Reborn As Noble

Armand Nation.

Armand Private Island.

Gloria nudged her glasses up the bridge of her nose, her eyes scanning the beach before she glanced toward the sound of approaching footsteps. She spotted Liana walking toward them in her maid uniform, her silver hair swaying gently in the breeze, and Buddy following close behind with his usual proud, bouncy stride.

Buddy tilted his head toward Liana, his voice carrying an exaggerated, almost gentlemanly tone as he squawked.

”Cuquawked~” (Where would you like me to place these, my beautiful elf witch~?)

Liana smiled softly, her gaze sweeping across the open stretch of sand before pointing toward a spacious, flat area near the edge of the water.

”Just put them there, Buddy. I’ll handle the rest.”

”Cuquawked~” (As you wish, my witch~)

Buddy strutted toward the designated spot, his chest puffed out with pride as the floating items followed behind him in a neat, organized line. He set them down before turning back toward Liana with a satisfied smirk on his beak.

”Cuquawked~” (Now~ my special roast meat~)

Liana let out a soft laugh, her hand resting lightly on her hip as she glanced up at Buddy with an amused smile.

”We just arrived at the beach, Buddy. The portable grill isn’t even set up yet, not to mention there’s still a lot to do before we can cook.”

Buddy narrowed his eyes, stretching his neck forward until his beak was inches from Liana’s face. He stared at her with exaggerated suspicion before letting out a loud, demanding squawk.

”Cuquawked!” (I want my meat! I’ll help you because you promised me meat!)

Liana chuckled, reaching up and gently pushing Buddy’s beak to the side with her palm. She placed both hands on her hips and glanced up at him, her expression calm but teasing.

”I already said the grill isn’t set up yet. But if you want, I can give you raw meat and pour the sauce on it right now.”

Buddy pulled his head back immediately, tilting it to the side with a look of absolute disgust. His beak scrunched up, his eyes narrowing into slits as he gave her a funny, offended side glare.

”Cuquawkedddd!” (I don’t want raw meat! I want cooked meat!)

Liana smiled, pinching the bridge of her nose with a soft sigh.

”If you want it fast, then help me set up the grill first.”

Buddy’s entire demeanor shifted in an instant. His eyes lit up with eager excitement, his tongue lolling out to the side of his beak as he bounced on his feet.

”Cuquawked~!” (Will be ready in a second~!)

He spun around and dashed toward the pile of items he had set down, his powerful legs kicking up a massive cloud of sand in his wake. The wind carried the sand straight toward Gloria and Felicia, who were relaxing under the shade of a large umbrella.

”Buddddddyyyyy!” Gloria shouted, her voice sharp with irritation as she scrambled to cover her face.

”Ahhh...” Felicia mumbled in complaint, her tail flicking with irritation as she sat up. She tucked her bikini top back into place, then adjusted the bottom, before patting the sand from her body with quick, annoyed motions.

Buddy arrived at the pile of items in a blur of motion. Without slowing down, he kicked the huge portable grill into the air with one powerful swing of his leg. The grill spun upward, flipping end over end, before it landed with a heavy thud, perfectly positioned at the spot Liana had pointed to.

He then kicked the table, sending it flying. It landed perfectly beside the grill, a tablecloth fluttering down to cover it, guided by a quick burst of his wind magic.

Buddy dashed toward the grill, his beak curling into a wide, proud smirk as the portable magic grill came to life. Fire stone magic crackled beneath the grate, flames dancing with a warm, steady glow.

”Cuquawked!” (It’s ready! Now meat! Meat!!!)

Liana chuckled softly, raising her palm to cover her lips as she stifled a laugh, her shoulders shaking with suppressed amusement.

Buddy glanced down at her, narrowing his eyes in confusion.

”Cuquawked?” (What?)

Liana’s shoulders continued to shake. She raised one hand and pointed toward her right side. Buddy turned his head, following her gesture.

Gloria and Felicia stood side by side, completely coated in sand. Their hair was dusted white, their faces smeared with grit, their swimsuits speckled with coarse grains. Felicia’s tail twitched with irritation, and Gloria’s glasses were barely visible through the layer of sand caked across the lenses.

Buddy tilted his head, blinking in genuine confusion.

”Cuquawked?” (Why are they covered in sand?)

Buddy glanced at Liana, who was now letting out a loud, graceful laugh, her hand still covering her lips.

”Cuquawked?” (What?)

Gloria clenched both her fists, her shoulders squaring with anger. Her voice exploded across the beach.

”Buddddddyyyyyyyy!!”

Felicia’s magic flared to life, two white-ore swords materializing in her hands. Her voice came out low and sweet, but carried a chilling edge.

”I don’t care if he’s Husband’s favorite pekko. I’m going to skin him alive.”

Gloria’s massive warhammer materialized in her hand. She dragged it slowly across the sand, the heavy head carving a deep trench as she walked toward Buddy. Felicia followed beside her, her steps graceful and unhurried, sharpening her twin swords against each other with slow, deliberate strokes.

”I’ll break his legs,” Gloria said, her voice cold and measured. ”You pluck his feathers.”

”Yes, Big Sister Gloria~”

Buddy’s smirk widened. He moved quickly, stepping behind Liana and extending his long neck over her shoulder, his head hovering beside hers as he let out a smug, mocking squawk.

”Cuquawked~” (I’ve got my elf witch to cover me~ You can’t hit me~)

Gloria and Felicia stopped in their tracks, their eyes narrowing sharply at the sight. Gloria tilted her head, her voice calm but carrying a dangerous edge.

”What did that big orange menace behind you say, Liana~?”

Liana still had one palm raised to cover her lips, her shoulders shaking with laughter. She used her other hand to gently pat Buddy’s beak before speaking, her voice smooth and even.

”Buddy says he’s sorry.”

”Cuquawked!? Cuquawked!” (What? I did not say that!)

Liana tapped his beak lightly before leaning in, her voice dropping to a low, teasing whisper.

”Oh, hush, Buddy. You want your grilled meat faster, don’t you? If I don’t say that, they’ll keep chasing you around, and the grilling will take much longer. You don’t want to wait, do you?”

Buddy’s eyes widened before he let out a low, grumbling squawk.

”Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~” (Yes, yes~ But no way I’m saying sorry~ I didn’t do anything wrong~)

( End Of Chapter )