Reborn As Noble

Her words struck a nerve, and Javier looked away, feeling a rare pang of guilt. ”Sorry...” he mumbled.

Liana took a deep breath, calming herself. ”Letʼs just focus on getting home safely. No more detours, no more excuses.”

”Right,” Javier replied, his tone unusually subdued.

The two rode on.Liana kept her bow at the ready, her eyes scanning their surroundings, while Javier stayed close behind, for once without his usual mischief.

As they continued through the dimly lit forest, Javier leaned forward on his pekko, patting its neck with a grin.

”Look at my buddy here,” he said with a chuckle, glancing back at Liana. ”Leveling up like a champ! Did you see that stomp? Took that monster down like it was nothing! Ehehehe.”

The pekko squawked in agreement, almost smugly, before casually stomping down on another smaller creature that tried to ambush them from the underbrush. It didnʼt even break its stride, its cheerful demeanor almost mocking the creatures that dared to cross its path.

”See? Told you heʼs the best!” Javier beamed, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

Liana, however, was having none of it. She sat stiffly on her pekko, her piercing emerald eyes fixed ahead. Her grip on the reins was tight, her jaw clenched, and her silence was as heavy as the tension in the air.

Javier chuckled nervously, glancing over his shoulder. ”Come on, Liana, donʼt be like that. I mean, everything turned out fine, right? No one got hurt, and we even—”

”Stop talking,” Liana interrupted, her tone icy.

Javier blinked, his grin faltering. ”Uh, Liana—”

”Not. Another. Word,” she hissed, not even sparing him a glance.

Javier swallowed hard, deciding it was best not to push his luck. His pekko squawked softly, as if sensing the tension and wisely deciding to keep quiet as well.

The rest of the ride continued in an uncomfortable silence, punctuated only by the sound of hooves and the occasional rustle of the forest. Javier couldnʼt help but glance back at Liana from time to time, but her expression remained unreadable, her anger simmering just beneath the surface.

”Man, I really messed up this time,” Javier thought to himself, slumping slightly in his saddle. For once, he felt genuinely nervous about the scolding he was bound to receive once they got home.

Javier grinned mischievously as Lianaʼs icy words cut through the air. ”Focus on the road and your surroundings,” she had said, but he had other plans.

”Heh… Buddy! Letʼs dash toward the road. Letʼs see what she does!” Javier whispered, urging his pekko forward.

The pekko squawked enthusiastically and took off in a sudden burst of speed, kicking up dirt and leaves behind them.

”Young master!!!” Lianaʼs sharp voice rang out in the forest, but Javier simply turned his head with a playful smirk.

”See yaaaa, Lianaaa!!” he called, laughing as his pekko dashed ahead.

Lianaʼs eyes narrowed, her patience snapping. ”Chase him!” she commanded her pekko, and the creature responded immediately, leaping into a full sprint with incredible grace and speed.

Javier, glancing back, caught sight of a blur closing in on him.

”Huh? What the—somethingʼs fast behind me—wait, is that…?” His eyes widened as realization hit.

”Younggggg massssterrrr!!!” Lianaʼs voice roared, growing louder with each passing second.

Javier panicked, kicking his heels into his pekkoʼs sides. ”Eeeeeek! Run faster, Buddy!! Donʼt let her catch us!!”

The chase was on. Javier clung to his pekkoʼs reins as it dashed through the forest, dodging trees and jumping over roots, but Lianaʼs pekko was relentless, its speed almost unnatural.

”Come on, Buddy! You leveled up! Donʼt let me down now!!” Javier pleaded, his heart racing as Lianaʼs voice grew dangerously close.

Despite his pekkoʼs best efforts, Lianaʼs mount had the advantage. With a powerful leap, it closed the gap and came alongside Javierʼs.

”Got you!” Liana growled, her hand shooting out to grab the back of Javierʼs tunic.

”Ahhh!! Mercy!! Mercy, Liana!!” Javier yelped, flailing uselessly.

The chase ended abruptly as Liana reined in both pekkos, forcing them to stop. Javier hung his head in defeat, panting and muttering under his breath.

”Youʼve got some explaining to do when we get back,” Liana said coldly, her piercing glare making him shrink in his saddle.

”Yes, maʼam…” Javier muttered, mentally bracing himself for the lecture of a lifetime.

( End Of Chapter )