Reborn As Noble

”My name is Kliatana,” she said softly, her voice clear yet delicate. ”It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Heres.”

Heres inclined his head slightly, placing a hand over his chest with refined courtesy. ”The pleasure is mine, Lady Kliatana,” he replied, his tone smooth and respectful.

”I am Heres De Armand. Today, I shall be your instructor at my brother’s request to guide you in the art of Pekko riding.”

He offered a faint, reassuring smile, his gaze calm but warm. ”I hope you won’t find me too strict.”

Kliatana’s heart skipped a beat. Her lips curved faintly as she clasped her hands before her, the perfect image of a noble lady. ”N-Not at all,” she said softly. ”I... shall do my best to learn from you.”

Behind them, Javier crossed his arms with a groan. ”Ugh, so formal... I think I’m gonna puke,” he muttered under his breath.

Gloria hid a giggle behind her hand, and Liana pinched Javier’s arm again without even looking at him.

”Quiet, young master~,” she whispered sweetly.

”Gah! Woman, your fingers are deadly!!” Javier hissed, earning another light pinch for his trouble

Liana smiled and lowered her head gracefully, her tone soft but composed.

”Now then, we shall leave both of you here. If you’ll excuse us, Master Heres.”

Heres nodded politely. ”Ah... thank you, Liana.”

Gloria also bowed slightly, her expression warm yet teasing. ”We shall take our leave now, Master Heres.”

Before Javier could even comment, Liana reached back and grabbed his sleeve, pulling him along.

”Come now, Young Master~ Let’s not disturb them.”

”H-Hey, wait” Javier tried to protest, but Gloria subtly signaled to Kliatana’s two personal maids, gesturing for them to stay behind, far enough to give the pair privacy, but close enough to intervene if needed.

The heavy courtyard door closed gently behind the group, leaving only two figures under the late afternoon sun.

Silence lingered for a moment, soft, comfortable, almost fragile.

Heres turned to face her. Though his heartbeat was loud in his ears, his face remained calm and composed.

”Today,” he began evenly, ”I’ll be teaching you how to ride a Pekko, Lady Kliatana.”

He gestured toward the tall, bronze-feathered creature beside him. ”And since you don’t yet have a Pekko of your own, you’ll ride with me on mine. His name is Zuto.”

Kliatana’s eyes lit up as she looked at the majestic bird. Her voice softened, her tone gentle and noble. ”Ah... Zuto. What a lovely name.”

Heres smiled faintly, warmth flickering in his usually cool eyes. ”I’m glad you think so.”

Then, with quiet confidence, he took one step forward, his right hand extended toward her while his left rested neatly behind his back.

”Shall we start, Lady Kliatana?”

For a heartbeat, she simply looked at his hand, steady, warm, inviting.

Then, slowly, she placed her hand in his, her cheeks faintly pink. ”Yes... please teach me well , Lord Heres.”

The moment Kliatana extended her palm and her skin met his, a faint spark ran through her fingertips, like a soft current awakening something inside her.

Her heart skipped.

So warm...

Heres’s hand was firm yet gentle, his expression calm as ever. But up close, he was even more handsome than she remembered. The shape of his jaw, his cool, serene smile, it all struck her like a dream too vivid to be real.

H-he’s... perfect.

Her pulse drummed in her ears, her breath catching in her throat.

”Now, Lady Kliatana,” Heres said softly, his voice smooth, deep, and patient, ”slowly climb up the Pekko.”

She nodded silently, lips pressed together to hide how nervous she was. Each motion felt heavy, deliberate, like she was trying not to tremble.

Focus... focus, Kliatana...

She took the reins gently, her fingers brushing the soft leather.

”L... like this?” she asked, pretending uncertainty in her tone.

Heres smiled faintly. ”Yes, that’s right.”

Then he climbed up behind her, effortless, quiet. His presence filled the air instantly, his shadow falling softly over her. When he settled in place, she could feel him, his warmth, his steady breath.

He was close. Too close.

So close that even the faint movement of his chest brushed against her back when he spoke.

”Now, hold the reins firmly,” he said, voice low beside her ear.

”Y-Yes...” she murmured. Her lips trembled slightly, her heart pounding like a drum.

Inside, her thoughts were chaos.

He’s behind me...

I can feel him... his warmth... his breath...

Ahhh! Stay calm, Kliatana! Stay calm!

But she couldn’t help it. The moment Zuto began to move, slowly, smoothly, her entire body tensed. The bird’s gentle sway made her lean back slightly... and their bodies brushed, soft contact sending another wave of heat through her chest.

Heres adjusted his grip on the reins, guiding the Pekko forward at a steady pace, completely unaware of the storm in Kliatana’s heart.

Meanwhile, she bit her lip, face flushed bright red as she tried her hardest to keep her composure.

H-he’s so close... too close...

If this keeps up... I might faint...

But what Kliatana didn’t know, was that Heres was just as nervous.

Behind that calm, composed face of his, his thoughts were spiraling out of control.

She’s beautiful...

That close, her soft hair brushed lightly against his chin. A faint scent of spring flowers and warm perfume drifted into his senses, wrapping around him. He swallowed hard, feeling the tension in his throat. His heartbeat thundered in his chest, uncontrollable.

I can feel her body... I can smell her sweet scent...

He adjusted his hand slightly, making sure his palm stayed on top of hers as he guided her fingers over the reins. His voice came out lower, gentler, as if trying not to betray how fast his pulse was racing.

”Like this, Lady Kliatana,” he murmured. ”Relax your grip. Let the Pekko feel your touch, gentle, but certain.”

She nodded faintly, not realizing that his words were trembling with as much emotion as her heartbeat.

Heres’s gaze softened as he looked past her shoulder, watching her elegant posture, the curve of her neck, the faint blush on her cheeks.

Should I say it? Should I confess now?

He hesitated, eyes narrowing slightly.

No... what if she doesn’t feel the same?

What if she looks away, gives that soft, polite smile... and pretends she never heard me?

What if I ruin everything before it even begins?

He exhaled slowly, forcing his voice and expression steady. But his heart refused to listen. It raced wildly, faster with every breath she took.

And yet... will I ever get another chance like this?

Without realizing it, he leaned closer, his head lowering slightly beside her ear as he adjusted the reins.

Their cheeks brushed.

Kliatana froze instantly. Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes wide, her face flooding with heat.

( End Of Chapter )