Reborn As Noble

”Nya?”

Mimi stepped out from the main door and glanced at Gracelle, who was slumped over the table, her gaze fixed on the courtyard.

”Ne~ ne, Junior?”

”Hmm?” Gracelle kept her eyes on Javier, her voice soft and distant.

”What are you doing?”

”Nothing...” Gracelle rested her cheek on her crossed arms, her expression dreamy, her eyes shining faintly, a soft smile on her lips.

Mimi glanced at her, then back at Javier, then at Gracelle again. A mischievous grin spread across her face before she turned and walked away, leaving Gracelle alone as she headed toward Javier.

Gracelle watched as Mimi stopped in front of Javier, her tail swaying excitedly as she said something that made him laugh.

I wish I could talk to him like Mimi does. Like everyone does.

They’re all so lucky, especially Mimi. She can say anything to him, ask him anything, tease him, laugh with him... without hesitation.

She let out a soft, envious sigh.

Why can’t I be like that?

Gracelle kept watching Javier from a distance, captivated by his charming smile and the way he laughed at something Mimi said. Then she saw Mimi jump onto Buddy’s back and point directly at her, a wide grin on her face.

Hmm?

Gracelle watched as Javier nudged Buddy, turning the pekko toward her while Mimi waved both hands excitedly, her tail swaying happily as she chattered away.

Awawaa! Is he coming here?

Her heart began to race.

What did Mimi tell him that made him come this way?

Ihhh!! Mimi! I’m sure she’s up to something!

Panic surged through her as she tried to stand up, but Javier was already there, Buddy stopping just a few steps away.

”Gracelle?” Javier said, his voice warm and handsome, his smile charming and gentle. ”Mimi said you had something you wanted to ask me.”

Gracelle’s face turned crimson as she shook her head frantically, her words caught in her throat.

Javier tilted his head, his expression curious. ”You didn’t?”

Before she could stammer a reply, Mimi leaned forward from Buddy’s back, grinning. ”Nya! Junior said she wanted to speak to you, nya! She asked me to come get you!”

”Really?” Javier glanced over his shoulder, narrowing his eyes at Mimi, who grinned confidently.

”Yes! I’m telling the truth, nya! Maybe she didn’t want to talk before you sat with her!”

”Oh... okay~” Javier nodded, a soft smile on his lips as he climbed down from Buddy, followed by Mimi, who jumped down and landed smoothly. He shook his head, patting Buddy’s wing before glancing up at the pekko.

”Buddy, you should go check on your mates. They’re probably waiting for you.”

”Cuquawked!”

Buddy let out a loud, cheerful squawk before flapping his wings, sending a strong gust of wind across the veranda. Felicia gripped her book tightly, Delya quickly shielded her hot chocolate and chocolate jar, and Gracelle held onto her skirt to keep it from flying up.

Buddy puffed out his chest with a smug look before striding proudly toward the pekko pen.

Javier smiled, shaking his head as he watched Buddy strut away. He turned and walked toward Gracelle, swiping a stray lock of hair from his forehead before leaning in with a soft, gentle voice.

”So, Gracelle, what did you want to talk about?”

He reached out, his fingers lightly brushing her cheek as he spoke.

Gracelle’s face flushed a deep crimson, her eyes wide with panic. She stammered, trying to form words, but her mind went blank, her breath catching in her throat. Before she could form a single word, her vision blurred, her legs gave way, and she fainted, her body going limp as she began to collapse.

Javier quickly caught her before she hit the floor, his expression shifting from gentle concern to confusion. He glanced at Mimi, who was grinning mischievously, then at Felicia and Delya, who simply smiled and shook their heads in amusement.

”What... just happened?” Javier muttered, holding Gracelle carefully in his arms, completely bewildered.

”Don’t know, nya!” Mimi chirped, her tail swishing playfully.

”Maybe she was just tired~” Felicia suggested, her voice calm and composed.

”Or maybe she just doesn’t feel well,” Delya added with her usual dreamy smile.

Just then, Liana stepped out from the main door, noticing Javier holding Gracelle, who had fainted. She let out a long, weary exhale, shaking her head slightly.

”I wonder how long it will take...” she mumbled softly.

”Huh? What do you mean by...”

Before Javier could finish his question, Liana just shook her head and exhaled again.

”Young Master, please carry her and lay her down on the couch inside.”

”Err... okay?” Javier shrugged, still confused, but carefully lifted Gracelle in a princess carry and walked inside.

Liana watched him go, shaking her head once more before turning to Mimi, Felicia, and Delya.

”The food is ready.”

”Okay, Big Sis!” they all replied in unison.

Four days later...

Elven Nation border.

”Your Highness, please be cautious,” Ashara said, her eyes scanning the dense treeline ahead. She glanced down at the leather map in her hand, her brow furrowing. ”If I’m not mistaken, we are now at the Elven border. We don’t know how they will react to our presence.”

Celine smiled, her fan resting gracefully in her hand. ”There’s no need to worry too much, Ashara. We are not here as enemies. We come as an official envoy from Divinity Nation. As long as we conduct ourselves with proper decorum, there should be no issue.”

Jiowana stepped forward, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her blade. ”Still, Your Highness, we must remain vigilant. The elves are known to be wary of outsiders, and we have no guarantee of a warm welcome.”

Just as Celine was about to continue, the sound of rhythmic hoofbeats echoed through the forest, growing louder and surrounding them.

Ashara and Jiowana instinctively moved to unsheathe their weapons, but froze as they realized they were already surrounded by an Elven Forest Guard patrol. The elves rode majestic, horned horses, elegant creatures with spiraled horns that gleamed like polished wood.

The elves had their magic bows drawn and charged with shimmering energy, arrows pointed directly at them.

One of the leaders moved his horse forward slowly, his voice calm but firm. ”I suggest you keep your hands away from your weapons.”

Celine raised her hand gracefully, signaling Ashara and Jiowana to lower their hands. She smiled calmly, her posture composed as she greeted the elves.

”You have my word, we mean no harm.”

The leader stopped his mount a few feet away, his narrow gaze sweeping over them.

”Who are you, and what business do you have at the Elven border?”

( End Of Chapter )