Reborn As Noble

Chapter 81 Pursuit and Playfulness ( 81 )

Javier sprinted to the pekko pen, his laughter echoing as he called out desperately, ”Buddy, prepare for emergency escape!”

The bright orange pekko tilted its head, blinking at him in confusion as it leisurely continued pecking at the ground.

”Buddy!!!!” Javier shouted again, waving his arms frantically.

Finally, Buddy squawked in acknowledgment and waddled over. Wasting no time, Javier jumped onto its back. ”Run!!!”

With a squawk of protest, Buddy broke into a clumsy dash, feathers fluttering as it picked up speed. Javier clung to its neck, grinning from ear to ear as they took off across the estate.

Behind him, Liana stood frozen in the doorway, her face a perfect mixture of fury and disbelief. ”Young master!!!” she bellowed, her voice echoing across the estate.

”Black panties!!!” Javier yelled back with gleeful mischief, waving at her as Buddy bolted around the estate grounds.

Lianaʼs eye twitched. She inhaled sharply and turned her gaze to her own pekko, Pikko—a sleek, silver-feathered bird that stood calmly nearby, as if waiting for its cue. The pekko had been a gift from Javier himself, though in moments like these, she questioned why she had accepted it.

”Pikko,” Liana called firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The silver pekko squawked in response, its sharp eyes locking onto her.

”Letʼs chase down the young master,” she said, hopping gracefully onto Pikkoʼs back.

Pikko immediately flared its wings, letting out a fierce cry before taking off, its movements fluid and determined.

Meanwhile, Javier glanced back and saw the silver blur gaining on him. ”Oh no, oh no, oh no!” he muttered, patting Buddyʼs neck. ”Faster, Buddy! Sheʼs catching up!”

Buddy let out an indignant squawk, as if to say, Iʼm trying my best here!

Lianaʼs voice rang out behind him. ”Young master! You are NOT escaping this time!”

Javier cackled, the thrill of the chase filling him with exhilaration. ”Try and catch me, Liana!”

The two pekkos dashed across the estate, kicking up clouds of dirt as they weaved between trees, past startled maids, and around the garden fountains. Pikko, with its elegant strides and sharp reflexes, steadily closed the gap.

”Buddy, donʼt fail me now!” Javier urged, glancing nervously over his shoulder.

But Lianaʼs calm, focused expression sent a shiver down his spine. He knew she wasnʼt letting this slide.

”Pikko, corner him!” Liana commanded, her voice steady despite the wind rushing past.

Javierʼs heart raced as he saw Pikko expertly cut off his escape route, forcing Buddy to veer sharply to the left. The sudden change sent him off balance, and he clung tightly to the birdʼs neck to avoid tumbling off.

”Youʼre not getting away this time!” Liana called out, her voice dangerously close.

Javier grinned nervously. ”Err..umm… maybe I went too far this time…?”

”Definitely!” Liana snapped, her sharp hearing catching his words.

The chase continued, but it was clear—Pikko and Liana had the upper hand. As they rounded a corner of the estate, Javier spotted a large oak tree ahead. An idea sparked in his mind.

”Buddy, letʼs go for the tree!” he shouted, urging the pekko to make a sharp turn.

With a squawk of determination, Buddy complied, heading straight for the tree. Javier held on tight, adrenaline pumping through him. Lianaʼs eyes widened as she realized what he was planning.

”Donʼt you dare!” she yelled, but it was too late.

Javier leaped off Buddyʼs back as they approached the tree, rolling onto the grass just in time to avoid a collision. Buddy skidded to a stop, feathers ruffled but unharmed.

”Ha! Youʼll never catch me now!” Javier taunted, scrambling to his feet.

But Liana was quick to react. ”Pikko, stop!” she commanded, and the silver pekko halted in front of Javier, blocking his path.

”Uh-oh,” he muttered, realizing he was cornered.

Liana dismounted with a determined look. ”Young master, this is the end of your antics!”

Javier took a step back, his playful demeanor faltering. ”Come on, Liana! I was just having a bit of fun!”

”Fun that could get you into serious trouble!” she replied, hands on her hips. ”You need to learn that there are consequences for your actions.”

