated area. Their usual lively personalities were toned down as they received care from a special team. This team was responsible for secretly taking care of Lord Garius's prized Pekkos—including Giddie, as well as the Pekkos of Alf, Errinette, and Hesbeirn. Only a few people, including Lord Garius and his closest friends, knew about this team.

The caretaker, a composed woman with a strong presence, approached Buddy with a calm yet firm attitude. Standing tall, she reached up to offer a treat directly to his beak. "Oho~ good boy," she said warmly, her voice steady but affectionate.

Buddy squawked happily, leaning down slightly to accept the treat, his powerful frame showing off his pride. Pikko, not wanting to be left out, let out a soft but insistent chirp, nudging the caretaker's shoulder with her beak.

"Alright, alright, Pikko," the woman chuckled, holding up another treat. "You're next. Patience, girl."

Pikko accepted the treat gracefully, her silver-tinged feathers shimmering in the sunlight as she fluffed them contentedly.

"You two are far better behaved than I expected," the caretaker remarked, stepping back to observe the large birds. "I was told you'd be a handful. I guess you save the chaos for your masters, huh?"

Despite the peaceful scene, the caretaker's watchful eyes never left her surroundings. She knew how important her job was—not just caring for these majestic creatures but also protecting them from any harm or interference.

Buddy and Pikko, however, seemed completely relaxed, enjoying the special attention and treats as they stood majestically, showing the pride and strength of their master's house.

One of the other secret Pekko caretakers, standing nearby, chuckled softly as she watched Buddy and Pikko behave themselves. Turning to their leader, she said, "These two are surprisingly easy to care for. Not like our lord's big golden Pekko."

The leader of the caretaker team smirked knowingly, her arms crossed as she leaned slightly against a nearby post. "Giddie's not just any Pekko," she said with a wry tone. "That one has a personality as big as its size. Sometimes, you'd think it was running the household instead of Lord Garius."

The group let out quiet laughter, careful not to disturb the calm mood of the area or draw unnecessary attention.

"Remember when Giddie chased the stable master last week?" one caretaker added with a grin. "I think the poor man is still traumatized."

"Or the time it refused to eat anything but the fancy fruits from the southern territories?" another chimed in. "No wonder our food budget went up that month."

The leader shook her head, though amusement sparkled in her eyes. "That golden beast is a handful, but it's worth it. Lord Garius treasures Giddie like a family heirloom. I just wish it were as calm as these two." She gestured toward Buddy and Pikko, who were now preening themselves happily after finishing their treats.

"Calm for now," one caretaker pointed out. "But let's not forget how they love to dash off the moment they see their master. Especially Buddy."

"True," the leader agreed, a small smile on her lips. "Let's just hope they don't cause a scene during the event. If they do, we'll have our hands full trying to catch them."

The group shared a knowing laugh, their camaraderie clear as they resumed their watch over the majestic Pekkos, each one silently preparing for the inevitable chaos these spirited creatures could cause.

( End of Chapter )