Reborn As Noble

Celine paused, glancing around with a puzzled expression. ”I... I think I heard it too. Someone said something about where we’re going. But there’s no one here.”

”Cuquawked?” (Oi! You can hear me?)

They both turned toward Buddy, who was now stepping out of the water and standing behind them on the shore.

Celine’s eyes widened, then began to gleam with excitement.

”Was that you? Did you just talk to us?”

Buddy tilted his head, his beak curled into a smirk.

”Cuquawked? Cuquawked~” (Huh? Yeah~)

Celine jumped in excitement, her hands flying up. ”I can understand pekko language now! I can actually understand him!”

She rushed toward Buddy, stopping just short of crashing into his massive frame. She pressed her hands against his feathered chest, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

”Thank you, Buddy! Thank you!”

Buddy rolled his eyes, letting out a low squawk.

”Cuquawked?” (So? Where are you two going?)

Gracelle smiled up at Buddy, her voice warm. ”We’re going to check the kitchen. Celine’s hungry.”

”Cuquawked~” (Ah. Food. Now you’re speaking my language~)

Just as they were about to move, Javier appeared. Both hands were tucked inside his pockets, sunglasses perched on his nose, and he walked toward them at an easy pace before stopping in front of them.

”Hmm? Gracelle? Celine?” He tilted his head, sliding his sunglasses down slightly to look at them. ”I thought you two were joining Liana and the others.”

Gracelle’s face lit up the moment she saw him. Her eyes sparkled, her cheeks flushed a soft pink, and her smile spread wide and dreamy.

”Javier-sama~”

She walked toward him and wrapped her arms around him from his left side, pressing herself close. She nuzzled her cheek against his shoulder, her voice soft and warm.

”We’re not joining them.” She tilted her head up to look at him, her eyes shining with affection. ”I want to be with Javier-sama~”

Javier smiled softly. He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his voice low and warm.

”You don’t need to do that. You should spend time with the others.”

”Mm~”

She shook her head and smiled, glancing up at him with a sweet, warm expression.

”But I’d rather stay with Javier-sama. That’s what makes me happiest. Being near you. Spending my time with you.”

Javier smiled warmly. He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Gracelle’s lips, soft and lingering. She let out a small, happy hum against his mouth, her cheeks flushing pink as he pulled back.

Then he glanced toward Celine. She was standing a few steps away, fidgeting in place, her fingers twisting together in front of her, her eyes darting everywhere but at him. Her cheeks were already flushed, and she bit her lower lip nervously.

He opened his other arm and smiled warmly.

”Come. Don’t be shy.”

Celine bit her lower lip. She walked toward him slowly, her eyes averted, her cheeks burning bright red. The moment she was close enough, Javier pulled her in, his arm wrapping around her waist, and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.

Celine’s face turned even redder. She buried it against his right chest, hiding her blush. Gracelle giggled softly, leaning her head against his shoulder.

Buddy narrowed his eyes at them before letting out a pointed squawk, flapping his wing.

”Cuquawked... Cuquawked~” (Ugh. Annoying playboy.)

Gracelle glanced up at Javier, her eyes bright with excitement.

”Javier-sama! We can finally understand everything Buddy says!”

Javier blinked, glancing down at her.

”Really?”

”Yes, Husband.” Celine mumbled softly against his chest. She pulled her head back and glanced up at him, her cheeks still pink, her eyes shining.

”I can understand him now. Every word. Every squawk. It’s amazing. I never thought I’d be able to understand a pekko before.” She paused, her smile widening. ”I can’t wait to go back to the Armand estate and talk to Brownie. I want to hear what he has to say. I want to know what he’s been thinking all this time.”

Javier gave Buddy a flat look.

”If you’re going to make my girls understand you, make it for everyone. Not selective.”

Buddy turned his head and stared at him with one eye, his beak curling into a defensive squawk.

”Cuquawked... Cuquawked...” (It’s not like I’m being selective. I already let Gloria understand me. And what did she say? She called me annoying.)

He flapped his wing in protest.

”Cuquawked! Cuquawked!” (And I did make Delya understand me too. But she was so focused on her chocolate she didn’t hear a single word I said! I squawked right next to her ear and she just kept stirring her drink and humming to herself!)

He paced in place, his head bobbing.

”Cuquawked! Cuquawked!” (Don’t even get me started on the catgirl. Every time I try to squawk something to her, she’s either stuffing her face with meat, or chasing something, or bothering Felicia, or plotting some nonsense. She’s always moving, always bouncing, always doing something!)

Buddy stopped pacing and turned his head, gave Javier a flat look, his eyes half-lidded, his beak pressed into a thin line.

”Cuquawked.” (So don’t blame me. I tried. It’s not my fault they don’t listen.)

Javier let out an exhale and shook his head. He glanced up at Buddy again.

”What about Felicia?”

”Cuquawked?” (Oh, her?)

Buddy bobbed his head.

”Cuquawked... Cuquawked.” (Well... she’s always reading. Every time I see her, she has a book in her hands. I didn’t want to disturb her. It would be rude to interrupt someone while they’re in the middle of a story. She looks so focused. So calm. I’d feel bad if I startled her and made her lose her place.)

Javier shook his head slowly, his expression flat.

”After this, make sure you really make every one of my girls understand you. Not just some of them. All of them.”

Buddy’s beak curled into a sly smirk. He wiggled his eyebrows at Javier.

”Cuquawked~” (Don’t blame me for what happens after this~ Since it’s your request, I’ll do it~ But whatever they say or do once they can hear me, that’s on you.)

He puffed his chest out and glanced down at Javier with his head held high.

”Cuquawked~” (Now. Give us food~)

Javier pinched the bridge of his nose. Beside him, Gracelle giggled softly, and Celine raised her palm to cover her lips, her shoulders shaking with quiet laughter.

Javier glanced at Buddy, his voice flat.

”Didn’t you just eat? How are you still not full?”

Buddy tilted his head, his beak curling into a smug, knowing smirk.

”Cuquawked? Cuquawked~” (Have you ever seen me really full, Master? Besides, your girls are hungry too~)

( End Of Chapter )