”Okay, okay! I promise to be good!” he pleaded.

Liana raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. ”Youʼve said that before.”

”I mean it this time!” he insisted, a nervous laugh escaping him.

”Letʼs go to the study room” she said, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

With a sly grin, a mischievous idea popped into Javierʼs head. He turned towards Liana, and in a swift motion, he playfully slapped her ass before dashing off, laughing.

”Soft!”

”Young master!!!” Liana gasped, her cheeks flushing with surprise and indignation as she spun around, eyes wide with disbelief. ”You little rascal!”

”Come back here!” Liana shouted, shaking her head but unable to suppress a smile that crept onto her lips despite her feigned annoyance. ”Youʼll pay for that!”

Javier dashed around a fountain, darting between bushes, clearly reveling in the playful chase. ”Youʼll have to catch me first!” he called over his shoulder, heart racing with excitement.

Liana charged after him, determined to regain control of the situation. ”You may think youʼre clever, but Iʼm still faster!” she replied, her voice ringing out as she navigated the garden paths with agility.

”Faster? Weʼll see about that!” he retorted, glancing back just in time to see her drawing nearer. Fueled by the thrill of the chase, he leaped over a small flowerbed, narrowly avoiding a patch of blooming daisies.

”Young master!” Liana warned, her tone a mix of exasperation and laughter. ”Youʼre going to ruin the garden!”

”Canʼt catch me!” he taunted again, dodging left and right as he made his way toward the palatial estate.

As he reached the wide stone steps leading up to the front door, Javier turned again, panting and grinning. ”Okay, okay! I didnʼt mean to make trouble… just wanted to have a little fun!”

Liana finally slowed to a stop, catching her breath with one hand on her hip, trying to maintain an air of authority. ”Fun that will land you in more trouble than you know,” she countered, though the corner of her mouth twitched in amusement.

Javier held his hands up in mock surrender. ”Canʼt I ever make it through a day without a little mischief?”

”Not if you keep this up,” she replied, shaking her head, still smiling despite herself. ”Now, what will it be? The study, or do I have to drag you there?”

After a moment of dramatic consideration, Javier replied, ”Fine. The study it is.” He started up the stairs but couldnʼt help shooting her a cheeky grin over his shoulder. ”But only if you promise to stop being so serious all the time!”

She rolled her eyes but couldnʼt hide her chuckle. ”And you promise to behave, young master?”

”Okay, okay! I promise!” he said, trying to sound serious but failing miserably as he made his way into the house.

Inside the study room, sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating the shelves lined with books. Despite his earlier antics, Javier was now lying on Lianaʼs lap, his head resting comfortably as he lazily clung to her waist. His eyes gazed up at her, a satisfied grin on his face.

Liana sat gracefully, her back straight, engrossed in a book. She seemed serene, though she occasionally glanced down at her mischievous young master with a faint smile.

”Liana?” Javier spoke up, his voice soft yet playful.

”What now, young master?” she replied without looking up, her tone calm but tinged with a hint of exasperation.

”You still didnʼt give me a kiss today,” he said, pouting slightly and hugging her waist tighter.

Liana sighed, finally lowering her book to look at him. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and she knew he wouldnʼt let this go easily.

”Honestly, young master…” she muttered, shaking her head.

Still, she leaned down, her long hair cascading like a curtain as she brought her lips to his. The kiss started soft, but Javier, true to his bold nature, tightened his arms around her, deepening the moment. Liana let it linger longer than usual before pulling back, her face composed despite a faint blush on her cheeks.

”There,” she said, her voice steady but gentle. ”Satisfied?”

Javierʼs grin widened.”That was perfect.”

”Youʼre impossible,” she said, resuming her upright posture and picking up her book again.

”And youʼre amazing,” Javier replied without hesitation, his voice filled with affection.

Liana didnʼt respond, but the small, amused smile on her lips revealed her true feelings.

As Javier lay there, inhaling her calming scent and enjoying the warmth of the moment, he thought to himself that this was exactly what he loved most—being close to Liana, even in the simplest of ways.

( End of Chapter )