Reborn As Noble

The next day.

Morning.

Road to Armand Northern Border.

Buddy walked at a relaxed, steady pace, his massive orange form moving with a calm, regal stride. His head was held high, occasionally letting out a soft, contented squawk as he enjoyed the morning breeze.

On his back, Gracelle sat in front, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she tried her best to keep her composure. Her heart raced wildly in her chest. Javier’s arm wrapped around her stomach, holding her securely, while his other hand held the rein loosely. His arm brushed against the side of her breast with every subtle movement of Buddy’s stride, sending a jolt of electricity through her entire body.

Javier rested his chin lightly on top of her head, a soft, content smile on his lips.

Behind them, several high-ranking Armand officers and Pekko rider units followed in formation, flanking them on both sides. Near Javier, Heres yawned, still looking slightly tired from the previous night, riding on top of his own pekko.

Gracelle’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

H-he’s so close... I can feel his chest against my back... his hand around me... his chin on my head...

She bit her lower lip, trying to steady her breathing.

I-I can’t faint... I can’t faint... Big Sis Liana would never let me hear the end of it...

”Gracelle?”

Gracelle flinched slightly when she heard Javier calling her name in that smooth, charming voice. She swallowed hard before answering, her voice barely above a whisper.

”Y... yes?”

Javier smiled, leaning down to press a gentle kiss on her cheek before resting his chin on her shoulder. ”I’m really happy to see you’ve regained your health, Gracelle. You look much better now.”

Gracelle’s eyes widened in surprise, her face flushing even deeper. She stammered for a moment, too overwhelmed to speak, before finally managing a soft, nervous whisper. ”Th... thank you for saving me.”

Javier smiled softly, straightening up before resting his chin on top of her head again. ”I still remember back then, when we exchanged letters. You always wrote about how your cooking got burned, how you cut your fingers, how the maids panicked, and how the cooks were always nervous whenever you stepped into the kitchen.”

Gracelle’s cheeks flushed even deeper, but a small, genuine smile spread across her lips. She let out a soft, embarrassed laugh before leaning back slightly into his embrace, feeling more relaxed. ”I was so hopeless back then... I wanted to become a good wife, so I tried so hard to learn... but I always made a mess of everything and ended up causing chaos in the kitchen.”

Javier chuckled softly. ”You’ve probably gotten better now, right?”

Gracelle nodded, a warm feeling spreading through her chest. ”A little... Big Sis Liana has been teaching me a lot too...”

Javier smiled, his voice warm and gentle. ”Is Liana too strict on you?”

Gracelle shook her head, a soft smile spreading across her lips.

”No... she might be strict, but it’s for my own good. Because of her, I regained my strength faster than I ever thought possible.” She paused, her tone softening with gratitude. ”And not just Big Sis Liana, but Big Sister Gloria, Felicia, Delya, and Mimi too. Also Miss Myra, Miss Kalea, and Miss Juria, the healers, the maids... everyone has been so supportive, always checking on me, encouraging me, and making sure I’m comfortable. I’m truly grateful to all of them.”

Javier’s smile warmed as he leaned closer and whispered, low and sincere.

”I’m glad to hear that. If Liana ever becomes too harsh or too strict with you, please don’t take it to heart. She only does it because she cares deeply about the people she loves. She’s always been like that, even back when I was a boy. She pushes hard because she wants the best for you. She’s the kind of person who would rather be hated for being strict than let someone she cares about fall behind.”

Gracelle smiled softly, glancing down at Javier’s hand resting against her stomach, holding her securely from behind. She took a deep breath before speaking in a soft voice.

”You must care for her very deeply. I can hear it in your voice when you speak about her.”

Javier was silent for a moment before a gentle smile spread across his lips.

”She’s someone very special to me. The first person who ever made me feel like I had a place to belong. I can’t imagine my life without her.” He paused, his voice carrying a hint of reassurance.

”But... don’t take that the wrong way. I love all of my girls, and I’ll do my best to love each and every one of you equally. You’re all precious to me.”

Gracelle’s cheeks flushed, but a genuine, warm smile spread across her face. She leaned back into his embrace, her voice soft and content.

”Thank you... Husband.”

Just as Javier was about to say something, Buddy tilted his head and glanced at them before letting out a squawk.

”Cuquawked.”

”Hmm? What now, Buddy?”

Buddy made an exaggerated gagging motion with his beak, sticking his tongue out as if he were about to vomit, his eyes rolling in mock disgust at their romantic moment. He let out another dramatic squawk.

”Cuquawked!!” (Ugh! Are you two heading to a honeymoon or to war?! I can’t tell anymore!)

Javier pinched the bridge of his nose before letting out a long exhale. ”Just focus on the road, Buddy.”

Buddy smirked with his beak, wiggling his eyebrows with a mischievous glint.

”Cuquawked~” (How can I focus on the road when I can clearly hear your disgustingly sweet words, master~? It’s making my feathers curl~)

Javier rested his chin on top of Gracelle’s head, letting out a soft, weary sigh.

”You always ruin everything when something good is about to happen to me, you know that?”

Buddy let out a smug, cheeky squawk, his beak curling into a mischievous grin.

”Cuquawked~” (That’s why my name is Buddy~ Your orange menace~ The one who assists, helps, and also ruins your precious moments~ It’s my duty as your loyal partner, master~)

”Yeah, yeah. Whatever, Buddy.”

Buddy wiggled his eyebrows again, letting out another teasing squawk.

”Cuquawked~” (Next time we go somewhere like war or any mission, make sure the girl you bring rides her own pekko~ That way, I don’t have to listen to your sweet talk all day~)

( End Of Chapter )