Reborn As Noble

"Hesbeirn, our... 'partners.' They're still being well taken care of, I trust?"

Hesbeirn nodded, his demeanor steady. "Yes, my lord. We've been discreet. They're in the barracks under constant care. The caretaker and her team ensure they remain in perfect condition. No one in the household, apart from those involved, knows of their existence."

Garius grinned knowingly. "Good. We can't afford for our little secret to get out just yet. Their presence could raise a few eyebrows."

Hesbeirn chuckled lightly. "Indeed, my lord. It's amusing how attached everyone has become to their 'partners.' It's almost like they're part of the family."

The Count laughed heartily. "Speaking of which... Javier's taste in names! 'Buddy'? For a Pekko? What was he thinking?"

Errinette, walking a step behind, allowed a rare smile. "It's rather endearing, my lord. Simple, perhaps, but it reflects his personality."

Alf smirked, teasingly. "Endearing or not, 'Buddy' and 'Pikko' pale in comparison to the majesty of our companions."

Garius nodded, pride swelling in his chest. "Exactly! Giddie is a name worthy of a Pekko of his caliber. His golden feathers set him apart as the epitome of grace."

Errinette added softly, "And Silverwind is no less majestic, my lord. Her sleek silver feathers and unmatched speed make her one of the finest."

Hesbeirn chuckled. "Boulder may not be flashy, but his strength is unmatched. There's no terrain he can't cross with ease."

Alf grinned mischievously. "Shadowglide embodies stealth and agility. A perfect reflection of my style, wouldn't you say?"

Garius exchanged glances with his companions, the camaraderie evident. "You're all too proud of your Pekkos. They are one of our greatest assets. If the household ever found out we've been keeping them secret for years..."

Errinette raised an eyebrow. "It would lead to interesting questions, particularly from Lady Francesca."

The group shuddered at the thought of Francesca's piercing gaze.

Garius laughed it off, waving a dismissive hand. "She doesn't need to know. Let her think I'm just a boring old Count."

As they approached the barracks, the faint sound of soft chirps greeted them. Garius's expression softened as he caught sight of Giddie, Silverwind, Boulder, and Shadowglide, each comfortably settled in their pens, exuding elegance and strength.

"Our little secret companions," Garius mused. "Let's keep it that way."

As they approached the grand Pekko pen, the majestic Giddie immediately spotted them. With a proud squawk, the largest of the Pekkos fluffed his shimmering gold feathers, sunlight glinting off them like a treasure hoard come to life.

"Giddie!!!" Garius called, his voice brimming with pride and affection.

The Pekko squawked back, stretching its massive wings as if to show off. Garius stepped closer, running his hand along the golden plumage. "Ohhh! Long time no see, Giddie! You've grown even more magnificent since I last saw you."

Alf crossed his arms, smirking. "Yeah, 'long time no see,' you say? Didn't you visit just last week?"

Garius froze, scratching his head sheepishly. "Guh... you got me there. But can you blame me? Giddie's perfection deserves daily visits."

Errinette rolled her eyes with a faint smile, glancing at her Pekko, Silverwind, whose sleek, metallic feathers shimmered in the light. "Giddie may be magnificent, but each of our Pekkos has their own unique charm."

Hesbeirn nodded as Boulder, his Pekko, stood stoic and firm, dwarfing the others. "Indeed. Boulder may not glitter like Giddie, but when it comes to carrying loads and charging through rough terrain, there's no comparison."

Alf chimed in, pointing to his Shadowglide, who blended seamlessly into the shadows of the pen. "And Shadowglide? Perfectly stealthy. Can't beat that for a tactical advantage."

Garius laughed, waving them off. "Bah! You all may have your specialties, but Giddie is the very definition of a true Pekko—stately, regal, commanding attention wherever he goes. Unlike a certain orange-feathered... thing my son brought home."

Hesbeirn chuckled. "You mean Buddy?"

Garius snorted. "Buddy? Hah! What kind of name is that? That scrawny bird hardly deserves the title of Pekko. Look at Giddie!" He gestured dramatically at his Pekko, who preened even more under the praise. "This is what a real Pekko looks like!"

Alf leaned against the pen fence, smirking. "Careful, my lord. Say that around the young master, and you might find Buddy and Pikko nesting in your study."

