Liana chased after Javier with surprising speed, her maid's uniform flowing as she sprinted through the marketplace. The villagers chuckled at the scene.
"It's rare to see a noble child so carefree and playful."
"Yeah. It's my first time seeing our lord's son like this~"
"Young Master! Get back here!"
Javier laughed, weaving through the stalls, his mischievous grin never fading.
After a long chase, Liana finally managed to grab hold of his shirt, halting his escape. Javier stopped, a playful smirk on his face, and raised both hands in mock surrender.
"Okay, okay. Sheesh. You caught me, okay?"
Liana, slightly out of breath, glared at him. "Young Master! How could you—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Javier pulled a cup of cold juice from a nearby stall and handed it to her with a charming smile.
"Here you go, Liana. I'm sure you're thirsty~" he said smoothly, his tone playful.
Liana blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the gesture. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she accepted the juice.
Javier tilted his head, his grin widening. "So, can we at least walk around before heading home? Just for a bit?"
Liana sighed, lowering the cup. Her eyes softened as she looked at the boy. Despite his endless mischief, he always managed to win her over.
"Fine," she relented, shaking her head. "But only for a little while."
Javier's face lit up, and he took a few playful steps forward, gesturing for her to follow. "Ehehe~ Let's go!"
Liana could only smile as she followed, quietly marveling at how effortlessly he charmed his way into her good graces. She followed him from behind, giving him a sidelong glare while still holding the wooden cup. "Young Master, don't try to run off again."
"How about we hold hands? That way I won't be able to run, right~?" Javier asked with a cheeky grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Liana sighed, knowing resistance was futile. "Here," she smiled, extending her hand toward him.
Javier took her hand eagerly, his grip warm and secure.
Liana's breath caught momentarily as she looked at how their fingers intertwined.
His hand feels bigger than mine.
I didn't even notice… I can see he's taller than me now.
His face is even slightly mature despite his age.
How come I didn't notice despite being with him every day?
They strolled through the bustling streets, hand in hand, while Javier marveled at the sights, chatting with her and expressing his excitement over something so simple.
Suddenly, Javier's face lit up. "Ohhh!!! What is that?"
"Where?" Liana asked, scanning the area as he tugged her hand.
"That bird! That big bird! Ohhh!!"
Following his gaze, Liana spotted a large, feathered creature pecking near a farm.
"That's a Pekko. A monster bird used to pull carriages or as mounts. But taming one is no small feat."
"But there! There's a whole flock!" Javier exclaimed, releasing her hand and dashing toward the farm.
"Young Master!" Liana called, exhaling deeply.
Sigh… he's getting excited over something like a huge monster bird.
She shook her head and followed, watching as he approached an older man tending to the Pekkos.
"Excuse me, old man! How much for that monster bird?!" Javier asked, his excitement evident.
The farmer turned to him, eyes narrowing slightly before noticing Liana standing a few paces behind, her maid uniform bearing the emblem of the viscount's household. Realizing the young man before him was likely the viscount's youngest son, he straightened up slowly.
"Ah, good day, Young Master. How can I assist you?"
Javier waved dismissively. "Geh, old man, enough with the formalities! Just tell me, how much for that bird?"
The farmer chuckled. "A Pekko like that? Untamed ones start at fifteen gold coins. Trained ones cost much more."
Javier's eyes widened as he turned to Liana. "Fifteen gold?! Liana, I need one!"
Liana pinched the bridge of her nose, suppressing a smile.
"Young Master, please don't make any rash purchases."
"But look at them! Imagine me riding one into the estate!"
"Perhaps you should ask your father first," Liana suggested, tugging gently on his sleeve.
"Ugh, dried plum would just say no," Javier muttered, pouting but letting himself be led back.
The farmer laughed softly, watching the pair was about to leave. "Quite the lively Young Master you've got there."
"You have no idea," she replied with a small smile.
"Can I at least try riding one?" Javier asked with a mischievous grin.
"No can do, Young Master!" Liana said firmly, crossing her arms. "What if you get hurt?"
"Well, that's what experience is for, right?" Javier turned back to the farmer. "Hey, old man, let me try riding one!"
Before the farmer could answer, Liana raised her voice. "Young Master!!"
Javier ignored her protest and vaulted over the fence with a mischievous grin. "Ehehehe…" He slowly walked toward one of the Pekkos and stroked its feathery head gently. The bird tilted its head to look at him curiously.
"Young Master!!!" Liana shouted, panic creeping into her voice.
"Relax, Liana, look!! This one likes me!" Javier grinned, patting the Pekko as it squawked softly.
"Yo! Birdy birdy! Let me ride you, yeah?"
The huge monster bird just tilted its head to the side while Javier climbed onto its back, balancing himself on its broad body.
"Young Master, get down this instant!"
"Yehaaa!!" Javier hollered, ignoring her. The Pekko, startled, began moving in circles. Its pace picked up as Javier shifted his weight, and soon it was running around the pen with him on its back, feathers flapping in the breeze.
"I'm a thief! Hand over your loot, or I'll take your lives!" Javier shouted dramatically, mimicking a bandit with exaggerated gestures. He pretended to wield an invisible sword, pointing it at imaginary enemies while the Pekko squawked and bounced playfully.
The villagers gathered, chuckling at the spectacle.
"Young Master, stop this nonsense!" Liana yelled, running along the fence.
"Never! The mighty thief Javier is unstoppable! Hand over your treasures!" he declared, laughing as the Pekko responded to his playful energy.
The crowd burst into laughter, watching the scene of a noble boy pretending to be a bandit atop a Pekko.
After the Pekko made a sharp turn, Javier nearly lost his balance, clinging to its neck. "Whoa, okay, maybe slow down, big guy!"
Liana bit her lower lip, her frustration and anger visibly bubbling up as she watched him teeter dangerously. She climbed over the fence and marched toward him.
"Young Master, you better get down this instant, or I will…!"
Before she could finish, the Pekko stopped, and Javier slid off with a triumphant grin.
"See? Easy peasy! No harm done!" He spread his arms dramatically.
"No harm done?!" Liana grabbed his ear, tugging him away. "What if you'd fallen? Or been trampled?! What would Lord Garius say?"
"Ow ow ow! Liana! My ear!"
"This is what you should get for not listening!!!" Liana glared sharply at him while keeping a firm hold on his ear, pulling him away from the Pekko pen.
(End of Chapter)