Garius waved him off dismissively. "Let him try. Giddie will set them straight."

As Garius climbed onto Giddie, his grin widened. The golden Pekko let out a mighty squawk, sensing the challenge ahead.

"Come on, partner! Let's see if you've still got it!" Garius called, twirling the wooden sword Alf had handed him.

Hesbeirn, already mounted on Boulder, sighed heavily. "Not this again, my lord. Haven't you had enough last time?"

"Enough? Never! You always make the best sparring partner!" Garius replied with a laugh, pointing his wooden blade at Hesbeirn.

Alf stood nearby, smirking. "This should be good. Try not to break anything this time, my lord."

Reluctantly, Hesbeirn accepted the wooden sword from Alf. "Fine. But don't complain when Boulder sends you flying."

The two Pekkos squared off, Giddie flapping his powerful wings, while Boulder planted his sturdy legs, ready to charge.

"On my mark!" Errinette called, stepping up to oversee the duel with a faintly amused expression. "Three... two... one... Go!"

Giddie surged forward, his speed belying his size, while Boulder charged like an unstoppable force. The clash of wooden swords echoed through the pen as the two riders exchanged blows. Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire

Hesbeirn was steady, his movements precise, while Garius, with his flair for the dramatic, made the sparring match feel like a battlefield victory.

"Ha! Is that all you've got, Hesbeirn?" Garius teased, deflecting a strike before spinning Giddie for a swift counterattack.

"Hardly, my lord," Hesbeirn replied, parrying and countering with a downward strike. Boulder reared slightly, giving him leverage, but Giddie ducked with uncanny agility.

The duel continued, strikes and feints exchanged, until Garius seized an opening and landed a clean strike on Hesbeirn's side.

"Victory is mine!" Garius declared triumphantly, raising his wooden sword high.

Hesbeirn sighed, smiling faintly. "As expected, my lord. I suppose Giddie really is one of a kind."

Garius laughed heartily, patting Giddie's neck. "Of course! The finest Pekko in all the land!"

Alf clapped slowly, his smirk widening. "Well played, my lord. Though, if I recall correctly, you owe Hesbeirn a rematch after last month's 'incident.'"

Garius waved him off. "Bah, details! A win is a win!"

As the group laughed, Garius leaned down to Giddie, whispering, "Good work, boy. I'll get you an extra treat for that performance."

Giddie squawked proudly, his golden feathers gleaming in the sunlight.

Errinette stood to the side, a warm smile on her usually composed face. Watching Garius banter with Alf and Hesbeirn over his small victory, she couldn't help but reminisce.

"My lord... it's just like the old days," she said softly, her voice tinged with nostalgia.

Garius glanced her way, chuckling as he dismounted Giddie. "Ah, Errinette. Back when you were my sharp-tongued maid, Alf was fumbling as my caretaker, and Hesbeirn—" he pointed at his sparring partner, who was patting Boulder's neck, "—was stiff as a board, shadowing me like a silent ghost."

Hesbeirn sighed, a small smile forming. "I wasn't stiff, my lord. I was disciplined. Someone had to be with all your antics."

"Disciplined, you say?" Alf interjected, grinning. "I remember you standing like a statue while the young master slipped out to challenge a rogue knight for 'training.' You didn't even notice he was gone for hours."

Hesbeirn shot Alf a pointed look. "And who was supposed to be watching him during the afternoons? A certain 'caretaker,' perhaps?"

Errinette chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Both of you arguing while our lord got away with every mischief imaginable... Some things never change."

Garius waved them off dramatically. "Hah! I call it honing my leadership skills. Look where we are now—Count Garius and his ever-reliable retinue!"

Laughter filled the air, camaraderie evident among them.

Errinette's gaze softened. "Though times have changed, my lord, it's good to see some bonds remain strong. We've been through much together, haven't we?"

Garius nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That we have, Errinette. I wouldn't trade those days—or the three of you—for anything."

The heartfelt moment lingered briefly before Garius broke it with his usual grin. "But enough sappiness! Errinette, where's my victory feast? Alf, find me another challenge! Hesbeirn, ready Boulder for another round!"

Errinette sighed with a smile. "Just like the old days, indeed."

( end of chapter )